The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has acknowledged "some public concern" surrounding the withdrawal of Bus Services 700 and 700A as well as route changes for Services 171 and 972.

In a Facebook post on Aug. 4, LTA explained that making the changes had been a "a difficult decision", but said that they needed "to balance the needs of different groups of commuters, while taking into account the availability of alternative travel options, and the burden on taxpayers".

Use of public funds not justifiable

LTA said that it been subsidising Services 171 and 700 with public funds, in view of ridership having "dropped sharply" since the opening of the Downtown Line Phase 2 in December 2015.

In the first year, ridership for Service 171 fell by over 30 per cent, while ridership for Service 700 dropped by more than half.

LTA said that S$5 million of subsidy per year would be required to keep Service 700 running.

"If this is the only transport option in the area, we can justify the public spending", LTA said.

However, with the Downtown Line as an alternative, "prudence in the use of public funds" means that LTA would have to make "some adjustments" to the services in the area, it said.

Direct bus connections not always possible

LTA acknowledged that "the changes have led to longer travel times for some residents", but said that the provision of direct bus connections would not always be possible.

LTA also added that they have "been consulting the grassroots advisers regularly" on the matter of bus routes since 2016.

Service 973 was introduced in February 2017 because of these consultations, LTA said, adding that it would "continue to discuss with the grassroots advisers and hear out residents to explore mitigating measures".

Background

The changes, announced by SMRT on Aug. 3, has attracted criticism from those who felt that this would inconvenience some commuters by increased demand for other services, and lead to increased travel time for some.

Members of Parliament (MPs) for Bukit Panjang, Liang Eng Hwa, as well as Holland-Bukit Timah MP, Edward Chia, both spoke out against the changes, seeking that LTA reconsider its decision.

You can see LTA's post here: