To build on existing efforts to improve travelling speeds for buses, LTA is planning to use Jalan Eunos as a platform to test the benefits of linear bus stops.

Linear bus stops are defined as bus stops that are constructed along, and adjacent to, the road, without the inlet known as the bus bay.

Studies by LTA indicate that buses trying to exit from the bus bays are often impeded by fast moving traffic and motorists who do not take the trouble to slow down for them.

This is backed up by a survey conducted by SBST which found that 9 per cent of bus commuters' journey time is incurred when buses are trying to exit bus bays.

Thus, as part of the Jalan Eunos road widening project, slated to begin in the third quarter of 2007, bus bays will not be built along the widened roads. Instead, six pairs of linear bus stops will be built, to replace the existing ones. The widening works will be completed in 2009.

By timing the trial together with the proposed road widening project, we foresee that it is not likely to impact other motorists adversely, as there will be an additional lane created on both sides of Jalan Eunos.

Jalan Eunos was selected for the trial as it experiences high bus volumes as well as heavy traffic flow.