1 As announced by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Transport), foldable bicycles will be allowed on the Rapid Transit System (RTS) and public buses during off-peak hours within stated guidelines with effect from 15 March 2009. The scheme will proceed after taking into account stakeholder feedback from an earlier six-month trial.

2 Mr Jeremy Yap, LTA's Group Director for Vehicle and Transit Licensing said, "Implementation of this scheme is possible owing to the social graciousness and mutual accommodation of commuters. As a way forward, we hope that cyclists and other commuters will continue to be considerate to one another so that more people can use our public transport system to meet their diverse travel needs. We would like to thank everyone for their participation, support and feedback."

Trial Background

3 In May 2008, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), SMRT and SBS Transit launched a six-month trial to allow foldable bicycles on board the Rapid Transit System (RTS) and public buses during off-peak hours. This trial was one of several initiatives announced in the Land Transport Masterplan to meet the transport needs of diverse groups of commuters.

4 During the trial period from 24 May to 24 November 2008, foldable bicycles were allowed on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems every weekday during off-peak hours, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. From 24 May to 24 August 2008, foldable bicycles were also allowed on public buses all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. This was subsequently extended till 24 November 2008 to include weekday off-peak hours, in line with the MRT/LRT trains.

Trial observations and survey results

5 During the six-month trial, an average of 70 foldable bicycles were brought on board trains each week, and two foldable bicycles on board public buses. At the same time, LTA conducted on-site surveys of more than 1,000 bus and train commuters. Eight out of 10 train commuters and about seven out of 10 bus commuters supported the initiative to allow foldable bicycles on board trains and buses during off-peak periods.

6 During the trial, LTA also actively engaged various stakeholders including commuters, cyclists, bus captains, service leaders, train operators, and the public transport operators to ensure the safety and comfort of commuters, while catering to the needs of cyclists.

7 As a result of the feedback from stakeholders, the approved scheme will allow one foldable bicycle on board each bus at any time during the permissible hours. There will be a slight revision to the hours during which foldable bicycles are allowed on board trains and buses. (Please refer to the Annex for the fine-tuned guidelines, which will apply from 15 March 2009. Until that date, the existing guidelines remain.)

8 Mr Gan Juay Kiat, Chief Operating Officer, SBS Transit said, "We would like to thank our commuters for being understanding and patient when foldable bikes were brought on board our buses and trains during the six-month trial. Moving forward, we would like to encourage and remind cyclists with foldable bikes to be considerate and mindful towards fellow passengers by not placing their bikes on seats or blocking the way of others. In situations when the buses are crowded, we also seek their understanding and cooperation with our Bus Captains who have to turn them away for the safety of other passengers on board. By cooperating with and showing consideration towards each other, this will contribute towards a pleasant and comfortable ride for all."

9 "As an environmentally friendly organisation, SMRT welcomes and supports LTA's initiative to meet the diverse needs of commuters, by allowing foldable bikes on public transport. We continue to encourage passengers with foldable bikes to be considerate to fellow passengers so that everyone can enjoy a pleasant travel experience," said Mr Chia Chun Wah, Deputy Director, Station Operations, SMRT Trains.

10 Mr Tommy Lam, a foldable bicycle owner has this to say, "I am very happy because LTA and the transport operators recognise that there is a niche group of foldable bike cyclists who commute to work or leisure by public transport. I am very lucky that my work starts from noon, so I can use my foldable bike to work. I like best the idea of foldable bikes allowed on all hours on weekends and public holidays! I am thankful for that because those are the days when I will most likely commute with my bike the whole day. During weekends and public holidays, I can travel in the early morning to the East Coast Park for my leisurely rides and be back in the late evening with the easy option of taking the bus or MRT."

11 Lionel Loh, an NTU student, and a public transport commuter, shared his opinion by saying, "This scheme gives flexibility to those who engage in an active lifestyle and at the same time supports cycling as an alternative mode of transport for short-distance travel. The guidelines adequately minimise the inconvenience that foldable bicycles pose to the public, thus I see no problem in allowing foldable bicycles on board our public transport."

12 The LTA and operators will continue to monitor this new scheme and take in feedback from stakeholders, and hope that with commuters exercising personal responsibility and demonstrating greater mutual understanding, the scheme will be a success.