PRIVATE BUS OPERATORS (Operation of feeder bus services)

Mr Goh Choon Kang asked the Minister for Communications and Information Technology if his Ministry will consider allowing private bus operators or a consortium of such operators to operate intra new towns feeder bus services on a throughout-the-day basis.

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for Communications and Information Technology when his Ministry will complete the review on introducing private bus operators to further improve bus services.

The Minister for Communications and Information Technology (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission to take Question Nos. 2 and 3 together?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, as I stated in the House a fortnight ago, my Ministry and PTC are keeping an open mind on the issue of enhancing competition. We will examine whether we should allow private operators to operate new feeder services in new towns, and if so, under what circumstances and conditions. The study will take several months, and PTC will announce the outcome when the study is completed.

Dr S. Vasoo (Tanjong Pagar): May I ask the Minister whether the viewpoints of the commuters and the private bus operators will be solicited in his review?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, we are in touch with the private bus operators and we would definitely take the views of the public into consideration in the context of the overall framework of the public transport system.

Dr Vasoo: Can I ask the Minister whether he foresees there would be more private bus operators in the scene? In short, what I am asking the Minister is whether he foresees that there would be additional bus operators coming to the scene.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, we will have to await the outcome of the study.