Long and Winding Routes?

The picture entitled "Long and winding route" appears in The Strais Times on the 19th of January 2008, it shows a long and winding route if she takes public transport and a shorter route if she has taken taxi.

In my opinion, the information regarding about the choice of bus-mrt-taxi route being circuitous is incorrect as there is a shorter route. If her choice is bus/MRT, I will recommend her to take 165 at her house to Commonwealth Ave West Blk 410 which is the bus stop immediately after the bus turns right into Commonwealth Ave West, cross the road to transfer to 183. She can stop at Science Park Rd B01 bus stop. According to SBS Transit website, the in vehicle timing is 72 mins and her fares will cost around $1.81 which is faster and cheaper than the bus-mrt-taxi route as mentioned in The Straits Times.

Besides, this route is not as circuitous as the above route mentioned. I just feel that it paints a very bad impression on the option of bus/MRT or even LRT given the fact that this option is available. Commuters are not informed of the availability of this option.

One reason for this is that trunk service buses simply pass by too many bus stops which are hard to differentiate. Luckily, there are bus service guides installed at every bus stop now to guide the commuters around. However, it is not enough to guide the commuters to their exact destination since the bus stop only describes the nearest landmark.

In addition, the current electronic directional inquiry is isolated to buses or MRT only. Hence, the commuters have to waste a lot of time to plan out a suitable and the best route for themselves to their destinations.

I hope that there is a 3 in 1 (Bus/MRT/LRT) electronic directional inquiry service which can be accessed through the cellphone or the internet to advise the commuters the best route to take to their destinations.

Perhaps a directional inquiry hotline can be set up to advise commuters the best way to get from place to place subjecting to feasibility and costs.


My comments and opinions about recent land transport reforms.