Bus Service Reliability Framework unlikely to encourage unsafe driving: Lui

SINGAPORE — The Bus Service Reliability Framework, which uses monetary incentives and penalties to get public bus operators to improve punctuality, is intended to get buses to arrive at bus stops at more regular intervals and is unlikely to encourage unsafe driving behaviour, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament today (Jan 21).

Rather, the onus on meeting standards will fall on back-end operations staff as they have monitor the situation on the ground, direct the bus captains and decide whether to inject more buses when necessary, he added.

Under the framework, public bus operators stand to gain up to S$6,000 for every 0.1 minute reduced from previously recorded waiting times of 22 bus services. On the other hand, they will be fined up to S$4,000 for each 0.1-minute deviation from their scheduled arrivals at the bus stop.

Mr Lui also explained that the problem of bus bunching – or having multiple buses arriving at the same time – will be alleviated by having buses slow down to even out arrival times, instead of speeding up.

He said: “Bus captains will be instructed by the service controllers to slow down, or even hold at bus stops for a minute or two, provided the bus does not obstruct traffic and other buses.”

Bus operators also have to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures on safe driving standards, while bus captains found to be driving recklessly or flouting road traffic rules will be subject to discipline by the operators or charged by the Traffic Police.

“Bus operators also provide incentives for bus captains who drive safely and have a good record,” said Mr Lui.