Don’t say got free things bojio – quietly making the rounds is a National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) bus that’s been distributing free coffee, and it might end up at your neighbourhood bus interchange in the next couple of weeks. Where can you find this coffee bus, and what’s it all about? Read on to find out more.
Coffee bus, circa 1980s.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
Launched by the NTWU, alongside the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and public transport operators, the NTWU Coffee Bus is a mobile cafe and museum on wheels that commemorates 40-plus years of NTWU canteens. Running in conjunction with SG60, it’s also a demonstration of appreciation for all public transport workers and their work in getting us around Singapore.
The NTWU Coffee Bus is a decommissioned bus which has been retrofitted to resemble a 1970s coffee bus – roving canteens for public transport workers to have their meals and a cuppa kopi pre- and post-shift back in the 1980s, before actual canteens were a thing.
Besides its retro makeover on the outside, the NTWU Coffee Bus has been transformed on the inside into a mini museum, or heritage gallery, that’s a real blast from the past.
Image credit: SBS Transit Ltd via Facebook
For most of us who have never known taking the bus to be anything but an air-conditioned ride, with easy tap-in and tap-out terminals, this will be a real eye-opener.
Image credit: SBS Transit Ltd via Facebook
You can expect to see vintage memorabilia, including bus tickets from decades ago, old bus signs, bus conductor uniforms, and even what’s known as a fare validator machine – which most of us will not have seen in our lifetimes.
For the duration of this initiative, all public transport workers, as well as members of the public who have followed @ntwusg on Instagram, there will be free cups of coffee and tea, as well as snacks on the Coffee Bus too. Plus, you can also enter their giveaway and stand a chance to win exclusive NTWU merch.
Previously only scheduled for locations on 14th, 15th, and 16th May, another 7 new stops have been added to the route that the bus will be taking:
| Date | Venue | Time |
| Wed, 21st May 2025 | Ulu Pandan Bus Depot* | 4.30am to 6.30am |
| Thu, 22nd May 2025 | Woodlands Bus Depot* | 4.30am to 6.30am |
| Fri, 23rd May 2025 | Bukit Merah Bus Interchange | 12.30pm to 2.30pm |
| Wed, 28th May 2025 | Loyang Bus Depot* | 12.30pm to 2.30pm |
| Thu, 29th May 2025 | Boon Lay Bus Interchange | 12.30pm to 2.30pm |
| Fri, 30th May 2025 | Tampines Bus Interchange | 12.30pm to 2.30pm |
| Mon, 2nd June 2025 | Bukit Batok Bus Interchange | 12.30pm to 2.30pm |
*Note that the bus depots are not open to public.
If more dates are added to this line-up, you’ll find the latest news on the NTWU Instagram page.
Being a bus driver can be a thankless job – it’s not often that we remember to send a smile and word of thanks their way as we board, yet that small gesture would go a long way in making their day. If you’re free on the dates above, pop down to have a cuppa with the bus captains, and have a look at what bus journeys used to look like.
For more reads:
Cover image adapted from: SBS Transit Ltd via Facebook
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