New bus services & amended bus routes introduced in 2025

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As we count down to 2026, it’s a good time to look back at our public transport highs and even some of the lows. MRT delays and breakdowns made headlines, but it’s not just the trains that need improvement. We also rely heavily on our buses in getting us around daily, and keeping the network smooth is equally important. Thankfully, there have been many new bus services and amended bus routes to make our commute quicker and more convenient.

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Why were these new bus services introduced?

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Punggol Coast Bus Interchange.
Image credit: Mokkie Mok via Google Maps

Most of these developments are part of the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme (BCEP) – a nearly $900 million government initiative that was established in 2024. It aims to provide new residential areas, like Tengah and Punggol Coast, with public transportation and improve existing bus services during peak hours.

Over the next 8 years, new bus routes and infrastructures will continue to be created to make the bus network in Singapore more reliable and accessible.

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Breakdown of the new bus services & amended routes launched in 2025

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Bus Service	Bus Type	Areas	Bus Timings
984	Bi-directional	Bukit Panjang Brickland Jurong	6am-11.30pm, Daily (From Jurong Town Hall Int) 5.45am-12.05am, Daily (From Woodlands Road (After KJE Slip Rd))
451, 452 & 453	Limited-stop	Tengah Bukit Batok	Bus 451 Mon-Fri 6.10am-8.40am (AM Peak – From Opp Blk 816A) Mon-Fri 5.30pm-8pm (PM Peak – From Opp Bt Gombak Stn) Bus 452 Mon-Fri 6am-9.30am (AM Peak – From Tengah Int) Mon-Fri 5.30pm-9pm (PM Peak – From Beauty World Stn Exit C) Bus 453 Mon-Fri 6am-9.30am (AM Peak – From Tengah Int) Mon-Fri 5.30pm-9pm (PM Peak – From Bt Batok Int)
44	Peak-hour bus	Punggol Changi Airport	Mon-Fri 6.30am-8.30am (AM Peak – From Punggol Coast Int) Mon-Fri 5.15pm-7.15pm (PM Peak – From Changi Airport)
104	Bi-directional	Woodleigh Punggol Coast Buangkok Serangoon	5.30am-11.30pm, Daily (From Punggol Coast Int) 5.30am-11.30pm, Daily (From Woodleigh Int)
967	Loop	Marsiling Woodlands	5.30am-12.30am, Daily (Loop from Woodlands Temp Int)
148	Loop	Bidadari Potong Pasir	6am-12am, Daily (Loop from Woodleigh Int)
675, 676, 677 & 678	City Direct Services	Yio Chu Kang Suntec Upper Serangoon Punggol Sengkang	675 Mon-Fri 7.35am & 7.50am (AM Peak – From Blk 953) Mon-Fri 6.10pm & 6.25pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three) 676 Mon-Fri 7.35am & 7.50am (AM Peak – From Blk 477A) Mon-Fri 6.10pm & 6.25pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three) 677 Mon-Fri 7.30am & 7.45am (AM Peak – From Opp Blk 110) Mon-Fri 6.05pm & 6.20pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three) 678 Mon-Fri 7.25am & 7.40am (AM Peak – From 162B) Mon-Fri 6pm & 6.15pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three)
679, 680, 681, 682 & 683	City Direct Services	Tengah Sengkang West Buangkok Upper Serangoon Compassvale Punggol Central	679 Mon-Fri 7.25am, 7.35am, 7.45am & 7.55am (AM Peak – From Opp Blk 471A) Mon-Fri 6pm & 6.15pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three) 680 Mon-Fri 7.40am & 7.55am (AM Peak – From Blk 991A) Mon-Fri 6.05pm & 6.20pm (PM Peak – From YMCA) 681 Mon-Fri 7.30am & 7.45am (AM Peak – Blk 477A) Mon-Fri 6.05pm & 6.20pm (PM Peak – From St. Joseph Instn Jnr) 682 Mon-Fri 7.30am, 7.40am, 7.50am & 8am (AM Peak – From Blk 204 CP) Mon-Fri 6pm & 6.15pm (PM Peak – From YMCA) 683 Mon-Fri 7.20am & 7.35am (AM Peak – From Blk 162B) Mon-Fri 6pm & 6.15pm (PM Peak – From St. Joseph Instn Jnr)
53M	Loop	Hougang Kovan	5.55am-11pm, Daily (Loop from Kovan Hub)
454, 455 & 456	Limited-stop, Loop	Tampines North Whampoa Choa Chu Kang	454 Mon-Fri 6.30am-10am (AM Peak – Loop from Tampines Nth Int) Mon-Fri 4pm-7.30pm (PM Peak – Loop from Tampines Nth Int) 455 Mon-Fri 6.30am-10am (AM Peak – Loop from Bt Panjang Int) Mon-Fri 4.15pm-7.45pm (PM Peak – Loop from Bt Panjang Int) 456 Mon-Fri 6.30am-10am (AM Peak – Loop from St Michael’s Terminal) Mon-Fri 4.15pm-7.45pm (PM Peak – Loop from St Michael’s Terminal)
173	Bi-directional	Clementi Bukit Batok	Mon-Sat 5.30am-11.30pm | Sun & PH 6am-11.30pm (From Bt Batok Int) Mon-Fri 5.45am-12.20am | Sat 5.50am-12.20am | Sun & PH 6am-12.20am (From Clementi Int)
146	Loop	Woodleigh Kovan Bartley	6am-12am, Daily (Loop from Woodleigh Int)
114	Bi-directional	Sengkang West Buangkok	5.30am-12.35am, Daily (From Buangkok Int) 5.30am-11.30pm, Daily (From Yio Chu Kang Int)

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– New bus services –

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1. Bus 984

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Connects Bukit Panjang, Brickland & Jurong Town Hall

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Image credit: @towertransitsg via Instagram

Bus 984, launched on 26th October 2025, is the first of 8 services created to serve the Brickland and Tengah areas, with plans for the remaining 7 services to be launched by the end of 2026. Its route connects Jurong Town Hall Interchange with key MRT stations like Bukit Panjang and Jurong East.

This bus also swings by schools around the area, including Dunearn Secondary School and Fuhua Primary School – handy for students and parents heading there for pickups.

Bus Timings:

• 6am-11.30pm, Daily (From Jurong Town Hall Int)
• 5.45am-12.05am, Daily (From Woodlands Road (After KJE Slip Rd))

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2. Buses 451, 452 & 453

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Limited-stop services connecting directly to MRT stations

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Image credit: @smrtsingapore via Instagram

Buses 451, 452 and 453 are limited-stop services that provide direct connections to MRT stations, offering residents living further away from transport hubs greater convenience. And while their numbers sit neatly in a row, bus 451 is the only service managed by SMRT Singapore. Buses 452 and 453 are under Tower Transit.

Service 451 is actually a renumbering of Bus 991C, which now comes with an extended route, shorter waiting times, and longer operating hours. This would help create a faster journey for commuters on weekdays, excluding public holidays.

Image credit: @towertransitsg via Instagram

Buses 452 and 453, on the other hand, operate from Tengah Interchange. During the evening rush, Bus 452 will depart from Beauty World MRT Station, while Bus 453 will start at Bukit Batok Interchange.

Bus 451
Bus Timings: 

• Mon-Fri 6.10am-8.40am (AM Peak – From Opp Blk 816A)
• Mon-Fri 5.30pm-8pm (PM Peak – From Opp Bt Gombak Stn)

Bus 452
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 6am-9.30am (AM Peak – From Tengah Int)
• Mon-Fri 5.30pm-9pm (PM Peak – From Beauty World Stn Exit C)

Bus 453
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 6am-9.30am (AM Peak – From Tengah Int)
• Mon-Fri 5.30pm-9pm (PM Peak – From Bt Batok Int)

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3. Bus 44

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Peak-hour bus service that directly links Punggol & Changi Airport

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Image credit: Go-Ahead Singapore via Facebook

To improve connectivity between the Punggol area and Changi Airport, a new peak-hour service, bus 44, has been introduced. Morning trips start from Punggol Coast Integrated Transport Hub and bring commuters straight to the airport, with return services in the evening.

Buses arrive roughly every 15 minutes and operate only on weekdays, excluding public holidays.

Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 6.30am-8.30am (AM Peak – From Punggol Coast Int)
• Mon-Fri 5.15pm-7.15pm (PM Peak – From Changi Airport)

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4. Bus 104

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En route to Punggol Coast, Buangkok & Serangoon MRT stations

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Image credit: @sun.xueling via Instagram

Bus 104 is a new service that links both Woodleigh and Punggol Coast Integrated Transport Hubs. Along the way, it stops at Punggol Coast, Buangkok, and Serangoon MRT stations, effectively connecting all 3 neighbourhoods. Take note: with this addition, Bus 43M will be discontinued.

Bus Timings:

• 5.30am-11.30pm, Daily (From Punggol Coast Int)
• 5.30am-11.30pm, Daily (From Woodleigh Int)

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5. Bus 967

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Increased connectivity to 2 MRT stations & Woodlands Health Campus

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Image credit: @isnapbarse via Instagram

Bus 967 was rolled out in place of Bus 912M, which has since been phased out, to offer a direct link to both the Marsiling and Woodlands MRT stations, with a stop at Woodlands Health Campus. Since 23rd November 2025, its route has been further updated with an additional stop at Blk 568B (47721) along Woodlands Drive 17.

Bus Timings:

• 5.30am-12.30am, Daily (Loop from Woodlands Temp Int)

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6. Bus 148

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Connects Bidadari & Potong Pasir to the new Woodleigh Interchange

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Woodleigh Interchange.
Image credit: @sbstransit_sg via Instagram

Potong Pasir and Bidadari are both rapidly developing estates in Singapore, and there have been efforts to improve the public transportation options in the area. Bus 148 is a loop service established to run through these neighbourhoods, operating from Woodleigh Bus Interchange.

This new bus service caters to neighbourhoods along Bidadari Park Drive, Sang Nila Utama Road, and Upper Serangoon Road. Through that, it’ll increase the connectivity of these neighbourhoods to amenities like Woodleigh Mall, Woodleigh Hawker Centre, and Bidadari Polyclinic, which is expected to open in 2027.

Bus Timings:

• 6am-12am, Daily (Loop from Woodleigh Int)

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7. City Direct Services 675, 676, 677 & 678

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Direct links to the city for Hougang & Sengkang residents

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Image credit: @s5a0043 via Instagram

A key focus of the BCEP is to boost connectivity between heartland areas and the CBD. Earlier this year, the programme rolled out the first 4 City Direct Services (CDS) – express buses designed to serve Hougang and Sengkang residents, especially those who commute to town during peak hours.

CDS 675, 676, 677, and 678 serve Yio Chu Kang, Upper Serangoon, Punggol Road, and Punggol Central, respectively. These routes offer direct connections to major hubs in the CBD, including Marina Bay Financial Centre, as well as Downtown and Promenade MRT stations.

675
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.35am & 7.50am (AM Peak – From Blk 953)
• Mon-Fri 6.10pm & 6.25pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three)

676
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.35am & 7.50am (AM Peak – From Blk 477A)
• Mon-Fri 6.10pm & 6.25pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three)

677
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.30am & 7.45am (AM Peak – From Opp Blk 110)
• Mon-Fri 6.05pm & 6.20pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three)

678
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.25am & 7.40am (AM Peak – From 162B)
• Mon-Fri 6pm & 6.15pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three)

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8. City Direct Services 679, 680, 681, 682 & 683

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More express buses from other parts of the north-east

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Bus route for the upcoming City Direct Bus 679.
Image credit: @sbstransit_sg via Instagram

On 15th December 2025, 5 new CDS buses will begin operating – CDS 679, 680, 681, 682, and 683 will serve Sengkang West, Buangkok, Upper Serangoon, Compassvale, and Punggol Central, respectively.

These buses will also stop at CBD hotspots such as Suntec City and shopping districts like Orchard. But it’s important to note that these are limited-run express services, with only about 2 to 4 trips each on weekdays, so it’s best to plan your commute ahead of time.

679
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.25am, 7.35am, 7.45am & 7.55am (AM Peak – From Opp Blk 471A)
• Mon-Fri 6pm & 6.15pm (PM Peak – From Suntec Twr Three)

680
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.40am & 7.55am (AM Peak – From Blk 991A)
• Mon-Fri 6.05pm & 6.20pm (PM Peak – From YMCA)

681
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.30am & 7.45am (AM Peak – Blk 477A)
• Mon-Fri 6.05pm & 6.20pm (PM Peak – From St. Joseph Instn Jnr)

682
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.30am, 7.40am, 7.50am & 8am (AM Peak – From Blk 204 CP)
• Mon-Fri 6pm & 6.15pm (PM Peak – From YMCA)

683
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 7.20am & 7.35am (AM Peak – From Blk 162B)
• Mon-Fri 6pm & 6.15pm (PM Peak – From St. Joseph Instn Jnr)

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– Amended bus routes –

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9. Bus 53M

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Extended to serve Hougang St 21 (Kovan Hub)

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Image credit: Teliot idibiks via Google Maps

Bus 53M, which was originally a bi-directional bus, has been extended and now loops at Kovan Hub. It improves connectivity for residents living in estates along Lorong Ah Soo and Serangoon Central to the bus hub. This new route also serves 2 additional bus stops along Hougang Street 21 – Between Blocks 210 and 211 (63231) and Opposite Block 211 (63239).

Bus Timings:

• 5.55am-11pm, Daily (Loop from Kovan Hub)

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10. Buses 454, 455 & 456

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Renumbering of buses 298X, 979X & 21X, with more stops

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Bus route for 455, which used to be Bus 979X.
Image credit: SMRT

To streamline the network alongside the new feeder buses 451 to 453 mentioned above, services 298X, 979X, and 21X have been renumbered to 454, 455, and 456. Each bus service will also have 1 to 2 additional bus stops along each route to increase connectivity in the area. Other than that, the rest of the route, bus fares, and operating hours remain the same.

Here’s a quick glance at all the changes:

Old Bus Number	New Bus Number	Additional Stop(s)
298X	454	Tampines West Stn Exit B (75051)
979X	455	Opp Blk 704 (45291) Blk 702 (45299)
21X	456	Opp Blk 104 (50229)

454
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 6.30am-10am (AM Peak – Loop from Tampines Nth Int)
• Mon-Fri 4pm-7.30pm (PM Peak – Loop from Tampines Nth Int)

455
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 6.30am-10am (AM Peak – Loop from Bt Panjang Int)
• Mon-Fri 4.15pm-7.45pm (PM Peak – Loop from Bt Panjang Int)

456
Bus Timings:

• Mon-Fri 6.30am-10am (AM Peak – Loop from St Michael’s Terminal)
• Mon-Fri 4.15pm-7.45pm (PM Peak – Loop from St Michael’s Terminal)

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11. Bus 173

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Converted to a bi-directional service

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Image credit: @budep_flexi.deployment via Google Maps

Bus 173, previously a loop service, has now been upgraded into a full bi-directional route that ends at Clementi Interchange. The refreshed route connects key MRT stations such as Bukit Batok, Beauty World, and Clementi, while also serving neighbourhood hubs like Bukit Batok East Market and Bukit Batok Swimming Complex.

Do note that between 11.30pm and 1.20am, only bus 173A will be in service, and it’ll operate a shortened route that ends at the Bukit Batok East Ave 4 bus stop.

Bus Timings:

• Mon-Sat 5.30am-1.10am | Sun & PH 6am-1.10am (From Bt Batok Int)
• Mon-Fri 5.45am-12.20am | Sat 5.50am-12.20am | Sun & PH 6am-12.20am (From Clementi Int)

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12. Bus 146

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Loops at Kovan MRT Station & stops at 14 additional bus stops

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Image credit: Luke Phang via Google Maps

From 14th December 2025, bus 146 will extend its route to connect Woodleigh and Hougang, adding 14 new stops along the way. It will stop at Woodleigh, Kovan, and Bartley MRT stations, and provide direct links to Xinghua Primary School and Yuying Secondary School.

Overview of the bus stops that will be added:

Road	Bus Stop	Bus Stop Code
Hougang Avenue 3	Opp SBST Hougang Depot	62249
Hougang Street 13	Blk 181	62301
Hougang Avenue 1	Alujunied CC	63289
	Opp Yuying Sec Sch	63279
	Blk 232	63269
Tampines Road	Aft Hougang Ave 1	63119
Upper Serangoon Road	Kovan Stn Exit C	63039
Hougang Street 21	Kovan Hub	63221
	Bet Blks 210/211	63231
Hougang Avenue 1	Opp Blk 232	63261
	Blk 239	63271
	Blk 105 Mkt/FC	63281
Hougang Street 13	Blk 178A	62309
Hougang Avenue 3	SBST Hougang Depot	62241

Bus Timings:

• 6am-12am, Daily (Loop from Woodleigh Int)

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13. Bus 114

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Converted to a bi-directional service that calls at Yio Chu Kang MRT station

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Image credit: Leong Li Chin via Google Maps

In order to connect the Sengkang West and Buangkok areas, the route for Bus 114 will be extended to add stops at Yio Chu Kang MRT Station, as well as destinations like Seletar Mall. The service will cover 42 more stops from 28th December 2025, plying streets like Buangkok Crescent, Sengkang West Road, and Ang Mo Kio Avenues 6 and 8.

If you’re catching the bus late at night, keep in mind that peak-hour Bus 114A will take over and run from Buangkok Interchange between 11.30pm and 12.35am. It only goes as far as Blk 991B (22471), so plan ahead if you’re commuting after hours.

Bus Timings:

• 5.30am-12.35am, Daily (From Buangkok Int)
• 5.30am-11.30pm, Daily (From Yio Chu Kang Int)

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Look forward to more new bus services in Singapore

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As the BCEP continues to expand our public bus network, getting to school, work, or weekend hangouts will only get a whole lot easier. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed for smoother commutes, greater convenience, and a public transport experience that keeps up with our busy lives.

For more SG transport reads:

• Things to do at the new Circle Line stations
• Circle Line disruption in 2026
• Cross Island Line

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Cover image adapted from: @s5a0043 via Instagram, Luke Phang via Google Maps