Where does Go-Ahead Singapore Bus Service 381 go in late 2026, and what interesting places can you visit? Service 381 now links Punggol Bus Interchange with Punggol Coast Bus Interchange, passing Punggol East, Riviera, Oasis LRT, Singapore Institute of Technology’s Punggol district and Punggol Coast MRT. It is particularly useful for residents who want local shopping, an appointment at Oasis Terraces or a transfer towards the developing Punggol Digital District.

This Bus Guide corrects a very recent change. Go-Ahead announced that from Sunday, 13 September 2026, Bus 381 would be extended from its earlier Punggol East loop to Punggol Coast Bus Interchange, adding stops along Punggol North Avenue, Punggol Drive and New Punggol Road. Anyone using an old guide that calls Service 381 a short Punggol East loop may now be looking at the wrong endpoint.

The guide uses the current operator stop sequence and gives clear choices for Oasis Terraces, Riviera LRT, Punggol Coast MRT and the public parts of Punggol Digital District. It also distinguishes the institute campus from tourist access, a polyclinic appointment from casual shopping, and a bus arriving at Punggol Coast from a promise that every mall or campus entrance is right outside its door.

The short answer: what the bus really serves

Service 381 now operates in two directions between Punggol Int (65009) and Punggol Coast Int (69009). From Punggol it serves the Soo Teck corridor, Punggol MRT/Waterway Point, Meridian and Coral Edge LRT, Riviera, northern Punggol East, 65311 Oasis Stn Exit B/Blk 617D, 65709 Bef SIT Punggol, 65729 Punggol Coast Stn and finally 69009 Punggol Coast Int. The return heads back by 65721 Opp Punggol Coast Stn, 65701 Opp SIT Punggol, 65319 Oasis Stn Exit A, Riviera Exit A, the Punggol town-centre roadside stop and Soo Teck before ending at Punggol Int.

Route facts, verified 31 October 2026

• Operator: Go-Ahead Singapore.
• Major timetable change: extension to Punggol Coast Integrated Transport Hub effective 13 September 2026.
• Current terminals: Punggol Int 65009 and Punggol Coast Int 69009; not a one-terminal Punggol East loop.
• First/last published terminal departures: 5.45am and 12.35am daily at both terminals in the updated operator table. Do not assume those are intermediate-stop departure times.
• Different directional routes: approximately 8.7km towards Punggol Coast and 9km back towards Punggol; several roads and bus stops are different.
• Important neighbourhood use: Oasis LRT and Oasis Terraces (681 Punggol Drive), near the SingHealth Punggol Polyclinic.
• Important campus use: roadside stops before or opposite SIT Punggol; classroom and university facility access is separate from bus access.
• Comparison: Service 381 is not a Northshore Plaza / Samudera loop. For Northshore Plaza, compare 384, 84G/84W and LRT instead.

Where to alight, what to do and what could be misleading

Use the operator’s actual stop code for the direction described. A stop name is not a guarantee of zero walking time, an accessible entrance, parking, ticket availability or permission to enter a building. Check the exact entrance, marked crossing and return stop as separate parts of the journey.

Where to go / why	Actual bus stop	What to check after alighting
Punggol MRT and Waterway Point	65009 Punggol Int, plus 65251 Punggol Stn/Waterway Pt coast-bound	Board at the actual correct stop, shop or make a North East Line transfer. Don’t confuse the terminal and roadside stops.
Soo Teck LRT	65149 Bef Soo Teck Stn coast-bound; 65141 Aft Soo Teck Stn Punggol-bound	A West Loop LRT and residential connection for local trips.
Meridian and Coral Edge LRT	65161 Meridian Exit B and 65171 Coral Edge Exit B coast-bound	Local East Loop connections; check the reverse direction for Exit A stops.
Riviera LRT and Punggol Plaza vicinity	65231 Riviera Stn Exit B coast-bound; 65239 Riviera Stn Exit A Punggol-bound	For neighbourhood errands or an LRT transfer; Punggol Plaza is near Coral Edge, not Riviera.
Oasis Terraces and Punggol Polyclinic precinct	65311 Oasis Stn Exit B/Blk 617D coast-bound; 65319 Oasis Stn Exit A Punggol-bound	Food, a community visit or a scheduled SingHealth Polyclinic appointment at 681 Punggol Drive; map the entrance.
Punggol Digital District / SIT public approach	65709 Bef SIT Punggol coast-bound; 65701 Opp SIT Punggol returning	Observe permitted public areas of the district. Do not assume walk-in admission to campus laboratories.
Punggol Coast MRT	65729 Punggol Coast Stn coast-bound; 65721 Opp Punggol Coast Stn Punggol-bound	Transfer to North East Line NE18 or use the public mall and district walkways.
Punggol Coast Integrated Transport Hub	69009 Punggol Coast Int	Current 381 end terminal, linked to NE18 and onward bus services, not the older Punggol Interchange.
Punggol Waterway Park as a separate mapped outing	Select the exact NParks park entrance first	The park spans Sentul Crescent. Do not assume the nearest bus stop to a named ‘Punggol waterway’ is the correct bridge or park entrance.

The September 2026 extension: the most important fact in the entire guide

On 14 August 2026 Go-Ahead Singapore announced that Service 381 would be extended to Punggol Coast Bus Interchange from 13 September 2026. This was more than adding one stop: it changed the route’s practical purpose, connecting roads in Punggol East and Punggol North with the newer transport hub near the Digital District.

The current operator route page accordingly describes two directions. Direction 1 begins at Punggol Int (65009) and ends at Punggol Coast Int (69009). Direction 2 begins at Punggol Coast Int and ends at Punggol Int. Older material that calls 381 ‘Punggol East (Loop)’ may still be indexed online or remembered by passengers, but it is no longer a complete description of the present service.

A useful travel article should identify when this change happened, not silently mix a 2020 route with 2026 place names. If you are travelling for a timed appointment at Oasis or a campus event, the difference between an old loop and a new endpoint can affect the place you wait, the direction and the number of stops.

To check your trip, compare the bus’s displayed destination with the operator’s current stop table. From Punggol, you want the service showing Punggol Coast if that is where you are headed. For the journey back, find the Punggol Int direction and the correct stop. A similar route number does not make opposite roadside shelters interchangeable.

The extension also demonstrates how public transport changes as a district develops. New roads, housing, workplaces and community facilities need connections, and routes can be revised accordingly. That is why guide articles need dated verification rather than timeless statements about what a bus ‘always’ does.

From Punggol Interchange: why the first part of the trip appears to circle around

The Punggol Coast-bound direction starts at 65009 Punggol Int and first serves Punggol Field and Soo Teck. It then returns to Punggol Central, calling at 65251 Punggol Stn/Waterway Pt, before turning into the eastern Punggol residential corridor. The operator’s listed outward distance is about 8.7 km, so the journey is more than a quick direct shuttle between two MRT stations.

This makes it important to understand where you are boarding. If you are already beside Waterway Point, the roadside stop may be more convenient than walking to the bus interchange berth. A different person near Soo Teck might use the first stretch of the route instead. The word ‘Punggol’ on a map covers several distinct transport access points.

Waterway Point is an ordinary public mall next to Punggol MRT. A short shopping or eating visit is a legitimate reason to use a bus, but it is not necessary to complete the whole service. Check the outlet’s current hours and the crossing to the relevant entrance.

For someone travelling only between the two MRT stations, the North East Line may be quicker or simpler than a longer local bus serving neighbourhood roads. The comparison must include walking, transfers and waiting: a bus may still be convenient for residents whose homes are beside a 381 stop but not beside an MRT entrance.

Service 381 therefore has two different strengths: direct street-level connections for neighbourhoods, and a connection to the two larger transport hubs. Do not turn those into the claim that the bus is the fastest way between NE17 and NE18 for everyone.

Meridian, Coral Edge and Riviera: this is a neighbourhood route, not a tourist express

After Punggol Central, 381 serves East Loop neighbourhoods, including 65161 Meridian Stn Exit B, 65171 Coral Edge Stn Exit B and 65231 Riviera Stn Exit B towards Punggol Coast. On the return it serves the corresponding Exit A side, including 65239 Riviera Stn Exit A and 65169 Meridian Stn Exit A.

These stops are valuable to residents and visitors with a specific address in the estate. They also provide a chance for families to understand how the bus and LRT networks overlap without being identical. The elevated train connects one set of station platforms, while a public bus can serve an additional residential road beside the tracks.

For an ordinary local errand, check whether your destination is closer to Riviera, Coral Edge or a later stop on Punggol East. A person going to Punggol Plaza should be careful here: HDB locates that mall near Coral Edge LRT, not at Riviera LRT. The two station names are adjacent on the line but not interchangeable.

A modest family activity could be exploring a permitted public neighbourhood shop and practising route reading: identify the correct code, check which exit is on the destination side of the road and decide how to return. Avoid treating school grounds or residential private facilities as attractions.

During school arrival and dismissal times, extra road activity may change pedestrian conditions. Respect school access rules, use designated crossings and avoid blocking gates or bus stops for photographs.

Oasis Terraces: useful for everyday errands and a real public healthcare destination

An important stop on the new 381 route is 65311 Oasis Stn Exit B/Blk 617D towards Punggol Coast. On the return it is 65319 Oasis Stn Exit A. These stops are near Oasis LRT and Oasis Terraces, a newer-generation HDB neighbourhood centre at 681 Punggol Drive.

HDB explains that Oasis Terraces incorporates public plazas, recreation and neighbourhood amenities, with shops, family dining, an integrated polyclinic and childcare functions. It provides a practical short outing without requiring a trip across Singapore: have a meal, compare local shops, use public spaces or complete an errand.

The most important practical facility is SingHealth Polyclinics – Punggol, whose official address is 681 Punggol Drive, Oasis Terraces #02-01. SingHealth’s own directions name Oasis LRT and list Services 50 and 386 at the bus stop along Punggol Drive. The newer published 381 route also serves Oasis station-area stops, but that does not guarantee every entrance is directly beside the shelter.

Because the journey may involve medical care, plan it differently from a family leisure visit. Check the appointment time, service registration requirements and the clinic’s actual operating hours. Bring required identification or documents, confirm the floor and allow for the walk to the entrance. In a genuine emergency, use the appropriate emergency service rather than waiting for a regular bus.

Careful readers will see the useful distinction: ‘Bus 381 stops at Oasis LRT’ is a verified transport statement; ‘the polyclinic is at Oasis Terraces’ is a verified institutional statement; ‘my exact clinic is two minutes from the bus’ would be an unverified personal walking-time claim. A responsible guide separates these steps.

If you just want a meal or a small neighbourhood walk, choose a time that suits the shops and weather. Community-plaza features may have maintenance or event restrictions. Do not promise a water-play facility is operating or that every restaurant remains in the same unit.

Punggol Waterway Park: why the closest sounding stop might be the wrong one

Several neighbourhood roads served by 381 lie within Punggol, but Punggol Waterway Park is a long, distinct public park along Sentul Crescent. NParks identifies multiple areas of the park, including Nature Cove, Recreation Zone, Heritage Zone and Green Gallery, with specific bridges and access paths. A general ‘Punggol Waterway’ search is not enough to choose a bus stop.

Some visitors may want a particular bridge, historical feature or accessible park path. NParks lists Punggol MRT and Damai LRT among nearby station options, not a universal ‘381 park entrance’ stop. For a precise outing, start with the desired park section on the official map and find the safest pedestrian route from a suitable current transport stop.

One family might choose a short sunrise or sunset walk, while another might be interested in the preserved old Punggol Road bus stop inside the park. The activity changes the best entrance. An article should avoid suggesting that all named park features are within an equal short walk of Oasis or Riviera.

The park is open around the clock, but that does not mean every activity is safe or permitted at any hour. NParks states that fishing is not allowed in Punggol Waterway Park. Follow current signs, avoid entering restricted areas and use appropriate caution around water and wildlife.

Visitors who want a very short outing may prefer the plaza and LRT neighbourhood instead of committing to a long park walk. Route 381 makes local travel more flexible, but it is not a direct guide to every park bridge.

SIT Punggol and the Digital District: interesting public design, restricted interiors

After its northern residential section, the Punggol Coast-bound 381 calls at 65709 Bef SIT Punggol on New Punggol Road. In the return direction it calls at 65701 Opp SIT Punggol. These stops serve the vicinity of Singapore Institute of Technology and Punggol Digital District, an area where education, workplaces and public transport meet.

This can be an interesting observation outing, especially for a student learning about higher education and modern town planning. The visible public realm includes roads, pedestrian connections and portions of a newer integrated district. But SIT’s academic buildings, classrooms, laboratories and offices are not automatically public tourist attractions.

If the purpose is a campus open house, course briefing or scheduled appointment, check the official SIT event listing for registration and the correct entrance. A bus stop named for the institution is not a substitute for event directions. Walking to a gate that is not admitting visitors can turn a useful trip into a frustrating one.

Similarly, a business district can have public plazas and shops alongside controlled offices, security zones and facilities used for research or operations. Stay in public areas and avoid entering controlled spaces. A useful route guide respects those boundaries.

For an educational activity, compare the older public-housing streets of Punggol East with the newer pedestrian and transit planning near SIT. Ask how students, employees and residents might use a shared transport network. That is a legitimate public-space learning goal without needing access to a lecture theatre.

If travelling with children, keep the walk within clearly open spaces, carry water and plan an indoor stop or a timely return. The Digital District should not be presented as a theme park with permanent attractions guaranteed to be available.

Punggol Coast MRT and integrated bus interchange: two different boarding locations

The operator’s coast-bound 381 stops at 65729 Punggol Coast Stn and then ends at 69009 Punggol Coast Int. These are different bus stops in the same wider district. On the return journey, 381 leaves the interchange and serves 65721 Opp Punggol Coast Stn on New Punggol Road.

That distinction matters if someone is meeting you at an MRT entrance or if you have a pram or luggage. ‘Punggol Coast’ can refer to the MRT station, roadside bus stop, interchange, mall and surrounding district. Specify which one is your meeting point and allow time to reach it.

Punggol Coast MRT is the NE18 end of the North East Line. Punggol Coast Bus Interchange connects to the railway and local services in the integrated transport hub. The public retail and food spaces of Punggol Coast Mall can provide a manageable reason for a visit, but the mall, station and campus have their own entrances and access rules.

Do not tell someone that 381 goes to Punggol Point Park, Coney Island or Northshore Plaza merely because its terminal has ‘Punggol Coast’ in the name. Those are separate attractions and transport connections. Choose their actual entrances and current bus routes rather than expecting a direct 381 stop at every northern Punggol landmark.

If you are returning to Punggol town centre, read the bus board and use the Punggol Int direction. For people going only between Punggol Coast MRT and Punggol MRT, the direct North East Line may be an attractive alternative, depending on where they begin and finish.

The key improvement in September 2026 was not a promise that every journey became shortest. It added a reliable public transport connection from more neighbourhood roads into the integrated hub and to the rail line.

How to choose 381 instead of 384, 386, 84G/84W or the MRT

Some bus services overlap Punggol streets but have different purposes. 381 now links Punggol Int and Punggol Coast Int through the east and north-side residential corridors. 384 is the short loop from Punggol Int via Sumang and Nibong into Northshore Drive and back. 386 is a local East Loop–Oasis service that does not run to Punggol Coast Interchange on its published loop.

84G and 84W also serve northern Punggol and Punggol Coast area stops, but their loop directions and road-side codes differ. A family wanting Northshore Plaza should compare them with 384 and the West Loop LRT rather than assuming that any bus ending at Punggol Coast must reach the plaza.

For Oasis Terraces, 381 or 386 may be useful depending on your starting location. SingHealth separately lists Service 50 and 386 in its public access directions to the polyclinic; the new 381 stops at Oasis LRT nearby. Check the clinic’s own published access map for the final crossing and entrance.

For a trip from Punggol MRT directly to Punggol Coast MRT, the North East Line may be simpler than a lengthy bus route through residential streets. Conversely, someone living next to a 381 stop on Punggol East can use the bus without first walking to an MRT station. Neither route is universally best.

Use a three-part check: where am I now, what exact building or entrance do I need, and what will I do if the planned connection fails? Once those are answered, the choice between 381, 384, 386 and rail becomes clear.

Do not rely on an old map published before the September 2026 extension. For Service 381 specifically, an outdated loop description can send you to the wrong side of the district even if every street name it mentions still exists.

Three practical itineraries for a real visit

Oasis Terraces neighbourhood visit

From Punggol Int (65009), take the coast-bound full Service 381 through Punggol East and alight at 65311 Oasis Stn Exit B/Blk 617D. Follow signs to Oasis Terraces, choose an open public facility or a scheduled polyclinic appointment, and return via the verified opposite direction or LRT.

Punggol Coast Mall and transport-hub orientation

Board the Punggol Coast-bound 381, stay on to the appropriate station or terminal stop (65729 or 69009), explore the permitted public mall space and learn how the MRT and bus interchange connect. Return by the reverse 381 or compare the North East Line for a more direct station-to-station trip.

A future-study visit near SIT

Check an actual public SIT event or registered campus briefing first. Use 65709 Bef SIT Punggol on the coast-bound route, follow the event’s designated entrance, attend only the areas open to visitors and return from the correct Punggol-bound stop or rail connection.

Troubleshooting and safer alternatives

• Old 381 route description: Service 381 was extended to Punggol Coast Interchange on 13 September 2026; it is no longer only the earlier Punggol East loop.
• Wrong terminal: Punggol Int is 65009 and Punggol Coast Int is 69009. They are separate transport hubs.
• Wrong Oasis side: 65311 Oasis Exit B is coast-bound and 65319 Oasis Exit A is Punggol-bound in the current table.
• Medical journey confusion: A nearby bus stop does not confirm the clinic’s precise entrance, registration location or current availability.
• Campus access error: A stop named SIT Punggol does not allow public entry to restricted laboratories, lecture rooms or offices.
• Northshore Plaza confusion: 381 does not follow 384’s Northshore Drive loop; compare 384, 84G/84W or rail for the plaza.
• Park-name assumption: Punggol Waterway Park spans several zones, so choose the actual bridge or path entrance before deciding on a bus.
• Missing the last bus: Timetable endpoints are not live intermediate stop arrivals; check current arrival times before a late return.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Bus 381 go in 2026?

It now links Punggol Bus Interchange (65009) and Punggol Coast Bus Interchange (69009), passing eastern Punggol neighbourhoods and the Oasis area.

When was Bus 381 extended to Punggol Coast?

Go-Ahead announced the extension effective Sunday, 13 September 2026.

Is Bus 381 still just a Punggol East loop?

No. The current published route shows two terminal-to-terminal directions between Punggol and Punggol Coast.

Does Bus 381 stop at Punggol Coast MRT?

Yes. It serves 65729 Punggol Coast Stn coast-bound and 65721 Opp Punggol Coast Stn returning, as well as Punggol Coast Interchange 69009.

Can I take Bus 381 to Oasis Terraces?

It serves Oasis LRT-area bus stops 65311 and 65319. Oasis Terraces is at 681 Punggol Drive; check the final pedestrian approach.

Does Bus 381 go to Punggol Polyclinic?

It stops in the Oasis LRT area near Oasis Terraces, where SingHealth Punggol Polyclinic is located. Confirm the clinic entrance, appointment and accessibility.

Does Bus 381 serve SIT Punggol?

Yes. Its published stops include 65709 Bef SIT Punggol and 65701 Opp SIT Punggol. Campus access requires authorisation for non-public spaces.

Does Bus 381 take me to Northshore Plaza?

It is not the Northshore Drive loop. Compare Service 384, 84G/84W or LRT according to the exact plaza entrance.

Does Bus 381 stop near Riviera LRT?

Yes. The coast-bound route includes 65231 Riviera Exit B; the return includes 65239 Riviera Exit A.

Can I take Bus 381 directly from Punggol MRT to Punggol Coast MRT?

The route connects the two districts, but it travels through residential roads; compare the direct North East Line for a station-to-station journey.

Does the bus go to Punggol Point Park?

It does not list Punggol Point Park as a stop. Choose the actual park entrance and plan the final connection separately.

Is the polyclinic near the bus stop always open?

No. Healthcare operations, appointments and registration have their own schedules; check SingHealth’s current guidance.

Which return stop do I use from Punggol Coast?

The current bus starts at Punggol Coast Int 69009 and calls at 65721 Opp Punggol Coast Stn on the return leg. Choose the one appropriate to where you are standing.

How do I check that an online route map is updated?

Look for the 13 September 2026 extension and both terminal codes 65009/69009; older maps may show only the earlier Punggol East loop.

Official sources and linked Bus Guides

• Go-Ahead Singapore: current Service 381 two-direction stop lists
• Go-Ahead Singapore: 2026 announcement archive for September route extension
• Go-Ahead Singapore: announcements by topic and date
• SingHealth Polyclinics: Punggol Polyclinic location and public transport
• HDB: Oasis Terraces and new-generation neighbourhood centres
• HDB: Punggol Plaza near Coral Edge LRT
• NParks: Punggol Waterway Park actual location and visitor guidance

Related: Service 84G/84W — Punggol Northshore and Coast · Service 119 — Sengkang, Hougang and Kovan · Service 62 — Punggol, Hougang and Geylang · Service 117 — Punggol Coast and Seletar.

Editorial reality check, 31 October 2026: This independent guide is based on the bus operator’s published route and identified official destination sources, not real-time arrivals. The route’s existence does not guarantee a venue is open, an outlet is operating, public access to restricted areas, a particular accessibility level, or a fixed journey time. Consult current notices, live arrivals and entrance details on travel day.