Launched in 1974, the bus lane scheme gives buses priority on the roads, enabling the buses to enter and exit stops more smoothly and providing faster rides for commuters. To further improve bus speeds and promote the use of public transport, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched the full-day bus lane scheme along Orchard Road in October 2005.
Surveys conducted showed that the most important aspects of the bus journey for commuters are waiting time and travelling time. As buses are more efficient carriers of commuters, with a higher number of passengers per unit road space as compared to other vehicles such as cars, it is necessary to give priority to buses so that more commuters reach their destinations on time. For instance, a single-deck bus can carry 130 people versus an average of 88 cars required to carry the same number of people.
Extension of Full-Day Bus Lane Scheme
Since the implementation of the full-day bus lane scheme in Orchard Road, average bus speeds have improved, with non-peak bus speeds increasing by 10% on weekdays, and 23% on Saturdays. Following its success, LTA is implementing the full-day bus lane scheme at more areas.
From 2 June 2008, full-day bus lanes were extended to 11 new locations in the CBD. From 28 July 2008, the normal bus lanes on three stretches along Orchard Road, Orchard Boulevard and Serangoon Road will also be converted to full-day bus lanes. Both with the aim of ensuring that buses will be able to give commuters a faster and smoother journey with less interruption on the road.
The full-day bus lane scheme operates from 7.30am to 8pm on all weekdays and Saturdays, except public holidays.
Faster Bus Journeys with Bus Lanes
Along the 5 stretches in the city at Eu Tong Sen Street, Somerset Road, Victoria Street, Hill Street and Bras Basah Road where full-day bus lanes were implemented in 2007, we have seen improvement in bus speeds by as much as about 12%.
Feedback received from bus commuters and bus captains also show that they have experienced faster bus journeys on stretches with dedicated bus lanes.
The improved bus travelling speeds help make the bus commute a more attractive and pleasant option and encourages more commuters to take public transport.
Normal and Full-Day Bus Lanes
Operation Hours for Normal and Full-Day Bus Lanes
| Days |
Operation Hours for Normal Bus Lanes |
Operation Hours for Full-Day Bus Lanes
|
Mondays to Fridays |
7.30am to 9.30am 5.00pm to 8.00pm |
7.30am to 8.00pm
|
| Saturdays |
Not applicable |
7.30am to 8.00pm
|
| Sundays and Public Holidays |
Not applicable |
Not applicable
|
Vehicles Allowed in Bus Lanes
Other vehicles are not allowed to drive on the bus lane except emergency service and police vehicles. Non-scheduled buses such as school and factory buses may also use the bus lane. However, they are not allowed to stop, pick up or let their passengers alight along bus lanes.
Do's and Don'ts in Bus Lanes during Restricted Hours
 |
Do keep out of the bus lanes |
|
|
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Do filter in and turn left at the dotted bus lanes only |
|
|
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Do not stop, pick up or let passengers alight along bus lanes |
|
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List of Location with Extended Full-Day Bus Lane Scheme
| Road Name |
Start |
End
|
| Bencoolen Street |
Rochor Road |
Bras Basah Road
|
| Bras Basah Road |
Prinsep Street |
Beach Road
|
| Collyer Quay |
Fullerton Road |
Marina Boulevard
|
| Eu Tong Seng Street |
Outram Road |
River Valley Road, towards Kallang Road
|
| Fullerton Road |
Esplanade Drive |
Collyer Quay
|
| Grange Road |
Somerset Road |
Devonshire Road
|
| Hill Street |
Stamford Road |
River Valley Road
|
| Hill Street |
River Valley Road |
Stamford Road
|
| Jalan Besar** |
Kelantan Road |
Rochor Canal Road
|
Kallang Road (towards City)** |
Geylang Road |
Victoria Bridge
|
Kallang Road (towards Geylang)** |
Horne Road |
Sims Avenue
|
| New Bridge Road |
River Valley Road |
Upper Cross Street
|
| North Bridge Road** |
Crawford Street |
Rochor Road
|
| North Bridge Road |
Rochor Road |
Parliament Place
|
| Orchard Boulevard* |
Grange Road |
Paterson Road
|
| Orchard Road* |
Orange Grove Road |
Anguilia Park
|
| Orchard Road |
Scotts Road |
Handy Road
|
| Penang Road / Somerset Road |
Clemenceau Ave |
Orchard Turn
|
| Robinson Road |
Maxwell Road |
Finlayson Green
|
| Serangoon Road* |
Buffalo Road |
Balestier Road
|
| Shenton Way |
Boon Tat Street |
Maxwell Road
|
| South Bridge Road |
Circular Road |
Cross Street
|
| Victoria Street |
Rochor Road |
Stamford Road
|
| Victoria Street |
Bras Basah Road |
Lavender Street, towards Kallang Road
|
Victoria Street (towards City)** |
Victoria Bridge |
Rochor Road
|
* From 28 July 2008
** From 11 August 2008
On-board Bus Lane Enforcement Video Cameras
To ensure that the bus lane scheme remain effective in improving travel time for buses, LTA introduced the use of on-board bus lane enforcement cameras from 2 June 2008 onwards.
Ninety buses across 12 SBS Transit bus services that ply along routes with bus lanes will be fitted with video cameras which will be used to record bus lane infringements. The cameras will work in tandem with the current warden scheme and ensure that bus lanes remain clear during operating hours.
This system requires little intervention by the driver as the video is set to continuously monitor the road in front of the bus. The video camera also allows LTA officers to assess the circumstances more accurately if motorists are caught on video infringing bus lanes.
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LTA will review the use of cameras and extend them to more bus services, if they prove to be effective in keeping the bus lanes clear for bus travel.
"To make public transport a competitive option to the car, we must continue to improve the travel experience of public transport commuters. We want to encourage more people to choose public transport as a travel mode during peak hours to reduce congestion on the roads. Thus, we hope motorists will appreciate and understand the rationale behind our measures and help us give priority to buses," said Mr Yam Ah Mee, Chief Executive, Land Transport Authority.
Penalty
Rule 8 of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules - Driving or leaving vehicle in bus lane during restricted hours:
- Composition fine of $130
- Up to a maximum Court fine of $1,000 or 3 months of imprisonment (if the offence is not compounded and offender is convicted in Court for the first time)
Related Information
Last Updated: 7 August 2008