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In a bid to improve bus service levels and the bus network connectivity for commuters' benefit, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced Monday that more than 50 bus services will be improved and five new bus services will be introduced.
According to a press release, LTA will partner SBS Transit Ltd and SMRT Buses Ltd to roll out the initiatives, which are part of the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP), from the third quarter.
Two of the five new bus services — new service 860 which will improve connectivity along Yishun Ring Road, and an extension of the bus route for service 119 to Punggol bus interchange — will start as early as 21 October this year.
From 17 September this year, new BSEP buses will be introduced to 26 bus services and a set of buses will be added to 25 bus services in the fourth quarter.
"Over the past few months, LTA has engaged Members of Parliaments and grassroots leaders to understand the different needs of the community. We have taken these feedback into account as we plan the implementation of the BSEP. Over the next few years, we will carefully distribute the available resources where the need is greatest to achieve the maximum benefit to the community," said Chew Hock Yong, LTA's chief executive.
Under the BSEP, the government will also co-operate with bus operators to increase bus capacity and current bus service levels by providing funding for 550 buses.
For example, more buses will be deployed in the next five years to reduce crowding. There are also plans to improve the frequencies of existing basic bus services as well as adding 40 new bus routes. Peak hour frequencies for feeder and trunk bus services will also be improved.
For more information on new bus routes and bus services, please click here.
