Tan Kin Lian - Perspectives Suggestion - restructure the bus system
The Land Transport Authority runs a deficit of $2.9 billion a year on the public transport service.

They can reduce the deficit significantly by rationalizing the bus system. Here are the steps that can be taken.

1. Remove the trunk bus services
2. Operate feeder services to bring commuters from each town to the MRT stations
3. Operate intertown bus services that bring commuters from one interchange to another, but do not pick up passengers along the way.
4. Make fuller use of the LRT systems

These changes are likely to bring the following benefits:
a) Reduce the cost of operating the buses, as they are likely to be more fully utilised
b) Reduce the waiting and travel time

One negative consequence is that some commuters may have to make more transfers, but they usually require walking a short distance.

I expect a potential savings of $1 billion when the system is rationalized.

Over the longer term, it may be possible to make feeder services operated on autonomous mode (i.e. without a driver). This will improve the service and reduce the cost tremendously.

Tan Kin Lian

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