SINGAPORE - In the wake of the snarl-ups that slowed traffic on the first few days of the Singapore Airshow, its organiser has urged the public to use the more than 100 buses it has set aside to take visitors to and from Changi Exhibition Centre on Feb 24 and 25.

Mr Leck Chet Lam, managing director of Experia Events, said on Feb 23: “The message we want to put out is – please use the shuttle buses... and it will be a pleasant experience coming to the Singapore Airshow over the weekend.”

The shuttles between the Singapore Expo and the exhibition centre, where the air show is happening, will run at intervals of five to eight minutes, he said, shorter than the 15-minute frequency stated on the show’s website.

The rides are free for Weekend@Airshow ticket holders.

Mr Leck had told ST nearly 100 shuttle buses would be provided when the air show opens to the public at the weekend.

Experia later clarified this was its initial plan, and the fact is that the organiser is increasing the number of buses by up to 30 per cent. It did not disclose an exact figure when pressed for one.

Changes to traffic arrangements have also been made.

Experia said six lanes in Tanah Merah Coast Road will be available, up from four between Feb 20 and 23, when the show was open only to trade visitors.

The two extra lanes will enable more improvements, including having a dedicated lane for taxis and private-hire vehicles (PHVs), it added.

Experia said it has also worked with the authorities to allow PHVs and taxis to access the showground from Changi Coast Road from 7.30am on Feb 24 and 25. Previously, PHVs and taxis could access the exhibition centre from this road only from noon to 8.30pm.

Mr Leck spoke to ST on Feb 23, when he was asked what was being done to prevent the traffic jams seen on the first few days of the biennial aerospace and defence exhibition.

A day earlier, ST reported complaints from trade visitors and exhibitors about the heavy traffic in and out of the showground, which led to long waits and exorbitant taxi and ride-hailing fares.

Mr Leck said then that the organiser will provide buses with larger capacity on Feb 24 and 25.

On Feb 23, he acknowledged the delays on the opening day, saying this was because of higher-than-expected participation.

Nearly 15,000 visitors were at the show on Feb 20 alone.

The organising team, he added, made adjustments quickly, such as diverting traffic to VIP lanes when they were not used.

“On day two and day three, you have seen that (the traffic situation) has improved, and I think we have got it fixed as far as the trade days are concerned,” he said.

Nearly 60,000 trade visitors attended the event from Feb 20 to 23, a record for the show. More than 60,000 public attendees are expected at the weekend.

He said that the profile of visitors on Feb 24 and 25 is different and Experia’s focus will shift to moving about 30,000 people in and out of the venue daily.

“We have catered for more than sufficient buses to help make sure we have a constant flow of buses to bring people in and out of Changi Exhibition Centre,” he added.

Public visitors will be able to catch aerial performances by flying teams from five air forces and a flying display by Chinese plane-maker Comac’s ARJ21 passenger jet.

There will also be 38 commercial and military jets on static display and hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their wares.

For the weekend, only those with group package tickets can drive into the showground as the package comes with a carpark label.

Everyone else will have to take the shuttle buses, or PHVs and taxis. A $15 location surcharge will be added to the metered fare for all taxi services leaving Changi Exhibition Centre until Feb 25.