BEDOK NEW TOWN (Re-routing of Bus Service No. 135)

Haji Sha'ari bin Tadin asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will request the Singapore Bus Service Limited to consider re- routing present Service No. 135 to include Bedok South Avenue, Marine Parade and Joo Chiat Road so as to provide a link between Toa Payoh New Town, Marine Parade Estate and Bedok New Town.

The Minister for National Development and Communications (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am pleased to inform the hon. Member for Bedok that the Singapore Bus Service Ltd has recently taken the following measures to improve the bus services in Bedok New Town:-

(i) Introduction of a new feeder Service No. 221 on 11th July 1977 to link the northern part of Bedok New Town with the Chai Chee Terminal;

(ii) Extension of Service No. 152 to provide a direct link between Bedok South Road and Toa Payoh with effect from 15th August 1977, and

(iii) Rescheduling and strengthening Service No. 41 which links Bedok New Town with Marine Parade.

In view of these recent improvements, the SBS does not intend to re-route Service No. 135. However, SBS will continue to monitor the demand for bus services by the residents of Bedok New Town to ensure that their needs are adequately catered for.