Riding a Singapore bus costs a mere dollar, but spending a night in one will set you back a hefty 398 Singapore dollars. Enter The Bus Collective, Southeast Asia's pioneering resort hotel that breathes new life into decommissioned public buses, transforming them into luxurious hotel rooms.
This innovative project has revamped 20 buses previously owned by SBS Transit, Singapore's public transport operator, repurposing them to serve the hospitality industry.
Opening its doors on December 1st, the resort is now accepting bookings through its website. Nestled across 8,600 square meters in Changi Village, Singapore, the property neighbors attractions such as the Changi Village Hawker Centre, Changi East Boardwalk, and Changi Chapel & Museum.
Featuring seven distinct room categories, each adorned with unique in-room amenities, nightly rates commence at SG$398 ($296). Some rooms even boast indulgences like bathtubs and king-sized beds. Notably, the Pioneer North room caters to senior guests with handrails in the toilet and shower areas, while the wheelchair-accessible Hamilton Place room offers an external restroom and a ramp leading to its entrance. Each room spans 45 square meters, accommodating three to four guests, as indicated on the resort's website.
Though refurbished, certain original features like the steering wheel, driver's seat, and windows have been preserved in these retired buses. While the property itself doesn't offer recreational activities, The Bus Collective plans to arrange guided tours through its experience center. These tours include a biking excursion around Pulau Ubin, priced at SG$99 per person, inclusive of a round-trip ferry transfer to and from the island. Other experiences entail guided food tours and sailing expeditions at Changi Sailing Club.
The brainchild of WTS Travel & Tours, a Singaporean travel agency, in collaboration with partners LHN Group and Sky Win Holding, The Bus Collective aims to intertwine tourism, nature, and environmentalism, crafting unique and immersive experiences. Micker Sia, managing director of WTS Travel, highlighted the project's goal of setting a precedent for eco-conscious construction and hospitality, striving to establish a benchmark for sustainable luxury.
While currently confined to Singapore, Sia expressed openness to potential expansion, foreseeing possibilities for growth and innovation within the Asia Pacific region, believing in its resonance with audiences beyond Singapore's borders.
