BUS SHELTERS AND BUS BAYS (Construction costs)

Encik Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) what is the total cost to date for the construction of bus shelters and bus bays; (b) what is the current value of the lands on which bus shelters and bus bays have been constructed; and (c) if in future expenditure of public funds for the purpose of constructing bus shelters and bus bays will only be incurred when the Government has direct or indirect rights and interests in the bus services.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, the total cost of the construction of bus shelters and bus bays for the seven years from 1967 to 1973 was $2,312,000. I am afraid that records prior to 1967 are not available.

The current values of lands vary considerably between urban, sub-urban and rural areas, and also from site to site. It is, therefore, not easy to calculate the land values for the 420 bus bays and 1,480 bus shelters which now exist. Bus bays are provided to prevent the traffic flow from being disrupted by buses waiting at bus stops, whilst bus shelters are constructed for the convenience and protection of bus commuters. These are services which Government will continue to provide.

Encik Abdul Aziz: Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Hon. Minister for Law and National Development consider such expenditure of public funds as a subsidy?

Mr Barker: I do not think so, unless the Member himself thinks so. It is not only the buses that use the roads but also other vehicles like taxis, private vehicles and lorries. As for bus bays, if there were none, there will be more traffic jams, and passengers waiting to board the bus, particularly school children, are in fact better protected when there is a bus bay. And as for bus shelters, surely the Member for Kallang does not want his constituents or my constituents to be exposed to the sun and rain?

If the suggestion is that we should charge the bus company the cost of bus bays and bus shelters, this might get them into further trouble and, as it were, perhaps lead to their bankruptcy. But it has not been the policy of Government to charge the bus company. There is a little history behind it because there were so many bus companies before, but now there is one. In the same way, we do not charge taxis for parking at a taxi stand.

Encik Abdul Aziz: Mr Speaker, Sir, is it not common practice for a profit-making enterprise to provide, at its own expense, the necessary infrastructure for its business operations?

Mr Barker: Yes, but in their own premises and for their own equipment. However, these bus shelters are not necessarily used only by persons who board the buses. There is nothing to prevent any of the Members here taking shelter at a bus shelter. But, of course, if anyone parks at a bus bay, then he will be in trouble.

Dr Ong Leong Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am quite impressed with the reply given by the Minister for National Development. However, will he agree with me if I say that we are, in fact, not constructing enough bus shelters and bus bays for the convenience of the public? Will he, therefore, give an assurance that this Government will continue to construct more bus bays and bus shelters?

Mr Barker: Sir, I can assure the Member that more and more bus shelters and bus bays will be built. As I have pointed out, in the last seven or eight years more than $2 million have been spent on them. More will be spent this year and in the coming years. But as the Member realises, there are priorities for other projects, and if he can impress on the Minister for Finance that more money should be provided for this purpose, I will be happy to build more bus shelters and bus bays.

Encik Abdul Aziz: Mr Speaker, Sir, I must congratulate the Hon. Minister for Law and National Development. That is the best answer I have received so far. If it is just for the SBS -objection. Otherwise he is free to build as many bus shelters as he wants to for the convenience of the public.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong (Kim Kent): Mr Speaker, Sir, speaking of subsidy, I was wondering whether the Minister would consider requiring statutory bodies, such as the Housing and Development Board, the Jurong Town Corporation, as well as private estate developers, to erect bus shelters within their respective estates at their own expense in the same manner as these developers are required to construct roads which are subsequently taken over by the Public Works Department. Does the Minister not agree that his Ministry will be able to assist in improving the level of services of public transport by requiring these developers, which I have included the statutory bodies as well, to provide the supporting facilities for public transport?

Mr Barker: That is certainly a matter that will be considered at least by the Housing and Development Board; I do not know about the Jurong Town Corporation. But at the moment the Housing and Development Board itself is providing termini for buses, and it pays for them. This suggestion is only taking the matter a step further.