VIB here stands for “very important bus” and since last month, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has introduced one more scheme to ensure a smoother ride for buses in the Government’s push to make public transport more attractive to users.

Priority exit for buses

An LTA study showed that 10 per cent of a bus’ total journey time is spent trying to exit bus bays. Therefore, making it easier for them to do so could be one way to speed up their journeys.

LTA introduced the priority bus lanes pilot scheme on Dec 20, 2008, making it compulsory for cars to give way to buses leaving bus bays at 23 selected bus stops located along three roads. The idea is similar to a zebra crossing, except that it is for buses.

Special yellow boxes and triangular markings to indicate that drivers should give way to buses are painted in front of selected bus stops along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, Bukit Batok East Avenue 3 and Toh Tuck Road.

A blue sign 100m before the bus stop will remind motorists that they have to give way, while white triangular markings on the road indicate that they have to slow down and give way to the buses. Motorists come to a complete stop before the give way line and let buses exit the bus bay.

From March onwards, which is the end of the three-month grace period, drivers could be fined $130 if they are caught breaking the rules.

If all goes well, more bus stops, especially those along roads with high volumes of traffic, will be included in the scheme.

More full-day bus lanes

LTA launched the full-day bus lane scheme in October 2005 as a method of improving bus speeds, which would make the idea of taking a bus more attractive. It was first introduced along Orchard Road and has proven successful.

The full-day bus lanes have an extra red line painted alongside the yellow line demarcating the normal bus lane. Motorists cannot drive in this lane from 7.30am to 8pm on weekdays and Saturdays, except public holidays.

Three more bus lanes along Raffles Avenue, Raffles Boulevard and St Andrew’s Road are the latest to be converted to full-day bus lanes, bringing these lanes to a total of 23km of road space.

If you are caught driving or leaving your vehicle in a bus lane during restricted hours, you can also expect a fine of $130.