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Bus Board for Singapore ?

30th April 1954, Page 82
30th April 1954
Page 82
Page 82, 30th April 1954 — Bus Board for Singapore ?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THE possibility of the Singapore Traction Co., Ltd., being taken over next year by an independent transport authority forms the main part of the chairman's statement which will be given at the company's annual meeting in London next Thursday. This company, who operate 341 motorbuses and 50 trolleybuses, serve the city of Singapore. Ten Chinese operators serve the rural areas of the island.

In his statement, the chairrnan. Sir Thomas J. Strangman, Q.C., says that under the Singapore Traction ordinance the concession to the company is of indefinite duration, subject to a right of the city council "within six months of June 5, 1955, or within six months after the expiration of any subsequent period of seven years . . . by notice in writing to the company require the company to sell . . . the whole undertaking."

A report of the Public Passenger Transport Committee, which was set up by the council to examine the question of co-ordinating all forms of public passenger transport, advised against an acquisition of the undertaking by the council for financial reasons.

They suggested that legislation be introduced to enable an independent transport authority to be set up on or before June 5, 1955, with powers to acquire the company and "to put the private bus companies on such a basis as to permit of their services being integrated into the final co-ordinated pattern Which must eventually emerge_" It was also proposed that the acquisition of the companies should follow soon after that of the Singapore Traction Co.

These recommendations were adopted by the council in January, and are now being considered by the Government.

Commenting on this, Sir Thomas says: " It is, I think, clear that unless matters are allowed to continue as at present, the only solution is the formation of a Transport Board to take over the whole of the public passenger transport of the island."