Cost and Funding of Free Shuttle Bus Service in Gek Poh and Bus Utilisation Rates since 2025

22 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the cost and funding source for the free daily Gek Poh shuttle bus service; (b) what is the bus utilisation rate since its inception in September 2025; and (c) whether any preliminary studies or learning points from Marine Parade shuttle service have been considered before commencing the shuttle service in Gek Poh.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Gek Poh Shopping Centre is currently closed for upgrading works, which are expected to complete in third quarter of 2028. To ensure that residents continue to have access to amenities during this period, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has provided a free daily shuttle bus service to ferry residents between Gek Poh Shopping Centre and the nearby Hong Kah Point Neighbourhood Centre. This is not a new practice. HDB had previously provided such temporary shuttle services during similar upgrading projects for the convenience of residents. The context is different from the Marine Parade shuttle bus service.

The Gek Poh shuttle bus service cost around $14,000 per month and is part of the lump sum tender for the upgrading of Gek Poh Shopping Centre. The shuttle bus is usually quite well-utilised during weekday mornings and around noon time on weekends.