Overview of the Express Feeder Bus Service

On December 9, Singapore will witness the launch of its first-ever express feeder bus service, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the public transportation experience for residents living on the fringes of the Tampines area. This innovative move promises to provide faster connections to the bustling Tampines town centre and transport hub, and transport analysts are optimistic that communities at the route's extreme ends will reap the greatest rewards.

Details of Service 298X

Public transport operator SBS Transit has unveiled service 298X, designed specifically to cater to residents from Tampines North and Tampines West, who have historically faced challenges related to longer travel times. The new express feeder service will streamline the journey by serving only 15 key bus stops along a more direct route compared to the standard 298 service, which currently stops at 36 locations.

What Does the New Service Offer?

Scheduled to operate exclusively on weekdays during peak hours—from 6:30 AM to 10 AM and 4 PM to 7:30 PM—the 298X service will enable a swifter journey in and out of the town centre. This undertaking is part of the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme, which is set to invest up to S$900 million (US$670 million) over the next eight years to improve accessibility for residents far from major public transport nodes.

Addressing Long-standing Concerns

Transport analyst Terence Fan, an assistant professor at Singapore Management University, suggests that this initiative is a strategic response to the grievances of those living further from transport hubs. "The authorities are evidently trying to ensure that these residents don’t feel perpetually disadvantaged," he noted. Previously, residents had to endure long waits and extended travel times due to inefficient routing.

Is More to Come?

Transport economist Walter Theseira elucidated that while expanding bus routes may seem advantageous, it could conversely make services less efficient by dragging travel time down as the bus stops more frequently. The express bus concept aims to counter this by providing residents with a quicker route, essential for folks living in newer, more distant developments. "Most of Singapore's available land near transport nodes is already developed, making these express routes vital for integrating newer estates into the transport network," he explained.

Mixed Reactions from Residents

Initial responses from Tampines residents have been largely positive, yet some have voiced their desire for extended connectivity to local amenities outside of peak hours. For instance, Madam Kua, a resident of The Santorini condo, expressed relief at the prospect of shorter waiting times and praised the new service but highlighted the need for improved frequent access to nearby areas.

Another resident, Ain Fong, who lives at the Tampines GreenVines HDB project, is eager for faster trips to the MRT, although she is concerned about the lack of direct access to essential shopping. "It's quite ridiculous that it can take up to an hour to reach a supermarket that’s only 2 km away," she lamented.

Conclusion

As Singapore strives to adapt its public transport systems to meet the evolving needs of its residents, the express feeder bus service represents a notable shift in approach, with an eye towards fostering greater connectivity and reducing travel times. Make sure to pay attention to more developments on this front, as we continue to track the impacts of this exciting new service for the Tampines community!