Actually, in my opinion, it would be better if the bus routes
are re-designed, rather than just the existing routes enhanced and
new routes introduced.
If it is about a single bus route not able to meet a large
demand, then ask private operators to run the busy stretches -
along with the public operators. No need to introduce new bus
routes just to relieve the load. Thereafter, if the demand is
really too high that even private operators cannot relieve, then
the government come and give public operators more buses to enhance
the public bus service.
Re-designing (re-drawing) the bus routes would mean re-routing
bus routes to cater better to the needs and wants of the people in
today's world, because there may be some places that no longer have
a demand as significant as in the past, such as schools (due to
aging population in the area and there is a smaller proportion of
school-going people).
After the bus routes are re-routed, new bus routes can then be
created - to compensate the loss of links resulted.
That is for the existing towns. At least this will save
resources for service improvements in other expects (eg: new
long-distance bus routes that offer direct bus connection).
Whereas for the new towns, it is clear that new bus routes have
to be introduced (because there are very little or none), but that
is to serve new areas.
Likewise, when the bus routes experience high demand, private
operators can be called in to relieve the load from public
operators. and if the demand if way too high, the government can
come in and give public operators more buses to operate the
routes.
You echo my sentiment here. And that's what I am strongly
advocating. Re-designing some bus routes for the benefit of many is
reqyuired. A small minority will always be inconvenienced, but the
name of the game is "ADAPT" to changing environments. LTA is doing
little about existing services.