The new Tengah Bus Interchange takes on a Total Defence theme

Friday 23 August 2024

Tower Transit Singapore (TTS), in partnership with Nexus and MINDEF, has given the new Tengah Bus Interchange a Total Defence theme. A key feature of the interchange is the Total Defence Alley, a 130-metre-long concourse lined with wall murals depicting the six pillars of Total Defence – Military, Civil, Economic, Social, Digital and Psychological Defence.

There will also be a hand-painted wall mural depicting the past and present communities of Tengah to symbolise an enduring community spirit that is key to Singapore’s Social Defence. The finishing touches of the artwork will be applied by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State (SMS), Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, along with Tengah residents at the official launch of Tengah Bus Interchange on Sunday, 28 July 2024.

“The Total Defence theme is a nod to Tengah’s history as a military training area. It is also timely as this year marks 40 years of Total Defence. In addition to our placemaking efforts, Tower Transit aims to work with various partners to hold emergency preparedness exercises and public engagement activities at the Tengah Bus Interchange,” said Winston Toh, Managing Director, TTS.

“Public transport plays a key role in Total Defence. An efficient public transport network connects people and places, strengthening our bonds and facilitating economic activity. The spirit of Total Defence is also often demonstrated on public transport, such as when bus captains and commuters look out for one another while on their daily commute,” he said.

Such stories of Total Defence being put into action on board TTS’ buses and at its bus interchanges are told on a wall mural. Another feature of the Tengah Bus Interchange is the Tripartite Garden which celebrates the harmonious industrial relations that are key to Singapore’s Economic Defence. The garden will have a sculpture made of a bus engine and multiple gears supporting three interlocking ring gears that symbolise the collaboration among government, represented by the Ministry of Transport and LTA, the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) and TTS. The symbolism can also

be seen in the three trees that will be planted in the Tripartite Garden by SMS Dr Khor, LTA’s Chief Executive Ng Lang, NTWU’s Executive Secretary Melvin Yong and Mr Toh at the launch event.

The launch event will be open to the public from 10am to 3pm. It will bring a carnival atmosphere to the Tengah Bus Interchange, with a bubble show, magic shows, caricature artists, live snack stations and a host of activities aimed at raising awareness of Total Defence including:

• A Total Defence exhibition by Nexus, MINDEF and Defence Collective Singapore

• A bus simulator by ST Engineering

• A flight simulator by the RSAF

• Fire safety demonstrations by SCDF

• First aid demonstrations by Singapore Red Cross, Red Cross Youth, St John Brigade and the National Cadet Corps

• A CPR self-learning kiosk by Singapore Heart Foundation

• A crime prevention and SG Secure booth by the Singapore Police Force

The Tengah Bus Interchange began operations on 21 July 2024 with bus services 870, 992 and new service 871.