CEO of SMRT:
'Why do you have trains? To reduce
congestion on the roads. If I'm a bus company, I will also want to
ply where the trains are because that's where the most people are.
So that will defeat the first purpose,' she says.
'But let's say we let buses compete with trains, then... why not
let the buses compete freely? Why demarcate where a bus operator
should or should not go. Why say you can compete this way but not
that way?'
Even bus companies are aghast of not able to compete freely. Let's
have bus companies the free hand to draw out new routes. And bus
companies need only PTC approval for services removal.
I agreed with what Ms Saw suggested, allow bus companies to ply
along MRT tracks as that's where most people are. Besides that's
could be the shortest path too.
One hardly can get a seat if he does not board from Boon Lay or
Pasir Ris. As such there are people who would prefer bus rides,
especially senior citizens and myself (one who prefer to trade for
a seat for an additional 15 minutes ride).
Of course I am not suggesting for a bus service to ply from Boon
Lay to Pasir Ris, one would still prefer train ride for longer
journey. At least provides connectivity between Clementi and
Queenstown via bus along MRT track.
