LTA Responded After MPs Called Out Their Decision to Change Certain Bus Routes in Bukit Panjang

There are a lot of call-outs nowadays.

From a yoga instructor getting called out for getting too handsy with his client

To a group of PMD and one motorcycle rider who should’ve known better than to broadcast their rulebreaking to everyone.

And today, we’re seeing a group of MPs who are unhappy with LTA’s decision and decide to do something about it.

Certain Bus Routes in Bukit Panjang Changed Or Cancelled

On 3 Aug 2020, SMRT posted an update on their bus services that run along the Downtown Line 2 corridor.

Bus Service 700 & 700A

Bus service 700 and 700A will stop operating with its last day of operations on 15 Aug 2020, SMRT announced.

They suggest that current commuters take bus service 973 to the Downtown Line instead to get to work.

Alternatively, they can also use the bus services suggested in the table below to get to the city:

Route Amendment To Bus Service 171

Bus service 171 which used to serve commuters Upper Bukit Timah Road and Bukit Timah / Dunearn Road will be amended to operate between Yishun and Bukit Panjang.

Affected commuters, SMRT says, can travel using the Downtown Line instead.

Alternative, you can check out their suggestions (for bus switches) in the image below:

The amendment will start from 16 Aug 2020.

Route Amendment To Bus Service 972

Bus service 972, which used to serve commuters travelling from Bukit Panjang to Stevens Road, has been amended to serve Bukit Timah / Dunearn Road, Newton MRT and Scotts Road.

Commuters can take bus service 972 to Whitley Road (after Tanglin CC) and do a bus transfer to 105, 132 or 190.

Similarly, the changes will take effect from 16 Aug 2020 onwards.

An Unpopular Decision

To say that the affected commuters aren’t happy is an understatement.

Some pointed out that this decision will lead to even more crowded buses, not to mention inconvenience for residents in Bukit Panjang.

While others felt that this would make their journey longer since they either have to do transfers or the new bus route brings them through a congested area:

There are also many who agree that ridership for 700/700A has dropped, it was argued that there are still commuters who use the service and this latest move by SMRT has severely inconvenienced them.

One netizen decided that something has to be done about this:

And it seems like they did complain to their MPs because…

MPs Called-Out LTA For Their Decision

Yes, it’s LTA; for those who have been scolding SMRT for this, it’s not on them.

If you’ve been paying attention to the GE2020 results, you’ll know that the MP for Bukit Panjang SMC is Mr Liang Eng Wah.

And seeing how his residents are undoubtedly casualties of the changes, he has to speak up.

Liang expressed how “disappointed” he was with the LTA’s decision to go ahead with the withdrawal of the bus services as well as the route amendments as it’ll bring inconveniences some of his residents.

He admitted that while the ridership for bus service 700 has fallen, they have been working with the LTA to find alternative ways.

Unfortunately, he claims, the route planners were not open to their suggestions.

He ends off his post with urging LTA to delay the changes and try to come up with better ideas.

Liang wasn’t the only one to speak up either as Edward Chia (yes, the fresh face and founder of Timbre) responded to LTA’s decision:

He also asks LTA to delay the changes and try to work out a better solution.

If they want, Chia says he and his colleagues, Mr Vivian Balakrishnan and Liang are open to reviewing the plans at Bukit Panjang Town.

Yes, he name-dropped, which is really important in this business (all businesses, actually, requires name-dropping).

So did it work?

LTA Has Responded: It’s Not ‘Justifiable’

On 4 Aug 2020, LTA has responded to the incident via a Facebook post and said it was a “difficult decision” for them as well.

However, they say, with Downtown Line 2 opening back in 2015, ridership has dropped drastically along the Downtown Line 2 corridor.

In the first year after DTL 2 opened, ridership for bus service 171 has dropped by 30% while bus service 700 has dropped by more than 50%.

LTA added that they’ve subsidised both bus services using taxpayers’ money, about $5 million a year, to keep the buses going.

And now, it’s no longer “justifiable” since they’re not the only transport in the area.

As for what Mr Liang claims about being open to alternatives, LTA said that bus service 973 was a result of their consultations with the grassroots advisors.

They promise to continue working together with the grassroots advisors but would like the public’s understanding that while they “do their best”, they can’t always provide direct bus connections.

You can read their full post below: