SPECIAL BUSES FOR STUDENTS

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will request the Singapore Bus Service (1978) Limited to provide special buses for students so as to enable the large number of such commuters to reach school and get home quicker.

The Acting Minister for Culture and Senior Minister of State for Communications (Mr Ong Teng Cheong) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Sir, I am afraid I cannot follow the logic of the question raised by the hon. Member for Sembawang.

In March 1974, we had to allow school buses to operate during peak hours under the Supplementary Public Transport Service Scheme because SBS was unable to cope with the increasing demand for public transport. Today, there are still many other areas where more buses are required. The priority is to provide an acceptable level of service to the commuters at large. It will be a regressive step if I were to ask SBS (1978) to supplement school buses by setting aside special buses for students.

Therefore, I do not propose to ask SBS (1978) to provide special buses just for students alone.

Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang): ( In Mandarin): Sir, although we have these supplementary buses for students, they are not adequate and the fares charged are quite high and are beyond the reach of poor families. I would like the Minister to reconsider this question of providing special buses for students from poor families, who have to wait until 7.00 or 8.00 o'clock for buses and are invariably late for school.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, I still cannot follow the argument raised by the Member for Sembawang. If he is talking generally of shortage of buses to cater to the needs of the students, I would disagree with him. However, if he has any specific case or problem of school children going to school in any particular area, I would be pleased if he would bring it to my attention.