Buses are still far more widely used than trains in Singapore though people are taking fewer bus rides than they did a year ago.
Ten trips were made on buses for every six railway journeys in September.
This becomes clear from the ridership figures of the two main transport operators, SBS Transit and SMRT.
Both are running up profits in what looks like a recession-proof business.
SBS daily bus ridership dropped by more than 60,000 — to 2,284,765 in September this year from 2,346,677 in September 2008 but was still more than the 2,200,560 logged in September 2007.
SBS daily rail ridership rose to 378,828 in September this year from 362,875 in September 2008 and 307,556 in September 2007. This includes trips on the North East Line (NEL), Sengkang Light Rapid Transit (LRT) and Punggol LRT.
SMRT monthly rail ridership is also up — 44,097,931 in September this year, from 42,890,883 in September 2008 and 37,591,642 in September 2007. The current figure includes trips on the newly opened Circle Line.
SMRT monthly bus ridership dropped by more than 70,000 — to 23,714,000 in September this year from 23,788,000 in September 2008, but was still more than the 22,496,000 logged in September 2007.
Based on SBS' daily ridership, monthly SBS bus rides totalled 68,542,950 and SBS rail journeys 11,364,840 in September this year.
Singapore: Total bus and rail ridership in September
Combined, SBS and SMRT bus trips totalled 92,256,950 and rail journeys 55,462,771 in September.
Public transport is recession-proof. Both the transport operators report higher profits.
On October 30, SMRT reported:
Group revenue for the first six months ended 30 September 2009 was up marginally at 445.3 million Singapore dollars (SGD). Net profit after tax for the first half of the year rose to SGD101.0 million, 21.9 percent higher on account of higher operating profits.
Back in August, SBS Transit reported:
Group revenue of SGD168.9 million for the second quarter of 2009 decreased by 6.6 percent or SGD11.9 million as compared to SGD180.8 million in the second quarter of 2008 due mainly to lower bus fare revenue.
(But) Operating expenses of SGD153.1 million for the second quarter of 2009 decreased by 12 percent or SGD20.8 million as compared to SGD173.9 million in the second quarter of 2008 due to lower fuel and electricity costs, savings from the Singapore Government Budget 2009 and lower other operating expenses,
partially offset by higher depreciation and repairs and maintenance expenses.
Group operating profit of SGD15.8 million for the second quarter of 2009 was 130.0 percent or SGD8.9 million higher than that of SGD6.9 million in the second quarter of 2008.
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