SPECIAL BUS SERVICES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Communications if he will look into the feasibility of the bus operators providing some buses for school children only on their bus routes, particularly at the end of the afternoon school sessions.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin): Mr Speaker, Sir, as suggested by the Member for Anson, I shall ask the Bus Services Licensing Authority and the Singapore Bus Service Ltd, to look into the feasibility of providing special bus services for school children, at the end of the afternoon school sessions.

It is necessary, however, for me to explain that the public bus service is not the only available means of transport for school children. There is in existence a separate school bus service, the expansion of which was one of the recommendations contained in the White Paper on Reorganisation of the Motor Transport Service of Singapore (Paper Cmd 21 of 1970).

Out of an original fleet of 149 buses, it was hoped that by the end of the three-year Plan, i.e. June 1973, there would be in existence a total fleet of 600 buses. I am, however, pleased to disclose that the actual fleet of school buses at the end of last month reached a figure of 1,574 buses, which represents 2 1/2 times the target figure and more than ten times the original fleet in 1970 - three years ago. The rapid expansion of the school bus fleet clearly shows that parents and school children are most pleased with this service, and those who are not using this service as yet are advised to do so early instead of having to undergo the inconvenience of having to compete with the adults during the evening peak periods for bus travel.

Mr P. Govindaswamy (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister says that there are 1,574 buses. Can he tell us what is the accommodation of each bus?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Sir, the capacity varies with the type of bus. Some are mini-buses and some are large buses. Whatever it is, overall, they are performing an excellent service.