Mountbatten MP conducts bus spot checks
After receiving complaints about the irregularity of some bus services in Mountbatten during the campaign period, its new Member of Parliament (MP) Lim Biow Chuan decided to conduct his own spot checks.
Accompanied by a Land Transport Authority officer, his first check was made at Jalan Batu, near Tanjong Rhu HDB estate, and the second at the bus stop near Block 56, Cassia Crescent.
In a posting on his Facebook page on 16 May, he said, "I received complaints about the regularity of some bus services during the campaign period. This morning, I waited at the bus stop from 8am to 9am with LTA (Land Transport Authority) officer to do an audit and was horrified at the result. Will be writing to PTC (Public Transport Council) and LTA to lodge a formal complaint about the service standards of the bus services."
On Thursday, he posted the following Facebook update: "Was at bus stop next to Block 56 Cassia Crescent this morning for 2nd informal audit. Results are slightly better although there is room for improvement. For service 70, a total of 8 buses came within a period of 50 mins. Service 197 need to improve. Will feedback to PTC for their follow up with SBS. Then monitor to see whether there are improvements."
When asked by Channel NewsAsia about his spot checks, Mr Lim said he was "horrified" that three bus services -- 158, 12 and 197 -- took half an hour to arrive, and he has written to the Public Transport Council.
Mr Lim hopes to influence the public transport operators to improve their service, and to stress the need for regular services.
"I know how bus companies work," he said.
"They say there are traffic jams, breakdowns etc. I do empathise. But at the end of the day, bus commuters are frustrated and bus companies must know this."
He added that although he has made similar checks before, he decided to publicise his latest efforts on Facebook to be more visible to residents.
"I realise that when you do it quietly, people don't realise you've been doing it, and come elections, they say you've not been doing anything."
Mr Lim said he would follow up with SBS Transit and monitor the services for improvements.
