SINGAPORE: A total of 15 fatalities resulted from bus
accidents over the last three years.
The Ministry of Transport gave this statistic in a written
reply to a question from MP for Sembawang GRC Lim Wee
Kiak.
Transport Minister Raymond Lim also gave the breakdown
rate of public buses over the last three years.
He said between 2007 and 2009, the average monthly
breakdown rate of public buses was 1.25 percent of the total number
of buses operated in a month.
Under the Public Transport Council's Quality of Service
standards, Mr Lim said the bus breakdown rate should be less than
1.5 percent of the monthly operating buses.
This applies to both basic bus service operators, SBS Transit and
SMRT Buses.
The standards also prescribe that the accident rate should be less
than 0.75 accidents per 100,000 bus-kilometre travelled each
month.
Now, the average accident rate for public buses is about 0.63 cases
per 100,000 bus-kilometre travelled.
Mr Lim pointed out that the two operators have been performing at
an acceptable level. They are also aware that any breakdown or
accident involving their buses is costly and disruptive to
commuters.
So the operators have implemented robust and comprehensive
programmes, including bus maintenance regimes and safety training,
for their drivers.
CNA/de