Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange | Land Transport Guru (original) (raw)
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (WTBI) is located at Woodlands Town Centre, serving the residential town of Woodlands, Marsiling, Admiralty and surrounding industrial areas. Amenities around the Interchange include the Causeway Point Shopping Mall, Woodlands Civic Centre and the Woodlands Regional Library.
The interchange commenced operations on 12 March 2016, when it took over all bus services from Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange. Following the opening of Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub on 13 June 2021, most bus services were shifted over to the new interchange, with the exception of Services 925, 950, 961 & 965 and their respective route variants, which remained at the old interchange.
Rail connections are offered via Woodlands station along the North South Line and North South Line (NSL) and Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).
Details
| Name | Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange | 兀兰临时巴士转换站 |
|---|---|
| Address | 3A Woodlands Square, Singapore 737735 |
| BCM Route Package | Woodlands Bus Package |
| Anchor Operator | SMRT Buses |
| Bus Routes | 4 (SMRT Buses)1 (Tower Transit) |
| Berths | 3 Sawtooth Boarding Berths & 2 Sawtooth Alighting Berths |
| Rail Connection | NS9TE2 Woodlands |
Former Details (Click to Expand)
Before 13 June 2021:
- Bus Routes: 29 (27 SMRT Buses; 2 SBS Transit)
- Berths: 10 sawtooth, 8 alighting
The Interchange:
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (WTBI) is large temporary bus interchange in Woodlands. The facility is located adjacent to Woodlands MRT Station along the North South Line (NSL) and Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), allowing for convenient transfers between the rail network and the many bus services at the interchange.
The interchange was built as a temporary replacement for Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange. In tandem with the construction of the TEL, the old interchange would be extensively upgraded, to feature a fully air-conditioned concourse, with an underground linkway to the TEL station, and an expansion of the bus park to accommodate more bus parking.
Like most other temporary interchanges, the bus park is located in the middle, with the passenger concourse wrapping around the perimeter. The parking bay has room for 51 articulated buses (18-metre) and 10 rigid buses (12-metre), but many of these articulated bus lots were converted to double-parking of rigid buses to ease parking congestion and with the gradual decline of the articulated bus fleet. A single combined vehicular entrance and exit leads to Woodlands Square.
A long alighting berth accommodates seven buses, and there are ten sawtooth boarding berths (similar in number to the old interchange).
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Alighting Berth
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Alighting Berth
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Bus Park
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Bus Park
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Concourse near Berth 5
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Concourse near Berth 7, looking east
Two passenger lifts were later added to improve disabled access, one at the main entrance, and one at the East entrance (near the alighting berths). Previously, only wheelchair ramps and staircases were offered.
Post-WITH opening
Following the opening of Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub on 13 June 2021, most bus services were shifted over to the new interchange, with the exception of Services 925, 950, 961 & 965 and their respective route variants, which remained at the old interchange.
As part of scaled-down operations at WTBI, Berths 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 were reclassified as Berths A1, A2, B1, B2 & B3 from 13 June 2021 onwards. The other berths were rendered defunct, and cordoned off. The East and West exits entrances also shut, leaving only the main entrance in the middle of the interchange concourse.
The interchange also continued to be used as an overnight parking area for SMRT Buses.
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Main entrance
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Concourse near alighting berths
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Former Berth 8 (unused)
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Berth B2
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Main entrance from Woodlands MRT
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Former Berth 9 (cordoned off)
Temporary Amendment of Services to Woodlands Temp Int
In December 2021, due to road works at the east entrance (from Woodlands Ave 7) to Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub, Bus Services 161, 168, 858/858A, 962, 964 & 969 were temporarily amended to operate from Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange from 12 to 25 December 2021.
Berth arrangements were:
- Berth B1 – 962 & 964
- Berth B2 – 858/858A & 969
- Berth B3 – 161 & 168
SMRT Buses / SBS Transit / Tower Transit combined Poster for Temporary Route Amendment of Woodlands Bus Services from 12 to 31 December 2021
SMRT Buses / SBS Transit / Tower Transit combined Poster for Reinstatement of Woodlands Bus Services from 26 December 2021
In December 2022, due to road works at the east exit (towards Woodlands Ave 7) from Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub, Bus Services 161, 168, 858/858A, 962, 964 & 969 were temporarily amended to operate from Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange from 11 to 24 December 2022.
Berth arrangements were:
- Berth B1 – 858/858A
- Berth B2 – 964
- Berth B3 – 969
- Berth B4 – 161, 168 & 962
SMRT Buses / SBS Transit / Tower Transit combined Poster for Temporary Route Amendment of Woodlands Bus Services from 11 to 24 December 2022
Former Vaccinated Travel Bus Service
To facilitate operations of the Vaccinated Travel Bus Service (formerly VTL-Land Bus Service) from Nov 2021 to Apr 2022, a section of the Temporary Interchange was used as a holding area and boarding point.
Transtar VTL-Land Bus Service Check In Counter at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange
Transtar VTL-Land Bus Service Check In Counter at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange
Transtar VTL-Land Bus Service Overview at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange
Launch of Singapore-Malaysia Land VTL at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange
Transtar VTL-Land Bus Service at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange
VTL-Land – Transtar Travel Scania KIB (PC4888Z)
Bus Services List:
| Service | Berth | Destination | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 925 | B1 | Choa Chu Kang | Weekdays, Saturdays & Eves of Selected Public Holidays only |
| 925A | B1 | Kranji Way (Kranji Resvr Pk B) | Weekdays & Saturdays Morning Peak hours only |
| 925M | B1 | ↺ Neo Tiew Crescent | Sundays & Public Holidays only |
| 950 | B2 | ↺ JB Sentral | Cross-Border Route |
| 961 | B1 | Lorong 1 Geylang | Weekdays, Saturdays & Eves of Selected Public Holidays only |
| 961M | B1 | Lorong 1 Geylang | Sundays & Public Holidays only |
| 965 | B3 | ↺ Sengkang | |
| 965A | B3 | Yishun Avenue 2 (Opp Yishun Stn) | Short Trip Service |
| 965T | B3 | Sengkang Square (Sengkang Int) | Terminating Trip |
| 967 | B3 | ↺ Woodlands Drive 17 | [From 12 Jan 2025] |
Bus Service List (pre-WITH opening)
Bus Service Arrangements before 13 June 2021 (Click to Expand)
Before 13 June 2021:
| Service | Berth | Destination | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 161 | 1 | Hougang Central | |
| 168 | 1 | Bedok | |
| 169 | 3 | Ang Mo Kio | |
| 169A | 3 | Yishun Avenue 2 (Opp Yishun Stn) | Short Trip Service |
| 169B | 3 | Woodlands Avenue 8 (Bef Admiralty Rd West) | Short Trip Service |
| 178 | 6 | Boon Lay | |
| 178A | 6 | Woodlands Road (Kranji Stn) | Short Trip Service |
| 187 | 8 | Boon Lay | |
| 856 | 9 | Yishun | |
| 856A | 9 | Woodlands Centre Road (W’lands Train Checkpt) | Short Trip Service |
| 858 | 2 | ↺ Changi Airport | |
| 858A | 2 | Yishun Avenue 2 (Opp Yishun Stn) | |
| 900 | 3 | ↺ Woodlands Drive 14 | Does not operate when Service 900A is in operation |
| 900A | 3 | ↺ Woodlands Drive 17 | Selected hours on weekdays |
| 901 | 4 | ↺ Woodlands Avenue 6 | |
| 901M | 4 | ↺ Woodlands Avenue 7 | |
| 902 | 1 | Woodlands Avenue 9 (Republic Poly) | Weekday Morning Peak Hours during Republic Polytechnic School Term only |
| 903 | 2 | ↺ Woodlands Centre Road | |
| 903M | 2 | ↺ Marsiling Lane | Weekdays Morning & Evening Peak hours only |
| 904 | 1A | ↺ Woodlands Crescent | |
| 911 / 911T | 5 | ↺ Woodlands Avenue 2 | |
| 7 | ↺ Woodlands Centre Road | ||
| 912 / 912A | 4 | ↺ Woodlands Avenue 7 | |
| 912 / 912B | 6 | ↺ Woodlands Centre Road | |
| 912M | 6 | ↺ Woodlands Street 41 | Weekdays Morning & Evening Peak Hours only |
| 913 / 913T | 5 | ↺ Woodlands Circle | |
| 6 | ↺ Woodlands Avenue 3 | ||
| 913M | 6 | ↺ Woodlands Street 13 | |
| 925 | 9 | Choa Chu Kang | Weekdays, Saturdays & Eves of Selected Public Holidays only |
| 925A | 9 | Kranji Way (Kranji Resvr Pk B) | Weekdays & Saturdays Morning Peak hours only |
| 925M | 9 | ↺ Neo Tiew Crescent | Sundays & Public Holidays only |
| 926 | 5 | ↺ Mandai Lake Road | Sundays & Public Holidays only |
| 950 | 9 | ↺ JB Sentral | Cross-Border Route |
| 960 | 7 | Marina Centre | |
| 960e | 7 | Marina Centre | Express Bus Service |
| 961 | 7 | Lorong 1 Geylang | Weekdays, Saturdays & Eves of Selected Public Holidays only |
| 961M | 7 | Lorong 1 Geylang | Sundays & Public Holidays only |
| 962 | 4 | ↺ Admiralty Street | |
| 963 | 8 | HarbourFront | |
| 963e | 8 | HarbourFront | Express Bus ServiceWeekday Morning Peak Hours only |
| 963R | 8 | Resorts World Sentosa | Express Bus ServiceSaturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays only |
| 964 | 5 | ↺ Woodlands Loop | Weekdays, Saturdays & Eves of Selected Public Holidays only |
| 965 | 3 | ↺ Sengkang | |
| 965A | 3 | Yishun Avenue 2 (Opp Yishun Stn) | Short Trip Service |
| 965T | 3 | Sengkang Square (Sengkang Int) | Terminating Trip |
| 966 | 8 | ↺ Marine Parade Road | |
| 966A | 8 | Marine Parade Road (Opp Parkway Parade) | Short Trip Service |
| 969 | 2 | Tampines |
Berth Allocation:
| Berth | Services |
|---|---|
| A1 | Alighting |
| A2 | Alighting |
| B1 | 925/925A/925M, 961/961M North South Line Free Bridging Bus towards Marina South Pier |
| B2 | 950 |
| B3 | 965/965A/965T, 967 North South Line Free Bridging Bus towards Jurong East |
| B4 | – |
| B5 | – |
Berths A1, A2, B1, B2, B3 took over the former Berths 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
The boarding berth for bus service 961/961M was changed from B2 to B1 from 16 Mar 2024.
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Berth B1
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Berth B2
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Berth B3
SMRT Buses Change in Boarding Berth Poster for Services 961 & 961M
Berth Allocation (pre-WITH opening)
Berth allocation before 13 June 2021 (Click to Expand)
Before 13 June 2021:
| Berth | Services |
|---|---|
| 1A | 904 North South Line Free Bridging Bus towards Marina South Pier |
| 1 | 161, 168, 902 |
| 2 | 858/858A, 903/903M, 969 |
| 3 | 169/169A/169B, 900/900A, 965/965A/965T |
| 4 | 901/901M, 912 (Towards WDL Ave 7)/912A, 962 |
| 5 | 911 (Towards WDL Ave 2) / 911T, 913 (Towards WDL Circle) / 913T, 926/964 |
| 6 | 178, 912 (Towards WDL Train Checkpoint) / 912B / 912M, 913 (Towards Marsiling MRT) / 913M / 913T |
| 7 | 911 (Towards WDL Train Checkpoint) / 911T, 960/960e, 961/961M |
| 8 | 187, 963, 963e/963R, 966/966A |
| 9 | 856/856A, 925/925A/925M, 950 North South Line Free Bridging Bus towards Jurong East |
Berths 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 were reclassified as Berths A1, A2, B1, B2 & B3 from 13 June 2021 onwards. The other berths were rendered defunct.
Interchange facilities:
- Interchange offices (SMRT Buses + SBS Transit)
- TransitLink Ticket Office
- Drivers’ lounge
- Smart bus parking system
- Boarding and alighting berths
- Information panels & Bus departure timing screen
- Passenger Information System interactive panels (discontinued from 13 Jun 2021)
- Priority Assistance buggy service (discontinued from 13 Jun 2021)
- SMRT Guide Rack
- Retail outlets
- NTWU Canteen (Relocated to Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub from 13 Jun 2021)
- Toilets
Other unique features:
NEC Corporation supplied some of the technologies which helped to streamline interchange operations. For instance, its Passenger Information System interactive panel provides real-time bus and train departure timings, in addition to bus service traffic footages. Other features include bus route, fares and estimated travelling time; map and journey planner; 3-D directory and vicinity location finder; customer feedback and virtual assistance, as well as charging of mobile devices.
A free Priority Assistance Buggy Service was also provided launched for the benefit of commuters who have difficulty moving around. The electric buggy service operates from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, and can be called using the interactive panels stationed around the interchange. The buggies are based in the interchange with their own charging station near Berth B4, and red lanes drawn throughout the interchange encourage commuters to give way to the buggy when they are in operation.
Electric buggy
Interactive information panel. Buggy option is at the bottom of the left column
A smart bus parking system was installed to track available spaces at the alighting berths and parking lots. This information is, in turn, relayed to bus drivers via two large screens mounted around the interchange. In addition, a sophisticated camera network tracks bus movements and is able to relay the registration numbers of incoming buses to the interchange control room, as well as tell where each bus is parking in the interchange. According to Nedap, its SENSIT smart parking sensors were installed in individual parking spaces.
Electronic board showing empty alighting berths
Electronic board showing available parking lots
Sensors mounted above the alighting berth
Similar to Yishun Temporary Bus Interchange, boarding berths at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange have dedicated priority seats and a wheelchair waiting area, allowing those of lower mobility to board the bus first. In addition to bus timings shown around the interchange, every berth is equipped with a bus timings board for commuters’ easy reference.
Priority seating with bus arrival timings board
Wheelchair waiting area
Post-WITH opening:
From 13 June 2021, the following facilities were discontinued:
- NTWU Canteen — Relocated to Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub
- Priority Assistance buggy service — Discountinued after downsizing of interchange
- Passenger Information System interactive panels — Inactive, possibly awaiting software reconfiguration or phased out
Interchange History
History of Bus Interchanges & Terminals in Woodlands (Click to expand)
1970s & 1980s: Growth of Marsiling estate
The history of bus termini in Woodlands started in the 1970s, in tandem with the construction of Woodlands New Town and the first Housing & Development Board (HDB) estates in Marsiling. Roadside bus termini were known to have existed at the time included:
- Marsiling Avenue (outside Marsiling Sch). The road has since been expunged; site of present-day HDB Marsiling Grove. Served by Bus Service 208.
- Marsiling Drive (outside Blk 1). Served by Bus Service 180 and 182.
- Rotherham Gate (H.M. Naval Dockyard). Served by Bus Service 160 in the early 1970s. Present-day Admiralty Road West (near Woodlands Causeway).
A centralised bus terminal was opened sometime around 1976 to serve the new HDB estate. Marsiling Bus Terminal was built off Admiralty Road, next to Block 19 and 20 where neighbourhood shops and the hawker centre were located. This terminal was also referred to as Admiralty Road Terminal and Woodlands Bus Terminal by bus literature at the time.
Woodlands Bus Interchange (Photo: Online source)
Marsiling Bus Terminal (Photo: Online source)
With the opening of Woodlands Town Centre next to Woodlands Checkpoint, Woodlands Bus Interchange was opened on 29 November 1981 to serve the new regional centre, which contained shops, eateries and a cinema, and was frequented by cross-border workers. The interchange featured 17 berths, and started with five bus services (169, 178, 181, 204, 208).
The bus interchange was planned and built by Singapore Bus Service (SBS), but ownership was taken over by the Government in 1983, and later transferred to the newly-formed Trans-Island Bus Service (TIBS), which gradually took over bus routes in Woodlands in stages between Apr-Oct 1983. Most bus routes were shifted from Marsiling Ter to Woodlands Int, with only a handful remaining at Marsiling, most notably Services 950, 951 and 952, which went to Shenton Way, Jurong and Marina Centre respectively.
1996 onwards: Relocation to Woodlands Regional Centre
When the Government announced plans to extend the North-South Line MRT from Yishun to Choa Chu Kang via Woodlands, there were accelerated plans to relocate and develop a new town centre for Woodlands, to be located at Woodlands Square.
Built at a cost of $34 million, the Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange was built underneath the elevated Woodlands MRT Station, with station facilities occupying the ground floor. This space-maximizing design was the first of its kind in Singapore and could accommodate both articulated and double-deck buses. It opened on 4 February 1996, and Woodlands MRT Station opened less than a week later, on 10 February 1996.
Woodlands Regional Interchange in 1996 (Photo: SMRT)
Woodlands Regional Interchange in 1996 (Photo: SMRT)
Woodlands Regional Interchange in 1996 (Photo: SMRT)
The reorganization of bus routes in Woodlands that accompanied the opening of Woodlands Regional Int led to the disuse of Marsiling Ter, with bus services being extended to the new interchange or withdrawn. As for Woodlands Int, Bus Service 901 remained at Woodlands Int for several more months until its withdrawal on 14 July 1996. Woodlands Int also continued to be used by Bus Service 900, 902 & 904 (later renumbered Intratown 911, 912 & 913 in December 1996) as a looping point, referred to as Woodlands Checkpoint Terminal from bus literature, until 23 March 2003 when the three Intratown services were made to loop at Woodlands Centre Road instead, skipping Woodlands Checkpoint Ter.
While Marsiling Ter was fully demolished, Woodlands Int was used as a car and bus park until late 2017, when the entire Woodlands Town Centre was closed and eventually torn down.
2016: Upgrading to Integrated Transport Hub (ITH)
With the construction of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and a new underground station underneath Woodlands Regional Interchange, the existing interchange had to be closed to facilitate the extensive addition and alteration works, which included a conversion to a fully-air-conditioned concourse, underground linkway to the TEL station, and an expansion of the bus park to accommodate more bus parking.
Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange Upgrading (Aug 2019)
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange – Completed interchange in February 2016
Woodlands Temporary Interchange interior
In 2016, Woodlands Regional Int was closed, with bus operations relocated to a newly-built Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange north of the existing site. Contract T221 for the construction of the temporary interchange was awarded to JS Metal Pte. Ltd. on 17 Mar 2014, at a sum of S$12,650,000.00. The temporary interchange opened on 12 March 2016, with all bus services relocated there.
The upgraded interchange was renamed to Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub and opened on 13 June 2021, with all bus services except Services 925/925M, 950, 961/961M & 965/965A/965T being shifted over.
Construction Contract
Contract T221 for the construction of the Temporary Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange was awarded to JS Metal Pte. Ltd. (now known as JSM Construction Group Pte Ltd) on 17 Mar 2014, at a sum of S$12,650,000.00.
Gallery:
More photos on Page 2.
Post-WITH opening (Jun 2021)
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Main entrance
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Concourse near alighting berths
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Alighting berths (Former Berths B3, B4)
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Former Berths B1, B2 (cordoned off)
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Concourse near alighting berths
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Alighting berths (Former Berths B3, B4)
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Former Berth 8 (unused)
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Former Transitlink counter
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Passenger Service office
Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange (Jun 2021) – Bus Park
^ SMRT bus services rerouted to Woodlands Temporary Int
^ SBS Transit bus services rerouted to Woodlands Temporary Int
More photos on Page 2.
References
- Five bus routes to end at Woodlands. The Straits Times, 27 November 1981, Page 13. Accessed online via NewspaperSG.
- Govt takes over all five bus interchanges. The Straits Times, 7 January 1983, Page 12. Accessed online via NewspaperSG.
- Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub to Open on 13 June 2021 – Land Transport Authority
- SMRT Service Announcement – Opening of Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub
Back to Bus Interchanges and Terminals
Continued on Page 2 – Gallery
- Gallery:
- Alighting Berths
- Boarding Berths
- TEL Link
- Passenger Facilities
- Newly-opened (March 2016)
- Pre-opening