SINGAPORE – Residents of Marine Parade, MacPherson, and Mountbatten can breathe a sigh of relief—the popular shuttle bus service facilitating access to essential amenities is set to continue beyond its initial one-year pilot program.

Service Overview

The service, which rolled out on July 8, 2024, features seven routes catering to the needs of the community and has already shown promising usage levels, prompting local officials to consider modifications based on resident feedback.

Speaking at a community event at Kampong Ubi Community Centre, Manpower Minister and Marine Parade GRC MP Tan See Leng expressed optimism about the shuttle's future: "We intend to continue with that. How the routes will ultimately be adjusted is something we will work on in collaboration with our grassroots leaders,” he stated.

WeCare Shuttle Service

The initiative, dubbed the WeCare Shuttle Service, connects residents to key locations—including markets, food centers, and polyclinics—across the five wards of Marine Parade GRC: Marine Parade, Kembangan-Chai Chee, Geylang Serai, Braddell Heights, Joo Chiat, alongside MacPherson SMC and Mountbatten SMC.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong disclosed that the routes are designed based on community feedback received during the planning stages.

Community Embrace and Evaluation

As of April 3, reports indicated that residents have actively embraced the service, frequently using it to travel to necessary locations such as town council offices and Housing Development Board centers.

"The aim is to ensure that more residents can benefit from this service," Dr. Tan emphasized, noting that adjustments to certain routes are ongoing.

Political Context and Scrutiny

The transport landscape in the Marine Parade area is set to evolve further, especially as the upcoming general election draws attention to electoral changes, with Mr. Tong's Joo Chiat ward transitioning to the East Coast GRC.

He reiterated that an assessment will be necessary to determine if the shuttle service could persist in Joo Chiat after the pilot concludes.

Despite its benefits, the shuttle service has triggered scrutiny among opposition MPs regarding the equitable allocation of taxpayer funds.

Questions have been raised in Parliament about the funding model and the prominent display of the MPs' likenesses on the shuttle buses.

Funding and Operational Costs

In defense, Minister of State Alvin Tan clarified in an August 2024 parliamentary session that a one-off $200,000 community development council grant was allocated to get the service started, but sustaining it will require grassroots fundraising and operational cost adjustments moving forward.

The total operating cost for the shuttle service is estimated at around $1 million annually.

Community Recognition and Future Plans

To enhance community recognition, the shuttle buses not only feature familiar landmarks but also display illustrations of local MPs—an effort aimed to foster a sense of ownership among the residents.

As the pilot nears its conclusion, an official update will provide further clarity on the shuttle's future and potential route enhancements, promising a long-term solution to better connect the Marine Parade cluster with essential services.