Service 195 is a high-frequency trunk bus route operated by Tower Transit Singapore under the Seletar Bus Package. It runs between Marina Centre Terminal and Commonwealth Avenue West (near Buona Vista), passing through the Clarke Quay, Chinatown, and Raffles Place areas. For residents and visitors staying near Liang Court, the route is a convenient way to reach the Marina Bay financial district, the Singapore River precinct, and the civic district without needing the MRT. This article provides a factual breakdown of the route, key stops, fare structure, frequency, and nearby points of interest.
Route Overview and Key Stops
Service 195 is a trunk route that runs primarily along major arterial roads including River Valley Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, South Bridge Road, and Raffles Quay. It also serves the Marina Centre loop via Temasek Boulevard and Raffles Boulevard. The route is approximately 12 kilometres long in each direction, with a typical journey time of 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
Major Stops in the Clarke Quay/Liang Court Area
- Clarke Quay Station (Bus Stop 04222) – Located on Eu Tong Sen Street, directly opposite Liang Court. This is the most convenient stop for the Liang Court complex, Meidi-ya supermarket, and the Clarke Quay entertainment district.
- River Valley Road (Bus Stop 04339) – Serves the northern end of Clarke Quay and the Robertson Quay area. Passengers alighting here can walk to Robertson Quay Walk and Cafes.
- Chinatown Point (Bus Stop 05049) – On New Bridge Road, near the Chinatown MRT station (NE4/DT19). This stop is used for transfers to the North East and Downtown lines.
- Raffles Place (Bus Stop 03011) – On Raffles Quay, near the Raffles Place MRT interchange (EW14/NS26). This is a key alighting point for the Central Business District.
The route continues eastwards to Marina Centre Terminal, which is located near Suntec City Convention Centre and Marina Square. The terminal is a loop point; buses do not lay over for long. Westbound, the route heads towards Commonwealth Avenue West, terminating near Buona Vista MRT station (EW21/CC22).
Fare Structure and Payment Methods
Service 195 uses distance-based fares under the SimplyGo (formerly Account-Based Ticketing) system. As of 2025, the following fare bands apply for adult commuters using an EZ-Link card or contactless bank card:
- Short trips (under 3.2 km): $0.93 (cash $1.70)
- Medium trips (3.2 km to 7.2 km): $1.09 (cash $2.00)
- Long trips (over 7.2 km): $1.33 (cash $2.50)
Senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities pay concessionary fares of $0.50 to $0.70 per trip. Payment can be made via EZ-Link, NETS FlashPay, Mastercard/Visa contactless cards, or the SimplyGo app. Cash fares require exact change as drivers do not give change. Children under 0.9 metres tall ride free when accompanied by a paying adult.
For a full breakdown of costs when visiting the area, see Singapore Weather and Budgeting Tips.
Frequency and Operating Hours
Service 195 operates daily with the following approximate frequencies:
| Period | Frequency (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Weekday morning peak (0700–0900) | 5–8 |
| Weekday evening peak (1700–1900) | 6–10 |
| Weekday off-peak (0900–1700) | 10–15 |
| Saturday/Sunday/Public Holiday daytime | 10–20 |
| Late evening (after 2200) | 15–25 |
The first bus from Marina Centre Terminal departs at approximately 0545 hours on weekdays and 0600 hours on weekends. The last bus from Marina Centre Terminal departs at approximately 2345 hours daily. Buses from Commonwealth Avenue West start at 0545 hours and end at 2345 hours. Service 195 does not operate as a night bus; for late-night travel, consider Nite Owl services or taxi/ride-hailing.
Connections to MRT Stations and Other Bus Routes
Service 195 provides direct connections to several MRT stations, making it a useful feeder route for commuters travelling to and from the Liang Court area.
MRT Interchanges
- Clarke Quay MRT (NE5) – Direct stop at the station entrance. This is the closest MRT to Liang Court and the Singapore River precinct. For a detailed guide to the station, see Fort Canning MRT Station Guide (note: Clarke Quay MRT is on the North East Line, while Fort Canning is on the Downtown Line; both serve the area).
- Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19) – Interchange between the North East and Downtown lines. Service 195 stops at Chinatown Point.
- Raffles Place MRT (EW14/NS26) – Interchange between the East-West and North-South lines. Service 195 stops at Raffles Quay.
- Buona Vista MRT (EW21/CC22) – Interchange between the East-West and Circle lines. This is the western terminus of Service 195.
Bus Interchanges and Terminals
Service 195 terminates at Marina Centre Terminal, which is a bus bay located under the Suntec City Convention Centre. From there, passengers can transfer to services 36, 56, 70M, 97, 106, 111, 133, 162M, 502, 518, 531, 700A, 857, and 868. The terminal also has a taxi stand and is a short walk from Promenade MRT station (CC4/DT15).
For visitors planning a full day exploring the area, see Half-Day Itinerary for First-Timers.
Nearby Points of Interest Along the Route
Service 195 passes through several notable districts and landmarks, making it a practical option for sightseeing as well as commuting.
Clarke Quay and Liang Court Precinct
The stop at Clarke Quay Station (04222) places you directly opposite Liang Court, which houses Meidi-ya Supermarket Legacy and a range of Japanese retail and dining options. The Clarke Quay entertainment district, with its riverside restaurants and nightclubs, is a short walk across the bridge. For a broader overview of the precinct, refer to The Complete Guide to Liang Court and the Singapore River Precinct.
Chinatown
Alighting at Chinatown Point (05049) gives access to the Chinatown Heritage Centre, the Sri Mariamman Temple, and the Maxwell Food Centre. The area is known for its traditional shophouses and street markets. The route passes along New Bridge Road, which runs parallel to the Chinatown MRT station.
Raffles Place and Marina Bay
Stops at Raffles Quay (03011) and along Raffles Boulevard (near Marina Centre) serve the financial district and the Marina Bay area. Attractions include the Merlion Park, the Fullerton Hotel, and the Marina Bay Sands. The bus stop at Marina Centre Terminal is within walking distance of the ArtScience Museum and the Helix Bridge.
Buona Vista
The western terminus at Commonwealth Avenue West serves the Buona Vista and Holland Village areas. This includes the one-north business park, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Bukit Timah campus, and the Holland Village shopping and dining enclave. Service 195 terminates near the Buona Vista MRT station, providing onward connections to the Circle and East-West lines.
Alternative Routes and Travel Tips
While Service 195 is the most direct bus route from Liang Court to Marina Centre, there are alternative transport options depending on your destination.
Alternative Bus Services
- Service 54 – Runs from Bishan to Marina Centre via Upper Serangoon Road and Kallang, but does not serve Clarke Quay directly.
- Service 75 – Connects Buona Vista to Marina Centre via Geylang and Kallang, but does not pass through Clarke Quay.
- Service 970 – Runs from Buona Vista to Marina Centre via Orchard Road and Dhoby Ghaut, but does not serve Clarke Quay.
For the Liang Court area, Service 195 remains the most convenient choice due to its direct stop at Clarke Quay MRT and its frequency.
Travel Tips
- Peak hours: Service 195 can become crowded during morning and evening peaks, especially between Clarke Quay and Raffles Place. If you are commuting during these times, consider using the MRT (North East Line from Clarke Quay to HarbourFront or Chinatown).
- Cashless payment: Using an EZ-Link or contactless card is faster and cheaper than cash. Ensure your card has sufficient balance before boarding.
- Real-time information: Use the SG BusLeh app or the Land Transport Authority's MyTransport.SG app to check bus arrival timings.
- Alighting request: Press the stop request button at least one stop before your destination. The driver will not stop if no one is waiting and no one has requested a stop.
For visitors staying in serviced apartments near Liang Court, see Somerset Serviced Residence for accommodation options.
History and Operator Information
Service 195 was originally introduced in the 1980s as a trunk route operated by Singapore Bus Services (SBS, now SBS Transit). In 2016, the route was transferred to Tower Transit Singapore as part of the Seletar Bus Package under the Government Contracting Model (GCM). Tower Transit Singapore is a subsidiary of Tower Transit Group, a UK-based bus operator. The route uses a fleet of single-deck buses, primarily the Mercedes-Benz Citaro and the BYD K9 electric bus, which were introduced in 2020 as part of the Land Transport Authority's push for cleaner energy.
The route has undergone minor changes over the years, including the extension to Commonwealth Avenue West in the 1990s to serve the Buona Vista area. The Marina Centre loop was adjusted in 2018 to improve connectivity to the Suntec City convention centre.
For more on the history of the Liang Court area and its transport links, see Liang Court History: 1980s to 2020.
Accessibility and Facilities
All buses on Service 195 are wheelchair-accessible, with low-floor boarding and a dedicated wheelchair bay. The buses are equipped with audio and visual next-stop announcements. Priority seats are available near the front of the bus for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers. Folding strollers are allowed but must be folded before boarding. Bicycles are not permitted on board.
Bus stops along the route are equipped with shelter, seating, and real-time display panels showing bus arrival times. Some stops, such as Clarke Quay Station and Chinatown Point, have covered walkways connecting to nearby buildings and MRT stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Service 195 operate 24 hours?
No. Service 195 operates from approximately 0545 to 2345 hours daily. For late-night travel, consider Nite Owl bus services 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, or 6N, which run on weekends and public holidays. Alternatively, use taxi or ride-hailing services such as Grab or Gojek.
Can I use the SimplyGo app to pay for Service 195?
Yes. The SimplyGo app allows you to pay for bus fares by scanning a QR code at the fare reader. This is available on all Tower Transit buses. You can also use a contactless bank card or mobile wallet.
Is there a direct bus from Liang Court to Marina Bay Sands?
Service 195 does not stop directly at Marina Bay Sands. The nearest stop is at Marina Centre Terminal, which is a 10-minute walk across the Helix Bridge to Marina Bay Sands. Alternatively, alight at Raffles Quay and walk via the underground link to Bayfront MRT station (CE1/DT16).
How long does it take from Clarke Quay to Marina Centre by Service 195?
The journey takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions. During peak hours, it may take 25 to 30 minutes due to congestion on Raffles Quay and Temasek Boulevard.
Does Service 195 serve the Singapore River boat quays?
Service 195 stops at Clarke Quay Station, which is directly opposite the Clarke Quay boat quay. For Robertson Quay, alight at River Valley Road (04339) and walk along the promenade. For a guide to boat tours, see Singapore River Boat Tours.
Related Articles
- The Complete Guide to Liang Court and the Singapore River Precinct
- Clarke Quay Nightlife and Dining
- Fort Canning MRT Station Guide
- Hotels Near Clarke Quay
- Japanese Restaurants Clarke Quay