Out of the 10 bids that were received in August, LTA says eight have been shortlisted for the second bus package tender for Loyang bus depot. The award will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Eight bids for the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) Loyang bus package have been shortlisted on Monday (Oct 12).
This is out of the 10 bids that were received at the close of the tender earlier in August.
The company that wins the bid will operate Loyang bus depot as well as 25 bus services, progressively, from the second half of 2016. Of the 25 bus services, 22 are existing SBS Transit services.
Australia-based Busways Group put in the highest bid at S$631,382,714 while France's RATP Dev Transdev Asia's bid was the second highest at S$603,718,025.62.
In response to queries, Busways expressed its belief that it will deliver "substantial improvements in service delivery and conditions for drivers", among other things. It added that its price reflects fair value for the Singaporean tax payer.
The firm also said: "In formulating our pricing, we have very carefully considered the costs associated with delivering improved outcomes in a sustainable way for the whole of the contract period."
Public transport operators SMRT and SBS Transit put in bids at S$598,130,219 (third highest) and S$545,902,389 (fifth highest) respectively.
LTA said the bid will be awarded in the fourth quarter of this year and that it will give the chosen operator at least six months to prepare. Former Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew had said that the bid will be awarded based on "quality and price", the same factors used to award the first tender in May.
Loyang bus depot, located off Loyang Avenue, is scheduled to be completed in June. Services will also operate from Changi Airport Bus Terminal, Changi Village Bus Terminal, Pasir Ris Bus Interchange and Punggol Bus Interchange.
