In the second part of Laokokok’s blog post about transport (a la the old bus tickets), we are taken further back in time before buses were the main form of transportation in Singapore: the time of the trams.

Though what happened before SBS or STC were not part of my life, but it’s interesting to know more about it. Now let’s take a look at the Public Transport history before SBS was formed;1882 to 1894 – Steam Tramway (The Singapore Tramways Company Limited)
1891 – Electric Tramway
1902 – Singapore Electric Tramsway Limited
1925 – Shanghai Electric Construction Company Limited established the Singapore Traction Company (STC) : Trolley Buses
1927 – All Trams were replaced by Trolley Buses
1955 – Hock Lee Bus Riot
1956 – Great STC Strike
1962 – Trolley Buses replaced by Motor Buses
1971 – 10 Chinese bus companies were re-organised into 3 main companies;
- Amalgamated Bus Company (West Route) Formed by Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company, Keppel Bus Company, Kg Bahru Bus Service.
- Associated Bus Services (East Route) Formed by Paya Lebar Bus Service, Changi Bus Company, Katong-Bedok Bus Service, Ponggol Bus Service.
- United Bus Company (North) Formed by Tay Koh Yat Bus Company, Green Bus Company, Easy Bus Company.
- Singapore Traction Company (STC) was to maintain its operation in the Town Area.
1973 : STC went burst. Government step in to bring the 3 bus companies together; Singapore Bus Service (SBS) formed.
Read the full post here. There are lots of pictures to see there as well, particularly of old Singapore where horse and tram rode side-by-side.
Tags: Singapore Transport, Trams, Buses


3 Responses
Hi there. Was wondering where u got the olden electric bus photo from. Can i get a hold of it for students educational purpose?
Posted on August 11th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Hey there,, you can search for the photos at http://www.a2o.com.sg. They are available there. And you can apply to use it as well.
Posted on August 11th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
And you can apply to use it as well.
Posted on December 17th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Add A Comment