The Straits Times reported that Tower Transit, Singapore's third local bus operator, has taken over the Bulim Bus Depot in Jurong West. The depot is expected to be ready in two months' time. Recruitment is expected to begin in September, Tower Transit said in a press release on Friday.

The London-based company won an inaugural government bus contract in May, beating seven other firms including incumbents SMRT and SBS Transit.

According to Tower Transit CEO Adam Leishman, the depot will be extensively out-fitted with conducive areas for rest, meals and recreation for bus captains, and will also be the company's base of operations. "I expect the offer we will be making to drivers will be very attractive to a variety of individuals and will encourage Singaporeans outside the bus industry to consider a new career as we seek to bring exemplary service to Singapore," said Mr. Leishman.

The company will operate 26 bus services from the Jurong East, Bukit Batok and Clementi bus interchanges progressively from the second quarter of 2016.