HOUGANG CENTRAL BUS INTERCHANGE (Date of completion and operation)

Dr Michael Lim Chun Leng asked the Minister for Communications if he will indicate (i) the expected date of completion and operation of the bus interchange at Hougang Central and (ii) the number of trunk and feeder bus services that will be available at the bus interchange.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Mah Bow Tan): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the bus interchange at Hougang Central is now under construction, and is expected to be completed by July 1994. SBS will move in and start operations soon after.

The bus interchange is designed to accommodate eight trunk and two feeder services. These include five services to be relocated from the Upper Serangoon end terminal, which will then be abolished. The feeder services and additional trunk services to be provided will be based on prevailing demand for services in the vicinity. SBS will firm up its plans nearer to the completion of the bus interchange.

Dr Michael Lim Chun Leng: Sir, would it be possible for the Minister to make known the bus routes, both the trunk routes and the feeder services, to the grassroots organisations in that area so that perhaps they could give useful feedback before the bus routes are finalised?

Mr Mah Bow Tan: I would be happy to ask SBS to accede to the Member's request.