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.

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.

As of 22 December 2008, there are a total of 23km of full-day bus lanes and 155km of normal 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.

Since the expansion of the bus lane scheme, the LTA has observed improvements of between 10% and 12% to bus speeds in several areas where bus lanes have been implemented, such as along the stretch of North and South Bridge Roads and Grange Road.

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.

Other vehicles are not allowed to drive on the bus lane except emergency service and police vehicles (on urgent duty call make known by means of some distinctive siren). 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.

Please click here to view the list of full-day bus lane locations.

To ensure that the bus lane scheme remain effective in improving travel time for buses, LTA introduced traffic wardens and the use of on-board bus lane enforcement cameras.

The traffic wardens are deployed at various hotspot areas islandwide to record the vehicle licence plate number of motorists who infringe bus lanes. These locations are usually the ones where most of the scheduled buses were obstructed.

Since 2 June 2008, ninety buses across 12 SBS Transit bus services that ply along routes with bus lanes were fitted with video cameras to record bus lane infringements. The cameras 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.

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.

Rule 8 of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules - Driving or leaving vehicle in bus lane during restricted hours:

Last Updated: 7 October 2009