LTA to Seek Industry Proposals to Develop
On-Demand,
Dynamically-Routed Public Bus Services
Imagine a public bus service that optimises its route and
schedule based on real-time commuter demand! This could soon become
a reality in areas with low ridership and during off-peak periods.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) called a tender today to seek
proposals from the industry to trial on-demand, dynamically-routed
public bus services.
2.
The trial will enable LTA to evaluate the feasibility of
operating public bus services based on real-time commuter demand
and along dynamic routes, instead of plying on the basis of
pre-determined and fixed timetables and routes. Through a mobile
application, commuters will be able to request pick-ups and
drop-offs at any bus stop within a defined operating area. The
objective is to deliver better and more customised bus services,
with possibly shorter wait time. Instead of being able to alight
only at a bus stop along a pre-determined, fixed route, he or she
can ask to alight at any bus stop in the operating area, making the
commute more seamless and convenient than today.
3. In
addition to enhancing the commute, the trial will help LTA assess
if such a form of public bus services could optimise resources
(buses and bus captains) and operating cost in areas and periods
with low ridership.
4.
Three areas have been preliminarily identified as possible
for the trial: Joo Koon (for Services 253, 255 and 257), Punggol
North/West (for Services 84 and 382) and Shenton Way/Marina South
(for Services 400 and 402). These bus services in the identified
areas currently have low demand during off-peak hours and can
potentially better serve commuters if they are converted into
on-demand bus services.
5.
Tender participants are also invited to submit proposals for
on-demand, dynamically-routed night bus services, in place of
existing night bus services with fixed timetables and
routes.
6.
The tender consists of two phases. In the first phase, to be
awarded by 4Q 2017, the successful tenderer(s) will conduct
modelling and simulation to test service quality and resource
requirements. This will help LTA determine the parameters for the
actual trial. In the second phase, to be awarded in 2Q 2018,
incumbent public bus operators will test and calibrate software and
hardware solutions provided by the successful tenderer(s) before
trialling actual on-demand, dynamically-routed bus services in the
second half of 2018. In the lead-up to the actual trial, LTA will
work with the bus operators and communities to educate and assist
residents and commuters in the trial areas on how to use such bus
services. LTA will continue to run the usual scheduled bus services
at reduced frequency, to cater to those commuters who are not able
to adapt to this new form of bus services.
7.
“Data analytics and mobile application technology have
revolutionised the way that we travel, as we have seen in the
success of ride-hailing. This tender will allow us to explore if
such technology could also be applied to public bus services to
deliver better services to commuters, and also to optimise precious
resources. We welcome feedback and ideas on this endeavour,” said
Group Director, Public Transport, Land Transport Authority, Mr Yeo
Teck Guan.
Trials will conduct on various services:
All Night Services. (except Christmas, New
Year, CNY) The demand is low (1N-6N, NR1-NR3, NR5-NR8).
Service 402, because NSL is extended fully to
Tuas.
Service 95, 96,
179 on weekends and public holidays.