Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Impact of Bus Services Reliability Framework’s Adherence to Time Schedule Requirement on Driving Behaviour

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport

a.      whether the Bus Services Reliability Framework (BSRF) which requires buses to adhere strictly to the time schedule has led to the behavior of buses captains deliberately slowing or stopping at bus stops when they are ahead of schedule to avoid incurring penalties;

b.     whether the framework can be fine-tuned to improve commuters' experience and not unnecessarily prolonging the bus journeys; and

c.     whether long-distance trunk services can be exempted from the BSRF.

Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:

1.     We have introduced the Bus Service Reliability Framework (BSRF) to improve the punctuality and reliability of bus services. Under the BSRF, bus captains adjust their travelling speeds to maintain consistent headways between buses, so as to minimise bus bunching and improve punctuality and reliability. While speeding up may benefit commuters on the bus, other commuters who arrive at the bus stops based on the scheduled timings will end up missing them and waiting much longer. Nevertheless, LTA works closely with the bus operators to periodically review the schedules, so as to better reflect traffic conditions.

2.     Long-distance bus services are more exposed to potential delays due to traffic conditions as well as passenger boarding and alighting activities. Hence, it is even more important that these routes remain under the BSRF to ensure service reliability for commuters.

3.     Moving forward, LTA will step up publicity efforts on the BSRF, so that the public can be made aware of the reasons for and benefits of the BSRF.