I applaud the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) major review of Singapore's public transport sector.

I am particularly excited to see changes to the local public transport system in the light of rising fuel prices, taxi fares and traffic congestions.

This major review would also benefit the country by reducing air pollution and rising temperatures due to global warming.

As for my personal experience, I was elated when I discovered the introduction of the new premium bus service 567.

It takes me from my home near Blk 44, Telok Blangah Road, to Robinson Road. The service costs only $2 per trip and it shaves off almost half of the usual travelling time.

The service came as a surprise to me as it was not advertised on any signages at the bus stops.

I spoke to the driver operating the bus service and he told me that the company was not allowed to put up notices about the service or include the service number at the bus stops.

The only marketing tools that the premium bus service could deploy were fliers or through word of mouth.

Going by the current few passengers using this bus service, it seems that many people are still unaware of this service, and I hope that it will not be withdrawn as a result.

On another note, I would like to request the service operator and the LTA to look into extending the service to Telok Blangah Heights so as to improve the commuting experience of the residents there.

This neighbourhood of about 40 HDB blocks and two private estates currently has only two bus services.

I fully support LTA's move to open up the public transport industry with more bus companies operating premium services, so as not to put a strain on the two major bus companies' resources as well as to promote real competition.

But this can only happen if the industry truly opens up for the smaller players. With more options, more people will be encouraged to take public transport.

Not only will the commuters benefit but the country, as a whole, will reap the fruits of LTA's strategy.

I certainly look forward to hearing more improvements to the current bus services and hope to continue to leave my car at home.