1. The public bus industry completed its transition to the
bus contracting model in September 2016[1]. Under the bus
contracting model, LTA determines the bus services to be provided
and sets the service standards. This enables bus services to be
more responsive to changes in ridership and commuter
needs.
Less crowded buses, more reliable bus
services, enhanced connectivity
2. As a result of the bus contracting model, commuters have
been enjoying higher service levels.
3. All bus services now have scheduled headways of no more
than 15 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods, with
half or more of them having scheduled headways of no more than 10
minutes. Feeder services are running at even shorter intervals of
six to eight minutes.
4. To achieve this, an additional 86 buses were deployed to
improve more than 100 services between September 2016 and January
2017. Compared to the same period a year ago, about 60% of bus
services have become less crowded during peak hours.[2] Commuters are
enjoying more comfortable rides.
5. Bus arrivals have also become more regular, with the Bus
Service Reliability Framework[3]imposed on bus
operators as part of the bus contracting model. For the 108 bus
services that are being assessed on Excess Wait Time[4] under the
framework since September 2016, average additional wait times have
been reduced by around 15% over the past five months. Instances of
bus bunching have also decreased. Of 16 bus services which are
being assessed on On Time Adherence[5], seven have shown
improvement in their punctuality. As the remaining services are
gradually being included into the framework, commuters can expect
further improvements to bus service reliability.
6. Since September 2016, four new services have been added to
the bus network, with two more to be introduced by March 2017 and
another eight by the end of the year. Together, these 14 new bus
services will enhance connectivity in areas like Ang Mo Kio, Bedok,
Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Hougang, Punggol, Sembawang,
Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Tuas, Whampoa and Yishun.[6]
7. As our rail and bus networks expand and ridership patterns
evolve, some bus routes may no longer be as heavily utilised while
demands for new routes may emerge. We will continue to review and
make adjustments to bus connectivity, in order to appropriately
balance the need to optimise resources with commuter needs.
https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=1e19e335-5d71-4eb1-8119-bb4f09f11aef