DIVERSION OF BUS ROUTE INTO QUEENSTOWN HOUSING ESTATE

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Communications and Works if he will recommend to the Omnibus Services Licensing Authority that the route of the bus service (Route 3A), between Park Road and Telok Blangah Road, be diverted into the Queenstown Housing Estate, through Dawson Road, Strathmore Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue; and that the terminus be extended to South Canal Road.

Mr Francis Thomas: Sir, I will not. The course of action which the hon. Member for Queenstown envisages would involve special legislation which I am not prepared to introduce.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Can the Hon. Minister tell us what kind of special legislation should be introduced before he will recommend to the Licensing Authority?

Mr Francis Thomas: Under the present legislation I have no powers to make recommendations of the sort which the hon. Member envisages, nor has the Authority power to take any action except when it receives applications by operating companies for routes.