<div id="readability-page-1"><div><figure><div><div><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/InqaEeo2wpT86cmmhL3JCw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/e4ce7d8d1fa071f92b9b72ed6ee8be4a?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1242" height="828" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/InqaEeo2wpT86cmmhL3JCw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/e4ce7d8d1fa071f92b9b72ed6ee8be4a"/></div></div><figcaption>Passengers boarding a free Tampines-bound shuttle service from Clarke Quay, first introduced by CapitaLand on Dec 5.</figcaption></figure>SINGAPORE - University undergraduate Lester Thomas, 24, wanted to save on cab fare when he boarded a free shuttle bus bound for Jurong East after drinks with friends at Helen’s bar in Clarke Quay with friends over the weekend.He was among a handful of people waiting for new free shuttle buses running from nightlife destination Clarke Quay to the east and west of Singapore, in the wee hours of Saturday morning.“The cab fare to my place in Choa Chu Kang is around $40, which is how much I spent for a cab home from Changi Airport last week,” said Mr Thomas, who was one of five people who boarded the Jurong East-bound CQ Night Shuttle on Dec 13.The shuttle bus pulled up at a bus stop along River Valley Road about 10 minutes before its 4am departure. Another five passengers boarded the Tampines-bound coach, which arrived minutes later.“I ended my night just after 3am, but I don’t mind waiting till 4am for the shuttle so I can (spend way less) and take a car home from Jurong instead,” he said.Another patron who only wanted to be known as Mr Ash, 29, was surprised that he managed to get a seat on the shuttle to Tampines MRT, having expected to see a long queue after a night at Zouk.“Personally I wouldn’t manoeuvre my night just to catch the bus, but if the timing lines up, I will take it, because it takes a big chunk out of my expenditure for the night,” said the off-duty bartender.Students who cited cost savings, as well as curious onlookers like Mr Ash who had read about the free end-of-night shuttle in the media, made up the small number of passengers on the buses in their muted second week of operations.First introduced on Dec 5 by property developer CapitaLand, which owns and operates the riverfront CQ @ Clarke Quay complex, there are two types of free shuttle services on Friday and Saturday nights that will run till June 2026.A 23-seater, hourly town shuttle runs on loop from 11pm to 3am around the Orchard Road and City Hall area, intended as a hop-on hop-off service that will help patrons get to and from key points, said a spokesperson for CQ @ Clarke Quay. Stops include Plaza Singapura, Raffles City and Ion Orchard, all of which are properties owned and operated by CapitaLand.“As this service was put together quickly for the year-end festivities, we began with stops at properties within the CapitaLand ecosystem,” said the spokesperson who added that they will monitor demand and explore adding more stops if needed.ST observed that throughout the night, only three passengers took the 1am bus from the stop at Tan Tye Place, while the next scheduled bus arrived a few minutes before 2am, and drove off shortly after without waiting.Meanwhile, the end-of-night shuttles to Tampines and Jurong, are 45-seater coaches aimed at patrons living further away. ST observed that the ride to Tampines Central 4 was comfortable and took less than 30 minutes, with the coach leaving a few minutes after 4am.“These locations were chosen because they represent key regional hubs in Singapore,” said the CQ spokesperson.In August this year, the authorities announced that venues in Clarke Quay and Boat Quay could apply for extended liquor licences until 4am on Thursdays and Fridays, as part of a year-long trial aimed at revitalising the area.CapitaLand also began offering vouchers for discounted Grab rides to encourage late-night visits, which saw strong response, according to Mr Ervin Yeo, group chief strategy officer and chief executive, commercial management, at CapitaLand Investment. Almost 2,000 codes were redeemed when the promotion ran from August 29 to Nov 16.The shuttle bus is the latest in efforts by CapitaLand to revive footfall in the area and boost nightlife, a move that anchor tenants like Zouk Singapore have welcomed.“Transportation is constantly cited as one of the key barriers to a vibrant nightlife scene, especially among Gen Z guests who may be more sensitive to transport costs, so we see this as a very positive initiative,” said Mr David Long, senior director of operations (APAC) at Zouk Group.<figure><div><div><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Yn74t_MsqUY0SuexuLiJ8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/e92fdde2a7c5927439bcb292ee002d05?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1242" height="828" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Yn74t_MsqUY0SuexuLiJ8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/e92fdde2a7c5927439bcb292ee002d05"/></div></div><figcaption>Passengers on board the Jurong-bound Home Shuttle service along River Valley Road on Dec 13.</figcaption></figure>Mr Long, who acknowledged that it is too early to evaluate the effectiveness of the shuttle service, added that the town shuttle has the potential to draw in individuals who might not otherwise make their way to Clarke Quay. They include tourists staying in the Central Singapore area.Newly revamped venue, The Riverhouse, run by lifestyle and hospitality stalwart 1-Group, also hopes to tap on patrons hopping on the town shuttle.“It will be able to bring in people from downtown and Orchard area towards Clarke Quay, and hopefully it will help nightlife go on all the way until three or four in the morning,” said 1-Group’s associate director for marketing Audrey Ng.Other tenants like Ms Digi Estanislao, 40, manager at restaurant bar Tomo Tokyo, said that whether the crowds spend is a different matter.“They can come here more easily, but I am not sure whether this means that more people will want to spend money to dine in,” she said.It was a sentiment mirrored by observers like Dr Yao Jingxian, deputy head of the marketing programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who said that transport initiatives represent only a partial solution.Dr Yao noted that the cost of a Clarke Quay hangout lies not only in the late night ride hailing fare but also in the increasingly expensive food options, drinks, and other experiences, which are in turn a result of high rental and operating costs, and labour shortages.<figure><div><div><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9IY9froiStUIh4OsP0MgEw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/d04e36ece02e9347b7a3c26cbb8ca436?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1242" height="828" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9IY9froiStUIh4OsP0MgEw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/d04e36ece02e9347b7a3c26cbb8ca436"/></div></div><figcaption>The hourly Town Shuttle service, which runs from 11pm to 3am every Friday and Saturday, at Tan Tye Place on Dec 13.</figcaption></figure>However, he agreed the downtown shuttle was a more viable solution, where consumers may hang out in other areas such as Orchard Road, head over to patronise Clarke Quay businesses, and then take the 4am shuttle home.“Students and young professionals may be particular keen on such multi-stop hangouts on Friday or Saturday nights,” he added.Patrons too said both types of shuttle services will give them more reason to come to Clarke Quay.Mr Shaun Wong, 24, who works in banking, said he would consider using the town shuttle service to travel to the Orchard Road and downtown area for supper, as well as the home shuttle when heading back to the east where he lives.“With better convenience of transport, I’m sure it will bring in more people..it is just whether people know about the shuttle bus,” he said.Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. 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CapitaLand has launched free shuttle buses from Clarke Quay to Jurong East and Tampines to boost nightlife and reduce transport costs. The initiative, running until June 2026, includes 23-seater town shuttles and 45-seater end-of-night coaches. The move aims to attract more patrons, especially Gen Z, by addressing transportation barriers. The service complements extended liquor licenses and discounted Grab rides, enhancing the area's vibrancy.

Quiet start for free Clarke Quay late-night shuttle bus; tenants, patrons welcome initiative