New Punggol Coast Bus Interchange to open on June 29
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SINGAPORE – Punggol residents will benefit from greater public transport connectivity when the new Punggol Coast Bus Interchange opens on June 29.
The interchange is integrated with the Punggol Coast MRT station on the North East Line, which started operations on Dec 10, 2024
For a start, two bus services – 34 and 117 – as well as the variant service 117M will be shifted from the Punggol Bus Interchange in Punggol Central to the new interchange in Sentul Walk, which has capacity for up to 10 bus services.
As a result of the move northward, the two bus services will be extended to cover a wider area.
Service 117, operated by SBS Transit, will stop at four more pairs of bus stops, including those near Punggol View Primary School and the One Punggol integrated lifestyle hub.
Service 34, operated by Go-Ahead Singapore, will serve seven more stops from Punggol Coast to Punggol Central, as well as eight more stops on the return journey.
This will improve connectivity within Punggol, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on May 20.
The service extensions will also provide residents in places such as Sumang Walk and Sentul Crescent with direct bus links to destinations such as Changi Airport, Tampines and Yishun.
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat announced the opening date of the Punggol Coast Bus Interchange on May 20 after visiting the site.
Mr Chee told reporters that the authorities are looking at new bus services that can operate from Punggol Coast interchange.
“We will also start a new city direct service to provide connectivity for Punggol residents to the city area during peak periods,” he said. There are already three such city direct services serving the Punggol area.
More details about the new service will be made known closer to its roll-out.
LTA said new bus routes and further improvements to bus services in the north-east can be expected, noting that these will be rolled out progressively in tandem with the completion of new developments in Punggol.
Nestled within the heart of the Punggol Digital District
It will be operated by Go-Ahead Singapore, which also runs Punggol Bus Interchange and the recently opened Pasir Ris ITH.
Mr Chee had earlier hinted at the opening of the Punggol Coast transport hub during the debate on his ministry’s budget in March as he outlined the Government’s overall efforts to improve public transport infrastructure.
The interchange is integrated with the Punggol Coast MRT station on the North East Line.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
LTA said bus operators here may need some time to familiarise themselves with the new interchange.
With support from the authority, they will monitor their operations there closely and make adjustments as needed.
Go-Ahead Singapore managing director Leonard Lee said the company has been training up to 200 bus drivers to be familiar with the new interchange and the extension of its bus service 34.
This is more than what is needed to operate the service, so that the company has flexibility.
Meanwhile, bus passengers can find information on the extensions of services 34 and 117 at the relevant bus stops, interchanges and online.
Mr Lee added that interchange staff, such as customer service officers, are also being trained to manage passengers at the new Punggol Coast ITH.
LTA said the new interchange is designed with the needs of passengers in mind, featuring inclusive amenities such as wheelchair-accessible toilets, a baby care room and a commuter care room for those who need a quiet and calming space.
A baby care room, which features a nursing cubicle and changing station, at Punggol Coast Bus Interchange.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
All entrances to the interchange are barrier-free, and there are dedicated priority queue zones with seating at the four bus boarding berths.
LTA said there are also dedicated facilities for public transport staff, including a canteen and a lounge. In addition, the interchange incorporates energy-saving features, such as LED lights, an energy-efficient air-conditioning system, water-saving taps and motion sensor lights.
With the new ITH in Punggol Coast, Punggol town will have two bus interchanges, Mr Chee noted.
While Punggol Bus Interchange had been billed as a temporary one, the minister said this is not the case.
“We will continue to operate it (and) refurbish it, so that it can serve the residents well,” he added.
Accompanying Mr Chee on his visit were three Punggol GRC MPs – Senior Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Sun Xueling and Ms Yeo Wan Ling.
Dr Janil, who oversees the Punggol Coast ward, told reporters that having two bus interchanges with good links to the MRT and LRT systems is important, as residents are looking for improved connectivity so they can travel within what is a fairly large town and out of Punggol as well.
Teck Lee LRT station is within walking distance of the new Punggol Coast interchange.
“This is something that has been looked forward to by our residents for some time,” he said.
Dr Janil added: “We will continue to look forward to more bus services coming to Punggol as a result of the opportunity created by Punggol Coast Bus Interchange.”
Correction note: An earlier version of this story misstated the route changes that will be made to bus services 34 and 117. This has been corrected.
Kok Yufeng is a transport correspondent at The Straits Times.
