Transport — Topics

13 Sep 2016

Criteria Used in Determining Location, Nature and Length of MRT Noise Barriers

Leon Perera asked the Ministry for Transport about the criteria for determining MRT noise barrier location, nature, and length, and whether barriers could be extended to fully cover residential areas near tracks.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the Land Transport Authority prioritizes installing noise barriers along elevated MRT tracks where noise levels in adjacent residential developments exceed the NEA's recommended threshold of 67 decibels averaged over an hour.
The response did not directly address the second part of the question regarding extending barriers to fully cover residential areas, focusing instead on the existing noise threshold criterion.

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13 Sep 2016

Safe Sharing of Footpaths by Pedestrians and Cyclists

Foo Mee Har questioned how pedestrians can be assured of safety while sharing footpaths with cyclists and how the Government will ensure cyclists follow a code of conduct for shared use.
Khaw Boon Wan announced new rules including a 15 km/h speed limit for bicycles on footpaths, a ban on electric bicycles, and a code requiring cyclists to give way to pedestrians and slow down in crowded areas.
The Government will enforce these rules through Active Mobility Enforcement officers and volunteer patrols, while promoting education and a culture of gracious sharing through campaigns like the Safe Riders Campaign.

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13 Sep 2016

Locations Where Cycling is Restricted or Prohibited

Cycling is banned on expressways and specific roads like the Fort Canning Road tunnel, with 29 summonses issued for violations between June 2015 and June this year.
Authorities including the Land Transport Authority, Traffic Police, and Town Councils educate cyclists through workshops, safety ambassador training, and briefings for foreign workers and students.
A Safe Cycling Programme will launch by year-end to further educate the public on safe practices, proper infrastructure use, and new rules for cyclists.

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13 Sep 2016

HDB's Mechanised Parking System at Three Sites

The average utilisation rate for the HDB Mechanised Parking System at the three sites during peak periods is about 80%.
Motorists take an average of five minutes to park or retrieve vehicles during off-peak periods, and between 10 to 15 minutes during peak periods, which is faster than the previous system where queuing took over 30 minutes.
The breakdown rate over the past six months is 0.02% (11 incidents out of 54,000 transactions), mainly due to user issues, and maintenance costs range from $60 to $100 per lot per month.

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13 Sep 2016

Possibility of Fare Reduction with New Operating Models for Public Transport

Khaw Boon Wan noted that the Public Transport Council could consider a fare reduction of up to 5.7% in the next fare review, mainly due to falling energy prices, but cautioned that energy costs are volatile and may rebound.
He emphasized that the current fare formula, introduced in 2013, will be reviewed before its expiry next year, and future fare adjustments must balance commuter expectations with fiscal responsibility.
The government has significantly increased subsidies for public transport through initiatives like the Bus Service Enhancement Programme, bus contracting, and the New Rail Financing Model, totaling billions of dollars in commitments.
While public transport is subsidized in many major cities, Khaw stressed the need to avoid excessive fiscal burden, ensuring that the new fare formula balances affordability for commuters with prudence in government spending.

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13 Sep 2016

Formula Used in Deriving New Public Parking Rates

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked how the new public parking rates effective from 1 December 2016 were tabulated and derived.
Lawrence Wong stated that car owners bear the full cost of parking, with charges set to cover the building, operating, and maintaining of HDB car parks to avoid subsidizing car owners.
He noted that parking charges remained constant for 14 years while core inflation and costs increased by about 30% and 40% respectively, justifying the review.
The new rates differentiate HDB season parking charges, with lower rates for residents' first car and higher rates for subsequent cars or non-residents to reflect full cost recovery.

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13 Sep 2016

Financial Deficits in HDB Car Park Operations

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh raised four questions about the sharp worsening of HDB car park finances, including reasons for the projected deficits, cost savings from outsourcing, current space utilisation, and potential savings from recalibrating car park numbers.
Lawrence Wong explained that while car park charges have remained unchanged for 14 years, costs have risen due to inflation, construction, maintenance, ageing infrastructure, and new amenities, leading to projected deficits of $80 million this year and $100 million next year.
The Electronic Parking System (EPS) has reduced some operating costs by about 25%, but savings are insufficient to offset overall cost increases, and HDB expects deficits to continue even after recent fee revisions.
HDB car parks are generally well-utilised, with average season parking take-up rates above 70% islandwide, and there are limited cost savings from reducing existing parking spaces due to sunk costs, though some spaces have been converted to other uses.

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13 Sep 2016

Safety Interlock Systems and Height Warning Devices for Crane Booms

Murali Pillai proposed requiring safety interlock systems and height warning devices for crane booms on lorries to alert drivers or prevent movement until fully retracted.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed plans to mandate audio warning systems for lorries with cranes to alert drivers if booms are not retracted before moving.
The Ministry is studying the feasibility of safety interlock systems to immobilize lorries with non-retracted crane booms.
The Land Transport Authority is consulting vehicle owners and industry stakeholders on these proposed measures.
Details will be announced prior to implementation.

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13 Sep 2016

Considerations behind Decision to Convert Coupon Parking to Electronic Parking Systems in Housing Estates

The Minister explained that the electronic parking system (EPS) was first rolled out at commercial car parks to manage high demand and has been effective, prompting its expansion to residential areas.
EPS offers a fairer per-minute charging model compared to half-hour coupon blocks, provides real-time availability updates, and is more convenient for drivers.
Despite higher upfront setup costs, EPS reduces daily operating expenses by about 25% compared to coupon parking, making it a cost-saving solution for HDB in the long term.
HDB plans to implement EPS in all feasible residential car parks due to these benefits in efficiency, fairness, and cost savings.
The decision follows deliberations on balancing initial investment against long-term operational savings and improved user experience for motorists.

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13 Sep 2016

Reconstruction of Novena Pedestrian Underpasses

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about reconstruction options for the Novena pedestrian underpasses under the North-South Corridor project and whether improvements would be made for the elderly, disabled, and parents with strollers.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the Land Transport Authority will reconstruct the underpasses to connect Goldhill Centre, Novena MRT Station, Revenue House, and Novena Square, improving connectivity.
He added that lifts will be installed at the entrances and exits of the reconstructed underpasses to enhance accessibility.

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13 Sep 2016

Impact of Private Hire Vehicles on Taxi Drivers' Income

Desmond Choo asked about the impact of private hire vehicles on taxi drivers' income and how the taxi availability framework could be adjusted.
The Senior Minister of State for Transport stated that taxi drivers' net income has increased by about 5% since 2013, and the taxi availability framework is being reviewed with a balanced approach toward commuters and drivers.
The government is monitoring the situation and plans to provide updates by the end of the year after gathering sufficient data.

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16 Aug 2016

Infrastructure Projects Planned Since Inception of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

The Minister confirmed that since its inception, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved its first four projects worth over US$500 million, including a motorway in Pakistan, a highway in Tajikistan, a slum upgrading project in Indonesia, and a power distribution system in Bangladesh.
The AIIB aims to lend up to US$1.2 billion for 5-10 projects in 2016 and double that in 2017, with a long-term strategy to crowd in private sector funding and expertise.
Local companies in Singapore can tap benefits by bidding for AIIB infrastructure projects or providing advisory services such as project structuring and urban planning.
Singapore's involvement as an AIIB member complements its role as an international financial centre and urban development hub, with long-term economic benefits for the region and Singapore.
By funding critical infrastructure across Asia, the AIIB is expected to boost regional economic competitiveness and vibrancy, creating more trade, investment, and business opportunities that will also benefit Singapore.

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16 Aug 2016

Studies and Projections on Commuter Usage Patterns of Taxis and Private Hire Cars

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Ministry for Transport about studies and projections on commuter usage patterns of taxis and private hire cars, and whether findings could be shared or new studies conducted.
Khaw Boon Wan noted that taxi ridership has grown about 2% annually, with annual surveys providing insights, but data on private hire services is limited due to their recent rise.
The Ministry plans to expand surveys to include chauffeured services and amend laws to require trip data from providers, enabling more comprehensive studies and projections.

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16 Aug 2016

Plans for Highspeed Rail Project to Proceed without Delay and Losses

Dennis Tan asked if the government should be concerned about the Bandar Malaysia terminus being part of a 1MDB project given ongoing investigations, and what contingencies exist to prevent delays and losses.
Khaw Boon Wan clarified that under the MOU, Malaysia is solely responsible for funding, constructing, and maintaining the Bandar Malaysia terminus, with no involvement from Singapore.
He stated that a robust commercial framework and joint procurement approach have been established with Malaysia to ensure the project's financial viability and sustainability.
A bilateral committee will be formed to oversee cross-border aspects, ensure adherence to timelines, and minimise delays.

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16 Aug 2016

Next Batch of Noise Barriers for MRT Tracks

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah inquired about the timeline for LTA's next batch of noise barriers for MRT tracks and their installation in Nee Soon South constituency.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan responded that the tender for the next phase of the noise barrier programme is planned for the second half of this year.
The tender will include Nee Soon South constituency, with installation along Yishun Avenue 2 expected to start in 2019.

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16 Aug 2016

Recovering Revenue from Motorists who Evade Car Park Charges

The Minister for National Development acknowledged the challenges in recovering lost revenue from evaded parking charges, noting that it requires significant time and resources, but HDB will use technology like CCTV to aid in tracking and recovery while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
HDB plans to implement new measures to prevent parking evasion, such as installing physical deterrents like humps, posting warning signs, and potentially banning motorists with unpaid charges from using car parks.
Enforcement actions have been strengthened, with amendments to the Parking Places Rules allowing immediate action against deliberate evaders and stiffer fines of up to $2,000 for repeat offenders to deter future evasion.

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16 Aug 2016

Traffic and Pedestrian Accidents Related to Mobile Phone Usage

Zainal Sapari inquired about the number of road accidents linked to mobile phone use by pedestrians over the last three years, educational efforts to highlight the dangers, and the possibility of banning device use while walking or crossing roads.
K Shanmugam responded that while pedestrian accidents have been stable at around 952 annually, there is no specific data on those involving mobile phones; he deemed a ban impractical and emphasized instilling good road safety habits through outreach and education.
The Traffic Police conducts programs like the "Use Your RoadSense" movement to promote awareness, focusing on keeping pedestrians alert and reducing distractions on roads.

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16 Aug 2016

New Public Transport Policy of MRT Operations

Under the New Rail Financing Framework (NRFF), the Government owns operating assets like trains and signalling systems, while operators pay an annual Licence Charge into a Railway Sinking Fund for future upgrades and replacements.
The transition to NRFF for older MRT lines aims to improve timeliness in responding to ridership growth, allow operators to focus on service reliability, and shorten licence tenures to 15 years to incentivize performance.
SMRT must comply with rigorous Maintenance Performance Standards, Asset Management Requirements, and Codes of Practice to ensure proactive maintenance and better-run operations.

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16 Aug 2016

Comparative Frequency and Severity of Oil Spills on Singapore Roads

Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport about the frequency and severity of oil spills on Singapore roads compared to other major cities and the estimated economic losses from damage and travel delays.
The Minister for Transport stated that other major cities do not publish comparable oil spill data, but in Singapore, minor spills occur daily, while major spills requiring road repairs are infrequent, with only a few causing major tailbacks.
The economic cost per major tailback incident from oil spills is estimated between $200,000 and $300,000, based on assumptions about the economic value of time.
The government is considering stronger deterrents against major oil spills to address the issue.

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16 Aug 2016

Claims against Foreign Vehicle Owners Involved in Accidents in Singapore

Dr. Lee Bee Wah queried the process, timeline, and potential simplification for Singaporeans to claim against foreign vehicle owners involved in accidents in Singapore.
Khaw Boon Wan clarified that foreign vehicle owners are liable for damages and can be claimed against directly or through their insurers if third-party property damage coverage exists.
He noted that all vehicles on Singapore roads must have third-party injury/death insurance, and MIBS facilitates claims against Malaysian insurers for such cases.
The duration of claim settlements varies depending on case complexity, with no fixed timeline provided.

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