Singapore Buses route 196

Singapore Buses route 196 is a trunk service from Lorong 1 Geylang and looping at Rhu Cross, via Stadium Crescent / Drive. The route was extended to serve Tanjong Rhu under the Bus Services Enhancement Programme (BSEP) in June 2014.

Service 196 was introduced in 1990 to provide bus connections between Kallang MRT Station and Kallang Park. The area around Kallang Park was later developed with the completion of Singapore Indoor Stadium and Kallang Leisure Park. However, the demand for service 196 remained low, as people used their own means of transport to get to Kallang Park. Furthermore, it was within walking distance of Mountbatten Road which had much better connections.

With the opening of Stadium MRT Station in 17 April 2010, commuters preferred using the Circle Line to get to the Kallang Park. The route continued to operate with very little demand, as frequencies up to half an hour until the BSEP enhancement in 2014.

In 2014, service 196 was amended to serve Tanjong Rhu as part of the BSEP. The route will continue to serve Stadium twice in a single trip, towards Tanjong Rhu and towards Lorong 1 Geylang, and call at different bus stops along Stadium Crescent/Stadium Walk in different directions. This brings about enhanced connectivity to Singapore Sports Hub.

From 23 April 2017, service 196 was made to call at Singapore Indoor Stadium and opp Singapore Indoor Stadium bus stops towards Lorong 1 Geylang as well as Rhu Cross, bringing convenience to commuters who do not need to cross the pedestrian overhead bridge to get to the bus stop across the road for their return journeys.

Service 196 is the second bus service to have received a route extension under the BSEP scheme, after service 119. It is a wheelchair-accessible bus service since 29 September 2014.