Initiatives for a better road
A recent press release from the LTA, details a new initiative to provide priority for buses. The idea is to ensure people allow buses to exit from the bus stops without having to wait for vehicles passing in that lane.
I have seen a few comments from the public criticizing the idea.
Some hare-brained ‘scholar’ idea – From a cycling forum.
To a bus commuter, saving 10% of travel time is not much anyway. An additional 6 minutes for an hour long ride is not going to affect them since they expect the bus to be a slower mode of transport anyway – voices, Today
It makes me wonder if people really think before making any comments. Criticism, if not constructive can not be of much use. In the worst case, It can lead to disillusion. We have to realize that a government body overseeing road usage has to weigh the interests of a diverse set of users. A persons right to the use of road does not come from how much road tax one pays. I consider the Road tax to be the money needed to maintain roads due to damage caused by vehicles – meaning the larger vehicles pay more tax. Buses have huge tax but the per capita cost is low because they can transport more people. Large SUV’s with one person in it, on the other hand, will have a large per capita cost. While a cyclist, who hardly causes trouble rides for free. All of them however have equal rights – Just because one can afford to pay higher $ does not provide them more rights on the road.
We cannot runaway from traffic but the greater good is in making sure effective time wasted on the road is minimal. This is possible by providing dedicated bus lanes and ensuring other vehicles do not impede the movement of buses. Actually, existing traffic regulation (and common sense) gives priority for buses exiting the stops. But the new initiative makes this more obvious by painting a yellow patch that is very hard to miss.
I am not arguing that all LTA policies make sense, but as a body, their aim should be to facilitate the well being of the road users. I think improving the conditions for bus traffic to flow smoothly is a step in the right direction.
Painting green or blue lanes is next 
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December 14th, 2008 19:15
I fully support LTA’s move to accord priority road space for buses. Just think about it, they carry more than 10 times the number of passengers of the average car (say 2). What’s more, if they get stuck on some narrow roads, they hog up traffic.
Side tracking a little, in Cambodia on the Bamboo train, there is only one main track. When a Norry meets another one on the track coming on the opposite direction, the one with the higher no of people gets the right of way. Makes perfect sense for them, applies here too.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/28415/6208464/0/hom0_mrec
December 15th, 2008 12:01
Such a neat idea to recycle resources. If I think about it, the tracks are there, it just took someone with initiative to make life better for a lot of people.
Talking of initiatives, a couple of weeks back, on friday, as I was leaving office, there was a heavy traffic jam. All vehicles were backed up and not moving at all. I work about 1.5 Km to harbour front and needed to get there for my train back. Well, getting on a bus was not an option at all It would have taken 45 minutes to travel. Just then, I saw this guy hop off a bus, opened up his bag, took out a pair of sneakers, switched shoes and started running. I was watching him pretty much awe struck when I realized I was also on running shoes (being friday heh…). Not one to give up a lead when provided one, I followed him and after about 8 minutes of nice jogging (good weather and very frustrated drivers ogling at me
) I was at harbour.
Guess many times, we forget to realize the solution is there, we may just not be seeing them. When someone opens our eyes, it is like seeing for the first time.