Singapore Buses route 555

Premium 555 is a premium service that goes from Bukit Panjang Ring Road to Shenton Way. The route passes through Fajar Road, Senja Road, Bukit Batok Road, AYE and Cecil Street, operating one trip in the morning.

On 14 December 2016, Metroline and SBS Transit released information at bus stops regarding the withdrawal of Premium Bus Service 555 after 30 December 2016, the last weekday of the year. This is due to the full transition to the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), where operators operate under Negotiated Contracts (NCs) that do not contain Premium Bus Services. It was supposed to be withdrawn on 30 December 2016 due to the Downtown Line rationalization.

However, commuters who are taking Premium 555 all taken to the grief sadness, with the posters of bus stops changing its mind to allow them to operate. The same goes to Premium 589, who is supposed to be withdrawn on 30 December 2016. In the end, it was reversed due to the usage by Sunset Way residents.

Premium 555 serves the housing estates of Bukit Panjang Neighborhoods 2, 4, 5 and 6 with bus connections to the CBD, eliminating the hassle of transferring between different modes of transport. It provides a more convenient alternative route for residents who would otherwise rely on the MRT or other bus routes to reach the city. On 31 March 2017, finally Premium 555 came to a demise.

Currently, the housing estates of Bukit Panjang have limited rail connections and no full-day bus service to the city, so competition between Premium operators is present. Premium 722 by Transcity Bus Services offers the Bukit Panjang – Shenton Way route at just $2.70, but SMRT’s Express 971E is by far the most popular option, charging only express fares (with a maximum of $2.37). Commuters who live near Bukit Panjang LRT Station can take SMRT Service 700 instead, which charges basic trunk fares.