Source – freepressjournal.in
Over the next eight years, Singapore will invest up to $900 million to enhance public bus connectivity in Singapore through a new government initiative aimed at accelerating the rollout of bus services in new towns and introducing express feeder buses with fewer stops. Announced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on July 30, the Bus Connectivity in Singapore Enhancement Programme aims to complement busier MRT lines and respond to changing travel patterns.
Enhancing Peak-Hour Services and Infrastructure
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat stated that the new funding will be used to purchase more buses, hire additional bus drivers and maintenance staff, and develop new infrastructure, such as bus stops. The focus will be on improving the public bus network in a tailored manner, depending on the specific needs of commuters in various parts of Singapore. This approach reflects the evolving travel demands and aims to ensure that enhancements are made in consultation with grassroots advisers.
Addressing Changing Travel Patterns
With rapid housing development and changing travel patterns, the demand for bus services has increased. Some newer housing estates are located farther from town centers and MRT stations, necessitating better bus connectivity in Singapore. Even mature estates with fewer public bus services will benefit from the enhancements, especially where resident numbers and passenger loads on existing MRT and bus services have risen.
For instance, the LTA plans to introduce a new bus service by the end of September to connect residents in Yishun East’s new and upcoming Build-To-Order developments with the nearby Khatib MRT station. Similarly, new express feeder services will provide more direct routes with fewer stops, reducing travel time for residents to major transport nodes. In December, Tampines North residents will have a new express feeder bus service linking them directly to Tampines MRT station.
Singapore to Spend Up to $900m on Improving Public Bus Connectivity Over Eight Years
Expanding City Direct Services and Route Adjustments
To improve peak-hour connectivity to the Central Business District, additional City Direct Services will be introduced, including a new service from Punggol starting in October. In Toa Payoh East, an existing bus service will be extended by the end of 2024 to connect residents with the Thomson-East Coast and Circle lines at Caldecott MRT station. These adjustments are part of ongoing reviews by the LTA to optimize the bus network based on commuter needs.
Building on Previous Success
The new bus enhancement programme follows the success of the earlier $1.1 billion Bus Service Enhancement Programme, which ran from 2012 to 2017. This previous initiative added 1,000 government-funded buses to Singapore’s roads and introduced 80 bus services, including 22 City Direct Services. These services provided express routes between housing estates such as Bedok and Hougang to the city, while feeder and short trunk services improved local connectivity in newly developed areas like Choa Chu Kang, Sengkang, Punggol, and Yishun.
Prudent Resource Management
Despite the significant investment, LTA emphasized the importance of prudent spending on public transport resources. The authority will continue to review and adjust the bus network, reallocating any potential savings to ensure optimal service delivery. Minister Chee highlighted the necessity of additional government resources to meet the commuting needs of residents, acknowledging that merely optimizing existing routes would not suffice to address the diverse requirements across Singapore.
