Measures to improve bus safety include stricter enforcement, technology use, driver support: Murali

SINGAPORE – A system that can detect and identify vehicles that encroach into bus lanes is being trialled, with the aim of deterring motorists from flouting traffic laws along bus routes.

This is because motorists who stray into bus lanes can pose a safety risk, Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai said on Aug 23.

“Such incidents could force (bus drivers) to brake suddenly, which can cause passengers to fall,” he said at the launch of a bus safety roadshow in Toa Payoh.

Mr Murali’s remarks on Aug 23 are the first updates on the initiatives the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is implementing in response to recommendations released by a task force scrutinising the safety of public buses in March.

Other measures being adopted include the installation of collision warning systems, audio safety announcements targeted at elderly passengers and monetary incentives for bus drivers with good safety records.

Four public buses are part of the trial to catch motorists who stray into bus lanes during bus lane operating hours, LTA said. The trial started on Aug 4.

The system uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse bus camera footage.

At specific times of the day, such as during peak periods, only buses are allowed to use these lanes. This is to help buses operate efficiently and avoid congestion.

Stepping up enforcement against errant motorists is one way the authorities are trying to improve the safety of public buses here.

In March, the task force looking at ways to improve the safety of public buses – chaired by Mr Murali – released

a raft of recommendations

to better support public bus drivers.

Among these are equipping buses with a collision warning system, capping the run times of new routes at two hours, and extending drivers’ meal breaks from 25 minutes to 30 minutes.

On Aug 23, Mr Murali announced that Singapore’s fleet of about 5,800 public buses will be progressively equipped with a 360-degree collision warning system with AI. This will eliminate the blind spots of the camera system that is currently used. This is one of several technologies that could be used to help bus drivers be more aware of their surroundings and avert serious accidents.

LTA said such technologies are being incorporated in new bus purchases, starting with

the procurement of 660 electric buses

in March 2025. Existing buses will be retrofitted where possible, it added.

Another example is

the anti-fatigue system

, which tracks a driver’s eye movements and sends audiovisual prompts to the driver if their eyes have been closed for two seconds, or if they have been looking away for more than four seconds.

These technologies will help to improve the situational awareness of bus drivers and better alert them to potential safety risks, which can potentially help to avert serious accidents, Mr Murali said.

To remind passengers to mind their safety on public buses, LTA is trialling the playing of audio safety announcements on board buses to remind passengers to hold on to the hand grips or grab poles before the bus moves.

Eleven bus services are part of the pilot, which started on Aug 4. These routes were chosen because they serve areas with higher elderly populations or are more frequently used by senior citizens, LTA said.

Speaking in Parliament on April 8, Mr Murali said that over the past decade, four elderly commuters died after falling on board public buses.

The task force in March had also proposed that LTA work with Singapore’s four public bus operators to offer monetary and other incentives to drivers with good safety records.

LTA said on Aug 23 that it is working with the public bus operators to introduce a tiered safe-driving initiative in 2026.

The number of weekly refresher sessions on safe driving will increase from three to five by the end of 2025, allowing more bus drivers to participate, LTA added. As at June 2025, about 60 per cent of all bus drivers here have completed the course, it said.

And by the end of 2026, a standardised industry-wide training point system will be introduced to ensure that bus drivers receive a minimum amount of training every year.

On the task force’s other recommendations, Mr Murali noted that the run times of new bus routes have been capped at two hours, and that public bus operators have begun extending drivers’ meal breaks to 30 minutes.

The bus safety roadshow is being held at Toa Payoh HDB Hub atrium on Aug 23 and 24. It is also part of the task force’s recommendations to raise awareness and promote public bus safety among commuters and road users.

Besides getting safety tips for bus passengers, members of the public attending the roadshow can also take part in interactive activities and experience driving a bus simulator.