Singapore commuters face a wave of upcoming public transport adjustments as Jeffrey Siow announces three new bus services and dedicated shuttle operations to shadow the Jurong Region Line until mid-2028. According to official transport updates, the rapid population growth in Tengah—surging from roughly 12,000 residents a year ago to 28,000 today—has prompted an acceleration of transit infrastructure investments totaling nearly $1 billion nationwide under the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme.
New Tengah Bus Routes Target Rail Links and Town Connectivity
Two brand-new bus services will roll out on Oct 25 to relieve congestion and shorten travel times for growing housing estates, according to Jeffrey Siow. Service 873/873M will directly link Tengah to Bukit Gombak, Hillview, and Hume MRT stations, offering residents an alternative route to the Downtown Line. Meanwhile, the new 874 bus service will establish a direct connection between Tengah and Choa Chu Kang town centre, passing local institutions such as Concord Primary School and Sunshine Place to eliminate previous multi-transfer commutes.
Did you know? Tengah’s population is projected to more than double again to 57,000 residents within the next two years, driving the rapid expansion from four initial bus services in May 2025 to 11 active routes today.
Preparing for the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link
A third new bus service, designated as service 968, will launch to support the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, which is slated to open in 2027. Alongside this new route, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed that existing city direct service 674 and feeder service 861 will receive frequency improvements to cut waiting times during peak hours. Jeffrey Siow noted that initial rollouts prioritize broad geographic connections over high-frequency single routes due to initial constraints on bus and driver availability.
Jurong Region Line Shuttle Bus Deployment
To bridge the gap ahead of rail operations, shuttle buses mirroring the Jurong Region Line will begin running in the second half of 2027. Residents will thus experience the connectivity benefits of the alignment ahead of actual train deployment.
Commuter Reactions and Everyday Travel Realities
While local residents welcome the expanded network, feedback remains mixed regarding specific route efficiencies. Tengah resident Thirumany Kanesan, 56, noted that while service 873 provides a welcome secondary link to the Downtown Line, he would prefer enhanced frequencies on existing routes like service 180. Fellow resident Germaine Lee, 35, pointed out that packed morning trains along the East-West Line continue to create bottlenecks for travelers transferring from feeder networks.
Pro tip: Commuters traveling from Tengah to the Central Business District during peak hours can utilize city direct service 674, while those heading toward Choa Chu Kang can utilize the upcoming 874 service to bypass multiple bus transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new Tengah bus services start operating?
Services 873/873M and 874 will begin operations on Oct 25, while details for service 968 and improved services 674 and 861 will be announced by the Land Transport Authority in due course.
Why is the Jurong Region Line opening delayed?
According to Jeffrey Siow, the opening of the Jurong Region Line is delayed by six months to mid-2028 due to construction and testing challenges.
How is the government addressing bus driver shortages?
What is the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme?
Introduced in July 2024 with nearly $1 billion in government funding, the initiative aims to enhance bus connectivity in newer estates and provide alternative travel options along high-ridership rail lines.
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