Singapore is considering granting more licences to operators that offer premium bus services to commuters who are prepared to pay a higher fare for superior service such as a more direct and comfortable journey.

The republic's Public Transport Council (PTC) announced on Jan 22 it would begin issuing such licences as early as Feb 1 this year.

Premium bus services are positioned as niche services distinct from basic bus services, the council said.

They have to meet certain requirements such as the use of air-conditioned buses only, that the passengers must have a seat and with fares that are at least 1.5 times the equivalent fare of basic public transport services.

The decision to allow more premium bus services came following the council's annual passenger satisfaction surveys which showed that one in five, or 20.1 per cent, of the respondents who took buses had indicated that they would prefer better service at higher fares.

"This suggests that there is scope for greater service and fare differentiation to meet the needs of diverse commuter segment," the council said.

Its chairman Gerard Ee hoped to see more premium bus services coming on-stream to complement basic public transport services and provide more choices for commuters.

"Our goal is to attract more people to use public transport and make it a choice mode of travel," said Ee.

Singapore's public transportation system is regarded to be among the most efficient in the world.

According to statistics from the Land Transport Authority, daily ridership of public transportation in Singapore reached five million last year, with Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) registering 1.33 million, bus (2.78 million) and taxi (991,000).