I SUPPORT the suggestion by Mr Christopher Jude Loh ('Viable alternative'; yesterday) to allow more buses to be deployed on a permanent basis to run parallel to the rail system.
The recent breakdown of the SMRT trains should wake up the people in charge.
It is better for the buses to be operated by private operators, who should be given a licence by the Land Transport Authority to operate this service. This will truly provide competition to SMRT and help to moderate its fare increases. It will also relieve the congestion on the trains, which now happens at most hours of the day. It will provide a true market alternative to commuters.
I suggest that the fares to be charged by the bus operators should be pegged to the same level as the SMRT fares. While this may appear to be on the high side, it will increase the supply of buses, especially from hard-working private bus operators.
The increased supply will reduce the demand for the train services and will force SMRT to reduce fares. Given the choice between standing in crowded trains and having a seat (I hope) on a bus at the same fare, some people may opt for buses, even if the travel time is longer.
There are other practical issues to be considered, such as the heavy investment required by private operators to buy a bus and install the fare system, but they can be addressed when there is a will to find a solution.
This will be market competition truly at work.
Tan Kin Lian
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