In drafting it, it will be guided by three main factors: how the bus, rail and road networks support each other, improving the overall quality of journeys and ensuring the bus network is financialy viable.

Transport Minister Raymond Lim spelt out these considerations on Thursday, in his reply to MPs seekingan update on the centralised bus planning system.

He also assured commuters that 'LTA will look at the best way to benefit as many people as possible while maintaining the overall viability of the bus network'.

The final transfer of this planning job to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will take place at year's end. And the first few tenders of bus routes are likely to take place early next year.

But in the meantime, LTA is making sure profits will not be sacrificed in the new network.

Mr Lim said an unprofitable system would reduce the quality of bus services in the long run because operators will not have enough revenue to invest and upkeep the system.

One example of balancing the needs of the public with financial viability is that of bus services duplicating rail routes, he added.

LTA will have to decide judiciously on this, he said. On sections where the rail system is heavily congested, this would make sense but for other areas duplication may not prove useful.

Mr Lim assured Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Marine Parade GRC) that the LTA, while looking at financial viability, will not automatically shut down bus routes that are not profitable.

Read the full report in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.