SINGAPORE: Commuters in various neighbourhoods will soon enjoy improved connectivity with the introduction of seven new bus services and the extension of existing routes across Singapore. On 9 February 2024, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) highlighted these enhancements that aim to support the growing transport demands.
Details of New Services
- Service 460: A peak period service connecting residents in Tampines Boulevard to Tampines MRT station.
- Service 461: Facilitating access for Yishun East residents to Khatib MRT station.
- Services 457, 458 and 459: Serving Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol, providing direct links to the Circle Line and the Tai Seng employment hub.
- City Direct Service 648: Linking Brickland and Bukit Batok West to the Central Business District, enhancing urban accessibility.
- Feeder Service 831: Starting in Tengah from 8 March 2024, connecting residents to Tengah Interchange.
- Extensions: Existing Services 97 and 97e will be extended from Jurong East to Tengah, with Service 181 planned to follow.
Addressing Transport Needs
Speaking at the Tampines North Bus Interchange, Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow explained that these new services are part of the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme (BCEP), presented to alleviate transport issues in areas further from MRT stations. “We’re trying to build up the bus network to support the transport needs of residents that are already here,” he said.
Recruitment Challenges
However, Mr Siow acknowledged the ongoing challenge of recruiting local bus drivers, noting that the median age of these drivers is currently 56 years. Despite offering a S$20,000 sign-on bonus and a starting salary of approximately S$3,600, this has not sufficed in attracting new talent.
Technical Improvements
Moreover, the LTA is in the process of restoring the Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) system, which had encountered malfunctions since early January. Mr Siow assured the public that bus operations had not been affected, and further technical enhancements are underway to improve the accuracy of arrival times.
As part of BCEP’s initiative, around 244,000 commuters are expected to benefit from these enhancements, which aim to create a more efficient and effective public transport environment in Singapore.