Singapore commuters have been unable to access real-time bus arrival information since 8 p.m. on January 21st, as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) works to resolve a technical issue affecting the system.
System Reset Following Inaccuracies
The expected time of arrival system underwent a reset after inaccuracies were detected beginning on January 10th. These inaccuracies led to incorrect timings and longer-than-expected wait times being displayed to the public. LTA identified the problem as intermittent transmission issues with the on-board systems of some buses, impacting arrival predictions for a portion of the city’s 5,841-bus fleet.
The system relies on data from global positioning devices on buses, combined with route information, timetables, and historical travel times to predict arrival times. While the LTA stated in 2015 that 95 percent of estimated timings were within three minutes of actual arrival, the unpredictable nature of traffic—such as accidents—meant 100 percent accuracy was not achievable.
Impact on Commuters and Third-Party Apps
The disruption affects commuters who rely on real-time information displayed at bus stops, on the LTA’s MyTransport.SG app, and on popular third-party applications like SG BusLeh, which has over one million downloads. LTA’s DataMall platform, which provides real-time and historical transport data to these third-party apps, is currently unavailable. While Google Maps continues to provide bus interval information, it is unable to predict specific arrival times.
The concept of providing bus arrival information dates back to 1996, when the LTA first proposed the idea in a White Paper, aiming to reduce commuter anxiety. Pilot projects began in 1996 at two bus stops in Orchard Boulevard, with plans for expansion. Over the years, various iterations of the system were launched, including panels at bus stops in 2007 and the current centralized system in April 2015.
What’s Next?
The LTA has not yet provided a timeline for restoring the system. It is possible that the authority will prioritize a phased rollout, beginning with the most affected bus routes. Commuters may need to rely on published bus schedules and allow for extra travel time until the system is fully operational. A prolonged outage could lead to increased congestion at bus stops and a decline in public confidence in the accuracy of transport information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the bus arrival information system stop working?
The system stopped providing real-time bus arrival information starting at 8 p.m. on January 21st.
What is causing the problem?
The issue stems from intermittent transmission problems with the on-board systems of some buses, leading to missing bus arrival predictions.
Do third-party apps still work?
Third-party applications are currently unable to provide real-time estimates, as they rely on data from LTA’s DataMall platform. Google Maps can still provide bus interval information, but not specific arrival times.
How important is access to real-time bus arrival information to your daily commute?
