Debated in Parliament on 14 Apr 2014.
Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for Transport whether there are plans to build an integrated network for live updates of bus and MRT arrivals and/or breakdowns which can be accessed on multiple platforms including the Internet, TV, radio and digital signboards at bus stops, bus interchanges and MRT stations.
Mdm Speaker, the two Public Transport Operators (PTOs) provide "live" service information on their respective websites and smartphone apps like SBST IRIS and SMRT Connect.
In addition, LTA integrates service information from them and makes it available on various platforms for commuters' convenience. For example, it provides one-stop information access through the MyTransport.SG and PublicTransport@SG portals. This is augmented by dissemination through third party smartphone apps such as SG NextBus and SG Buses. LTA also broadcasts service delay information through its TrafficWatch radio announcements and Twitter.
Madam, I thank the Minister for the reply. Just one supplementary question. I was wondering what were the criteria for the setting up of digital signboards at bus stops. Many residents have asked for digital signboards to be put up at certain bus stops. I was wondering what the criteria for the selection of these bus stops are.
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The digital signboards are usually put up only at a major bus stop where there are many buses calling at it and it is heavily used by commuters.
Mdm Speaker, I refer the Minister to an earlier report at the end of last year about the digital panels not displaying MRT information but just bus services information. The answer was that the commuters enter the MRT stations and get the information there. I think that would not be very useful, because we are talking about an integrated public transport system. It would be useful for commuters at the bus stops to know what is happening at the MRT stations. If there is going to be a disruption, they can make plans on the spot rather than go into the MRT stations and find out then that their service is disrupted. I hope the Ministry can consider this.
Mdm Speaker, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. LTA is indeed currently studying ways to enhance the provision of real time public transport service information including through an integrated platform for both bus and train service updates. On service delays for trains, there is already a requirement under the Code of Practice that LTA has out up for the operators to make the information available to the public in a timely manner. Going forward, it is really looking at how we can integrate the provision of bus and train information.
PAPERCUTS