OLD SMOKY AND NOISY BUSES (Government measures)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Encik Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj asked the Minister for Communications what measures the Government is taking against old buses with smoky exhausts and noisy engines which are still on the roads.

The Minister of State for Communications (Dr Ang Kok Peng) (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the problem o old buses with smoky exhausts and noisy engines is being tackled in several ways.

The most effective is the replacement programme as set out in the White Paper on Reorganisation of the Motor Transport Service of Singapore (Command Paper 21 of 1970). Under this replacement programme the numbers to be replaced are: Year 1970/71 1971/72 1972/73 Total (July to June) Replacement 50 100 150 300

Buses are recommended for replacement on attaining the age of 17 years. Since the reorganisation, 231 buses have been replaced, of which 64 were under 17 years.

At the same time, all buses are subject to half yearly inspections at the ROV Mechanical Inspection Centre. Those found to emit excessive smoke and noise are required to have these faults rectified.

Spot checks on the road are also made on buses for excessive smoke or noise. In addition, actions are taken based on complaints from the public against specific buses.

These measures have resulted in a total of 3,018 buses being "booked" for smoky exhausts during 1971. During 1972 (Jan-Dec), 2,955 buses were "booked" for the same offence.

As for buses with noisy engines, some discretion has to be exercised in dealing with this problem. Most of the noisy buses come from the lot of 400-odd former STC buses taken over by the three bus companies following the collapse of the Singapore Traction Company. These are being phased out in a manner that will not cause a sudden shortage of buses or impose a sudden financial burden on the bus companies.

The Member for Geylang Serai may wish to note that, in the White Paper tabled on 21st July, 1970, the total number of public buses on the roads as at 30th April, 1970 is given as 1,390. However, as at 31st January, 1973, we have 2,079 public buses. In time, all the former STC buses as well as the other old buses would be phased out. The bus companies are themselves aware that many of their old buses are costly to operate and maintain.