Straits Times 9 Sep 08;
THE Land Transport Authority (LTA) is extending the trial period of a scheme to allow foldable bicycles on board buses for another three months.
In the past three months that the scheme has been on trial, an average of only two people per weekend had boarded buses with their foldable bicycles.
The LTA is now extending the permitted hours from weekends and public holidays to include off-peak hours on weekdays as well.
From next Monday, commuters can take their foldable bicycles on buses on weekdays from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and from 7.30pm to the end of bus services.
In a statement released yesterday, the LTA said that during the original three-month trial, it had taken into account the feedback of cyclists, bus commuters, bus drivers and bus operators
So far, there had been 'neither adverse reports nor injuries reported', the statement said. The LTA would not reveal more details on the feedback.
Most commuters were also found to be accepting of those with foldable bicycles.
Among the general guidelines commuters with foldable bicycles have to follow:
Bicycles must be no bigger than 114cm by 64cm by 36cm when folded.
Bicycles must remain folded at all times while on the bus.
The wheels of the bicycles should be wrapped up if they are dirty or wet.
Protruding parts likely to damage property or injure other passengers must also be covered up.
Only two foldable bicycles are allowed on each bus at any one time.
Bicycles are not allowed on the upper deck of the bus or on the staircase.
With the extension of the bicycle on buses trial, the end date - Nov 24 - will coincide with the end for the trial to allow foldable bicycles on trains.
A six-month trial to allow commuters to take bicycles on board trains is also under way during weekends, public holidays and off-peak hours on weekdays.
MARIA ALMENOAR
