Singapore’s public bus network does not operate around the clock for most routes. Standard bus services run from approximately 5:30 am to midnight. The dedicated late-night NightRider and Nite Owl bus services that once filled the after-midnight gap were permanently discontinued on 30 June 2022, and a short-lived private replacement also came and went in 2023. Here is everything you need to know about Singapore bus hours, what replaced the night buses, and how to get around after midnight in 2026.
Quick Answer: Are Singapore Buses 24 Hours?
No. The overwhelming majority of Singapore’s public bus routes stop running between 11:30 pm and midnight. There are no domestic bus routes that operate continuously through the night. The sole 24-hour bus service connected to Singapore is CW2, a cross-border coach that runs between Queen Street Bus Terminal and Johor Bahru CIQ in Malaysia — useful for border crossings, not for getting home to Tampines at 3 am.
After midnight, your realistic options are ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek, TADA, Ryde) or a metered taxi. Both carry late-night surcharges, but they are the only practical choices once the last bus has gone.
Standard Bus Operating Hours in Singapore
Most SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Tower Transit, and Go-Ahead Singapore routes follow this general pattern:
- First bus: Around 5:00–5:30 am
- Last bus: Between 11:00 pm and midnight
- Peak frequency (7–10 am and 5–8 pm): Every 7–10 minutes on busy routes
- Off-peak frequency: Every 9–13 minutes on most routes
Exact first and last bus times vary by route and direction. Always check the SBS Transit, SMRT, or SimplyGo eGuide for your specific route before travelling.
The End of NightRider and Nite Owl Bus Services
For over two decades, Singapore had a dedicated late-night bus network. SMRT operated the NightRider (NR) routes and SBS Transit ran the Nite Owl routes. Both systems ran unidirectionally — from the city centre outward to the heartlands — on Friday nights, Saturday nights, and eves of public holidays only.
The services were suspended on 8 April 2020 at the start of Singapore’s COVID-19 circuit breaker period. They never came back. After more than two years in limbo, both operators formally discontinued all NightRider and Nite Owl services on 30 June 2022. The Land Transport Authority cited chronically low ridership — an average of just around 10 passengers per trip — as the primary reason for not reinstating the routes.
The government has since made clear it has no plans to resurrect a publicly funded night bus network. In a written reply to Parliament, the Ministry of Transport stated that the LTA remains open to “proposals from private operators who wish to provide after-hours bus services to meet late-night travel demand on a commercial basis.”
What Replaced NightRider and Nite Owl? The A&S Transit Trial (2023)
The most significant attempt to fill the gap came from A&S Transit Pte Ltd, a private bus chartering company. On 27 January 2023, A&S Transit launched two new night bus routes — NS-1 and NS-2 — operating from the city to the northern and northeastern heartlands.
The services ran for exactly five months as a trial. On 25 June 2023, A&S Transit suspended both routes “pending route enhancement until further notice.” As of May 2026, neither route has resumed operations.
A&S Transit NS-1 and NS-2 Route Details (Historical — Service Suspended)
| Route | From | To | Key Areas Served | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS-1 | Opp MAS Building, Shenton Way | Samudera LRT Station, Punggol | Marina Bay, City Hall, Clarke Quay, Orchard, Little India, Ang Mo Kio, Hougang, Sengkang, Punggol | ~96 minutes |
| NS-2 | Opp MAS Building, Shenton Way | Woodlands Train Checkpoint | Marina Bay, City Hall, Clarke Quay, River Valley, Orchard, Newton, Yishun, Canberra, Sembawang, Admiralty, Woodlands | ~90 minutes |
Operating days (historical): Fridays, Saturdays, and eves of public holidays
Departure times from Shenton Way (historical): 11:30 pm, 12:15 am, 1:00 am, 1:45 am, 2:30 am
Fare: S$4.50 (EZ-Link) or S$5.00 (cash/PayNow)
Current 24-Hour and Late-Night Bus Options
| Service | Type | Route / Coverage | Hours | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CW2 (Causeway Link) | Cross-border coach | Queen Street Bus Terminal ↔ JB CIQ, Malaysia | 24 hours daily | Operating |
| A&S Transit NS-1 | Private night bus | Shenton Way → Punggol | 11:30 pm–2:30 am (Fri/Sat/PH eve) | Suspended since June 2023 |
| A&S Transit NS-2 | Private night bus | Shenton Way → Woodlands | 11:30 pm–2:30 am (Fri/Sat/PH eve) | Suspended since June 2023 |
| NightRider (NR) services | Public night bus (SMRT) | City to various heartland estates | Fri/Sat/PH eve only | Discontinued 30 June 2022 |
| Nite Owl services | Public night bus (SBS Transit) | City to various heartland estates | Fri/Sat/PH eve only | Discontinued 30 June 2022 |
Standard Public Buses: When Is the Last Bus?
| Service Pattern | Typical Last Departure (City End) | Typical Last Departure (Terminus) | Frequency (Off-Peak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trunk routes (major corridors) | 11:30 pm–midnight | 11:45 pm–12:15 am | Every 10–15 minutes |
| Feeder services (HDB estates) | 10:30–11:30 pm | 11:00 pm–midnight | Every 12–20 minutes |
| Airport routes (24, 27, 34, 36, 110, 858) | ~11:00–11:30 pm | ~11:30–midnight | Every 12–20 minutes |
MRT Operating Hours
| MRT Line | First Train (Weekday) | Last Train (Weekday) | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| North-South Line (NSL) | ~5:30 am | ~midnight | SMRT Trains |
| East-West Line (EWL) | ~5:30 am | ~11:20 pm | SMRT Trains / SBS Transit |
| Circle Line (CCL) | ~5:30 am | ~11:35 pm | SMRT Trains |
| Downtown Line (DTL) | ~5:30 am | ~midnight | SBS Transit |
| North East Line (NEL) | ~5:30 am | ~11:30 pm | SBS Transit |
| Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) | ~5:55 am | ~12:25 am | SMRT Trains |
Late-Night Transport After Midnight: Your Options in 2026
1. Grab
Grab is the dominant ride-hailing platform in Singapore. The app uses dynamic pricing, so fares rise substantially on busy Friday and Saturday nights around Clarke Quay, Orchard, and the CBD.
2. Gojek
Gojek often has lower base fares than Grab and is worth comparing before confirming a ride.
3. TADA and Ryde
Both use flat or transparent pricing without surge pricing, though driver availability at 2–3 am can be unpredictable.
4. Metered Taxis
A 50% midnight surcharge applies to all metered taxi fares between midnight and 6:00 am. Taxis can be booked via the CDG Zig app or hailed from taxi stands.
Special Extended Bus and MRT Services
- New Year’s Eve: All MRT lines extended to approximately 2:00 am; selected bus services extended to match last trains
- Chinese New Year’s Eve: MRT extended to 2:00–2:30 am; selected bus services until ~3:00 am
- National Day (9 August): Selected services extended around the Padang and fireworks viewing areas
- Major events (e.g., F1 Singapore Grand Prix): Extended services on affected lines
Will Singapore Get a New Night Bus Service?
The government’s position is that public late-night services suffered from very low ridership — around 10 passengers per trip — making them commercially unviable without heavy subsidy. The LTA has said it is open to private operators proposing commercial night bus services, but it is not planning to fund or operate its own network. As of mid-2026, no new operator has announced plans to launch a replacement service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Singapore buses 24 hours?
No. Standard public bus services operate from approximately 5:30 am to midnight. The only 24-hour bus connected to Singapore is the CW2 cross-border service to Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
What happened to the NightRider and Nite Owl buses?
Both services were suspended on 8 April 2020 during the COVID-19 circuit breaker and were permanently discontinued on 30 June 2022. The LTA cited persistently low ridership — averaging about 10 passengers per trip — as the reason.
Is there a replacement for the NightRider buses in 2026?
Not currently. A&S Transit launched two replacement routes (NS-1 and NS-2) on 27 January 2023, but suspended both services on 25 June 2023. As of May 2026, neither route has resumed and no other private operator has launched a replacement.
How do I get home from Clarke Quay or Orchard after midnight?
Use Grab, Gojek, TADA, Ryde, or a metered taxi. Taxis have a 50% midnight surcharge. Budget S$25–S$50 or more for a ride from the CBD to the heartlands after midnight.
Do buses run all night at Changi Airport?
No. Public bus services at Changi Airport do not operate through the night. For arrivals after midnight, use a taxi from the arrival hall, arrange a Grab pickup, or contact the airport’s Ground Transport Concierge (open 24 hours).
Does the MRT run 24 hours in Singapore?
No. The MRT operates from approximately 5:30 am to midnight on most lines. Extended hours to 2:00–2:30 am apply only on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Key Takeaways
- Singapore public buses do not run 24 hours. Most routes operate 5:30 am to midnight.
- The NightRider (SMRT) and Nite Owl (SBS Transit) services were permanently discontinued on 30 June 2022.
- A&S Transit NS-1 and NS-2 launched January 2023 as a private replacement but were suspended June 2023 and have not resumed.
- The only 24-hour bus service is CW2, a cross-border coach to Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
- After midnight, use Grab, Gojek, TADA, Ryde, or a metered taxi (50% midnight surcharge).
- The MRT does not run all night; hours are extended to 2:00–2:30 am on major holiday eves only.
