New Basic Bus Service 128 To Ply Along Section Of NSEW
Line And More Premium Buses Introduced
1. Minister for Transport and
Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Raymond Lim, announced on
30 January 2008 that new basic bus services will be allowed to ply
along sections of mature rail lines with persistent heavy passenger
loading. This is to provide commuters using these lines with more
public transport alternatives. The Public Transport Council (PTC)
has approved SBST's Service 128 to ply along the southbound section
of the North-South-East-West Line from 7 July 2008.
2. Minister Lim had also
announced on 30 January 2008 that the number of premium buses would
be expanded from 42 to 72. LTA is pleased to announce that as of 30
June 2008, 76 premium buses are already in operation, surpassing
the original target of 72.
3. The introduction of these
bus services underscores LTA's commitment to provide more choices
for commuters, including drivers who decide to switch to public
transport.
New Basic Bus Service
Duplicating Sections Of MRT Lines With Persistent Heavy Passenger
Loading
4. Currently, the southbound
section of the North-South-East-West Line (NSEW) from Bishan to
Newton MRT stations faces persistent heavy passenger loading. With
limited scope to expand rail capacity during peak periods quickly,
the PTC has approved an application by SBST to operate a new basic
bus service 128 between Ang Mo Kio Depot and Shenton Way Terminal.
This service will commence operation on 7 July 2008. The route will
cover 13 MRT stations along the NSEW and will stop at selected bus
stops in-between MRT stations along its route. Please refer
to
Annex A for details of the bus route and stopping
points.
5. SBST's service 128 will
have 4 trips each during the morning and evening peak hours. SBST
will increase the number of trips in the peak periods if demand for
the service is high.
6. More of such services would
be implemented along other heavily loaded sections of mature rail
lines in future, if conditions require it.
More Premium Bus Services
In addition to this new basic
bus service, 76 premium bus services now offer commuters direct
connections from residential areas, such as Holland, Bukit Timah,
Aljunied and Woodlands to the Shenton Way, Robinson Road, Suntec
City and Orchard Road areas. For more information on the premium
bus services available, please refer to http://www.lta.gov.sg/
public_transport/ pt_premium.htm.
7. "We are pleased with the
response to the scheme with operators surpassing the targeted
number of services and very healthy growth in ridership. LTA will
continue to work together with the operators to ensure that more of
such services are available, so as to give commuters more choices
and viable alternatives to cars, especially during the peak hours.
Members of the public who would like to suggest new routes for
premium bus services can do so through the LTA website and we will
encourage operators to consider them", said Mr Yam Ah Mee, Chief
Executive, Land Transport Authority.
8. Premium bus services were
introduced as niche market bus services, catering to commuters who
are prepared to pay higher fares for a more direct and comfortable
journey. Premium services provide a closer substitute to private
transport. These services also catervices also cater to the group
of current public transport commuters who desire a higher level of
service. This scheme was revised on 1 February 2007 as part of the
on-going effort by the government to make public transport a choice
mode.
Premium Bus Aggregator
9. The public is encouraged to
suggest their preferred Origin-Destination points to be served by
premium bus services at http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/pbs/pbs_info.htm.
LTA will share the information with the operators for them to
consider providing PBS. - LTA
