DIRECT BUS SERVICE BETWEEN BUKIT MERAH INTERCHANGE AND ANG MO KIO INTERCHANGE (Introduction)

Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour, for the convenience of residents of Telok Blangah and the neighbouring estates, when the Singapore Bus Service will introduce a direct bus service between the Bukit Merah Interchange and Ang Mo Kio Interchange.

The Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Teng Cheong): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Bus Service (SBS) is currently conducting a Comprehensive Bus Study. This study is reviewing the bus network for the whole island. New services will be created between places where sizeable demand can be identified. At the same time, existing services will be rationalized to minimize duplication and cut down wasteful provision.

Special attention will be given to New Towns where there are no direct services at present. While every effort will be made to ensure that residents in New Towns do not have to make too many bus transfers, it is not possible to have direct bus service in every case. Demand will have to be the main consideration.

The request from the hon. Member for Telok Blangah for a direct service between Telok Blangah and Ang Mo Kio New Towns will be looked into by SBS as part of the Comprehensive Bus Study.

Mr Rohan bin Kamis: Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Minister inform the House when this Comprehensive Bus Study will be completed?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, the Comprehensive Bus Study is still being conducted by SBS with the assistance of the London Transport International as consultants. The Study is expected to be completed sometime early next year.