New SBS–Univers Alliance Aims to Transform Transport Operations With AI and IoT Tech

TLDRs;

• SBS Transit partners Univers to build an AI-IoT platform improving operations and energy efficiency across bus and rail systems.
• Singapore’s mostly non-electric bus fleet limits emissions cuts, making maintenance optimization more impactful than decarbonization.
• LTA’s ongoing charging tenders open opportunities for integrated AI-energy management solutions from early-stage technology vendors.
• The alliance positions Univers’ AI Lab to scale transport solutions internationally while modernizing SBS Transit’s infrastructure.

SBS Transit has entered a new strategic collaboration with Singapore-based technology firm Univers to develop an artificial intelligence and Internet-of-Things platform designed to modernize how the city-state’s public transport infrastructure is monitored, managed, and optimized.

Announced Wedneday, the alliance marks a significant move by one of Singapore’s largest transport operators as it seeks to enhance operational efficiency while aligning with the country’s long-term decarbonization goals.

The joint platform, built on Univers’ existing AI and IoT capabilities, will connect to a wide network of SBS Transit’s assets across both bus and rail operations. By pooling real-time data streams from equipment, facilities, and energy systems, the solution aims to provide a centralized view of asset health, performance anomalies, and resource consumption. According to both companies, the goal is not only to improve day-to-day reliability but to automate parts of maintenance, reduce downtime, and optimize energy usage across depots and transit corridors.

At the heart of the initiative is Univers’ Global Impact AI Lab, a technology hub focused on developing transport-oriented AI models that can be tested locally and eventually deployed internationally. This collaboration gives SBS Transit access to advanced predictive tools while positioning Univers to scale its energy-management technology globally.

Modernizing Operations Amid Infrastructure Constraints

While the partnership promises meaningful operational gains, Singapore’s transport ecosystem presents unique constraints, particularly within the bus fleet.

As of December 2024, Singapore operated roughly 5,800 public buses. Only 1,140 of these are expected to be electric by the end of 2027, despite recent procurement cycles designed to accelerate electrification. This means more than 80% of the fleet will still rely on traditional drivetrains for several years, limiting the extent to which software-driven optimization alone can reduce emissions.

Electric bus deployment remains expensive as well. A November 2023 tender saw 360 buses acquired for S$166.4 million, roughly S$460,000 per vehicle. While AI-based charging optimization can help extend battery life and reduce energy waste, true emissions reductions will continue to depend largely on long-term fleet renewal rather than software enhancements.

The Singapore government has set a target for a cleaner-energy bus fleet by 2040, and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has outlined plans to add more than 2,000 electric buses over the next five years. However, with limited publicly available data on energy consumption per bus-kilometer or depot-level power usage, the size of the efficiency gains that Univers’ platform can deliver remains uncertain.

Growing Opportunities in Singapore’s Charging Ecosystem

The collaboration between SBS Transit and Univers also comes as the country’s electric bus charging infrastructure becomes increasingly sophisticated.

In November 2023, LTA awarded S$46.1 million in charging contracts for three depots, S$31.3 million to a Shell-led consortium and S$14.8 million to Presico Engineering. These deployments already include smart-charging systems with real-time diagnostics, signaling a broader industry shift toward integrated energy management.

With another 660-bus tender due for delivery by 2027, charging infrastructure contracts are expected to expand further. Industry analysts note that AI vendors looking to enter this space must engage early, often before depot tenders are issued. Integrated bids that combine hardware and software solutions frequently outperform standalone software proposals, as seen in past LTA tender processes.

The earlier PT602 tender attracted 21 bidders, including major automakers and new market entrants. Many participants strengthened their proposals by partnering with bus manufacturers or hardware suppliers, increasing their competitiveness in an environment where bundled offerings are becoming the norm.

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