Transport operator SMRT is embarking on a new facelift - just 10 years since its last one.

At a time when it is grappling with a billion-dollar programme to fix its ailing rail network, commuters are divided over a new livery being rolled out to its fleet of more than 800 buses and around 3,400 cabs.

Observers estimate it will cost about S$5 million to implement, at around $2,000 per bus and $1,000 per taxi. There are no plans yet to add it to its fleet of about 190 trains.

The new orange, yellow and black livery replaces the red, black and grey one SMRT introduced when it acquired Trans-Island Bus Services (Tibs), which had yellow and orange as its corporate colours.

SMRT - a Temasek Holdings-owned, publicly listed company - did not say why it embarked on the latest rebranding exercise, which began last October, or reveal how much it cost.

When it took over Tibs in 2004, it also refused to reveal the cost but said it was integrating the Tibs fleet into the SMRT family.

Bus enthusiast and commuter Christopher Tan, 25, described the new look as " a mix of the old and new" . " It is a combination of Tibs and SMRT colours," said the restaurant manager and freelance photographer. " It' s very nice, very colourful."

The Friends of SMRT member, who spends up to $180 a month on fares, said the colours are similar to those on the flag of Germany, which makes the MAN and Mercedes-Benz buses SMRT buys.

He did not find the facelift frivolous at a time when the operator faces reliability issues, adding: " Image and quality of service are equally important.

A company has to present a good and positive image to gain confidence, not old and dirty buses.

" They are in the midst of improving the system which is quite old. We' ve got to give them some time. I think they have improved somewhat already."

Fellow commuter Manoj Kumar, 43, disagreed. The equity broker, who mostly uses the East-West Line, said even when there are no breakdowns, trains are still constantly packed in the mornings.

" I still feel they' re not taking this issue seriously. Or the system has reached a stage beyond repair."