SINGAPORE - Two new City Direct bus services will be introduced from the third quarter of this year, offering residents in Buangkok, Sengkang and Hougang an express journey to the Central Business District.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) called a tender on Friday (April 15), inviting private bus firms to bid to run these peak hour services.

There will be two one-way trips on weekday mornings towards the city and two return trips from the city in the evening. More trips may be added to meet demand.

With fewer stops and the use of expressways, journey times for City Direct services are comparable to that of taking a feeder bus or LRT and transferring to the MRT, the LTA said.

Since the City Direct scheme started in 2013, 20 services have been introduced.

They serve areas such as Ang Mo Kio, Clementi, Dover, Hougang, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Tampines East, Simei, West Coast, Yew Tee, and Yishun.

Separately, the LTA also said that the City Direct contract serving Jurong West will be expiring in August, and it will be calling a tender on Friday (April 15) to continue the service.