SBS Transit is one of the leading bus operators in this part of the world and started rail operations in 2003. It was formed in 1973 through the merger of three private bus companies and listed on the then Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES), now known as SGX, in 1978 as Singapore Bus Service (1978) Limited. In November 1997, Singapore Bus Service (1978) Limited was renamed DelGro Corporation Limited (Now ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited) and the subsidiary Singapore Bus Services Limited, was separately listed on the SGX. Singapore Bus Services Limited changed its name to SBS Transit Ltd in November 2001 to reflect its bi-modal status as a bus and rail operator. Today, SBS Transit operates 217 route services with a scheduled fleet of more than 2,700 buses. The buses serve 16 interchanges and more than 3,000 bus stops. In 2003, SBS Transit started its light rail operations in Sengkang and also started operating its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, the North East Line (NEL) in the same year. In 2005, SBS Transit began operating the Punggol LRT System.