SINGAPORE — Private bus operators yesterday voiced their concerns about whether services ferrying foreign workers to Little India will be allowed to resume, but were generally supportive of the authorities’ decision to suspend the services this Sunday.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Public Transport Council yesterday announced that the 25 bus services to Little India run by private operators will not be allowed to operate this Sunday, adding that the service will be reviewed later to determine if it will be suspended for a longer period or “gradually reinstated with fewer buses”.

The move is part of a “whole-of-government effort” to introduce cooling measures — including a blanket liquor ban over the weekend — following the Little India riot last Sunday.

LTA Group Director of Public Transport Yeo Teck Guan said the decision was made after a meeting on Monday with the two associations licensed to operate the service, adding that they had generally been supportive of the move.

Between the Singapore School and Private Hire Bus Owners’ Association and Singapore School Transport Association (SSTA), they operate 223 buses to and from Little India every Sunday and on public holidays.

Mr Yeo acknowledged that foreign workers can commute to Little India using alternative means of transport, but said the LTA will be “monitoring the situation closely” while working with public transport operators to “beef up resources if necessary”, especially during the period when workers are returning to their dormitories.

This means running more trains along the North East Line to reduce waiting times and operating more buses on certain routes the LTA has identified.

Meanwhile, both associations told TODAY they will be meeting the LTA to appeal for a resumption of the services.

Said the SSTA’s committee member Edmund Lee: “It’s okay if it is a temporary ban, but if it continues after this weekend, we will be making losses — everyone is already wondering how they can survive.”

Mr Lim Yong Long, Manager of Xing Sheng Transport Services, also voiced concern over his drivers’ potential loss of income.

He said: “While it’s not their main form of income, my drivers can earn up to S$400 monthly if they work every Sunday. For those who are not so well-off, this is quite a substantial sum.”

When asked whether this means fewer buses plying the routes, Mr Yeo stressed that plans have not been firmed up beyond this weekend.