BUS SHELTERS (Number constructed and adequacy of protection)

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Minister for National Development how many bus shelters were constructed or renovated during the past two financial years.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Sir, in FY 1978, the Public Works Department constructed 128 bus shelters. This number increased to 221 in FY 1979. For the first half of the current financial year, i.e. from April 1980 to September 1980, the Department has been able to maintain its momentum and has constructed a total of 107 bus shelters.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembengan): Sir, could the Minister inform the House whether his Ministry is satisfied that the design of the bus shelter is such that it provides adequate protection for commuters, for example, from rain, and more importantly, from the possibility of commuters failing into the path of buses which drive into the bus bays? Could his Ministry consider the construction of safety railings at the bus shelter, if there is the possibility of such an accident occurring? Could he also investigate why in certain new bus shelters there is heavy leakage of rain water, thus wetting the seats meant for commuters to rest?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Sir, the design of the bus shelter is constantly being improved. Any shortcomings found in the old bus shelters will be rectified. So if we find that certain shelters have a leaky roof, they will be replaced with a better design.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi: What about the safety measures to prevent commuters from falling into the path of buses which drive into these stopping bays?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Sir, this question shows the conflicting aspects in the design of the bus shelters. If the passengers are to got into the bus easily, we should not put up barriers at the bus shelter so that when a bus stops the passengers can get into the bus straightaway. On the other hand, when there are too many passengers at the bus stop, especially during the peak hour, they may scramble to get into the bus, and in pushing one another there is the possibility of an accident occurring, as mentioned by the hon. Member, i.e. a commuter may fall into the path of the bus and be run down.

The PWD has always been bearing this safety aspect in mind. In fact, this safety barrier has been erected at some bus shelters where we expect a lot of passengers, as for example, the bus shelter in front of the Victoria Concert Hall, which is not very far from Parliament House.