SINGAPORE - Passengers who regularly take bus service 972 can look forward to having more space on their rides when SMRT rolls out its double decker buses for the first time next Sunday.

The route, which is a loop service between Bukit Panjang and Orchard, will get three buses, the first of 201 such vehicles brought in by SMRT. The double deckers are meant to help ease traffic congestion and increase commuter comfort, particularly during peak hours along major central roads such as Orchard Road and Scotts Road.

More of these buses will be introduced to the roads over the next three months, following road tests, pruning of trees along the selected routes and personnel training. The nine other services which will be getting the double deckers are all long, heavily-used routes: 106, 188, 190, 850E, 951E, 960, 963, 966 and 969.

Bukit Panjang Adviser Dr Teo Ho Pin and about 80 Bukit Panjang grassroots leaders got a close-up view of the wheelchair-friendly vehicles at a preview event and tour around the estate on Sunday, ahead of their official launch, SMRT said in a statement.

SMRT senior vice-president for Roads Business Benny Lim said he was thrilled to be able to put the Double Deckers on the road, saying it was "significant milestone in our quest to provide greater comfort to passengers".