Wheels of Stagnation: Can Brunei Fix Its Failing Public Transport System?

Brunei’s ambitious goal of achieving world-class development by 2035 faces a significant obstacle - its crumbling public transport system. From the rise and fall of the once-promising Purple Bus to stalled plans outlined in the Land Transport White Paper, decades of unfulfilled promises have left commuters stranded and frustrated. With only 12 years remaining until the nation’s 2035 deadline, can Brunei overcome the political roadblocks and fragmented jurisdictions that hinder real reform, or will its transport system continue to lag?

By Malai Hassan Othman

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, OCTOBER 2024: In a country that boasts vast oil wealth and ambitions for a knowledge-driven future under Wawasan Brunei 2035, Brunei Darussalam’s public transportation system presents a paradox: rich in resources yet poor in execution.

The government's latest call for proposals to operate, manage, and maintain public transportation signals a last-ditch effort to salvage a system that has failed for decades to provide reliable and efficient services.

As the deadline for Wawasan 2035 looms closer, one pressing question echoes across the nation: Can Brunei truly achieve its goals with such a crippled public transportation infrastructure?

The Rise and Fall of the Purple Bus System

Around 30 years ago, Brunei introduced the Purple Bus service, which marked a significant shift in public transportation.

This franchise model initially succeeded in transforming Brunei’s archaic public bus system, providing a streamlined and recognisable fleet that was well-received by the public.

Despite its limited route coverage and some operational issues, the Purple Bus system was an improvement over the chaotic structure that preceded it.

However, instead of building upon this early success, the government discontinued the system.

The once-recognizable purple buses were replaced with a more fragmented and colourful fleet.

Each route and service now had its colour scheme, which contributed little to solving the core issues of unreliability and inefficiency.

What began as a promising revamp of the public transport system ended up being a regression.

The result was a public transportation network that became increasingly unreliable, featuring erratic schedules, ageing buses, and a lack of clear information for users.

The Unfulfilled Promise of the Land Transport White Paper

Central to Brunei's long-term vision for public transportation is the Land Transport White Paper, published in 2013.

This comprehensive document outlines an ambitious plan to create a sustainable and integrated transport system by 2035.

It was intended to be a transformative blueprint aimed at reducing car dependency, improving public transport, and fostering environmental sustainability, all in alignment with Brunei's broader Wawasan 2035 goals.

However, eleven years later, little progress has been made. The White Paper proposed measures such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, improved bus services, and enhanced public transport infrastructure, none of which have materialised.

Today, the public transport system remains largely dysfunctional, with erratic bus schedules and inadequate services that leave residents—especially foreign workers—stranded for hours.

A Decline in Bus Ridership

Brunei's public transportation system has experienced a significant decline in recent years.

Bus patronage dropped by half in 2020, reaching just one million rides, according to the former Minister of Transport and Infocommunication (MTIC), YB Abdul Mutalib POKSSDP Hj Mohammad Yusof.

This was a sharp decrease from the previous average of two million rides per year, partially attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a 2021 Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting, the former Minister responded to questions about the progress of Brunei’s public transport system.

He emphasised that locals are still using buses but noted that public perception—especially among younger people—remains a challenge.

“Perhaps our youth do not find it glamorous to take the bus... but the thing to do now is to make it cool to ride on the bus,” he remarked, indicating the cultural barriers that need to be addressed.

The former Minister also mentioned that foreign direct investment was being considered to improve the public transport system, which requires substantial capital investment.

A local company had been tapped to develop software for bus schedules, aimed at launching by the third quarter of the year, as part of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) initiative to provide real-time bus information.

Limited Operators: Fragmented Efforts

At the time, Brunei had six bus companies operating nationwide, managing the existing routes with a fleet of over one hundred buses.

However, the 2014 Land Transport Masterplan revealed ongoing dissatisfaction among bus users, with 44% of surveyed respondents unhappy with the frequency of bus services and 40% dissatisfied with its reliability.

Additionally, the survey showed that 80% of Brunei residents heavily relied on cars for transport, citing convenience and the lack of a dependable public transport system.

Public Frustration: Voices from the Ground

Public dissatisfaction with the transportation system is palpable, with many users voicing their frustrations about its inadequacies.

One commentator highlighted the bus system's unpredictability, mentioning that it is impossible to know whether a bus will arrive on time: “It’s the same pathetic bus system… waiting time takes forever.”

Others pointed out that the buses primarily cater to foreign workers rather than the general population, leading to a system that fails to meet local needs.

Some locals have lamented the state of the infrastructure itself, from inadequate bus stops to the absence of basic conveniences like clear schedules.

Moreover, a deeper societal issue persists, as many Bruneians still perceive public buses as transportation for the less privileged—a stigma that has been difficult to break.

Commenters in public forums often discuss how buses are largely ignored by locals, and this mentality continues to undermine the development of a robust public transport culture.

Political, Economic Roadblocks: Public Speculation on Private Interests

Another factor speculated to contribute to the stagnation of Brunei's public transportation system is the potential influence of private interests in the car industry.

Some members of the public have voiced concerns that auto dealerships in Brunei, which are often tied to influential individuals, may have a vested interest in maintaining high levels of car ownership.

There is a public perception that any significant improvement to public transportation could reduce the demand for private vehicles, which may, in turn, impact the profits of these dealerships.

While these concerns have been raised in public discussions, it is important to note that there is no verified evidence to substantiate these claims.

These perceptions reflect the frustration many Bruneians feel about the slow progress in improving public transport, but they remain speculative.

Smart Scheduling Project: A Step Forward or Another Empty Promise?

Despite the bleak state of public transportation, recent attempts have been made to modernise the system.

The government recently launched a pilot project introducing smart scheduling technology designed to provide real-time bus information to commuters through mobile applications.

While this is a step in the right direction, many remain sceptical about whether it will lead to meaningful changes.

Previous initiatives promising to overhaul the bus system have failed to materialise, and the public is understandably cautious. “We’ve been hearing about ‘smart buses’ for the last 20 years, and yet nothing has changed,” remarked one frustrated commuter.

The success of the smart scheduling project will depend not only on the technology itself but also on the government’s ability to follow through with long-term infrastructure improvements and consistent service delivery.

A Need for a 'Whole-of-Nation' Approach

A key obstacle to improving public transport in Brunei lies in the fragmented jurisdiction over transport infrastructure.

Currently, the Brunei Muara Municipal Board manages the main bus and taxi stations in the capital, while District Offices are responsible for bus stops in their respective regions.

This division of responsibilities has created inefficiencies in how the transport system is developed and maintained.

For example, the bus terminal in the capital city falls under the purview of the Brunei Muara Municipal Board, while many bus stops are under the control of District Offices or other local authorities.

This has resulted in a lack of coordination, with some areas receiving adequate services while others are left underserved.

The Land Transport White Paper emphasises the importance of multi-agency collaboration to resolve such discrepancies and ensure that transport infrastructure is uniformly managed across the nation.

The only way forward is to adopt a whole-of-nation approach, where the Ministry of Communications, Municipal Boards, District Offices, and other stakeholders work together.

Without this coordinated effort, even the best-laid plans will struggle to be implemented effectively.

The responsibility for public transportation should not remain fragmented; instead, it should be streamlined to ensure that commuters are served by an integrated and reliable system.

A History of Broken Promises

Public transport in Brunei has long been the subject of public frustration and governmental lip service.

Despite repeated promises of improvement and modernisation, the reality on the ground is dire.

Even as recently as 2021, citizens have complained that the bus system has seen no significant updates aside from a superficial change in bus colours.

The Land Transport White Paper was intended to change all this. It aimed to create a holistic, efficient, and reliable public transport network that would reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and offer viable alternatives to private cars.

Yet, with only 12 years left until 2035, the government has little to show for its efforts.

Where are the BRT systems, the upgraded bus routes, and the integrated transport solutions? These questions remain unanswered.

The Socio-Economic Impact of Inaction

A poor public transport system is not just a logistical inconvenience—it has far-reaching socio-economic consequences.

An efficient public transport network is essential for economic growth, helping ease traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and provide mobility to those who cannot afford private vehicles.

Yet, Brunei’s transport issues have created a situation in which car ownership is not just a privilege but a necessity.

The White Paper recognised the need to address this issue, aiming to provide an environmentally sustainable and economically efficient transport system.

Unfortunately, as critics have pointed out, Brunei’s subsidised fuel and low-cost private vehicle ownership have made it difficult to shift public behaviour toward using public transport.

A Call to Action

The Land Transport White Paper was a bold and necessary vision for Brunei’s future, but without concrete action, it will remain just that—a vision.

The public transportation system is a critical bottleneck in the nation’s broader development goals.

Wawasan 2035 cannot be achieved without an efficient and reliable public transport system.

Yet, the clock is ticking, and time is running out for Brunei to make good on its promises.

The latest call for proposals to manage and operate the public transportation system may be Brunei’s last chance to turn things around. But will it be enough?

Without stronger political will and a genuine commitment to delivering on the promises of the White Paper, Brunei risks missing its targets and failing its citizens.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

For Brunei to achieve its Wawasan 2035 goals, public transport is not just part of the solution—it is the foundation of a modern, sustainable future.

The Land Transport White Paper outlines a roadmap to that future, but unless stakeholders take immediate and decisive action, it will remain a paper promise, unfulfilled and forgotten.

The rise and fall of the Purple Bus system offers a clear lesson: good initiatives must be built upon, not dismantled for short-term changes. A whole-of-nation approach is essential.

The Ministry of Transportation and Info Communication, Municipal Boards, District Offices, and other local authorities must collaborate to deliver coordinated and efficient transport infrastructure.

Currently, fragmented jurisdiction over bus terminals, bus stops, and other critical infrastructure creates inefficiencies that hinder meaningful progress.

By streamlining these responsibilities under a unified system, Brunei can create a cohesive, reliable public transport network that serves all regions fairly and effectively.

The government must confront the socio-political and economic roadblocks head-on, prioritise the needs of its citizens, and fulfil the promises of the White Paper.

The clock is ticking, and the nation’s ability to meet its 2035 goals depends on the success or failure of its public transportation reforms. Brunei’s future depends on it. (MHO/10/2024)