SINGAPORE: A recently unveiled bus stop opposite Parkway Parade mall has come under fire from netizens and commuters, who criticize its design for obstructing their view of oncoming buses and causing confusion with its separate bus bays.
The bus stop, situated outside Marine Parade MRT Station’s exit 2, began operations shortly before the station opened on 23 June.
On 3 July, a Reddit user with the handle “Outrageous_Horse_157” posted a picture of the bus stop, captioning it: “Which genius designed this? No one can see incoming buses thanks to the row of pillars obscuring the view.”
The photo clearly shows several pillars lined along the edge of the bus stop.
In interviews with TODAY, several commuters echoed these concerns, stating that the pillars significantly impede their ability to see the buses.
An 84-year-old commuter shared, “If I don’t spot the bus earlier, I can’t stand up earlier, and there are times where I only see the bus when it is in front of me.”
Additionally, some commuters reported difficulties manoeuvring their trolleys or strollers through the tight spaces between the bollards and pillars.
Redditors critique the design flaws of the bus stop
The Reddit post has sparked a lively discussion about the design flaws of a new bus stop. Several users expressed their concerns and criticisms, highlighting a variety of issues.
One user remarked that the design “must be by someone who’s never taken public transportation,” criticizing the layout as impractical.
Another user called it a “stupid design,” pointing out that “bus cannot see passengers, and passengers cannot see bus.”
Concerns about the elderly were also raised.
A user questioned the necessity of the numerous support beams, expressing worry for elderly passengers who might struggle to see if a bus is coming.
Another commenter highlighted the flaws in the shelter’s roof design.
They noted that, aside from the pillars blocking the view, the bus stop offers little protection from heavy rain and wind.
They also pointed out that the roof only provides shade at certain times, leaving passengers exposed to the sun at other angles.
Dual bus bay confusion
Confusion over bus stop bays was another issue.
A user pointed out that there are two bus stop bays under a single name/code, causing some buses to stop at the front bay and others at the back.
They noted that people unfamiliar with the area might end up waiting at the wrong spot.
Another user shared a personal experience of this confusion, saying that they couldn’t keep a lookout for the bus properly and had to rely on the bus driver to stop at the correct bay.
Transport Minister proposes camera solution for Parkway Parade bus stop issue
In response to concerns about the new bus stop opposite Parkway Parade Mall, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat has proposed installing cameras to help commuters see arriving buses.
This suggestion is one of several that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been asked to consider to make the bus stop more user-friendly.
In a Facebook post on Saturday (6 July), Mr Chee explained that the cameras would allow seated commuters to view oncoming buses, giving them more time to prepare for boarding.
If successful, this solution could be implemented at other bus stops with similar visibility issues.
The bus stop’s design, outside Marine Parade MRT Station, has been criticized for two main reasons.
Firstly, the pillars obstruct the view of approaching buses.
Secondly, the bus stop has two separate bays, causing confusion among commuters about which buses stop where.
Mr Chee clarified that the pillars were placed at the front of the bus stop to avoid underground drains at the back, which would complicate maintenance work.
Despite exploring other locations, the current site was chosen for its proximity to the MRT station, offering a shorter walking distance for commuters.
Acknowledging the visibility problem, Mr Chee emphasized the potential of technology to resolve the issue.
He suggested installing cameras facing oncoming traffic, with live footage displayed on screens inside the bus stop.
Regarding the two bus bays, Mr Chee noted that this arrangement was intended to expedite boarding for the numerous buses that serve the stop.
To alleviate confusion, LTA will enhance signage to guide commuters more clearly.
LTA will review the situation and provide updates on the planned improvements, Mr Chee added.