New double-decker buses to have two exits, two staircases

SINGAPORE — New-look double-decker public buses with two exits for speedier alighting and other useful features on board will be hitting the roads soon.

As early as the end of this year, there could be USB ports for commuters to charge their portable devices.

Passenger information displays that come with audio announcements will also be added to tell passengers what the next bus stop is.

Sometime between late 2018 and early 2019, buses with two staircases to the upper deck and two exits — so passengers can hop off more smoothly — can be expected.

These new features are being exhibited in two prototypes at the inaugural bus carnival held at Ngee Ann City, Civic Plaza till tomorrow.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA), which on Friday unveiled lush green as the colour for all public buses here, will call a tender for the manufacturing of the new buses later this year.

Explaining the addition of the new on-board features on trial, LTA’s group director for public transport Yeo Teck Guan said they are aimed at addressing current feedback.

The USB ports will be placed near the inner seats to encourage people to use those seats first, he said.

“With a third door, what we hope is that people will be less averse to move to the (rear of the) buses and that also when they are alighting from the bus, there will be less conflict between them and those boarding the buses,” Mr Yeo said.

One of the prototype buses has a staircase leading to a dedicated second exit for upper deck passengers.

The other has an additional exit door at the rear of the bus, so those sitting at the back of the bus will not have to squeeze past other passengers to alight. The move to reduce dwell time at bus stops comes after the LTA announced other measures to speed up bus commuting.

Earlier this week, it announced longer operating hours for full-day bus lanes and a pilot to try out mandatory “give way” boxes for buses at stops without bus bays.

Tower Transit, which will be the first operator under the new government contracting model, welcomed the new features.

“Anything that can help with boarding and alighting times is fantastic for the service that passengers can expect to have.

“The quicker passengers can board, the quicker passengers can alight, it means better and more reliable bus services for everyone,” said Tower Transit Singapore managing director Andrew Bujtor.

The LTA is collecting feedback on the new features at three bus carnivals it has scheduled. The next bus carnival will be held at VivoCity Outdoor Plaza from March 25 till March 27, and the third will be held at Toa Payoh HDB Hub, from April 1 to April 3.