SINGAPORE – From July 30, visitors can take a public bus from mainland Singapore into Sentosa – the first time that a public bus service is plying the island daily.

SBS Transit’s bus service 123 will run along major MRT stations including Tiong Bahru and Orchard, and three stops on the island: Resorts World Sentosa, Merlion Plaza and Beach Station Bus Terminal. 

In a press release on Monday (July 17), Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) announced that fares for the bus service will be distance-based, and no additional island admission charges will apply.

“As part of our commitment to delivering great guest experiences, we continuously look at ways to enhance inter- and intra-island connectivity, in order to increase accessibility and convenience to visitors,” said SDC assistant chief executive Jacqueline Tan.

Intra-island bus services will also be streamlined from three routes into two from July 30. Moving forward, one bus will run along the central precinct, covering Imbiah Lookout, Siloso Point, Merlion Plaza and Resorts World Sentosa; whereas another bus will ply the eastern side of the island, where Sentosa Cove and Sentosa Golf Club are. 

Service hours for these buses will be extended till 12.10am daily, beyond the current operations hours of 10.30pm on most days.

(Click to enlarge: Image courtesy of Sentosa Development Corporation)

“As we transform Sentosa into a day-to-night destination, connectivity is an important aspect that supports these efforts,” added Ms Tan.

“Strengthened connectivity in the evenings will make it more convenient for our guests to stay for evening programmes and activities that we plan to introduce.”

During a media briefing last month, SDC chief executive Quek Swee Kuan had emphasised the need to transform the island into a day-to-night destination. Over the past few months, the management has been experimenting with night programmes such as movie screenings by the beach and tours around Fort Siloso. 

Separately, SDC said on Monday that its carparks will standardise their charges from August 1. 

Visitors parking at Beach Station, Imbiah, Tanjong Beach, Palawan Beach and Sentosa Cove Village will pay a daily rate of S$1.20 per hour from 7am to 5pm, and S$2.40 per entry thereafter.