Controversy over Thomson-East Coast Line 3 Bus Rationalisation

Continued from Page 1:

• Overview of route amendments
• Our thoughts on each route amendment
• Advantages and Disadvantages of each move

Media Coverage – after Service 167’s discontinuation announcement

Negative public sentiment was reflected in several articles in mainstream news outlets following LTA’s announcement on the discontinuation of Bus Service 167 on 17 November 2023.

A Channel NewsAsia article on 17 November 2023 spoke to commuters who called the changes ‘ridiculous’ and disagreed that ridership on Bus Service 167 was low. One pointed out that the waiting time for Bus Service 167 was already poor, at up to 20 minutes, and often arrives together with Bus Service 980, thus negating the benefits of having two bus services along the same stretch (between Novena and Sembawang).

A TODAY article published on 21 November 2023 highlighted dismayed reactions to LTA’s announcement on Facebook, and interviewed commuters who preferred a direct bus ride instead of taking the TEL, even if the journey time was longer. They cited the access penalty of having to transfer between buses and trains, with long walks needed to reach underground TEL platforms, which inconveniences the elderly and less mobile. Furthermore, the TEL was often crowded and lacked seats.

• 30% fall in demand led to adjustment of bus services like 167; some commuters slam ‘ridiculous’ LTA decision – CNA (channelnewsasia.com) [Accessed 28 Nov 2023]
• Some commuters upset at scrapping of bus service 167 as alternatives are ‘less convenient’ – TODAY (todayonline.com) [Accessed 28 Nov 2023]

Forum letters to The Straits Times also pointed out that the discontinuation of Bus Service 167 contradicts the Government’s car-lite efforts by reducing public transport options and discouraging existing car owners from switching to public transport. Another writer who lived along Thomson Road called out the delay to Mount Pleasant MRT and discontinuation of Bus Service 167 as detrimental to public transport connectivity in the area.

• Forum: Removal of parallel bus services sets back car-lite push | The Straits Times [Accessed 28 Nov 2023]
• Forum: Keep bus services going till MRT station opens | The Straits Times [Accessed 28 Nov 2023]

Media Coverage – after Service 167 was retained

A Channel NewsAsia video short interviewed Associate Professor Dr Walter Theseira, head of economics at Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). Largely in support of LTA’s stance, the interview ascribed the high cost of running legacy bus services carrying few passengers to the reduced cost-effectiveness of running Singapore’s public transport system, adding that some commuters would have to ‘make sacrifices’ for the rest of the system.

• Commentary: Why Singapore could see more bus services phased out | Video – CNA (channelnewsasia.com) [Accessed 7 Dec 2023]

A TODAY article also spoke to commuters who preferred bus rides over MRT ones, citing the convenience of direct buses and even emotional connection to buses. Despite longer journey times, a point that LTA frequently touts when encouraging commuters to switch to MRT lines, buses are a more practical option for some commuters such as the less mobile and caregivers with children, citing the lower access penalty and ease of getting a seat.

Notably, the article also cited our blog, which tracked the rationalisation of more than 30 bus services since 2019, not counting the many instances where bus service frequencies were degraded by authorities without announcing them to the general public.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, an LTA spokesperson did not provide figures but said that the authority “periodically reviews and makes adjustments” to Singapore’s bus network in response to “new developments and changing travel patterns”.

• The Big Read: The romance and practical appeal of bus rides, and the special place they hold in Singaporeans’ hearts – TODAY (todayonline.com)
• The Big Read in short: The role of buses and why some commuters love them – TODAY (todayonline.com)

10 January 2024 – Parliamentary Question (PQ) Filed for Parliament

In early January 2024, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aljunied GRC (Bedok Reservoir-Punggol), Mr Gerald Giam, filed a Parliamentary Question (PQ) for Acting Minister for Transport, Mr Chee Hong Tat, regarding the rationale for reinstating Bus Service 167, about a month after their implementation.

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport:

1. what is the rationale for reinstating Bus Service 167 after the LTA announced its discontinuation;
2. whether the aforementioned rationale provides grounds for the LTA to reinstate other discontinued bus services, including along Bedok Reservoir Road; and
3. how much is the restoration of Bus Service 167 expected to cost the Government each month for the next two years.

10 January 2024 – Written Reply by Acting Minister for Transport, Mr Chee Hong Tat

In a written reply to the PQ filed by Mr Gerald Giam, Acting Minister for Transport, Mr Chee Hong Tat, mentioned that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) “had planned to discontinue Bus Service 167 and shorten Bus Services 162/162M and 75” to optimise limited bus resources in response to changing travel patterns after the opening of TEL3 in November 2022.

However, considering the impact that the route amendments to Bus Services 162/162M and 75 would have on the same group of commuters who would also be affected by the discontinuation of Bus Service 167, the LTA decided to backtrack on their initial decision to discontinue Bus Service 167. Operating frequencies of Bus Services 121 and 980 were improved, to mitigate the impact of the route cutback to Bus Service 75 and reduced frequency for Bus Service 167 respectively.

The LTA estimated that the implementation of the TEL3 bus service changes had achieved cost savings of up to S$5.1 million, which went towards the launch of new bus routes and feeder services for commuters residing in new BTO developments around Singapore. These likely referred to new Bus Services 230 and 870, which were introduced before the degradation in service for Bus Service 167, as well as the route extensions for Bus Services 84 and 900, which were implemented on the same day as the TEL3 rationalisation.

Before reducing the frequency of Bus Service 167, an annual subsidy of S$6.2 million was required to maintain its service levels. This dropped to S$3.6 million, following the implementation of 30-minute frequencies for Bus Service 167 from 17 December 2023, representing S$2.6 million in annual savings.

For context, under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), the Government partially subsidises the cost of operating bus services and maintenance of selected bus fleets that have transitioned to the BCM since 2016, with the remainder being funded by fare revenue and outdoor advertising within the public transport network.

The written reply also partially referenced the previous controversy over the DTL3 rationalisation in December 2021. You may refer to the linked article on the subsequent clarification of the possible reinstatement of shortened bus services during the DTL3 rationalisation by Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

The full written reply by the Acting Minister for Transport can be accessed here.

Related Articles

• Thomson-East Coast Line 3 Bus Service Changes
• LTA backtracks on Bus Service 167 withdrawal

See Also

• Controversy over Bus 14 Route Amendment
• Controversy over Bus 39 Route Amendment
• Controversy over Bus 76 Route Amendment
• Controversy over Downtown Line 2 Bus Rationalisation
• Controversy over Downtown Line 3 Bus Rationalisation
• Rationalisation of Bus Service Operations (2019 – 2023)

References:

• Bus service 167 to cease, some routes shortened with increased ridership on Thomson-East Coast Line – CNA (channelnewsasia.com)
• Some commuters upset at scrapping of bus service 167 as alternatives are ‘less convenient’ – TODAY (todayonline.com)
• LTA reverses cancellation of service 167; buses will run at 30-minute intervals – CNA (channelnewsasia.com)
• Reducing frequency of bus service 167 saves S$2.6 million in subsidies every year: MOT – Mothership (mothership.sg)
• Ministry of Transport – Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Rationale for Reinstating Bus Service 167 after Discontinuation Announcement