Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) is studying the feasibility of introducing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Tuas South to improve connectivity to the area’s expanding industrial developments, including Tuas Port and Jurong Island. Announced by Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow, the proposed system could comprise high-capacity buses or trackless trams operating on dedicated lanes with traffic signal priority and stations designed for rapid boarding and alighting. LTA said the BRT would complement the MRT network and conventional bus services by providing a medium-capacity public transport option.
The authority selected Tuas South for the study due to its growing industrial base and rising commuter demand. Operating on dedicated lanes, BRT vehicles would provide faster and more reliable journeys than conventional buses while accommodating higher passenger volumes during peak periods. Compared with MRT and LRT systems, BRT requires less dedicated infrastructure, offers greater operational flexibility and is considered a cost-effective solution for medium-density transport corridors. LTA will assess different BRT technologies, including conventional articulated buses and tram-like vehicles, as well as their costs, benefits and long-term suitability.
The study builds on proposals first outlined in Singapore’s 2008 Land Transport Masterplan, which identified BRT as a potential transport mode combining the flexibility of buses with the reliability of rapid transit. Connectivity to Tuas has improved through the East-West Line extension to Tuas West and is expected to improve further with the opening of the Cross Island Line and Jurong Region Line. LTA expects to announce the findings of the BRT feasibility study in 2027. If the project proves successful, similar BRT systems could be considered for other medium-demand corridors across Singapore.