Joo Koon Bus Interchange

Pervertedboy SG

When the new Joo Koon Bus Interchange opens in 2015, in either March or June, there will surely be a few changes to some bus routes, in particular those serving the Tuas and Pioneer planning areas and some part of Boon Lay planning area, as currently, there are only a handful of bus routes passing by the site where the new bus interchange is.

Based on the map (http://app.lta.gov.sg/data/apps/news/roads/2012/Award%20of%20Contract%20-%20Widening%20of%20Benoi%20Road%202.pdf) from LTA, it seems that all the buses will use Benoi Road, Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim and Pioneer Road to connect with Joo Koon Bus Interchange.

Those serving Tuas (182, 192, 193 and 254) and West-Pioneer (257 and 255) are likely to be shortened to originate from Joo Koon Bus Interchange, no longer going to Boon Lay Bus Interchange.

Those serving East-Pioneer and Boon Lay – 251 and 252 – are likely to be adjusted to ply between Boon Lay Bus Interchange and Joo Koon Bus Interchange, thus continue to originate from Boon Lay Bus Interchange. (I am not sure about bus route 249.)

The bus routes that will be adjusted to originate from Joo Koon Bus Interchange while remain in Boon Lay Bus Interchange will probably be re-routed somehow to patch up the loss links resulted from bus routes shortened and no longer going to Boon Lay Bus Interchange.

There may be (at least) one new bus route created that would originate from Boon Lay Bus Interchange and serve the Jurong West Extension, before going into the industrial area and Pioneer planning area, and terminate at Joo Koon Bus Interchange. This would compensate the loss of bus links resulted from bus routes 254, 192 and 193 possibly being shortened to originate from Joo Koon Bus Interchange. Meanwhile, LTA may take this opportunity to answer the requests from residents of the Jurong West Extension for bus connection to various amenities (example: Pioneer MRT Station) in the area.

Although unlikely, there may be an existing bus route in Tuas retained or a new bus route created to provide “inter-town” bus connection between Boon Lay and Tuas, without having to make a transfer at Joo Koon Bus Interchange or travel on the MRT.

As bus route 252 is likely to be shortened to terminate at Joo Koon Bus Interchange, the West of Kian Teck is likely to be served by “inter-town” bus route(s) or be served by the bus routes from Tuas, as they are re-routed to originate from Joo Koon Bus Interchange.

When Joo Koon Bus Interchange opens by June 2015, what kind of changes (besides Boon Lay Bus Interchange having less number of bus routes) would you expect to see?

carbikebus SG

It's good if JIS can start from Joo Koon while 252 loops at Boon Lay.A new feeder or short trunk to cover some lost routes.49 also can start from Joo Koon via Jurong west and loop at Taman Jurong.SMRT should consider svc from Joo Koon to Bukit Batok and Woodlands

BusAnalayzer SG

Joo Koon Interchange Services:

193 - Joo Koon Interchange <--> Tuas Terminal

256 - Joo Koon Interchange <--> Gul Crescent (loop)

258 - Joo Koon Interchange <--> Pioneer Sector 2

259 - Joo Koon Interchange <--> Tuas South Extension

I propose service 182, 192, 252, 254, 255, 257 remain as per its current routing. 3 new services can be introduced at Joo Koon.

Service 172 can be extended to Joo Koon Interchange via Boon Lay, Upper Jurong Road. OR Atleast one other SMRT service be extended to Joo Koon is what I propose.

Pervertedboy SG

If a SMRT bus route is to be extended from Boon Lay Bus Interchange to Joo Koon Bus Interchange, 172, 178, 180 and 187 are the 4 bus routes to choose from. Through considering factors such as length, advantages to the Jurong West Extension area and possible implications, I decided that route 180 is the SMRT bus route that should be extended.

In terms of length, it would be good if the route is the shortest, so that it is easier to manage and there would not be much implication to the existing route when it gets extended to Joo Koon. Currently, there are 4 SMRT bus services originating from Boon Lay Bus Interchange, of which route 172 is 14.3km, route 178 is 29.6km, route 180 is 20.6km (with Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange, it is around 10.1km) and route 187 is 24.4km.Therefore, since it is the shortest, route 180 should be the SMRT bus route extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange.

In terms of advantages to the Jurong West Extension area, it would be ideal if the extension of route can have benefits to the people staying in Jurong West Extension area.

If route 180 is extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange, people staying along Boon Lay Way and Upper Jurong Road will have a direct bus link to the Lakeside, Chinese Garden, Bukit Batok and Bukit Panjang areas, besides Boon Lay MRT station.

The extension of route 172 would benefit Jurong West Extension residents, in particular those staying along Jurong West Avenue 4, Jurong West Street 61 and Upper Jurong Road. Therefore, as the extended route covers more areas of the Jurong West Extension residential areas, route 172 should be the SMRT bus route extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange.

In terms of possible implications, it would be good if the implications are minimal and it is easy to compensate the loss. If route 180 is extended, LTA would have to create a bus stop at the bridge near Boon Lay MRT station and next to the Jurong Central Park, for affected commuters to board 180 from Boon Lay MRT station/bus interchange or transfer to there. If route 172 is extended, affected commuters (mostly people in the Military) from Boon Lay Bus Interchange going to Jalan Bahar and Old Choa Chu Kang Road would have to "re-locate" to Chua Chu Kang Bus Interchange and take 172 from there. Those staying in Jurong West Extension can easily board the bus from the possible extended section (at Jurong West Avenue 4, Street 61 and Upper Jurong Road). However, those staying nearer to Boon Lay MRT Station will nolonger have a direct bus link to the cemetery area, Old Choa Chu Kang Road and the CCK town(although it may be faster to get to the town via MRT), unless service 405 becomes a regular service. Therefore, route 180 should be the SMRT bus route extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange, as the implications are minimal and it is easier to compensate the loss of bus link resulted due to it being extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange.

In terms of length and possible implications, route 180 should be extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange as it is currently the shortest route and if it is extended, there would be minimal implications and it is easy to compensate the possible loss of bus link resulted if it is re-routed. In terms of advantages to the Jurong West Extension area, route 172 should be extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange as the possible extended route of 172 would cover more residential areas of Jurong West Extension than the possible extended route of 180. Therefore, if a SMRT route is to be extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange, route 180 is the SMRT bus route that should be extended.

Pervertedboy SG

SMRT should consider svc from Joo Koon to Bukit Batok and Woodlands

Service 172 can be extended to Joo Koon Interchange via Boon Lay, Upper Jurong Road. OR Atleast one other SMRT service be extended to Joo Koon is what I propose.

To begin with, why is there a need to extend SMRT bus routes to Joo Koon Bus Interchange? I don't understand.

Anyway, if a SMRT bus route is to be extended to Joo Koon Bus Interchange, I think route 180 is the perfect candidate.

Pervertedboy SG

I went to Joo Koon just now and managed to randomly ask 2 workers about the new Joo Koon Bus Interchange.

Both told me that the interchange will be completed by the end of the year (there was a orange LTA signboard which mentioned some road works completing on 31 December 2014. not sure if it is related to Joo Koon Bus Interchange or the MRT construction nearby).

1 worker told me that the Joo Koon Bus Interchange will only open next year, which I believe it is early next year. Previously, when I asked LTA, LTA told me that the bus interchange would open in March 2015. Maybe it is indeed true that Joo Koon Bus Interchange will open in March 2015.

Somehow, the worker I (casually) spoke to revealed that SBS Transit would operate the new bus interchange, and there would be 3 to 6 bus services (not sure if he lied to me, because I previously predict 8 bus services, or maybe this is because the bus network at the surrounding areas would be re-designed.) using the new bus interchange.

When I asked him if the entrance/exit of Joo Koon Bus Interchange is at Benoi Road (opposite Hitachi building), he said yes. But when I took bus 182 (to go home) after that, I looked at the area from the upper deck and realised that it does not seem right to have a traffic light junction there (because otherwise... well, it just doesn't seem to fit), and the "service road"does not seem wide enough to accomodate 2 buses.

I guess the new Joo Koon Bus Interchange (and the pair of bus stop next to Joo Koon MRT station) would be similar to Clementi Bus Interchange (and that pair of bus stop next to Clementi MRT station). It is more likely that the entrance/exit for the new Joo Koon Bus Interchange is along Joo Koon Circle,

ZK6126 SG

Thx for this interesting piece of info

201911 SG

Source: Business Times

The bus interchange will be at NTUC Fairprice's new distribution centre as part of an integrated development. From the render above, there is an entrance along Benoi Road, but it should be for cars and trucks instead of public buses.

I agree that the entrance for public buses is likely to be along Joo Koon Circle, with the so-called "void space" used as an access road for buses to turn towards the other side of Joo Koon Circle. It will be a bit of a squeeze, but I don't think the "white structures" can be removed if you're referring to the white pillars supporting the station structure.

Also note the linkway shown in the picture between Joo Koon MRT and the development. The picture was previously shared by user Mith252 on skyscrapercity forums, who also posted some photos of the development under construction. You can view them here. (go to the last page)

TIB429E SG

I think extend 178 better, to Joo Koon Bus Int. Maybe a re-route?

TIB1096A SG

49 confirm extend

BusAnalayzer SG

49 confirm extend

I don't think so. Some Boon Lay services will shift to Joo Koon and 49 will be extended to Boon Lay.

BusAnalayzer SG

I think extend 178 better, to Joo Koon Bus Int. Maybe a re-route?

I don't think 172, 178, 180, 187 will get extended to Joo Koon because those are more industrial areas have uni-directional loading. Afternoon time loading very poor. So better to have quick routes from Boon Lay / Joo Koon in this area.

TIB429E SG

Huh 187 also serve industrial areas meh? :x ><

BusAnalayzer SG

Huh 187 also serve industrial areas meh? :x ><

I don't know - which industrial area does it serve?

carbikebus SG

Ok Lor since so optimistic I also agree 180 extend to Joo Koon via Boon Lay MRT.SMRT can introduced another new service to Choa Chu Kang via Yew Tee area and since Wenya is quite near to Joo Koon why not?I can feel at least 6 SBST from BNL will extend there excluding new service.Some route that are missing from the extension will be covered by at least two new short haul svc.Let 172,178 & 187 stays at Boon Lay

Pervertedboy SG

Hoe Pei Shan. (2014, February 27). Joo Koon integrated transport hub to be ready by the end of this year. The Straits Times. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/ .

Works on the Joo Koon integrated transport hub featuring a new bus interchange located next to the existing MRT station will be completed by the end of this year.

The bus interchange will be on the first floor of a brand new 16-storey FairPrice Hub, a $350 million facility scheduled to be launched by December, NTUC FairPrice Chairman Ng Ser Miang announced on Thursday.

The building will house a new distribution centre, which will be able to process goods faster than FairPrice's existing centres.

FairPrice and FairPrice Foundation also announced $4.3 million donation to NTUC for initiatives to benefit low-income working families.

from the picture, it seems that the Joo Koon Bus Interchange will be under the "grass roof".

currently, at Joo Koon MRT station, there is another bridge, located next to the paid-area. I guess there will be faregates there and MRT commuters would be directly connected to the bus interchange through that bridge.

Pervertedboy SG

if you look closer at the other end of the MRT Station, you can see a service road behind the distribution centre. near to the service road, there is something that looks like a roundabout, underneath the MRT Station. I guess it is a 2-lane road, with 1 lane for each direction, for buses to enter/exit from/to the other side of Joo Koon Circle.

Pervertedboy SG

Straits Times's page B2 say the new Joo Koon Bus Interchange will open at the end of the year, at the same time as the NTUC development.

I really doubt that Joo Koon Bus Interchange will open at the end of this year.

Reference: Boon Lay Bus Interchange opened only one year after Jurong Point Extension (JP2) opened. Bedok Mall opened last year and until now Bedok Bus Interchange still not open.

so I guess Joo Koon Bus Interchange will only open a few months after the NTUC development is completed. as mentioned, LTA say it will open in March 2015. so I think Joo Koon Bus Interchange will open in March 2015. Unless, the NTUC development is actually in use already but NTUC just want to open both together at the end of the year.

carbikebus SG

You never knew with the new construction technology bro..plus the deadline given to contractors

BusAnalayzer SG

Joo Koon could be ready by end of year. Wonder if the new services launched from Joo Koon will also be under BSEP?