A bollard at a bus stop outside Tanah Merah MRT station’s Exit B was knocked over by a bus on 3 February 2025, sparking widespread discussion on social media about its installation and effectiveness.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has since clarified that the bollard was designed to absorb impact in a way that minimises injury to bus passengers.
A photo of the fallen bollard circulated widely online, with many questioning whether it had been installed deeply enough to prevent a bus from advancing further.
Some critics argued that if the bollard had been purely decorative rather than functional, it would represent a misuse of public funds.
In response to media queries, LTA stated that its bollards are built to specific safety standards to mitigate vehicle impact.
“If the impact is too strong, the first bollard hit may tilt or fall to dissipate the energy, and the next bollard, if hit, can stop the vehicle completely,” the agency explained.
The design aims to reduce the severity of injury to vehicle occupants while still preventing buses from reaching waiting commuters.
LTA further clarified that the bollard was installed according to its guidelines, which require embedding it more than 0.5 metres into the ground.
In areas with shallow ground due to drainage systems, the concrete base is reinforced to provide additional stability. The damaged bus stop was repaired by 5 February.
Public reaction and concerns over installation
A post on the ROADS.sg Facebook page, shared on 9 February, questioned whether the bollard was sufficiently deep to provide real protection. Some users speculated that cost-cutting measures may have compromised its structural integrity.
Comments on the post expressed frustration over the possibility of substandard installation.
One user wrote, “Bollards should be able to withstand impact and not be easily dislodged.” Others suggested that the installation was poorly executed, with a lack of proper oversight and inspection.
A commenter highlighted that properly installed bollards in other countries, such as Thailand, have successfully stopped vehicles from advancing into pedestrian areas.
They warned that a shallow installation could result in serious consequences during an accident.
Experts weigh in on bollard function and purpose
Singapore Road Safety Council chairman Bernard Tay said that bollards becoming dislodged in such incidents is not uncommon.
“The more important thing is for the vehicle not to hit the commuters or pedestrians. If the bollard is damaged, so be it,” he stated.
Bollards serve various purposes across Singapore. Some are designed to stop vehicles, while others restrict access to certain areas or control traffic flow.
Materials range from cement and metal to plastic, with some being retractable or removable for flexibility.
An engineer from the Road Safety Engineering Unit (RSEU) explained that LTA’s bollard design is intended to absorb impact gradually.
The first bollard tilts or collapses under high impact, while the next one halts the vehicle. This method helps distribute energy evenly, reducing injury risk for passengers inside the vehicle.
Calls for accountability and improved oversight
LTA’s guidelines specify that bollards should be embedded more than 0.5 metres into the ground. However, netizens opined that the bollard in question did not appear to meet this depth or contain the necessary rebar reinforcement.
Based on the widely circulated image of the dislodged bollard, some commenters argued that this particular installation did not appear to meet those specifications. They questioned whether proper inspections had been conducted before and after the bollard was put in place.
“This is not about bollards in general; it’s about poor installation. LTA needs to ensure all bollards are properly secured before a serious accident happens,” another commenter wrote.
While LTA has maintained that the existing bollard design prioritises safety, public concerns over installation standards and oversight remain strong.
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