Public transport in Singapore - a case study on the Singapore Bus Service (1978) Limited

A good public transport system is an essential success factor in both developed and developing countries. Singapore, with its growing economic prosperity and a:ffiuence, has seen its vehicle population increase rapidly. The resulting traffic congestion on its roads is further compounded by the space constraints of land-scarce Singapore. Among the various alternatives available to curtail this alarming trend, this report studies how the government has attempted to make public transport more attractive than private car ownership, by keeping fares at a reasonable level, building a comprehensive road network and providing an alternative mode of transport in the form of the Mass Rapid Transit. In particular, the study focuses on the public bus transport system, how it has evolved through the years and the government's transport policies. Finally, it attempts to identify the critical factors that allow our current bus system to work in Singapore and to provide an insight into the future directions of the public bus transport system. From the literature that has been reviewed, it was found that the present Singapore public bus transport system functions well in a regulated monopolistic structure. However, it must be emphasised that an efficient public sector plays a critical role in this structure. Such a success may not be easily replicated elsewhere in other countries without similar economic and political conditions.ACCOUNTANC