Debated in Parliament on 2 Aug 2021.
Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for Transport what are the transportation infrastructure plans to support the build-up of Tuas Mega Port and increased business activities in Tuas.
The Senior Minister of State for Transport (Mr Chee Hong Tat) (for the Minister for Transport): The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and agencies have been monitoring the pace of developments in the Tuas area, including the plan for the build-up of operations at Tuas Port up till the 2040s when it will become fully operational. To support the expected increase in travel demand to the area, LTA has been progressively expanding transport provisions.
In 2017, LTA completed the Tuas West Extension by adding four Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations to the East-West Line. This has brought about significant time savings for commuters travelling to the Tuas area. LTA also introduced two new public bus services 247 and 248 to enhance transport connectivity in the Tuas and Tuas South region. Tuas Road Viaduct Phase 1, which improves accessibility to Tuas South and Tuas Port, has also been completed.
The completion of the Jurong Region Line by the second half of this decade will also significantly improve connectivity in the Western region and benefit workers.
Agencies will continue to monitor the travel demand, review the adequacy of transport provisions, and engage key stakeholders of the area, such as PSA and the unions.
Mr Shawn Huang.
Mdm Deputy Speaker, I thank the Senior Minister of State for his answers. I understand that in 2019, an assessment was made that the Tuas South MRT Line has insufficient ridership to support a line there. Three years down the road, based on current estimates, will there be an update for this assessment?
Madam, I thank Mr Huang for his question. This is an issue which we will continue to monitor. I have explained in this House previously that the extension of the MRT network will depend on the demand for public transport services. And this is not going to be dependent only on the workers who are going to PSA, but also on the surrounding industrial area where we are planning to build up some manufacturing capabilities in the vicinity of the port.
So, depending on the developments and also depending on the demand for public transport services, the need to invest additional amount of resources to extend the MRT can then be made based on this more holistic and complete picture.
Mr Dennis Tan.
Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. I would just like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether there are any plans to expand the road network or to increase the capacity of current expressways or roads leading to Tuas and the Tuas Mega Port area, specifically, for road transport and logistical purposes? And if so, when will these constructions be taken?
Madam, this network of roads leading to the port is important. As Mr Tan pointed out, we want to make sure that for the container trucks and also other vehicles that are travelling to and from the port, there will be sufficient capacity to cater to this requirement.
It is an ongoing review. The development of the port will not happen in one phase but over a period of time; demand will build up. And therefore, the development of the road infrastructure to support port operations would also have to be reviewed in tandem with how we scale up the operations of Tuas Port.
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