Average Ridership and Frequency of Public Transportation on Weekdays and Weekends Compared to Pre-pandemic Levels
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the inquiry by Mr Leong Mun Wai regarding average daily ridership and service frequencies of public transport on weekdays and weekends compared to pre-pandemic levels. Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat reported that ridership has reached 95% of pre-pandemic levels, with frequencies for buses and trains remaining comparable to previous standards. Current train frequencies range from two to five minutes, while buses run every seven to 13 minutes depending on the time of day and peak demand. The Land Transport Authority makes targeted adjustments based on sustained changes in commuter demand, but there are no plans to increase frequencies across the board on weekends. Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat explained that such increases would raise operating costs, which are ultimately borne by commuters and taxpayers through higher fares and taxes.
Transcript
30 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the latest average daily ridership on public buses and trains on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays respectively; (b) what is the average frequency of public buses and trains on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays respectively, (c) how do the figures in (a) and (b) compare with pre-pandemic levels; (d) whether the Ministry will consider increasing bus and rail frequency on Saturdays and Sundays; and (e) if not, why.
Mr Chee Hong Tat (for the Minister for Transport): In the third quarter of 2023, average daily ridership on public buses and trains was 7.9 million on weekdays and 6.4 million on weekends. This is around 95% of pre-pandemic levels.
The average frequency of trains is two to three minutes during weekday peak hours and around five minutes during weekday off-peak hours and on weekends. The average frequency of buses is seven to 10 minutes during weekday peak hours, and nine to 13 minutes during weekday off-peak hours and on weekends. The frequencies are comparable to pre-pandemic levels.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) closely monitors the supply and demand for public transport services. When there are sustained changes to commuter demand, or if there are significant changes to the public transport network, such as after the opening of a new MRT line, LTA will make targeted adjustments to service frequencies. Based on current ridership and capacity, we have no plans to increase bus and rail frequencies across the board on weekends. Doing what the Member suggests will raise operating costs, which is, ultimately, borne by commuters and taxpayers through higher fares and taxes.