Firstly, it is disappointing that the higher standards have to be imposed by the Public Transport Council (PTC) through a system of fines.

Without the threat of penalties, would the bus operators have any incentive to improve their level of service?

Secondly, it is disappointing that the shorter waiting times would apply only during peak hours.

Most disappointing of all, it looks like the problem of bus bunching, despite being around for years, is not going to be resolved as bus operators continue to give the excuse that it is due to traffic congestion.

I have seen four Service 133 buses arrive within a span of about five minutes. If all four buses had left the bus terminus at 15-minute intervals, this would mean that traffic congestion had delayed the first bus by about 45 minutes, the second by 30 minutes and the third by 15 minutes while the fourth bus was not delayed.

It is hard to believe that such freak situations can occur on a regular basis.

I have also seen two buses of the same number stop within a minute of each other opposite AMK Hub, just one bus stop away from the terminus. Even if earlier traffic congestion had delayed the departure of the first bus, could not the schedule of the second bus be adjusted so that it leaves a few minutes later?

It is time the PTC and bus companies take a serious look at this problem and solve it once and for all.

For a start, they could do a study to find out the extent of the problem and which service numbers are more prone to bunching.

My own casual observation is that Service 133 is one of them. Even though I don't travel the Service 133 route very often, I have noted at least four instances of the service bunching recently.

Next is to find out why these particular services tend to bunch up more than others, and what can be done about it.

Perhaps the problem will be resolved if the PTC imposes hefty fines for bus bunching?

Richard Seah Siew Sai