There are positive highlights in his speech. The very fact that he acknowledges that the public-transportation system must be planned as a whole is important. Other positive elements include distance-based through fares and the opening up of the market to more competition.

There are, however, questions that remain unanswered. One wonders about the effectiveness of the Quality of Service standards being adopted.

The idea of priority measures to speed up buses is certainly a right move but the idea can only be effective if there is good policing.

Who will pay for the cost of the integrated public-transport hubs? Will the cost be passed on to passengers eventually?

How accurate will be information on the integrated public-transport service? I have personally encountered timings that are not accurate. Many a time, the buses arrived later than the times flashed on the screen.

On the idea of competition, what advantage is there for smaller players to enter the market when the current operators are giants?

One might recall the opening up of the taxi industry. It has not helped manage the demand-and-supply situation because the dominant players set the price and the rest take the cue from there.

The Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority need to think through the issues. At the end of the day, the ideal model for buses and trains would be one that

provides a level of service that will help a motorist make the switch to public transport.

The review is a step in the right direction and is long overdue.

However, without knowing the outcome of the MRT and vehicle-ownership reviews, to be announced later, it is still early days yet but I remain hopeful.

Jason Chiam Chiah Sern