On-Demand Public Buses to Run on 6-Months Trial Starting December 17

Commuters can book an on-demand public bus (ODPB) ride through a mobile application by requesting to be picked up and dropped off at any bus stop within an identified bus route during designated hours, even if the bus stops are not handled by the same bus service.

This will all be possible through the six-month on-demand public bus trial which will start on December 17, 2018, as shared in a report by the Online Citizen.

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The Land Transport Authority (LTA) released a statement last December 3 (Monday), announcing the defined areas included in the ODPB trial service which will run for six months. These areas include Joo Koon, Marina-Downtown and from the Central Business District (CBD) to Bedok and Tampines via the Geylang corridor.

On-Demand Public Buses to Run on 6-Months Trial Starting December 17
Image Credit: LTA

On-Demand Public Bus Trial to Run for 6 Months from December 17

Two public bus operators will power the new initiative on trial for the next six months.

SBS Transit, for one, will provide weekday ODPB services from December 17 in two designated areas: Joo Koon and Marina-Downtown.

Meanwhile, SMRT Buses Ltd. will cover night ODPB services (11:30pm-2:00 am) starting January 4, 2019, along the CBD to Bedok route via the Geylang corridor.

As per the LTA, commuters will have to download mobile applications “BusGo” and “BusNow” from either the Apple Store or Android Play Store.

The authority further explained that the trial will allow the LTA to gauge the feasibility of operating public bus services with data based on real-time commuter demand and along dynamic routes, as opposed to following fixed routes and pre-determined timetables.

The LTA also explained that certain adjustments may still be applied within the six-month trial period such as the frequency of regular bus services and fares of the ODPB services, to further enhance the system.