Go-Ahead wins Tampines bus contract on superior EV plans despite costlier bid

Go-Ahead Singapore's bid to operate bus services in Tampines was selected over a lower-cost competitor due to the quality of its operational and maintenance plans for electric vehicles, Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said. The tender evaluation prioritised comprehensive proposals for managing the transition to large-scale EV bus operations, a key consideration as Singapore accelerates its shift toward cleaner public transport. Go-Ahead's submission demonstrated superior capability in this critical area, justifying the selection despite a higher financial offer. Since taking over the Tampines route, Go-Ahead has delivered improvements across most services, with enhanced reliability and service standards reported. The decision reflects the government's commitment to balancing cost efficiency with operational excellence and environmental objectives in public transport contracting. Singapore has been progressively transitioning its bus fleet to electric vehicles as part of broader sustainability goals, making the technical competence of operators increasingly important in tender evaluations.