BUS SERVICE FOR JALAN BAHAR

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Chia Thye Poh asked the Deputy Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is no bus route along Jalan Bahar off Jurong Road 13½ milestone and whether a bus service can be authorised to serve that area.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister (Inche Buang Bin Omar Junid) (for the Deputy Prime Minister): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, the competent authority for the licensing of bus services is the Omnibus Services Licensing Authority. This Authority is established under the Omnibus Services Licensing Authority Ordinance, 1956, and is charged with the function of considering applications from bus companies for licences to operate bus services within the State of Singapore. It has full discretion in granting or refusing to grant a licence in respect of any bus route. In exercising its discretion, it is required under the Ordinance to take into account, among other things, the suitability of the route on which a service is to be provided and the extent to which the proposed services are necessary or desirable in the public interest.

At present, Jurong Road is served by the Green Bus Co., Ltd. operating from its town terminus at Queen Street, up to the 18th milestone, Jurong. No application has been received by the Omnibus Services Licensing Authority, from the Green Bus Co., Ltd., or any other bus company for a bus service to be operated along Jalan Bahar, off Jurong Road.