Transport — Topics

7 Feb 2017

Impact of Checkpoint Toll Charges on Inflation and Food Prices

Saktiandi Supaat asked if the reciprocal road charge on foreign vehicles would affect domestic inflation and food prices, and whether it could be waived for commercial goods vehicles.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the reciprocal road charge will not be applied to commercial goods vehicles.
The response addresses concerns about the charge's impact on inflation and food prices by exempting commercial vehicles.
The debate focused on the potential economic effects of the checkpoint toll charges on Singapore's economy.
The exemption of commercial goods vehicles from the road charge aims to mitigate any negative impact on food prices and inflation.

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7 Feb 2017

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill

The Bill updates regulations for autonomous vehicles (AVs), requiring safety assessments, robust accident mitigation plans, and phased trials starting on lightly used roads, while LTA retains flexibility to adjust requirements as needed.
Private hire car drivers will need a vocational licence with the same demerit point system and conduct rules as taxi drivers, but the government maintains a light-touch approach for operators and will not impose licensing fees at this stage.
LTA will impose general suspension orders on non-compliant private hire car operators, with drivers able to switch platforms during suspensions; concerns about COE, insurance, and liability for AVs are under ongoing study by a dedicated committee.

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7 Feb 2017

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill

The Bill introduces a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles, allowing the Minister to set rules for trials and use on public roads, with a five-year regulatory sandbox to balance innovation and safety.
It mandates vocational licensing and vehicle decals for private hire car drivers, while giving LTA powers to suspend operators who repeatedly violate safety rules, aiming to protect commuters.
The amendments increase penalties for traffic offences, expand enforcement against foreign-registered vehicles, and remove time bars for prosecuting uninsured drivers, updating the Road Traffic Act for modern needs.

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7 Feb 2017

Longer Grace Period for Some Car Parks with Electronic Parking Systems during Peak Hours

Miss Cheryl Chan proposed extending the grace period to 15 minutes for electronic parking systems in car parks near schools and childcare facilities during peak hours to ease congestion from drop-offs and pick-ups.
The Senior Minister of State responded that the existing 10-minute grace period is sufficient to ensure quick vehicle turnover and prevent congestion, noting that charges apply only after the grace period.
Miss Chan clarified that congestion arises from non-residents using the car parks for school drop-offs, trapping residents, and suggested extending the grace period to alleviate this.
The Minister acknowledged the concern but explained that extending the grace period would not solve the underlying issue, which is related to the design of pick-up and drop-off points, and emphasized the need for consistency across the many car parks with electronic systems.

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7 Feb 2017

Installation of Passenger Safety Features for Taxis and Private Hire Cars

Dr Chia Shi-Lu and Mr Ang Hin Kee asked whether all taxis and private hire cars should have mandatory safety features like airbags to meet international road safety standards, considering costs and the need to avoid passing expenses to passengers or drivers.
The Second Minister for Transport, Mr Ng Chee Meng, stated that taxis and private hire cars follow the same safety rules as private cars, with seat belts mandatory but airbags not required, as they are supplementary and there is no global consensus on making them mandatory.
Currently, about 70% of taxis in Singapore have airbags, up from 23% five years ago, as taxi companies voluntarily include them in new fleets, while retrofitting old cars is costly and phased out over time through natural fleet renewal.

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7 Feb 2017

Proposal to Use Old Parking Coupons at Pro-rated Rates

Leon Perera asked if old parking coupons could be used at pro-rated rates, but the Senior Minister of State replied that there is no need for this, as sufficient new coupons are available for exchange and enforcement officers are issuing advisories instead of fines during the transition.
Perera questioned why pro-rated use was rejected and suggested allowing old coupons to be used up without requiring exchanges, but the Minister explained that transitioning to the new coupons is operationally better and highlighted ongoing efforts to phase out coupon parking in favor of Electronic Parking Systems.
The Minister noted that 73% of public off-street car parks already use electronic systems, while on-street and constrained car parks may see new technologies, aiming to reduce coupon reliance and future administrative hassles.

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6 Feb 2017

Criteria for Application of Vocational Driving Licence

Zaqy Mohamad asked whether plans exist to restrict vocational driving licences to Singaporeans by excluding PRs and foreign private car drivers, similar to taxi driving policies.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that from July, all private hire car drivers must obtain a PDVL, with non-citizens eligible only if employed by companies subject to foreign worker quotas.
Singaporeans can obtain the PDVL even if self-employed, aligning the policy with the existing approach for taxi drivers.

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6 Feb 2017

Hybrid Concession and Off-Peak Passes Issued to Public Transport Commuters

Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for Transport about the number of Hybrid Concession and Off-Peak Passes issued, concession cards for persons with disabilities, and average trips and distance per day as of 31 December 2016.
The Minister responded that approximately 67,000 Hybrid Concession Passes and 13,000 Off-Peak Passes were issued monthly in 2016.
About 12,000 concession cards for persons with disabilities have been issued to date.
A typical concession cardholder makes one to two journeys per day, covering an average distance of nine kilometres per trip.

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6 Feb 2017

Accessibility of Public Transport for Persons with Disabilities

Sylvia Lim inquired about the government's assessment of public transport accessibility for persons with disabilities, prompting a response from Khaw Boon Wan.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the public transport system is largely accessible, with all MRT stations and bus interchanges having at least one barrier-free route from entrance to concourse.
He noted that all MRT trains and 92% of public buses are wheelchair accessible, with full bus accessibility targeted by 2020.

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6 Feb 2017

More Parking Options for Heavy Vehicle Owners

Liang Eng Hwa asked if the Government plans to build more heavy vehicle parks and improve their public transport connectivity for better accessibility.
He also proposed raising the allowable unladen weight for vans and light goods vehicles at HDB multi-storey car parks from 1,800 kg to 2,100 kg to ease parking demand.
Lawrence Wong highlighted that current heavy vehicle parking spaces exceed the number of registered vehicles, with most privately operated in industrial estates and only 26% managed by URA and HDB in temporary locations.
He noted that temporary heavy vehicle parks in residential areas will be phased out for safety and development reasons, with new parks incorporated into industrial developments near residential areas.
Wong clarified that business owners are responsible for parking their vehicles, and HDB allows flexible parking for vehicles under 2,000 kg if they fit within standard lots, with heavier vehicles directed to surface parks or commercial/industrial car parks.

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6 Feb 2017

Decision on Driverless Taxis in Singapore

Ms Sun Xueling questioned the Transport Minister on the progress and benchmarks for expanding nuTonomy's driverless taxi trials across Singapore.
Khaw Boon Wan noted that nuTonomy and three other organizations are testing self-driving vehicles at one-north, with nuTonomy expanding its route from 6km to 12km and facing challenges like coexisting with human-driven traffic and adverse weather.
The Minister highlighted that self-driving technology must handle complex scenarios before widespread deployment, with industry experts estimating readiness in 10 to 15 years.
The Land Transport Authority will continue to work with testers to progressively expand trial areas and complexity.

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6 Feb 2017

AED Kits on Trains and Buses

Melvin Yong asked whether there are plans to equip all train stations and bus interchanges with easily accessible AED kits, and whether the Land Transport Authority will work with operators to equip all public buses, trains, and taxis with AED kits for emergencies.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that all bus interchanges and MRT stations already have at least one AED near the Passenger Service Office, with staff trained to use them.
He noted that AEDs are not on all public buses, trains, and taxis due to practicality concerns, but personnel are trained to respond by seeking immediate medical help, such as bus captains calling for ambulances and station staff using nearby AEDs.

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6 Feb 2017

Demerit Points for Some Parking Offences

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Transport about the rationale for imposing demerit points for specific parking and stopping offences and whether these points are proportionate to other traffic penalties.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that only serious offences like parking within a pedestrian crossing or stopping on an expressway shoulder attract demerit points because they impede traffic flow and endanger road users.
He stated that demerit points for parking are calibrated to be proportional with those for other traffic offences.

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6 Feb 2017

Anti-terrorism and CPR/AED Training for Public Transport Workers under SG Secure Framework

Melvin Yong asked whether anti-terrorism and CPR/AED training will be made compulsory for public transport workers under SG Secure and how often refresher courses will be held.
The Ministry of Home Affairs works with the Land Transport Authority and public transport operators to integrate SG Secure messages and emergency response skills into training curricula for bus captains and taxi drivers.
Some staff already receive first aid, CPR, and AED training from operators, and unions have organised seminars and workshops to enhance workers’ preparedness for terror attacks.
The government will continue to collaborate with partners to incorporate these skills into training programmes and conduct exercises like Exercise Heartbeat to maintain readiness.

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6 Feb 2017

Coordinating LED Night Illumination in our National Infrastructure

Dr. Tan Wu Meng proposed that Singapore adopt warmer, yellow-white LEDs with less blue light to mitigate potential health risks like sleep disruption, urging agencies like HDB, LTA, and MOE to standardize this for infrastructure, housing, and schools.
Senior Minister of State Desmond Lee acknowledged the importance of lighting for functionality, aesthetics, and safety but noted current LED standards already address health concerns, with pure white LEDs preferred for road safety and HDB corridors due to resident feedback.
Lee committed to further studies on lighting levels and colours, including exploring warm white LEDs for minor roads, while highlighting existing energy-efficient solutions like motion-sensor lighting in HDB estates.
The debate concluded with Parliament adjourning, affirming the government’s ongoing review of lighting policies in light of emerging research.

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6 Feb 2017

Review Maximum Penalty for Driving Against Traffic Flow

Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Home Affairs to review the maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and a fine for causing death by a rash act due to driving against traffic flow.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is reviewing penalties under the Road Traffic Act to take a tougher stance against irresponsible motorists.
The review, announced on 1 December last year, includes assessing the adequacy of penalties for driving dangerously against traffic flow.
MHA will announce the findings once the review is completed.

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6 Feb 2017

Increasing Incidence of Drivers Going Against Traffic Flow

Joan Pereira asked the Ministry for Transport about statistics on drivers going against traffic flow, accidents caused by this issue, and how the Ministry assesses and decides on road sign improvements.
Tan Wu Meng inquired whether the Ministry engages behavioural and vision science experts in designing road signs and junctions to reduce such risks.
The Second Minister for Transport responded that three fatal accidents in the past three years resulted from drivers going against traffic flow, and the LTA uses international standards and expert reviews for road sign clarity, with regular safety audits.
Tan Wu Meng highlighted concerns from older residents about complex traffic junctions and suggested studying how drivers of different ages react to cluttered signs, to which the Minister replied that LTA reviews roads annually based on accidents and public feedback, offering offline discussions for specific areas.

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10 Jan 2017

Payment for Failed ERP Deductions without Incurring Administrative Fee

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap proposed allowing motorists to pay for failed ERP deductions electronically within a reasonable time without or with a reduced administrative fee.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that an administrative fee is charged to cover processing costs, with a lower fee for electronic payments, and stated it is unfair for taxpayers to bear these costs.
He advised motorists to use payment services like Motorpay, vCashCard, or EZ-Pay to avoid failed deductions by automatically charging ERP fees to their credit cards.

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10 Jan 2017

Review Width of Footpaths Given Shared Usage by Pedestrians, Cyclists and Users of Personal Mobility Devices

Dennis Tan asked about the criteria for widening footpaths, the recommended minimum width for safe shared use, and whether an islandwide review will be conducted.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that most footpaths are at least 1.5 metres wide, with those near town centres and MRT stations being 2.4 to 3.6 metres wide.
He noted that widening is not always possible due to site constraints like trees and utilities, and that dedicated cycling lanes 2 metres wide are being built.
The plan is to establish a cycling path network in every HDB town by 2030, which may reduce reliance on shared footpaths.

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10 Jan 2017

Feedback from Implementation of Courtesy Crossing under Silver Zone Initiative

Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for Transport about the positive and negative feedback on the implementation of Courtesy Crossings under the Silver Zone initiative and the number of Silver Zones with public bus stops but no bus lay-by.
The Minister for Transport, Khaw Boon Wan, responded that feedback on the Courtesy Crossing has been mostly positive, with some users unsure about how to use them, and that public education will continue.
Eight of the nine current Silver Zones have public bus stops without bus lay-bys, mostly on two-lane roads; for those on one-lane roads, LTA assesses the traffic impediment is only momentary even with Silver Zone measures.

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