Is lack of competition the cause of poor bus services?

• dragg

  2 Dec 05, 10:19

  extracted from ST forums.
  
  I refer to the report 'Top bus woes: Long wait and overcrowding' (Sunday Times Nov 27).
  
  The survey result comes as no surprise. It appears that the Public Transport Council (PTC) attributes these woes to motorists who occupy bus lanes during peak hours.
  
  Aside from this, has the PTC ascertained why bunching (two or more same service buses arriving at about the same time) takes place often even though traffic conditions are normal?
  
  To be fair, commuters are partly to blame for refusing to move to the rear of the buses to allow others to board, giving the impression that the buses are packed to capacity.
  
  Compared to the bygone days when there was competition, commuters who were dissatisfied with the services of the defunct Singapore Traction Company have other options. They could board the buses of companies such as Tay Koh Yat, Green Bus, Changi Bus, to name a few. Commuters who rely solely on public buses to get to their destinations have no alternative now.
  
  Many commuters do not mind the fare increases. However, they expect the public transport operators to match this with a reasonable standard of service.
  
  Andrew Seow Chwee Guan
  
  
• sbst275

  2 Dec 05, 10:20

  Apparently, SBS had wanted to introduce Express Svs from Ang Mo Kio and Hougang to CBD, it was rejected by PTC
• kc_leung

  2 Dec 05, 10:21

  i partly agree.
  
  but weren't service standards even worse back in those days of lots of bus companies?
• sbst275

  2 Dec 05, 10:22

  Originally posted by kc_leung:

  i partly agree.
  
  but weren't service standards even worse back in those days of lots of bus companies?

  Actually more compeition means lesser passengers ridership... Splited up
  
  Anyway, the way is to make more bus links and reduce transfers... And stop making excuses that buses and MRT cannot run duplicate
• no_1_idiot

  2 Dec 05, 10:22

  ya lah,knn no choice at all
• dragg

  2 Dec 05, 10:22

  why did they close this topic at the singapore buses forum?
  
  
• sbst275

  2 Dec 05, 10:23

  Originally posted by dragg:

  why did they close this topic at the singapore buses forum?
  
  

  The sub mods there are closing down the forum... Trouble is brewing
• sbst275

  2 Dec 05, 10:24

  Summary of the ST Home "SBS introduced 21 new svs"
  
  5 new FFW Svs
  2 new Parks svs bet HarbourFront and Labordor Pk and Mt Faber
  3 new Chinatown Direct Express (SBS is very happy with CT8 esp)
  1 extended sv
  10 new bus svs (4 from Bishan, 2 from Punggol, 1 from Upp East Coast namely)
  
  SBS is awaiting approval for the propsed Sengkang/ Punggol - Yishun bus sv
  
  And looking into ways for faster rides from Tampines, Bedok and AMK to CBD
  
  But AMK and Hougang to CBD express sv proposal was rejected
• JennTS

  2 Dec 05, 10:27

  Originally posted by sbst275:

  Summary of the ST Home "SBS introduced 21 new svs"
  
  5 new FFW Svs
  2 new Parks svs bet HarbourFront and Labordor Pk and Mt Faber
  3 new Chinatown Direct Express (SBS is very happy with CT8 esp)
  1 extended sv
  10 new bus svs (4 from Bishan, 2 from Punggol, 1 from Upp East Coast namely)

  guess what? i live in bishan...muhahaha.
  
  originally we only had 53, 54, 55, 56.
  
  now we have 52, 57, 58, 59. =)
• sbst275

  2 Dec 05, 10:28

  Originally posted by JennTS:

  guess what? i live in bishan...muhahaha.
  
  originally we only had 53, 54, 55, 56.
  
  now we have 52, 57, 58, 59. =)

  Bishan Interchange experienced 100% increase in number of trunk svs this yr
• JennTS

  2 Dec 05, 10:29

  i know...suddenly the bus stop had so many buses going to it...so wierd..
  
  ahh who cares? direct bus to changi village now.
• sbst275

  2 Dec 05, 10:30

  Originally posted by JennTS:

  i know...suddenly the bus stop had so many buses going to it...so wierd..
  
  ahh who cares? direct bus to changi village now.

  Wahahaha
• sbst275

  2 Dec 05, 10:31

  Anyway, that Mt Faber bus sv runs till 3am daily
  
  Anyway, SMRT meanwhile has only launched 1 bus sv only in the past 15 mths
• JennTS

  2 Dec 05, 10:33

  Originally posted by sbst275:

  Wahahaha

  why? i only go there to talk with my friends.
• sbst275

  2 Dec 05, 10:34

  Originally posted by JennTS:

  why? i only go there to talk with my friends.

  Those staying at Central work @ Loyang benefit
  
  Anyway, questioning now... Why on earth SBS's application for Express svs was rejected on grounds that it duplicated with MRT?
• seow

  2 Dec 05, 10:38

  Doesn't matter, i can get to anywhere i want in singapore on my bike, do not require buses or any public transport for any matter.
• JennTS

  2 Dec 05, 10:40

  no express buses go to bishan. =(
  
  ahh...who cares? we got 4 new services and the circle line.
• FireIce

  2 Dec 05, 12:41

  cont discussion here
  http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=165675