How did the bus contracting model change the public bus industry?

Additional 86 buses were deployed between September 2016 to January this year.

The roads are less crowded now as the Land Transport Authority puts it. The bus industry completed its transition to the bus contracting model in September 2016. Under the model, LTA determines the bus services to be provided and sets the service standards. 

According to LTA, commuters have been enjoying the higher service levels as a result of the bus contracting model.

"All bus services now have scheduled headways of no more than 15 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods, with half or more of them having scheduled headways of no more than 10 minutes. Feeder services are running at even shorter intervals of six to eight minutes," LTA said.

In order for them to achieve it, LTA deployed an additional 86 buses to improve more than 100 services between September 2016 and January 2017. Compared to the same period a year ago, about 60% of bus services have become less crowded during peak hours.

Meanwhile, bus arrivals have also become regular, with the Bus Service Reliability Framework imposed on operators as part of the model.

"For the 108 bus services that are being assessed on Excess Wait Time under the framework since September 2016, average additional wait times have been reduced by around 15% over the past five months. Instances of bus bunching have also decreased. Of 16 bus services which are being assessed on On Time Adherence, seven have shown improvement in their punctuality. As the remaining services are gradually being included into the framework, commuters can expect further improvements to bus service reliability," LTA said.

Since the implementation of the model, four new services have been added to the bus network, with two more to be introduced by March 2017 and another eight by the end of the year. These will enhance connectivity in areas like Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Hougang, Punggol, Sembawang, Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Tuas, Whampoa and Yishun.

Looking forward, LTA said they will continue to review and make adjustments to bus connectivity, in order to appropriately balance the need to optimise resources with commuter needs.