TOA PAYOH BUS INTERCHANGE/FEEDER SERVICE SYSTEM (Steps to improve)

Mr Liew Kok Pun asked the Acting Minister for Communications (a) whether he is aware that the recently introduced bus interchange and feeder service system in Toa Payoh housing estate, which is operationally more efficient to the bus company, is not well received by commuters because they have not only to pay more but also to take a much longer time than before to reach their destinations; and (b) what steps are being taken or will be taken to improve the situation.

The Acting Minister for Communications (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): The new feeder bus system in Toa Payoh was introduced after extensive surveys showed that it would provide a better bus service to the majority of residents in the estate.

These surveys showed that the number of people who benefit from the change clearly outnumber those adversely affected - by about 4 to 1.

The new system is also more efficient than the old one. Previously, buses had to make extensive loopings of as many as 10 km within Toa Payoh, prior to proceeding to its destination. This meant higher fares and an additional 15 minutes of travel for commuters. With the introduction of the feeder bus system, these extensive loopings have been minimized, enabling SBS to put on more buses into its trunk services. More than 95% of the trunk services serving Toa Payoh have peak frequencies of about 10 minutes compared with less than 73% before.

The feeder bus service has also been successfully tried and tested in other HDB estates such as Bedok, Ang Mo Kio, Clementi, Telok Blangah, Tampines, Hougang, Jurong and Woodlands.

Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee (Toa Payoh): Sir, is the Hon. Minister aware that, after the implementation of this new scheme, the majority of commuters have to wait double the time and to pay double fares?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe the figures that the Member for Toa Payoh has given are erroneous, when he talks about the majority of people having to pay double fare and to wait double the time.

Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee: The Hon. Minister has not gone down to the place. I went down there on three mornings and I interviewed a number of commuters. All of them complained to this effect.

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Speaker, Sir, careful surveys are currently being conducted to ensure that the situation operates the way it is designed to. We are aware that, because of the introduction of three primary schools in the Toa Payoh area, the traffic flow has not been as free flowing as we would like it to be. However, I dispute his figures that the majority are paying double the fare and waiting double the time.

Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee: Another supplementary question, Sir. Is the Minister prepared to conduct another survey?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the surveys are being conducted routinely all the time.