Singapore opened its first dedicated residential facility for bus drivers on June 29, 2026, next to the Sengkang West Bus Depot. The building offers 234 beds across 39 fully furnished apartments and currently houses about 198 SBS Transit bus drivers from China, occupying roughly 85% of the capacity [1, 2, 3, 4].
The dormitory features air-conditioned twin-sharing bedrooms, kitchens with stoves and refrigerators, communal dining rooms, laundry facilities, a games room, grocery delivery service, and a wheelchair-accessible sick bay [1, 2, 3, 4]. One floor is set aside specifically for female bus drivers [1]. Direct access to the adjacent depot is provided through a turnstile entrance, allowing drivers to cut commuting time to nearly zero [1, 2, 3, 4].
Accommodation is offered free of charge to these drivers under their employment contracts. Residents only pay for utilities, which average between SGD 33 and 50 monthly depending on usage [1, 2, 3, 4]. Jeffrey Sim, SBST group CEO, said, "We believe that the people who live here are the best people to tell us what makes a place comfortable and welcoming." He added that the proximity to the depot allows drivers to spend saved commuting time resting or pursuing hobbies at home [1].
The housing is available only to bus drivers from China, whose contracts include accommodation. Singaporean drivers usually stay with family or go home after shifts, while many Malaysian drivers travel back to Johor Bahru daily [2]. Previously, Chinese drivers lived in HDB flats rented by SBS Transit and paid utilities only [1, 2, 3, 4].
The facility was developed by the Land Transport Authority and is managed by co-living operator Coliwoo. Planning incorporated feedback from drivers and the National Transport Workers' Union [1]. The adjacent Sengkang West Depot began operations in January 2025 [2, 3, 4]. As of the end of 2025, SBS Transit employed 5,459 bus drivers in total, with current residents making up about 20% of the Chinese drivers employed [2, 3, 4].
A second similar residential complex for bus drivers is planned near Ang Mo Kio depot and expected to be completed by 2030 [2, 3, 4].
