Singapore Traction Company

Singapore Traction Company
Industry Transport
Founded 1 October 1925
Defunct 4 December 1971
Headquarters Singapore
Services Trams
Trolleybus services
Motor bus services

The Singapore Traction Company (STC) was a tram, trolleybus and motor bus operator in Singapore from 1925 until 1971.

History

Singapore Traction Company trolleybus circa 1930

Background

In the early 1920s, the Shanghai Electric Company (SEC), which operated a trolleybus network in Shanghai, was approached to rehabilitate the Singapore tramway network. Due to the poor state of the tram infrastructure, rehabilitation was deemed too costly and thus plans were made for the system's conversion to trolleybuses.[1]

Hence, the SEC began negotiations with Singapore's municipal government over a new traction ordinance. This ordinance included the conversion of the tram system to trolleybuses, and the restructuring of the old tramway operating company into a new one.[2]

Establishment and conversion of the tram system

In 1925, STC was established pursuant to the Singapore Traction (Transfer) Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council in March 1925 with a remit to take over Singapore's tram network from Singapore Electric Traction and replace it with trolleybuses.[3] The first two trolleybus routes commenced operations on 14 August 1926,[4] and the last tram line was converted on 4 September 1927.[5]

Demise

Trolleybus operations ceased in December 1962, however by this stage STC had an extensive motor bus network.[6][7]

STC ceased trading on 4 December 1971, later being placed in administration by the Chung Khiaw Bank.[8][9][10][11] The majority of STC's 530 bus fleet was sold to Singapore's three other operators; Amalgamated Bus Company, Associated Bus Services and United Bus.[12] The company was wound up in December 1978.[13][14]

References

  1. ↑ "Singapore Tramways". Malaya Tribune. Singapore. 12 July 1923. p. 3. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Singapore Tramways". The Singapore Free Press & Mercantile Advertiser. Singapore. 2 April 1924. p. 10. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  3. ↑ "Singapore Traction Co". The Straits Times. Singapore. 7 March 1925. p. 11. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Trolley Buses". The Straits Times. 13 August 1926. p. 8.
  5. ↑ "Last of the Trams". The Straits Times. Singapore. 1 September 1927. p. 9. Retrieved 6 September 2018 – via NewspaperSG.
  6. ↑ Traction Company Move to End Squeeze Evil The Straits Times 16 April 1949 page 5
  7. ↑ "Off for good: S'pore trolley buses". The Straits Times. 16 December 1962. p. 15.
  8. ↑ "Meeting to decide future of STC". The Straits Times. 6 December 1971. p. 19.
  9. ↑ Management's assurance to former employees The Straits Times 7 December 1971 page 4
  10. ↑ STC placed in hands of receiver The Straits Times 21 December 1971 page 1
  11. ↑ 1971 Land Transport Authority
  12. ↑ "Firm was losing $400,000 a month so it had to sell buses". The Straits Times. 4 April 1972. p. 6.
  13. ↑ Bus firms winds up after 73 years New Nation 28 December 1978 page 4
  14. ↑ End of road for STC The Straits Times 29 December 1978 page 12

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