INSTALLATION OF BARRIERS BETWEEN BUS STOPS AND ROADS

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Communications if the Land Transport Authority or other appropriate authorities will consider putting up full-height steel and plastic barriers between bus stops and the roads, which have been installed in some European countries, in order to protect passengers from rain and car splashes, as well as possible tragedies when incoming buses lose control and crash into waiting passengers.

The Minister of State for Communications (Dr John Chen Seow Phun) (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, barriers had previously been tried out at some bus stops. Our experience is that these barriers impede passenger flow and result in commuters moving into the bus bay or road itself. Worse still, commuters may find themselves sandwiched between incoming buses and the barriers, especially when there is a rush. In such instances, barriers can become an obstacle and a danger. Nevertheless, LTA will continue to look into how safety at bus stops can be improved. To protect waiting passengers from rain, LTA has provided screens at the back of our new generation bus stops. LTA will also work with the Ministry of the Environment to improve drainage around the bus shelter to reduce localised ponding during heavy downpour to minimise splashes from cars.

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh: Would the Minister of State tell the House in the past three years what was the record of bus stop accidents? Were there records?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: I do not have the figures with me, but I would imagine that the accidents were caused by probably run-away cars and carelessness of bus drivers.

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh: Could the Minister of State put in writing as to the nature of these accidents so that I could study them?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Certainly, Sir. 1.30 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No. 21(3), Written Answers (See Section on"Oral Answers to Questions not Reached" (Cols. 1975-86)) to Question Nos. 16-17, 20, 25-30 and 33-35 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix. Question Nos. 18-19, 21-24, 31 and 32 have been postponed to the next sitting of Parliament.]