SINGAPORE - By year end, commuters will be able to summon a bus as easily as they phone-hail a cab now. These on-demand buses will cost much less than taxis and could have a higher service standard than public buses.

Ministry of Movement, an 18-month-old start-up which operates under the Swat brand name, aims to launch such a service in Punggol, Joo Koon and Shenton Way in the fourth quarter.