Answer for Written Question PT033

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin

YANG BERHORMAT PENGIRAN HAJI ISA BIN PENGIRAN HAJI ALIUDDIN requests the YANG BERHORMAT MENTERI PENGANGKUTAN DAN INFOKOMUNIKASI to state the latest status of the project and tender for the public bus transportation system issued last year, the purpose of which is to establish an effective and intelligent system.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi

Projek Menaiktaraf, Mengemaskini, Memasang Dan Membina Baharu Bagi Tiang-Tiang ('Bus Poles') Dan Pondok-Pondok Perhentian Bas ('Bus Shelters') Bagi Laluan-Laluan Yang Sedia Ada Dan Baharu Di Seluruh Negara Brunei Darussalam

The project to upgrade and update the installation, as well as construct new bus stop poles (bus poles) and bus shelters (bus shelters) for existing and new routes throughout Negara Brunei Darussalam commenced on 25 August 2025 and is expected to be fully completed by 24 August 2027.

The project involves a total of 383 bus stop poles and 250 bus shelters in all districts. To date, the overall progress of the project has reached 13.04%, involving 33 bus shelters out of the total scope of the project.

The works will be implemented in stages according to the established plans, based on the existing public bus operating routes, as well as assessments of the level of demand for and need of the services.

A site inspection visit was conducted on 30 December 2025 involving JPD, the Department of Roads (DOR), the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) and the Implementing Company. The site inspection visit reviewed the implementation of works at several bus shelter locations along Jalan Tutong and in Kiulap. The inspection findings included recommendations for carrying out the works according to the suitability of each location.

Several proposed locations for upgrading works on new bus shelters are still awaiting a 'permit-to-dig', for example, in the Badi'ah Hotel area. Meanwhile, the company is actively carrying out works in areas where approval has been granted.

Menyediakan dan Menaiktaraf Infrastruktur Pengangkutan Awam Di Negara Brunei Darussalam

An application for a new project under RKN 12, namely 'Menyediakan dan Menaiktaraf Infrastruktur Pengangkutan Awam di Negara Brunei Darussalam', with an implementation period of five (5) years, has been submitted to improve the connectivity and reliability of the core public bus service network. The project aims to:

i. Upgrade and develop the infrastructure facilities of bus interchanges, terminals and bus stops for the public bus 'core routes network';

ii. Support a public transportation system based on core bus routes and 'on demand transport service' by providing comfortable and user-friendly facilities; and

iii. Improve safety aspects and standardize the guidelines/design standards for bus stops.

Several public transportation system plans have also been discussed at the Steering Committee level. In brief, the project covers all districts, not only focusing on existing routes but also opening up additional new routes targeting not only the public, but also tourists and students through catchment areas.

In efforts to provide a safe, efficient, scheduled and comfortable public transportation service system in the country, its implementation focuses on several matters, namely:

i. improving the connectivity and reliability of the main bus route network to a level of service that meets the needs of the public; and

ii. improving and expanding the coverage of taxi services and 'e-hailing' services, which are intended to support the connectivity and accessibility of transportation services to villages in the interior or rural areas.

In this regard, it is pleased to share that, following the Request for Proposal for Menyediakan, Mengendalikan, Mengurus dan Menyelenggara Perkhidmatan Pengangkutan Awam previously issued by the Land Transport Department, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, the process is now at the stage of further negotiations with the shortlisted company, particularly regarding the operational, commercial and service viability aspects.

For Yang Berhormat's information, in efforts to provide a safe, efficient, reliable and more comfortable public transportation service system, its implementation will be carried out in stages, namely:

• First, the phased provision of Pengangkutan Responsif Permintaan or Demand Responsive Transit (DRT), namely a public transportation service in which passengers share a van or minibus with flexible routes and schedules according to passenger demand through bookings, also enabled through the use of digital technology; and

• Second, the phased provision of bus or van services, subject to the number of passengers, for the main routes according to a schedule and accompanied by facilities for real-time vehicle location tracking.

In this regard, the project to upgrade and update the installation, as well as construct new bus stop poles (bus poles) and bus shelters (bus shelters) for existing and new routes is also being implemented.

Given that the provision of this Public Transportation Service will be implemented in stages and phases, beginning with the provision of Pengangkutan Responsif Permintaan or Demand Responsive Transit (DRT), the initial focus will be on the established urban areas to ensure the sustainability of the service, as one of the key factors contributing to the eventual success of the service is the number of passengers. However, as one of the main target markets for the DRT service is school students, this has the potential to generate sufficient demand in village areas, for example.

In addition, for the Smart Transportation System (STS) project, namely the provision of a digital public transportation platform aimed at optimizing the management and operation of a technology-based transportation network, in-vehicle monitoring and on-demand transport (e-hailing) services, the tender documents for the project will be opened in July 2026 and closed in August 2026.