Measures to Ensure Availability of Regular School Bus Services
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns measures to ensure school bus service availability during the Middle East conflict, as raised by Ms Joan Pereira and Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee stated that the Ministry of Education provided a 13% fare revenue subsidy in April, with extensions for May and June, followed by fare increases in July to ensure viability. For ad hoc services, schools were advised to adjust rates, resulting in 42 contract increases by late April. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee clarified that the government will not take over bus operations to preserve school oversight and competitive flexibility. Instead, the Ministry will assist with replacement arrangements or contract novations to maintain both regular and ad hoc service sustainability.
Transcript
105 Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Education in view of the continuing Middle East conflict (a) what additional measures are being considered to assist stakeholders, schools and students to ensure the availability of regular school bus services; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider taking over the management of school bus operations with the present companies as its contractors.
106 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Education given that the 13% temporary transport support does not extend to ad hoc school bus services, (a) whether the Ministry has assessed the risk of private bus operators ceasing to serve schools due to unviable profit margins; and (b) what contingency measures are in place to ensure continued access to ad hoc transport services for external school activities.
Mr Desmond Lee: My response will address the questions raised by Ms Joan Pereira and Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik on the temporary support for school bus operators amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is providing temporary support to operators of regular bus services for primary and special education to help offset higher fuel costs arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict. In April, we provided support equivalent to 13% of school bus fare revenues. Given that fuel prices remain elevated, we intend to provide additional support for May and June. Beyond that, from July, the operators will be allowed to raise fares to reflect the cost increases, so that services remain viable.
For ad hoc bus service providers, MOE has advised schools to work with operators on reasonable rate adjustments. As of 28 April 2026, schools have facilitated temporary rate increases for 42 bus contracts, with more under consideration. We also encourage other procurers of transport services to adopt a similar approach, so that the burden is shared fairly.
MOE does not plan to take over school bus operations. Under the current model, schools select operators through a competitive bidding process. This allows them to have direct oversight over service quality and affordability, while giving operators the flexibility to customise their services. Where needed, MOE will step in to facilitate continuity – for example, by helping schools put in place replacement arrangements or novate existing contracts. MOE will continue working closely with schools and operators to ensure the sustainability of both regular and ad hoc bus services.