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Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Transport
a. whether URA, STB and LTA have studied the need for a centralised bus terminal for inter-city bus services between Singapore and West Malaysia since the previous joint study in 2010;
b. whether the Government will consider constructing such a terminal given recent concerns over disamenities caused by tourists using such bus services at Tuas Link 2; and
c. whether the current licensing regime, which requires inter-city bus operators to identify suitable locations for passenger boarding and alighting, remains appropriate.
Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:
1. The disamenities seen at Tuas Link arose from illegal parking by Malaysia- and Singapore-registered tour buses, not inter-city express bus services. Foreign-registered tour buses are allowed to make multiple stops as they bring tourists around Singapore for sightseeing and tour purposes but are not permitted to pick up new passengers in Singapore. All Malaysia- and Singapore-registered tour buses must comply with the Road Traffic Act 1961 and the applicable rules when conducting passenger boarding and alighting activities.
2. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) takes a serious view of tour buses that are parked illegally along roads, as they may impede traffic flow, pose safety risks to other road users and cause disamenities to the community. We will not hesitate to take action against motorists who do not comply with traffic regulations.
3. As for inter-city express bus services between Malaysia and Singapore, each inter-city express bus service must have a fixed route and operating schedule, and is allowed one stopping point in Singapore. These operators decide the stopping point in Singapore based on commercial considerations, to meet travel demand between various locations in Malaysia and Singapore, including commercial areas and tourist attractions. Requiring all inter-city buses to utilise a centralised terminal would reduce their connectivity benefits. Instead, LTA will assess the proposed operating parameters, including the traffic conditions around the stopping point, before granting an operating licence.