Adequacy of $1.1 Billion Bus Services Enhancement Programme

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the $1.1 billion Bus Services Enhancement Programme is able to adequately fund the various urgent needs for bus service improvements; and (b) whether there is a need to increase the funding further so that more areas that are poorly served now can benefit from the service improvements.

With the Bus Services Enhancement Programme (BSEP), commuters can progressively expect new bus routes, shorter waiting times, less crowded buses and better bus network connectivity. It is still early days, but let me assure the Member that we are committed to making significant bus service improvements throughout the island. To this end, we will periodically review the rollout of the BSEP and assess the adequacy of the programme and funding. Our focus right now, however, is to get the BSEP implemented as quickly as possible, including to work with the Public Transport Operators to have enough bus drivers recruited and trained.