Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Closing the Gap between Last Step on Buses and Pedestrian Kerb

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider requiring all buses to be fitted with steps that are lower or can be lowered so that the distance between the last step and the bus stop kerb can be closer for the safety of alighting commuters.

Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:

1.     For the safety of commuters, our public buses have low floors with a maximum height of 32 cm above the ground. To ease boarding and alighting, our bus captains are trained to pull up within half a meter of the kerb, and to ensure commuters have boarded or alighted safely before moving off. LTA has been exploring the installation of bus steps which can be lowered but has yet to come across a system that can ensure the safe movement of commuters on and off the bus when passenger flow is heavy.