PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE IN WHAMPOA ESTATE (Improvement)

Mr Choo Wee Khiang asked the Minister for Communications whether his Ministry has any plans to improve the public transport service in Whampoa Estate.

Dr John Chen Seow Phun (for the Minister for Communications): Sir, the Land Transport Authority has reviewed the bus services at Whampoa Estate and informed me that the estate is generally well served by public transport. There are currently eight services (5 SBS, 2 CSS and 1 Scheme B) originating from the estate. This far exceeds the requirement of a minimum of two trunk bus services for the estate, under the Public Transport Council bus service standards. In addition, four other services (3 SBS and 1 Scheme B) ply along Balestier Road and are within walking distance of the estate's residents.

At the residents' request and at the request of the MP, SBS is considering diverting Service 139 from Balestier Road to ply along Jalan Rajah and Kim Keat Road and loop into Whampoa Estate when travelling to and from Toa Payoh. However, as this diversion would mean longer travelling time and higher fares for existing passengers, community leaders' views are being sought. In addition, LTA will also consider allowing private bus operators to run supplementary bus services. This was the question that the Member was going to ask earlier.

When the North-East Line becomes operational in 2002, residents of Whampoa Estate would also enjoy the services of the MRT. The nearest station, Boon Keng Station, will be located at nearby Serangoon Road and Boon Keng Road.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang: Sir, is the Minister of State aware that Whampoa Estate is an isolated estate and I wonder whether LTA has conducted a comprehensive review of the public transport service in Whampoa?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: That is why, as I have mentioned earlier, the number of services in Whampoa Estate far exceeded the basic standards laid down by PTC. On top of that, because of the MP's feedback, we are now trying to provide this more convenient link between Toa Payoh and Whampoa by asking SBS to look into diverting its services or allowing private operators who are prepared to run these services.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, I wonder whether the Ministry could consider taking a more proactive approach in terms of reviewing transport needs, especially working in tandem with upgraded precincts. Every time we move around and meet some of the residents from the upgraded precincts, they are very happy with upgrading, but they are always unhappy about when the transport system will be reviewed and upgraded to move in tandem with the upgraded flats.

Mr Speaker: What is your question?

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Could the Minister take a more proactive approach?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Indeed, we are adopting a proactive approach. The route planning process is a dynamic one, with constant reviews and fine-tuning by both the operators and the PTC, with inputs from authorities like HDB, URA, feedback from commuters, grassroots organisations and Members of Parliament. So the dynamic process ensures that the services serve the public well.

For the Member's information, in 1996, PTC approved 24 new services plus 10 amendments to existing routes. So the Member can see that fine-tuning and improvement are being made all the time. Of course, with feedback from the MP concerned, we can look at how services can be improved with the new improvements taking place in the estate. Because the ridership pattern will change, we will also adjust accordingly.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang: Would the Minister of State agree with me that the LTA has been conducting the so-called reviews on a very haphazard manner? Why? Because, on the one hand, the Minister of State tells me that there are adequate bus services in Whampoa Estate but, on the other hand, I have

been receiving complaints about the inadequate public transport service in Whampoa Estate. How does he reconcile that?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: If you ask anybody on what kind of bus services they want, they would tell you that they want from Point A to Point B to serve their own needs. The specific request from the Member is to have this stronger linkage between Toa Payoh and Whampoa Estate because I have not heard of complaints about the inadequacy of other services. That is also a specific need. As I have said, we are actually asking SBS to do a diversion. If that can be done with the agreement of the grassroots leaders, then that would solve the specific problem of the residents.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang: Sir, if the Minister of State were to look at my question today, I never mentioned specifically about linking Whampoa and Toa Payoh. It was my previous request. My question today is: how is the Ministry going to improve the public transport service in Whampoa in its totality, taking the whole Whampoa Estate into consideration, and whether he has any plans at all?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: I have mentioned that we have done a review and we see that the number of services is actually adequate, except for the services that Mr Choo has asked earlier, and that was the connection between the two estates. So this is the outstanding matter and we would like to help. Either we get a private operator who is prepared to run the services or we get SBS to divert one of its services. As far as the other services are concerned, we feel that they are adequate.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang: I disagree with the Minister of State. By diverting Service 139, he is telling us that it is going to cost the residents more money and more time. So it is not solving the problem.

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: If the grassroots leaders do not agree, then we will explore getting private operators to run the services.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang: Would the Minister of State consider having this light rail system in Whampoa Estate?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Again, we have to do a cost-benefit analysis and if the ridership justifies such a project, of course, it would be implemented. The LTA is currently looking at all the estates in Singapore and see which estate can justify such a project as early as it can.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang: May I know when the Ministry intends to conduct the study and survey and when will he be able to let us know?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: The study is being done, but I cannot give the Member the answer when it will be ready.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang: It is peculiar, is it not? If the survey is done, why am I not told?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Not likely to be in the foreseeable future.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang: Why not?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Because ridership is not enough.

Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam (Non-Constituency Member): 21st century!