Transport

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised questions about pedestrian wait times at signalised junctions, specifically asking for median and maximum wait times, pedestrian prioritization in traffic signals, and the possibility of reducing wait times to under 60 seconds. The Minister of State for Transport responded that the median wait time is 120 seconds and the maximum is 140 seconds, with variations depending on factors like road configuration and traffic volume. Giam expressed concerns about the long wait times and the need for greater pedestrian priority beyond the Friendly Streets initiative, while the Minister acknowledged the need to balance the needs of all road users, including vehicles and public transport. The Minister also mentioned ongoing efforts to introduce dynamic systems to optimize traffic light timings based on pedestrian and vehicle volume.

Fadli Fawzi requested information from the Acting Minister for Transport about the top 10 traffic junctions in Singapore with the highest peak hour congestion as of January 2026 and possible measures to alleviate this congestion. Jeffrey Siow explained that junctions near expressways or major arterial roads generally experience the highest traffic volumes. He mentioned that the Green Link Determining System adjusts traffic signals based on real-time conditions to improve flow, and the Land Transport Authority plans to utilize technology, including predictive AI, for better traffic management.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about the impact of physical disconnection between Singapore's autonomous universities on cross-institutional research collaboration and questioned the absence of direct transit links between major research campuses. He also asked if this fragmentation affects the government's goal of establishing a competitive research ecosystem. Desmond Lee responded that despite the lack of direct transit links, the autonomous universities collaborate effectively through joint research programs and shared resources, supporting Singapore's research ecosystem ambitions.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the stagnant 0.2% adoption rate of electric motorcycles and suggested introducing upfront purchase incentives like those for electric cars. Jeffrey Siow responded that there are currently electric motorcycles priced comparably to internal combustion engine models, and the low adoption is likely due to factors such as shorter driving ranges and insufficient charging infrastructure.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong requested an update on the Heavy Vehicle Zero Emissions Scheme, focusing on public trials for hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles and necessary refueling infrastructure. As of February 2026, 119 electric heavy vehicles have been registered under the scheme since its launch. The Acting Minister noted that electrification is currently the most viable decarbonization option for the land transport sector and emphasized ongoing monitoring of hydrogen and other cleaner energy technologies.

Valerie Lee requested information on reported accidents involving personal mobility devices (PMDs), power-assisted bicycles (PABs), and personal mobility aids (PMAs) from 2023 to 2025, specifically concerning pedestrians, seniors, children, and fatalities. Jeffrey Siow reported that out of approximately 590 on-road accidents resulting in injuries, 19 involved pedestrians, 181 involved seniors aged 65 and above, and 24 involved children aged 12 and below. There were 10 reported fatal accidents on the road during this period, with no fatalities recorded for off-road accidents. The data may have overlaps among the categories.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned the Ministry of Manpower about the processes for notifying them of traffic accidents involving workers that do not result in work injury compensation claims and whether such incidents are classified as workplace accidents. Tan See Leng clarified that the Ministry's workplace injury statistics do not include accidents occurring when employees are not on duty, such as during transportation to work. However, employers must report all injuries from traffic accidents involving workers commuting or using company transport, which triggers an automatic compensation claim process to protect workers' livelihoods.

Lee Hong Chuang questioned the Coordinating Minister for National Security about 1,523 erroneously issued speeding tickets from October to December 2025, asking about measures to prevent future occurrences, impacts on drivers, and support for affected individuals. K Shanmugam responded that no driver's license was suspended due to these errors. He mentioned that the Traffic Police conduct monthly audits on speed enforcement cameras and that additional verification procedures have been introduced after maintenance to reduce the risk of errors.

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised concerns about the Circle Line tunnel reinforcement works, asking for the current percentage of steel rings installed and whether any issues had been encountered. The Acting Minister for Transport, Jeffrey Siow, confirmed that about 50% of the steel rings had been installed and assured that the project remains on schedule for completion by April 19, 2026, with safety as a priority. Giam inquired about the possibility of expediting the timeline to reduce commuter delays and whether fare rebates could be offered to affected passengers. Siow stated that the complexity of the works makes early completion unlikely and emphasized that while travel adjustments are necessary, the provision of alternatives minimizes inconvenience without plans for fare rebates during maintenance works.

Fadli Fawzi questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about lessons learned from the recent Circle Line closures regarding crowd management, shuttle services, and communication with commuters. Acting Minister Jeffrey Siow explained that the Land Transport Authority informed commuters ahead of time, employed crowd marshals, and initiated shuttle services early to ease the transition. Most commuters were able to board the first train, although some areas experienced significant crowding. While no decision has been made on the need for closures during the North-East Line works, Siow indicated that feedback would be applied to improve alternative travel options. Fawzi suggested extending shuttle services and increasing train frequency on unaffected sections to enhance convenience, which Siow agreed to consider in future planning.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the impact of Circle Line service adjustments on commuter travel patterns, including the use of shuttle buses and alternative rail lines. Jeffrey Siow reported that after an initial trial, weekly shuttle bus ridership stabilized at around 20,000, while the exact usage of alternative rail lines is undetermined due to the flexibility of the fare system. Despite reduced Circle Line frequencies for tunnel work, the provision of alternative transport options has maintained manageable wait times and loading on trains, with most commuters able to board the first train. Insights and feedback from this period will be used to improve future planning for long-term service closures.

Valerie Lee asked about the number of mobile LTA enforcement cameras that will be deployed in January 2026, their purposes, and future rollout plans. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that 85 mobile enforcement cameras will be deployed to address active mobility, bus lane, and illegal parking offences. He also mentioned that the Land Transport Authority will deploy additional cameras as needed based on enforcement requirements.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the number of summonses issued to motorists for using mobile devices while driving over the past five years and whether enforcement distinguishes between passive navigation and active interaction. K Shanmugam stated that approximately 2,800 motorists receive summonses annually for this offence from 2021 to 2025. The offence requires that the vehicle is in motion, the device is held in hand, and functions are actively operated; using a mounted device isn't an offence by itself. However, drivers using mounted devices can still face penalties for other driving infractions depending on the situation.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Ministry of Home Affairs about studies on the impact of mounted mobile devices on driving performance and whether regulations regarding excessive screen use in vehicles would be reviewed. K Shanmugam responded that no studies have been commissioned on this issue and emphasized that drivers must remain alert and drive safely. He noted that the focus should be on the wrongful use of devices rather than their installation and highlighted existing regulations that penalize distracted driving. The current laws are deemed sufficient, and there are no plans to revise regulations regarding mounted screens in vehicles.

Tin Pei Ling moved a motion to reduce the budget for the Ministry of Transport, emphasizing the need for strong global connectivity to ensure Singapore's economic vibrancy amidst challenges like trade disruptions. Significant investments are underway, including the construction of Terminal 5 and Tuas Mega Port, aimed at enhancing Singapore's position as a logistics hub. Members raised concerns about the effective deployment of these projects amid uncertain future demand and international conditions, with calls for clearer contingency planning. The importance of addressing the needs of an ageing population and enhancing public transport accessibility was highlighted, with suggestions for more comprehensive public consultation on land transport development. The government committed to ongoing improvements in transport services, including increased bus connectivity and better infrastructure for electric vehicles, while addressing workforce challenges in the transport sector.

Vikram Nair questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about the sustainability of the increasing number of Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licences and whether there are plans to manage the number of private hire car drivers. The Acting Minister, Jeffrey Siow, stated that the number of licences has remained stable over recent years with no current plans to limit drivers, emphasizing the importance of private hire cars in the transport system for those without cars. Nair expressed concerns about the potential impact on drivers' incomes if the number continues to rise excessively. Siow acknowledged the diversity among private hire drivers and the need for flexibility in the workforce, suggesting that the market should largely determine the numbers while addressing any concerns about income stability.

Victor Lye raised questions about the impact of the revised Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) rebate on car depreciation rates, new car demand, and COE renewal behavior, as well as the consideration of transitional measures for affected car buyers. The Acting Minister for Transport, Jeffrey Siow, explained that the PARF rebate changes aim to encourage a younger vehicle population while reflecting the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The immediate implementation of these changes was to prevent market distortion, with fewer than 2,000 buyers likely to be affected, primarily those purchasing high-end internal combustion engine cars. Siow also noted the balance needed between ownership and usage pricing to manage road congestion and indicated that the changes support the goal of increasing EV uptake.

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about the number of maintenance schedule waiver requests submitted to the LTA, the approval or rejection rates, and the criteria guiding LTA's assessments. Jeffrey Siow revealed that since 30 May 2025, the LTA has received and approved one request for a one-month deferment of maintenance regarding air-conditioning filter replacement for certain trains. LTA's assessment criteria include considerations of safety, service reliability, mitigating measures, and long-term asset performance.

He Ting Ru raised questions about the ongoing inaccuracies in bus arrival timings, asking for reasons behind the lack of a firm restoration date, any service-level agreement breaches, and updates on the Bus Fleet Management System upgrade. Jeffrey Siow explained that significant physical works for a large portion of the bus fleet were needed to restore the Expected Time of Arrival system, with full restoration achieved on 12 February 2026. He confirmed that financial penalties would be imposed on the third-party vendor as per the service level agreement and noted that the Bus Fleet Management System upgrade is expected to be completed by 2027.

He Ting Ru asked about the impact of removing physical ERP gantries on motorist responsiveness to charges and the potential need for higher rates to achieve congestion-reduction goals. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Land Transport Authority is studying user behavior regarding the updated ERP system, focusing on the effectiveness of visual cues and alerts. The study's outcomes will guide the development of ERP 2.0's features, with further details to be shared later.