Motorists allowed to use one bus lane on TPE for smoother traffic

Sengkang and Punggol residents heading home by the Tampines Expressway (TPE) will enjoy a smoother drive by the end of next month, reported The Straits Times.

Changes will be made to the existing lanes at the TPE exit towards Seletar Expressway (SLE) near the Punggol Flyover to improve traffic flow into the Punggol and Sengkang towns. Drivers will be able to travel on the outer of two bus lanes, while giving way to public buses where necessary, said Pasir Ris-Punggol grassroots advisers Teo Ser Luck and Janil Puthucheary, together with grassroots leaders.

Currently, motorists are not allowed to use the bus lanes. There are two lanes for motorists at the exit, and another two for public buses that opened last year.

However, this arrangement has meant that bottlenecks form frequently at the exit, causing a jam extending as far as the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) exit that may last even after 10:00pm, said Mr. Raymond Lye, chairman of the Punggol East Citizens Consultative Committee.

"It doesn't make sense when you have bus lanes that are empty while the lanes for cars are congested," he said, adding that the change will better meet the needs of bus commuters and car owners.

The lane, which will be shared between buses and motorists, will be painted yellow and have road markings to remind users to give way to buses.

The solution was a result of grassroots leaders working closely with residents and the Land Transport Authority since last year. 

When asked if the new scheme may inconvenience bus users, Mr. Teo said, "as long as our drivers give way to the buses and everyone accommodates each other's space, we can still have a smooth ride... And when you have smoother traffic, the buses won't be delayed as well."