ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICE TO BEDOK NEW TOWN (NEIGHBOURHOOD I)

Haji Sha'ari Bin Tadin asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will consider asking the Singapore Bus Service to provide additional bus services to Bedok New Town (Neighbourhood I) as the present services are inadequate.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications (Mr Ong Teng Cheong) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, Bedok New Town is presently served throughout the day by three SBS services. They are Service 3 to Geylang and Chinatown, Service 12 to East Coast Road and beyond, and Service 220 which runs along the industrial area in Bedok Plain to the nearby Chai Chee Terminal. At Chai Chee Terminal, there are 15 other services operating to major destination areas. During peak periods, there are two additional Blue Arrow Services, i.e. Service 302 to Shenton Way and Service 307 to Orchard Road. More buses have been added on to these services during the last few months as the number of residents in the area increases.

The long-term plan is for all new towns, including Bedok New Town, to be served by a system of internal and external bus services. Within each town, a comprehensive network of internal services will bring residents from the various neighbourhoods to the town centre terminal where external services to the Central Business District, major industrial zones, and other towns will originate. Where demand is high, express services will be introduced. Such a system will make best use of the limited resources and restricted road space and reduce operating costs. The alternative of linking each part of the town directly with various destinations is an expensive way of providing good service.

Service 220, which was introduced on the 1 5th March last year and is now enjoying good patronage, is the forerunner of internal services for Bedok New Town. It will be strengthened with additional buses as and when necessary. More internal services will be introduced to serve other neighbourhoods as they become occupied.

The SBS is working closely with the HDB on the design of the Bedok Town Centre Terminal for the safe and convenient transfer by commuters between internal and external services. The terminal is expected to be completed in 18 months' time.

Pending the introduction of the new bus system and completion of the Town Centre Terminal, the SBS will look into the possibility of extending more of its services to Neighbourhood I of the Bedok New Town as an interim measure.