660 new electric buses with step-free interiors, driver fatigue monitoring to enter service from end-2026: LTA

Public transport commuters can soon look forward to better accessibility, comfort and safety features in buses as 660 new electric buses are introduced into service from end-2026 onwards.

The buses are part of the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) plan to transition Singapore's public bus fleet to cleaner energy. By 2030, half of the public bus fleet will be electric, with the entire fleet running on cleaner energy by 2040.

LTA said the new electric buses have been improved based on feedback received from commuters, bus captains and public transport operators.

Among the new features is a full low-floor design with no steps along the main passageway, made possible by advances in battery technology. Seating platforms are also kept low, with step heights generally capped at 230mm, or 300mm for seats above the wheel arches.

This makes boarding, alighting and moving within the bus easier for commuters, LTA said.

LTA also noted that electric buses, as with diesel buses, have specific design requirements, including the need to accommodate essential components such as batteries and electric drivetrains within the vehicle’s fixed footprint.

These, LTA said, have to be factored while ensuring commuters’ comfort and convenience.

The new single- and double-deck electric buses will have 32 and 67 fixed seats respectively, with additional foldable seats at the wheelchair bays.

Within the buses, there are also green and red lights on staircases in double-deck buses that serve as clear visual cues to commuters.

According to LTA, a red light indicates that the bus is moving and commuters should avoid using the stairs where possible, while a green light indicates that the bus is stationary and the stairs may be used safely.

The new electric buses are also equipped with a new full-colour rear electronic display system (EDS) that displays the bus service number and destination by default.

However, they can also be used to provide advance alerts to surrounding road users through clear, real-time visual indications of the bus captain's intentions, including when the bus is stopping, moving off, or when passengers are boarding and alighting.

LTA said these advance alerts will help other road users better anticipate the movement of the bus and encourage safer, more considerate interactions between buses and other road users.

The advance alerts will be activated in 2027.

Other features of the new electric buses include driver assistance systems such as onboard CCTV surveillance, collision warning and surround view functions, a driver anti-fatigue monitoring system, a camera mirror system, and batteries that can allow single- and double-deck buses to operate up to ranges of 310km and 240km respectively, up from 280km and 215km respectively for current models.

The authority said it will continue to gather feedback from commuters and stakeholders to inform future procurements, driving improvements to Singapore's public bus fleet.

The 660 new electric buses, comprising 360 single-deck and 300 double-deck buses, are part of a $322.2 million contract awarded to ST Engineering Mobility Services, BYD (Singapore), Cycle and Carriage Automotive, and Yutong International Trade-Yutong Bus Co in December last year.

从 2026 年底开始，660 辆新型电动公交车将投入使用，公共交通通勤者很快就能享受到更好的无障碍设施、舒适性和安全性。

这些巴士是新加坡陆路交通管理局（LTA）公共巴士车队向清洁能源转型计划的一部分。到2030年，一半的公共巴士将实现电动化，到2040年，所有巴士都将使用清洁能源。

陆路交通管理局表示，根据通勤者、巴士司机和公共交通运营商的反馈意见，新型电动巴士已经过改进。

得益于电池技术的进步，新款车型采用了全低地板设计，主通道完全没有台阶。座椅平台也保持较低水平，台阶高度一般不超过230毫米，轮拱上方座椅的台阶高度则不超过300毫米。

陆路交通管理局表示，这将使乘客更容易上下车和在公交车内移动。

陆路交通管理局还指出，电动巴士与柴油巴士一样，有特定的设计要求，包括需要在车辆的固定占地面积内容纳电池和电动传动系统等必要部件。

陆路交通管理局表示，在确保通勤者的舒适和便利的同时，必须考虑这些因素。

新型单层和双层电动巴士将分别设有 32 个和 67 个固定座位，轮椅停放处还将配备可折叠座椅。

在公交车内，双层巴士的楼梯上也有绿色和红色的灯光，为通勤者提供清晰的视觉提示。

根据陆路交通管理局的说法，红灯表示公交车正在行驶，乘客应尽可能避免使用楼梯；绿灯表示公交车已停止，乘客可以安全地使用楼梯。

新型电动巴士还配备了新型全彩后部电子显示系统（EDS），默认情况下会显示巴士线路编号和目的地。

但是，它们还可以通过清晰、实时的视觉指示，向周围的道路使用者提前发出警报，显示公交车司机的意图，包括公交车何时停车、何时起步，以及乘客何时上下车。

陆路交通管理局表示，这些提前预警将帮助其他道路使用者更好地预测公交车的行驶路线，并鼓励公交车与其他道路使用者之间进行更安全、更体贴的互动。

预警系统将于 2027 年启用。

新型电动巴士的其他特点包括驾驶员辅助系统，例如车载闭路电视监控、碰撞预警和环视功能、驾驶员抗疲劳监测系统、摄像头后视镜系统，以及可使单层和双层巴士的续航里程分别达到 310 公里和 240 公里的电池，而目前车型的续航里程分别为 280 公里和 215 公里。

该机构表示，将继续收集通勤者和利益相关者的反馈意见，为未来的采购提供信息，从而推动新加坡公共巴士车队的改进。

这 660 辆新型电动巴士，包括 360 辆单层巴士和 300 辆双层巴士，是去年 12 月授予新加坡科技工程移动服务公司、比亚迪（新加坡）、Cycle and Carriage Automotive 和宇通国际贸易-宇通客车股份有限公司的价值 3.222 亿美元的合同的一部分。