SINGAPORE: From 15 May, commuters at six HDB towns will know the exact routes of bus services that ply to and from the bus interchanges, all thanks to the bus travel information put up by transport operator SMRT.

The HDB towns involved are Choa Chu Kang, Woodlands, Yishun, Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok and Sembawang.

The bus services maps which are available at areas under SMRT's responsibility provide commuters with an overview of the bus and train connections from and within the towns such as how the bus services, including feeder services, connect with each other.

It also shows the connections with the MRT and LRT stations and other landmarks. And commuters welcome the move.

"This is very useful because you can compare the time and the distance and you will know if it is better to travel by bus or by MRT," said one commuter.

Another commuter said: "It uses red and blue to 'signal' the bus routes. So I think that will be helpful - to tell people how far away from the place you want to go."

The bus service travel information is the result of feedback from commuters who want an easy reference of the buses that can take them to their destinations.

Besides putting up panels, SMRT had also given out brochures which contain similar information, in 2007.

A survey done at Woodlands and Yishun two years ago showed that one in eight respondents found this information useful. Two-thirds are likely to use bus routes that they are unfamiliar with after looking at the maps, while 61 per cent said they are likely to travel on SMRT buses.

77 such maps have been put up at MRT and LRT stations, interchanges and bus shelters - with nine installed in MRT/LRT stations, 14 at interchanges and 54 at bus shelters.

The bus services maps can also be found on SMRT's website at www.SMRT.com.sg.

SMRT said the move is part of its efforts to encourage and facilitate the use of public transport. - CNA/vm