Bus companies ask for bus terminal for long-distance coaches

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http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC120708-0000050/Bus-companies-lobby-for-longer-bus-bays

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Some bus companies said the current bus bay is often congested and bus drivers do not have sufficient places to rest.

The bus bay along Beach Road serving long-distance coaches is the largest in Singapore.

Every day, more than 100 coaches from five tour companies travelling to and from Malaysia use the bay to pick up and drop off passengers.

The bay can only accommodate eight coaches at a time.

And during peak periods between 6 to 8am and 9 to 10.30pm, buses can stop only for about 10 minutes.

With insufficient parking spaces, drivers find it difficult to rest after long journeys, causing bus companies to worry about safety issues.

Bus driver Vincent Hu said: "There aren't enough parking lots for us to rest. And if we stop in other areas nearby, we get chased away again."

Managing director of Grassland Express & Tours Tan Boon Huat said: "Buses only have a limited time to stop at the bay. If passengers are late, we usually cannot wait for them. If we have a bus terminal, these problems can definitely be solved. It can serve all the long-distance buses in Singapore, with facilities such as a toilet."