Increasing Public Bus Capacity on Routes from Major MRT Interchanges to Schools, Business Parks and Public Hospitals during Peak Periods

38 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether he can provide an update on the capacity of public bus services to meet demand and users' waiting time from 2014-2017; and (b) whether studies will be conducted for on-demand public bus services that ply routes from major MRT interchanges to schools, business parks and public hospitals to ease capacity during peak hours.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP), we committed to add 1,000 buses, bringing the total public bus fleet to about 5,500. To date, 960 buses and 76 bus routes have been added. The remaining 40 buses will be added by the end of the year.

Consequently, commuters are enjoying shorter waiting times and less crowded buses. The maximum headway during peak periods has shortened from 20 minutes to 15 minutes for all bus services, and from eight to six minutes for feeder bus services. Average loading has also eased for almost 90% of bus services.

The Land Transport Authority will be trialling on-demand public bus services at selected areas during off-peak hours early next year. The trial will inform on whether such services are suitable for more widespread deployment, including during peak periods.