Hi Mod,
My contention remains that if public (/ pte bicycle) transport were
indeed efficient, then there would be no such great demand for
private car transport- an indeed, cars are the biggest cause of
traffic congestion if not air pollution on a per capita user
basis.
Regarding the 'give way to buses scheme' (GWTBS), I doubt that this
is a viable long term scheme not only due to the confusion it will
cause in a cosmopolitan state (tourist drive and not all will give
way resulting in collisions and more traffic jams) but also due to
the odd give way scheme where buses have entitlement at all time of
the day- even when this is unnecessary (e.g. even the full day bus lane schemes at Orchard
rd end at 8pm). Road width permitting, bus lanes schemes are
easier to implement and easier to enforce without the possibility
of lengthy disputes arising and safer to operate as then there is
no conflict with the major-minor road right of way rules; there is
in any case the old yellow box rule that allows buses to exit bays
where main road traffic is stationary as well as road surface
pedestrian crossings which regulate traffic flow and with increased
pedestrian traffic, offer traffic free intervals where buses can
safely exit bays unopposed- still, the best opportunity for one bus
to exit a bay is when another seeks to enter it, ostensibly
blocking all oncoming traffic, buses are free to enter and exit
bays at all times of the day.
My stand remains that the GWTBS is just lip service and a cart before the horse kind of solution. Without
first establishing affordable and efficient private (bicycle/ light
mode) and public transport (bus/train), can citizens be blamed for
driving their own cars?
What is needed is either more public bus services or reserved bus
lanes, or both, to improve bus trip timings and attract more to
travel by public transport or self owned bicycle.
GWTBS is as pretty as lipstick makes a pig look nice .
The people of Singapore have better taste; lipstick on a pig does
not make one look good.