BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Ministry of Health (MoH) has extended its shuttle bus service to make way for increasing number of patients and visitors at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.

The Ripas Hospital Link Shuttle Bus now operates until 11pm and has two additional buses in its fleet, the minister of health said yesterday.

“We have increased the number of shuttle buses to six. They come by every 10 minutes and now drops off passengers to the new Women and Children Centre,” said Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Md Yusof.

Speaking with The Brunei Times during the MoH cycling expedition and charity event yesterday, the minister said the expansion of the shuttle bus service is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to further improve the parking system at RIPAS Hospital.

He said the recent opening of the new Women and Children Centre, which further increased the amount of beds from 300 to 900 at RIPAS hospital, is expected to draw in more patients and visitors and thus would require more adequate parking space.

While there is additional parking space located at the new building, the minister said the ministry is looking at other options to address the increasing number of visitors.

“There aren’t enough parking spaces for the patients, visitors and workers, which is why we aim to further improve the hospital’s parking situation,” he added.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan said most visitors are now actively using the shuttle bus service and parking their vehicles at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah’s car park.

“The response has been very positive,” the minister said, adding that the service is now stable following the extension of operating hours and the additional buses.

The minister went on to say that there is still room for improvement in addressing parking issues at RIPAS Hospital.

He also sought public cooperation to ensure the parking facilities provided are well maintained.

The Brunei Times