Singapore – The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore has announced a tender for 660 new electric buses, signaling a significant step towards its goal of achieving a cleaner public transport fleet by 2040. The tender includes 360 single-deck, three-door buses and 300 double-deck, three-door buses.

The tender closes on May 22, and according to The Straits Times, this additional procurement will bring the total number of battery-electric buses in Singapore to 1,140. As of December 2024, Singapore's public bus fleet comprises approximately 5,800 buses. The LTA emphasized that this purchase aligns with its broader objective of transitioning the entire public bus fleet to cleaner energy sources by 2040. Furthermore, the authority plans to procure over 2,000 more electric buses in the next five years.

Continued Efforts in Electric Bus Adoption

This tender follows the LTA's previous electric bus procurements. In November 2023, the LTA awarded contracts worth S$366.4 million to BYD and Zhongtong for the purchase of 360 electric buses. In October 2024, the authority announced an additional purchase of 60 electric buses from BYD.

Enhanced Safety and Advanced Technology

The new buses will be equipped with advanced safety features, including an automatic fire suppression system designed to detect and extinguish fires in specific areas. The system will trigger audible and visual alarms on the driver's dashboard and reduce the bus's speed to a safe level, allowing it to move to the roadside in case of a fire.

Additionally, the LTA has specified that the buses must include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as collision detection and warning, as well as an onboard surveillance system.

Driving Towards a Greener Future

This latest move to introduce more electric buses is a crucial step in Singapore's journey to achieve its 2040 goal of a fully clean energy public bus fleet. The LTA is committed to building a safer and more environmentally friendly public transport system through the continued adoption of electric buses and the integration of advanced technologies.