Good news for residents living in Marine Parade GRC, MacPherson and Mountbatten! Starting next week (8 July), a free shuttle bus service will ply seven routes within these areas, linking up popular community nodes such as polyclinics, hawker centres and MRT stations. The shuttle bus service is a welcomed addition towards addressing the first and last-mile problem for many.
And as a dedicated service for Marine Parade cluster residents, these bus rides provide another common space to make meaningful connections and build new friendships.
Naturally, MPs for Marine Parade GRC, MacPherson SMC and Mountbatten SMC have been thrilled to share the news with their residents. The launch of the shuttle buses has been an effort of love, driven by a desire from our MPs to make their constituency a little more accessible to an increasingly ageing population. “The stops were carefully planned and selected to provide more seamless connectivity,” said MP Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson SMC).
This pilot initiative would not have been possible if not for the confluence of two things. Engaged citizens who provided feedback and a Party with its ear on the ground, ready to make things happen.
“I have gathered from chit-chat sessions with residents some of the challenges they face in reaching essential services like polyclinics, markets and the food centre. We recognise the need to bring convenience to you, and hence, this new shuttle bus service will do exactly that,” said Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, Second Minister for Trade and Industry and MP for Marine Parade GRC.
Building up Singapore, one track at a time
Being one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates, Marine Parade benefits from its proximity to the city centre. Yet this proximity used to be accessible only by car or bus.
Reminiscing on his childhood, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recalled having to catch a bus to Eunos or Bedok MRT station before hopping on a train to Orchard Road. “Back then, I wished there were an MRT station near my home in Marine Terrace,” said Mr Wong.
Thirty years later, that wish has come true. Following the opening of the 4th stage of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), East Coast residents can now benefit from shorter commutes and greater connectivity to the rest of the island.
In recent years, even the most hardcore cynic would have noticed the growing complexity of our MRT network. From a modest two-line service in the 1980s, there are currently more than 140 stations across six lines, spreading across the island. And we are not done yet!
Within the next decade, the Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line will make their debut, making Singapore more connected than ever before.
Today, our public transport is ranked one of the best in the world for affordability and reliability. And that is something we should not take for granted.
All around the world, political changes have often led to shelved projects and cancelled budgets. Yet here in Singapore, our stability is also our strength. Plans and visions are not empty promises. They are reality.
That is because when the PAP says they will do something, they make sure they deliver it. As a result, we are all the better for it with more convenient and liveable neighbourhoods we call home.
Photo Source: Edwin Tong/ Chee Hong Tat via Facebook