Source: SMRT on Facebook & MS News for illustration purposes only
A Redditor highlighted the lack of late-night public transport in Singapore, asking why NightRider buses and late-night MRT trains have not returned after the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a post on r/askSingapore on 22 Sept, the Original Poster (OP) questioned why Singapore has limited public transport options after midnight.
The OP argued that nightlife and clubbing have continued to draw crowds post-pandemic.
“Why no NightRider buses? Why no late-night MRTs on weekends?” they asked.
Source: Reddit
The OP also compared Singapore with cities such as New York, Hong Kong, and Seoul, which have various forms of public transport operating through the night.
They then posed a question to fellow Redditors: “What do u think is the reason why Singapore still doesn’t have late-night public transport options?”
The post quickly drew hundreds of upvotes, with netizens sharing possible reasons for the lack of late-night transport options in Singapore.
A netizen pointed out that Singapore used to have late-night buses, but this was discontinued due to low usage.
Source: Reddit
A Redditor agreed and also explained that the MRT is unable to operate till late at night as it is the only available window for rail maintenance work.
Source: Reddit
A commenter speculated that it could also be due to the “distinct lack of nightlife” in Singapore.
Source: Reddit
Another netizen also felt that there should at least be late-night transport services for special occasions like New Year’s Eve.
Source: Reddit
NightRider services, which began in 2000, were suspended during the pandemic and ultimately discontinued in June 2022.
At the time, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) cited factors including low ridership, available alternatives, financial prudence and the need to free up limited resources.
The issue also came up in Parliament in 2025, when then Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said late-night bus services before Covid-19 averaged only about 10 passengers per trip.
The LTA remains open to private operators providing after-hours bus services on a commercial basis.
LTA has also said that extending train operating hours would reduce the overnight window available for essential maintenance work.
Also read: More & longer planned MRT closures needed in future to keep trains reliable: Jeffrey Siow
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Featured image adapted from SMRT on Facebook & MS News for illustration purposes only.