In my opinion, I feel that LTA should have constructed new bus
interchanges somewhere away from the MRT and have some bus routes
re-routed to originate from there, and loop around the current bus
interchanges.
The new expressway bus stop was a good move, and I thought LTA
was considering this option.
Personally, I am disappointed that LTA chose to build a "second"
bus interchange near to bus interchanges that are already operating
at full capacity.
Firstly, are the roads able to cope with more buses utilising
it? Hopefully, the "second" bus interchanges can have the exits and
entrances at a road different than the road being used by the bus
interchange.
Secondly, when the land is about to be re-developed for
mixed-used developments in future, where will the "second" bus
interchanges relocate to? That is why I think both are temporary,
and will be replaced when the new bus interchange at Buangkok is
built in future.
Thirdly, speaking of which, I am curious why did LTA not
implement the plan to have the temporary bus terminal at Joo Koon
in year 2009, and have something like Bukit Merah Bus Interchange.
If they had that tempoary bus terminal, some bus services could
already be re-routed and Boon Lay Bus Interchange would already
have capacity for new bus services.
Fourth, if LTA can build a "second" bus interchange near to bus
interchanges that are already operating at full capacity, why did
it not use the temporary bus interchange at Boon Lay (Jurong West)
to have new bus services at Boon Lay Bus Interchange, but instead
demolish it two years ago in year 2012? It could have been a
temporary "second" bus interchange to enable Boon Lay to have new
bus services, until the new bus interchange at Joo Koon is
built. Well, at least now the new Joo Koon Bus Interchange will
open soon, in around three to six months' time, which means Boon
Lay Bus Interchange can have new bus services soon. So, this
argument is rather invalid now. :/ Nonetheless, this supports my
first point on the possible road congestions that may occur when
the "second" bus interchanges are built.
I hope when this decision to build "second" bus interchanges was
made, there are also plans to expand the surrounding roads (my
first concern) and delay the development of the land used (my
second concern). Otherwise, LTA should consider studying the
possible impacts and take the necessary measures to prevent
them.
