LTA responds to seniors’ concerns by adjusting electric bus steps and refining future designs in new fleet tenders.
In a major move to make Singapore’s public transport system more inclusive, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is lowering step heights inside 420 electric buses after receiving feedback from elderly passengers who found them hard to climb.
Addressing Senior Citizens’ Needs
Since October 2025, LTA has been working with manufacturers BYD and Zhongtong to lower the internal step heights on single-deck electric buses. The steps, previously as high as 33cm, are being reduced to 23cm or less—similar to double-decker staircases—to improve access for elderly and mobility-impaired passengers.
These adjustments are a direct response to commuter concerns. Several seniors, including 65-year-old Susan Han, shared their difficulties navigating the high steps, especially while recovering from knee surgeries or dealing with joint issues.
Structural Trade-Offs in Bus Design
The raised seating platforms in these buses were originally a byproduct of the low-floor design, which allows wheelchair users to move freely from front to back. However, the design also required elevated platforms to accommodate internal components like wheel arches, electric motors, and battery packs.
While inclusive in some aspects, this unintentionally created new mobility challenges. LTA has since revised its design approach—dropping the low-floor requirement in its latest bus tender to ensure better overall accessibility.
420 Buses Being Retrofitted
Of the 420 BYD and Zhongtong electric buses purchased in 2024, 170 are already on the roads, mainly operating on services 80, 163, and 371 in areas like Hougang and Sengkang. All 420 buses are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2025, with step modifications progressively applied.
LTA did not disclose the total cost of the retrofit project, but emphasized that the changes will significantly enhance safety and comfort for older passengers and those with mobility challenges.
Planning Ahead: New Fleet on the Horizon
Looking forward, LTA is actively reshaping the future of Singapore’s electric bus fleet. A tender issued in May 2025 for 660 new electric buses—360 single-deck and 300 double-deck units—marks a shift in priorities. These new designs will not be bound by low-floor constraints, allowing for more ergonomic configurations from the start.
The buses, which are expected to be delivered by 2027, will feature enhanced safety systems, including automatic fire suppression, on-board surveillance, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as collision detection.
Toward a Cleaner, Inclusive Future
This tender is part of Singapore’s broader goal to fully electrify its 5,800-strong public bus fleet by 2040. More than 2,000 electric buses will be procured over the next five years to support this green transition, alongside efforts to ensure that accessibility and commuter comfort are not compromised in the shift to sustainable transport.
Singapore’s decision to lower electric bus step heights underscores a balanced commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. As the nation accelerates its green transport agenda, the evolving design of its bus fleet reflects a people-first approach—ensuring that all passengers, regardless of age or mobility, can travel safely and comfortably. These efforts offer a compelling model for cities across Asia, including those in Malaysia and Indonesia, navigating similar transitions in public transit systems.
Sources: The Straits Times (2025) , Sustainable Bus (2025)
Keywords: Electric Buses Singapore, Step Height Modification, Elderly Commuters, LTA Bus Tender, BYD Zhongtong, Accessibility
