Decals bearing the logo of Singapore's third bus operator, Tower Transit, were applied to its buses at the Bulim bus depot yesterday ahead of the first day of operations.

Tower Transit, which is the first operator under the government contracting model, takes over nine services and more than 90 buses from incumbent SMRT from today.

It will also have 10 buses newly painted in lush green, the colour chosen for Singapore's public buses through public voting.

The entrance of the Anglo-Australian firm effectively breaks a three-decade duopoly held by SBS Transit and SMRT.

Tower Transit will also take over another 17 bus services from SBS Transit in two batches next month.

Adrian Lim