Transport — Topics

15 Aug 2016

Private Hire Driver's Vocational Licence for Permanent Residents and Work Permit Holders

Dennis Tan asked why Permanent Residents and Work Permit holders can apply for a Private Hire Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL).
Khaw Boon Wan explained that existing limousine and car rental companies already employ these individuals as drivers, and the PDVL aims to avoid disrupting such services during regulatory changes.
Permanent Residents and Work Permit holders can only drive as employees of registered companies, unlike Singaporeans who can operate independently as sole proprietors for services like Uber or Grab.

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15 Aug 2016

Inclusion of CPF Contribution in Calculation of Public Transport Affordability

Dennis Tan questioned the Ministry of Transport for including employer CPF contributions in household income calculations for its public transport affordability indicator, referencing the FY2016/2017 Budget Book.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the affordability metric relies on the Household Expenditure Survey conducted every five years, which includes employer CPF in income, and adjustments are made for interim changes in wages and fares.
The Minister noted that while removing employer CPF contributions changes the percentages, public transport affordability has still improved, with costs falling as a share of household income from 2010 to 2015 under both calculation methods.

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15 Aug 2016

Impact of Private-hire Car Companies' Demands on COE Premiums

Miss Cheng Li Hui questioned how aggressive COE bidding by private-hire car companies like Uber and Grab has affected premiums, why LTA restricted access to bidder information, and whether a separate COE category for private-hire vehicles will be considered.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that while private-hire car rental companies have submitted more COE bids, their bidding has not been aggressive, and COE premiums have remained relatively stable aside from a one-off increase after loan rule changes.
He explained that LTA restricted access to bidder information to protect privacy, requiring company bidders to use a unique code to view only their own bids.
Khaw noted that creating a separate COE category for private-hire vehicles could limit flexibility in converting between private and private-hire cars, potentially harming commuters and service providers, or allow gaming of the system, so LTA will continue monitoring the market.

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15 Aug 2016

Communication of Information about Safety and Emergency Features to Commuters

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan queried whether public transport operators are required to effectively communicate safety and emergency features to commuters.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the Land Transport Authority mandates operators to inform commuters through signs, announcements, and videos at stations and on vehicles.
A review of the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit incident is underway to assess if further measures are needed.

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15 Aug 2016

Ensuring Commuter Safety during Power Outages and Train Breakdowns

Dennis Tan asked about safety measures during MRT breakdowns, focusing on preventing commuters from being trapped in darkness and ensuring their safety if required to walk along tracks during power failures.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that all MRT and LRT stations have independent backup power for lighting and critical systems, and trains are equipped with backup batteries for emergency lighting, ventilation, and communication.
If passengers need to be detrained, strict procedures are followed, including switching off traction power, isolating the affected section, and guiding commuters safely back to stations, with regular training exercises conducted with relevant agencies.

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15 Aug 2016

Factors Determining Increase in HDB and URA Car Park Charges

The Minister explained that car park charges are revised to ensure car owners bear the full cost of ownership and usage, preventing non-car owners from subsidizing parking.
HDB and URA car park charges have remained unchanged for 14 years, but costs have risen by about 40% due to higher construction overheads, capital expenditures, and maintenance for aging facilities.
Without the fee increase, HDB and URA face significant deficits; HDB alone expects a $100 million annual deficit from next year onward even after the revision.
Season parking rates for HDB have been differentiated, with lower rates for residents' first car and higher rates for subsequent cars or non-residents to reflect full cost recovery.
The adjustments align with Singapore's goal to become a more "car-lite" society by ensuring parking fees appropriately manage demand and cover operational costs.

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15 Aug 2016

Reasons for Increase in Rates at HDB and URA Car Parks

The government justified the increase in HDB and URA car park rates by citing that charges had remained unchanged for 14 years while maintenance and operational costs, driven by rising construction overheads, capital expenditures for upgrades, and repairs for ageing facilities, had risen significantly.
The new differentiated season parking charges for second cars affect approximately 31,500 HDB households, or about 12% of HDB car-owning households, with higher rates set to achieve full cost recovery for non-first cars.
The Minister confirmed there are no current plans to provide additional assistance or subsidies for older vehicle owners facing difficulties with the increased parking charges.

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15 Aug 2016

Coordination between LTA and ICA for Toll Collection at Land Checkpoints

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah questioned the lack of coordination between LTA and ICA in toll collection at the Causeway checkpoints and asked about standard procedures for monitoring projects and communicating inter-agency requirements.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that LTA and ICA currently coordinate by having LTA officers handle toll enforcement in secondary clearance, allowing ICA to focus on immigration, but both agencies are reviewing this process for improvements.
The agencies are jointly studying the feasibility of lifting drop-arm barriers at ICA counters only after tolls are paid, though concerns about officer distraction and clearance speed need to be addressed.
Khaw Boon Wan assured that LTA regularly reviews its processes and collaborates with other agencies to enhance operational effectiveness.

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11 Jul 2016

Law on Hybrid Cars with Combustion Engines Switched off when Stationary

Sitoh Yih Pin asked whether Regulation 21 of the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations applies to hybrid cars that switch off their combustion engines and use electric motors when stationary.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M clarified that Regulation 21 makes it an offence to leave a vehicle’s engine running while stationary for non-traffic reasons, as it causes fuel wastage and pollution.
Hybrid vehicles may restart their combustion engines when stationary if the battery cannot support auxiliary systems like air-conditioning, thus still emitting pollutants and falling under the regulation.
The National Environment Agency promotes awareness of this rule through anti-idling signage at high-traffic areas and educational outreach with vehicle inspection centres, transport operators, and schools.

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11 Jul 2016

Holistic Assistance for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Caregivers

Christopher de Souza asked about holistic assistance for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers, including extending transport subsidies to all persons with disabilities regardless of financial background.
The Ministry supports persons with intellectual disabilities through early intervention, special education, employment services, and care programs like Day Activity Centres, with plans to add 600 new places by 2018.
Caregivers receive support through lower foreign domestic worker levies, grants for hiring domestic workers, and annual training grants, with eligibility based on household income.
Public transport subsidies are available to all persons with disabilities through a non-means-tested concession scheme, while private transport subsidies are means-tested to target those most in need.
The Ministry has awarded grants to transport operators to keep costs low for dedicated transport services, which are available to all persons with disabilities regardless of income.

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11 Jul 2016

Taxi Stand in Vicinity of Blocks 216 to 222 at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh

Sitoh Yih Pin proposed implementing a taxi stand near Blocks 216 to 222 at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh based on resident requests.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that taxi stands are built where demand is high to ease traffic flow and facilitate pickups.
He stated that the irregular and low taxi demand in the area makes a taxi stand difficult to justify.
The debate centered on balancing resident needs with practical traffic management considerations.
The response indicates the decision would prioritize overall traffic efficiency over specific locality requests.

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11 Jul 2016

Determination of COE Quota for Category D Vehicles

The COE quota for Category D vehicles is determined quarterly based on motorcycles deregistered in the previous quarter, with adjustments for the allowable vehicle growth rate, cancelled and expired COEs, and contributions to the Open Category, similar to other COE categories.
The long-term trend for allowable motorcycle population is constrained by Singapore’s land limitations, with the vehicle growth rate expected to eventually reach zero, and the distinct Category D helps limit motorcycles being replaced by cars.
The government has reduced the contribution of Category D to the Open Category from 25% to 10% and will continue monitoring quotas and making adjustments as necessary to address the needs of low-income workers who rely on motorcycles for work.

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11 Jul 2016

Green Man Plus Scheme at Pedestrian Crossing along Potong Pasir Avenue 1

Mr Sitoh Yih Pin requested to expedite the Green Man Plus Scheme at the Potong Pasir Avenue 1 pedestrian crossing from June 2017 to assist elderly and disabled residents.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that LTA prioritizes areas with high elderly populations for the scheme's implementation.
LTA will examine the possibility of fast-tracking the scheme at the specified location.

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11 Jul 2016

Number of Female Bus Captains Employed by Public Bus Operators

The four public bus operators employ 575 female bus captains, with SBS Transit having 404, SMRT Corporation 142, Tower Transit Singapore 26, and Go-Ahead Singapore three, making up about 6% of total bus captains.
LTA is collaborating with operators to recruit more women, including part-time schemes for flexibility and enhanced maternity and childcare benefits from some operators.
Initiatives like part-time employment aim to attract women re-entering the workforce and those with family commitments.

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11 Jul 2016

Review of Need for Inspection of New Cars from Third Year Onwards

Ang Hin Kee proposed delaying car inspections from the third to the fourth year due to improved vehicle safety standards and allowing authorised dealers' servicing reports to substitute official inspections.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the 93% pass rate for three-year-old cars has remained stable over five years, indicating no need to postpone inspections.
He noted that inspection centres are independent and conflict-free, unlike motor dealers who provide repair services, hence dealer reports cannot replace official inspections.

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11 Jul 2016

Need for Pram-friendly Buses

Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Transport how LTA can ensure inclusiveness for families with young children, noting that current wheelchair-accessible buses do not secure open prams and LTA recommends folding prams and holding the child.
Khaw Boon Wan agreed that public transport must be inclusive and said bus captains and station staff are trained to assist passengers with strollers, priority seats are available, and LTA is studying ways to safely secure strollers on buses.

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11 Jul 2016

Erection of Noise Barriers between Chua Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak MRT Stations

Zaqy Mohamad asked the Minister for Transport about the timeline, locations, and possible inclusion of new BTO developments like Keat Hong Pride and Keat Hong Crest in noise barrier installations between Chua Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak MRT stations.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that tenders for noise barriers near residential blocks along Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, Chua Chu Kang Avenue 2, Central, and Loop will be called in the second half of the year.
The Minister noted that new developments like Keat Hong Pride and Keat Hong Crest must comply with setback and noise mitigation requirements, which should adequately address noise concerns.

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11 Jul 2016

Statistics on Malaysian Cars Entering and Leaving Singapore and Traffic Offences Committed

Low Thia Khiang asked for statistics on Malaysian car entries and exits and traffic offences from 2010 to 2015.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that Malaysian cars averaged 4 million trips to Singapore annually during that period.
He also stated that foreign-registered cars averaged 11,000 traffic offences each year in the same timeframe.

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11 Jul 2016

Plans for Wider Use of Automated Vehicle Systems in Transport System

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about plans for wider use of automated vehicle systems, their energy and cost efficiency, and support for displaced drivers.
Khaw Boon Wan outlined four initiatives including self-driving buses, pods for first-and-last-mile travel, truck-platooning at ports, and utility vehicles for road cleaning.
The Ministry expects long-term cost improvements but says it is too early to quantify exact savings.
Automation may ease Singapore's current driver shortage in the near term but future reskilling programs will be needed for drivers.

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11 Jul 2016

Provision of Vehicle's Certificate of Insurance to Drivers of Private Hire Cars

Ang Hin Kee asked if the Ministry will require private hire car leasing companies to give each driver a certified original copy of the vehicle's insurance certificate so drivers clearly know their accident excess liabilities and other risks.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that drivers must themselves ensure they fully understand the car's insurance coverage, liabilities, and terms before signing an agreement with a leasing company.
He added that the Ministry will highlight this responsibility by including it in the curriculum for the Private Hire Car Driver Vocational Licence.

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