SINGAPORE - The operating hours of SBS Transit's direct bus services between Chinatown and the heartlands will be extended in the lead up to the Chinese New Year.

There will also be a special service, CT28, which will ply between Clementi and Chinatown, joining the two daily year-round services - CT8, which operates from Ang Mo Kio and CT18, from Bedok.

CT 28 will be available from Jan 16 to Feb 7, said SBS said on Monday (Jan 11).

The last CT8, CT18 and CT28 buses to leave the heartlands for Chinatown will be at 9pm instead of 8pm. The extended timings will apply on four Saturdays - Jan 16, 23, 30, and Feb 6.

On those dates, the last buses departing from Chinatown to return to the heartlands will leave at 12.30am, instead of 10pm, from the bus stop after Hospital Drive along Eu Tong Seng Street.

On the eve of Chinese New Year (Feb 7), the last bus to Chinatown will depart from the heartlands at 11pm, instead of 8pm. The last bus back from Chinatown will depart at 1.55am.

The three services will not operate on Feb 8 and 9, the first two days of the Chinese New Year.

Fares for the Chinatown direct bus service are $2 for adults and $1.10 for senior citizens and students.