http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_...-splitting-of-some-long-bus-routes-37103.html
Route changes made if benefits are significant and address communities’ concerns: Lim Hwee Hua.
Mr Speaker Sir, I would like to assure Members that the LTA has no intentions to undertake a blanket exercise to phase out all long bus routes.
Trunk bus routes will continue to play an essential role in our public transport system as they provide comprehensive connections to all parts of Singapore, particularly areas that the MRT does not reach.
The issue of possible splitting of some of the long bus routes arose through LTA’s bus route planning consultations. LTA received feedback on the poor reliability of certain bus services that ply long routes.
Because of their route length, such services are more susceptible to delays caused by poor traffic conditions, which affects their ability to keep to their schedules and arrival times.
LTA is considering various options to address this feedback.
The option of splitting long bus routes will be studied together with other proposals, and will only be considered when it is sensible to do so.
In studying any changes to bus routes, LTA will have to consider many factors carefully, and weigh the trade-offs.
LTA looks into factors such as available travel alternatives, ease of transfer, overall journey times and fare implications, as well as the special needs of particular communities of users including the elderly and the disabled.
As for the impact on public transport operators, any changes should bring about operational improvements, and result in better use of resources.
Any efficiency gains from bus route planning in general, including any splitting of long bus routes, will be ploughed back into the system to benefit commuters.
For example, if improvements in operational efficiency mean that fewer buses are required to run a particular route, these resources would be transferred to another route where they will be used to improve the service level.
Mr Speaker Sir, in deciding on any route changes, be it to meet community requests or for better service reliability, the guiding principle for LTA is to make these changes only if the overall benefits are significant and they address the concerns of the communities.
Question on Longer Bus Routes:
Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Transport
(a) whether he will elaborate on the Government’s announcement that some longer bus routes will be discontinued;
(b) what is the impact of such discontinuance on the bottom lines and financial positions of public transport operators; and
(c) how the Government will address the adverse impact of such discontinuance on elderly and disabled commuters.
Route changes made if benefits are significant and address communities’ concerns: Lim Hwee Hua.
Mr Speaker Sir, I would like to assure Members that the LTA has no intentions to undertake a blanket exercise to phase out all long bus routes.
Trunk bus routes will continue to play an essential role in our public transport system as they provide comprehensive connections to all parts of Singapore, particularly areas that the MRT does not reach.
The issue of possible splitting of some of the long bus routes arose through LTA’s bus route planning consultations. LTA received feedback on the poor reliability of certain bus services that ply long routes.
Because of their route length, such services are more susceptible to delays caused by poor traffic conditions, which affects their ability to keep to their schedules and arrival times.
LTA is considering various options to address this feedback.
The option of splitting long bus routes will be studied together with other proposals, and will only be considered when it is sensible to do so.
In studying any changes to bus routes, LTA will have to consider many factors carefully, and weigh the trade-offs.
LTA looks into factors such as available travel alternatives, ease of transfer, overall journey times and fare implications, as well as the special needs of particular communities of users including the elderly and the disabled.
As for the impact on public transport operators, any changes should bring about operational improvements, and result in better use of resources.
Any efficiency gains from bus route planning in general, including any splitting of long bus routes, will be ploughed back into the system to benefit commuters.
For example, if improvements in operational efficiency mean that fewer buses are required to run a particular route, these resources would be transferred to another route where they will be used to improve the service level.
Mr Speaker Sir, in deciding on any route changes, be it to meet community requests or for better service reliability, the guiding principle for LTA is to make these changes only if the overall benefits are significant and they address the concerns of the communities.
Question on Longer Bus Routes:
Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Transport
(a) whether he will elaborate on the Government’s announcement that some longer bus routes will be discontinued;
(b) what is the impact of such discontinuance on the bottom lines and financial positions of public transport operators; and
(c) how the Government will address the adverse impact of such discontinuance on elderly and disabled commuters.
