SINGAPORE Press Holdings Limited (SPH) and SBS Transit Limited (SBS Transit) will introduce a new generation of newsstands, called buzz pods, at all 14 bus interchanges island-wide.
The buzz pods will be introduced in phases, with completion by the end of this year, SPH said on Monday.
The new buzz pods at the bus interchanges are equipped with digital displays highlighting breaking news headlines, and are Wi-Fi enabled. This means that busy commuters will be able to surf the Internet to access news, download the latest SPH promotional offers, access location-based information, and make free calls via Voice-Over-Internet-Procotol (VOIP) within the vicinity of the buzz pods while waiting for their buses to arrive.
The first of such buzz pods at the bus interchanges was launched by Director of SPH Buzz and Executive Vice-President of Newspapers Services Division Robin Hu, and Chief Operating Officer of SBS Transit Gan Juay Kiat, at the Boon Lay bus interchange on Monday. Two other new buzz pods have also been launched at Eunos and Tampines bus interchanges.
'We have noticed an emerging trend among busy executives who prefer to buy their favourite publications from newsstands which are more accessible to them during their daily travel. By locating buzz pods at the bus interchanges across the island, we hope to offer a pleasant and ex-pedient buying experience for people on the go,' said Mr Hu.
At the buzz pods, consumers can also sign up for wireless broadband connection under the Wireless@SG initiative and shop for a comprehensive range of Wi-Fi duo mode handheld devices offered by iCell, the buzz pods' Wi-Fi solution provider.
Those without Wi-Fi devices can still check their emails, pay bills and top up their ez-link cards via credit cards with the Pacific Internet (PacNet) Web Stations at the buzz pods.
The buzz pods at the interchanges will also be equipped with TeleMoney, a payment facility, allowing consumers to top up their pre-paid phone and gaming accounts via a simple touch pad.
Besides being able to browse through the full range of newspapers and magazines published and distributed by SPH, consumers can also purchase a wide array of food and beverage products from the buzz pods.
Radio stations Radio 91.3 and Radio 100.3 will entertain consumers with the infotainment and music.
'With the buzz pods at our interchanges, we are able to add a new dimension to the travelling experience where commuters can now surf the Internet and get news updates while waiting for the bus to arrive,' Mr Gan said.
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