6,000 trips using on-demand public buses made in first two months of trial
27 Feb 2019|3,929 views
The trial - which began in December and runs until June 15 - allows commuters to request pick-ups and drop-offs at any bus stop within the Joo Koon and Marina Downtown areas through two mobile apps. The BusNow app developed by local firm Ministry of Movement to book rides in the Marina Downtown area has been downloaded about 11,000 times.
It can also be used to book late-night buses between the Central Business District and the Bedok and Tampines towns. The other app - BusGo - was developed by U.S.A-based Via Transportation for booking buses in Joo Koon. It has been downloaded about 9,000 times.
Though commuters The Straits Times spoke to in December were generally positive about their experience, the BusNow app reported a disruption of about five hours last Wednesday (20 February) due to "technical issues".
The LTA did not give more information on popular routes or ride duration, noting that the trial is only two months along. "We will continue to tweak the system in response to commuters' travel demand," said an LTA spokesman.
Commuters have made a number of suggestions, such as increasing the number of passengers for group booking, which is now capped at five. "We will take them into consideration as part of our review of the trial," the LTA noted, adding that it encouraged users to submit feedback through the app.
On-demand buses have been implemented in a number of countries with varying results. American firm Chariot, which began offering services in San Francisco in 2014 and was acquired by auto giant Ford for a reported $89 million two years later, shut down last month, citing sluggish ridership.
The trial - which began in December and runs until June 15 - allows commuters to request pick-ups and drop-offs at any bus stop within the Joo Koon and Marina Downtown areas through two mobile apps. The BusNow app developed by local firm Ministry of Movement to book rides in the Marina Downtown area has been downloaded about 11,000 times.
It can also be used to book late-night buses between the Central Business District and the Bedok and Tampines towns. The other app - BusGo - was developed by U.S.A-based Via Transportation for booking buses in Joo Koon. It has been downloaded about 9,000 times.
Though commuters The Straits Times spoke to in December were generally positive about their experience, the BusNow app reported a disruption of about five hours last Wednesday (20 February) due to "technical issues".
The LTA did not give more information on popular routes or ride duration, noting that the trial is only two months along. "We will continue to tweak the system in response to commuters' travel demand," said an LTA spokesman.
Commuters have made a number of suggestions, such as increasing the number of passengers for group booking, which is now capped at five. "We will take them into consideration as part of our review of the trial," the LTA noted, adding that it encouraged users to submit feedback through the app.
On-demand buses have been implemented in a number of countries with varying results. American firm Chariot, which began offering services in San Francisco in 2014 and was acquired by auto giant Ford for a reported $89 million two years later, shut down last month, citing sluggish ridership.
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