SINGAPORE: A total of 15 fatalities resulted from bus accidents over the last three years.
The Ministry of Transport gave this statistic in a written reply to a question from MP for Sembawang GRC Lim Wee Kiak.
Transport Minister Raymond Lim also gave the breakdown rate of public buses over the last three years.
He said between 2007 and 2009, the average monthly breakdown rate of public buses was 1.25 percent of the total number of buses operated in a month.
Under the Public Transport Council's Quality of Service standards,
Mr Lim said the bus breakdown rate should be less than 1.5 percent of
the monthly operating buses.
This applies to both basic bus service operators, SBS Transit and SMRT Buses.
The standards also prescribe that the accident rate should be less than
0.75 accidents per 100,000 bus-kilometre travelled each month.
Now, the average accident rate for public buses is about 0.63 cases per 100,000 bus-kilometre travelled.
Mr Lim pointed out that the two operators have been performing at an
acceptable level. They are also aware that any breakdown or accident
involving their buses is costly and disruptive to commuters.
So the operators have implemented robust and comprehensive programmes,
including bus maintenance regimes and safety training, for their
drivers.
CNA/de