BUS/MRT INTEGRATION (Benefits)

Dr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for Communications how Singaporeans will benefit from the expected improvements in the public transportation system after the proposed bus/MRT integration has been completed, and whether the curtailment of bus routes to dovetail into the MRT system will cause greater inconvenience and higher cost to the connecting public.

Mr Mah Bow Tan (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the integration of the MRT and the bus services was the basis upon which the Government decided to build the MRT system. Integration of the public transport system is necessary to reduce wasteful duplication of services, so that operating costs can be kept low, and fares affordable.

The integration of the public transport system involves not only physical facilities but also fare systems and routes to provide for easy connection between buses and the MRT.

Bus interchanges and termini have been sited as close as possible to MRT stations. Covered walkways have been constructed to provide protection from the sun and the rain for those walking between the MRT stations or bus interchanges and nearby flats.

With the introduction of the Farecard, a common ticket can now be used on both the buses and MRT. Apart from the convenience of cashless travel, the common ticket allows for through-ticketing, and makes it possible for the operators to give a transfer rebate when transfers are made.

Since the commencement of MRT operations in 1987, the bus operators, with the approval of the Public Transport Council, have been making gradual adjustments to the bus network to provide for easy connection between bus and MRT. This rationalisation of the bus network is an on-going process to meet the changing transport needs of the population. Wasteful duplication of services will continue to be removed, wherever possible, with minimum inconvenience to commuters, and more buses will be redeployed to serve high demand services.

All these measures, taken together, will provide for a more comfortable, accessible and affordable public transport for Singaporeans.

Dr Wang Kai Yuen: Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether his Ministry has any plans to launch a PR exercise to educate the public in the use of the new integrated public transportation system.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Sir, the public bus operators and the MRT have formed a company known as Transit Link which is responsible for the integration of the bus and MRT services and also for the introduction of a common ticketing system. The company will be responsible for also providing the public relations to make sure that these services and changes are as widely publicised as possible. However, if there are any gaps in the PR at the moment I will be happy to ask Transit Link to address this issue.