Public bus operators will have to pay higher fines for any service lapses from April 1. The Public Transport Council said on Monday that it has increased the penalties for bus operators from $100 per day per bus service to $2,000.

Errant bus operators will also have to pay $100,000 per month per standard, up from $10,000 per month per standard.

The Public Transport Council (PTC) said in a statement that it decided to up the penalties because it takes a serious view of bus operators who fail to meet service quality standards and "expects the public bus operators to keep service lapses to the minimum".

Chairman of the Council, Mr Gerard Ee, said the regular review of the service quality framework is to ensure that financial penalties for non-compliances continue to be "relevant and meaningful".

"With increased resources, we look forward to the operators delivering even better service and the higher penalty quantum is a reflection of that expectation," added Mr Ee.

The revised penalty quantum will be reflected in the results of the six-month assessment period, December 2012 to May 2013, scheduled for release in October 2013.