LTA will plan the bus networks and tender the routes

The Transport Ministry has announced a series of major changes to improve the bus network as part of the outcome of the Land Transport Review.

Transport Minister Raymond Lim shared the results of the review today, which aims to put commuters at the centre of the land transport system. Starting 2009, the Land Transport Authority will take over the central planning of the bus network.

Currently, the networks are planned by the two public transport operators subject to the approval of the Public Transport Council. With the changes, one agency - the LTA, will plan the bus networks, and tender the routes out to interested operators.

This is not restricted to the current two operators - SBS Transit and SMRT Buses. LTA says the target is to have 80 per cent of all commuters complete their journeys within an hour by 2015. Currently only 71 per cent of the commuters manage to do so.

Also by 2009 - a new distance-based through fares that will do away with the current fare transfer penalty. Under the new system, commuters will pay a fare based on the distance they travelled, irrespective of the number of transfers they make. LTA will also be looking into having an integrated season pass that will allow commuters to travel on both buses and trains, regardless of the operators.

There will also be more bus lanes introduced starting this year. By June, another 30 kilometres of normal bus lanes and 16 kilometers of full-day bus lanes will be added. LTA will also give signal priority for all buses at traffic light junctions as well as making it mandatory for all motorists to give way to buses exiting bus bays. And to further make public transport more convenient, more public transport hubs will be built. Over the next 10 years, another 5 interchanges in Bedok, Jurong East, Serangoon, Joo Koon and Marina will also be upgraded.

LTA will also improve the public transport information system. By May this year, commuters will find another 20 real time bus arrival information panels on top of the current 30 that are found mainly in the CBD area. In addition from July, LTA will also look at having a SMS service to provide such real time bus information.

The changes to the bus systems are part of the outcomes of the public transport review. More announcements will be made later this month with regards to MRT enhancements and car demand management.