Transport — Topics

1 Mar 2016

Early Alerts for Road Diversions Using Digital Message Display Units

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Transport whether LTA will increase digital message display units on major roads and highways to provide early alerts for road diversions during accidents.
Khaw Boon Wan noted that LTA extended digital message display units under the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System (EMAS) to major roads in 2014.
LTA will continue to regularly review the numbers and locations of these display units.

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1 Mar 2016

Preventing Outrage of Modesty Cases on MRT Trains

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about the number of reported molestation cases on MRT trains, plans to reduce them, and whether warning signs should be placed in carriages.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that there has been an annual average of 71 outrage of modesty cases over the past three years, with police patrols, outreach, and existing penalties in place, but no current need for warning signs.
Er Dr Lee highlighted concerns about underreporting due to embarrassment and asked about increased education, reporting guidance, and camera coverage.
The Parliamentary Secretary noted ongoing awareness efforts with public transport operators and assured that camera adequacy is taken seriously, while declining to detail operational use.
Leon Perera proposed women-only carriages if cases worsen, but the Parliamentary Secretary ruled out such plans, citing low case numbers relative to total ridership.

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1 Mar 2016

Measures to Prevent and Minimise Impact of Oil Spills

The Senior Minister of State for Transport reported that there were about 6,500 oil spill incidents in the last five years, with only 13 serious cases causing severe traffic jams, and noted no common driver profile among recent major spills.
Preventive measures include Traffic Police education and enforcement against reckless driving, and LTA's mandatory vehicle inspections to reduce breakdowns, with LTA also seeking to impose deterrent penalties on responsible parties.
LTA will review how its Electronic Motorway Advisory System displays incident information to provide more useful details to motorists, alongside existing channels like radio and apps for traffic updates.
Members of Parliament asked about similarities in driver profiles and for clearer notifications to motorists about incident severity to enable alternative routing, prompting the Minister's responses on data and system enhancements.
The debate highlighted collaboration between LTA and Traffic Police to minimise spill frequency and impact, focusing on accident prevention, vehicle maintenance, and better public communication.

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1 Mar 2016

Bookings Made for Stationary Vehicles with Engines Running

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about the number of vehicles booked for idling engines, the duration allowed before penalty, and awareness efforts; the Minister replied that over 12,000 motorists were booked in three years, with no grace period but officers exercise judgment, and outreach includes pamphlets, decals, and signage.
Dr Lim expressed surprise at the sharp rise from 12 bookings in a past report to 12,000 now; the Minister confirmed the increase is due to stricter enforcement and more public complaints, and urged motorists to abandon old habits of idling to warm engines, as modern vehicles do not require this.
Dr Lim asked about the fines for the 12,000 offenders and whether they should be revised; the Minister stated the court penalty is up to $2,000 for a first offence and $5,000 for subsequent offences, with a compound fine of $70, and said the fine quantum will be reviewed.

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29 Feb 2016

MRT Line to Connect Punggol, Sengkang, Fernvale, Buangkok, Yio Chu Kang, Nee Soon and Sembawang

Gan Thiam Poh asked if the Government will build an MRT line linking Punggol, Sengkang, Fernvale, Buangkok, Yio Chu Kang, Nee Soon, and Sembawang.
Khaw Boon Wan said the Cross Island Line under study would connect Punggol, Sengkang, Fernvale, and Buangkok.
He added that public buses currently serve travel between the north and north-east regions until the CRL is completed.
The debate highlighted regional connectivity needs and existing alternative transport.
No final decision or timeline was provided for the proposed line.

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29 Feb 2016

Traffic Diversion Plans to Handle Major Traffic Jams

Ang Hin Kee asked about traffic diversion plans for major jams from accidents and suggested using mobile columns like those on ECP for flexible road diversions.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that Traffic Police manage diversions with LTA support, deploying officers to redirect traffic and adjusting traffic light timings while sharing updates via EMAS and media.
He noted that mobile columns similar to ECP's cannot be easily reconfigured at short notice, limiting their practicality for sudden diversions.
The response emphasized existing coordination between agencies and reliance on adjustable signals and information systems over movable dividers.
No commitment was made to adopt mobile columns, as their inflexibility was highlighted as a key drawback.

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29 Feb 2016

Paper Road Tax Discs

Melvin Yong asked about the purpose of the paper road tax disc and whether the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would consider abolishing it.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the disc serves as proof of licensing, insurance, and regulatory compliance, though Singapore agencies now conduct checks electronically.
The government is studying removal of the disc but notes that Malaysian authorities still require it for cross-border vehicles, prompting LTA to review how to address these concerns.

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29 Feb 2016

Adequacy of Speed Limit Signs

Gan Thiam Poh questioned if the current number of speed limit signs and the distance between them are adequate, and asked whether there are plans to increase signs with the installation of speed limit monitors or cameras.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the default speed limit is 50 km/h unless otherwise indicated, with non-default limits clearly marked and signs placed between 500 metres and one kilometre apart.
He added that advance warning signs are placed 100-150 metres before speed cameras and that the government regularly reviews sign sufficiency, emphasizing that not speeding is the best safeguard.

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29 Feb 2016

Singapore's Response to Malaysia's Imposition of Higher Vehicle Permit Fees at the Causeway and Second Link

Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Transport whether Singapore will adjust Vehicle Entry Permit fees, toll charges, or other fees in response to Malaysia’s plan to impose RM20 on Singapore-registered vehicles entering via the Causeway and Second Link.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that if Malaysia’s road charge discriminates against Singapore-registered vehicles, Singapore will match it in some form.
Khaw noted that the details of Malaysia’s final proposal are not yet available, so a precise response cannot be determined at this time.

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29 Feb 2016

Complaints about and Bookings of Errant Cyclists

In 2015, government agencies received about 800 complaints of errant cyclists and issued about 1,300 summonses, with around 300 related to cycling on footpaths but not all involving collisions.
Statistics on specific incidents of cyclists colliding into pedestrians on footpaths are not maintained by agencies.
Cyclists who injure pedestrians due to rash behavior can be prosecuted, facing fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to one year, or both.

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29 Feb 2016

Activation of Traffic Diversions to Ease Traffic during Oil Spills

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about the procedures, response times, and platforms for activating traffic diversions during oil spills or accidents.
The Land Transport Authority and Traffic Police assess incident severity and mobilize resources, with diversions typically implemented within 30 minutes of a report.
Traffic advisories are immediately disseminated through radio, online platforms, smartphone apps, and social media like the LTA Traffic News Twitter account.

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29 Feb 2016

Release of Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Cross Island MRT Line

Leon Perera inquired about obstacles to releasing the Cross Island Line Phase 1 EIA report online, the main environmental impacts identified and mitigation plans, and the rationale for deeming a "moderate" impact acceptable.
Desmond Lee explained that the EIA has two phases, with Phase 1 focusing on site investigation impacts; extensive consultations with nature groups and NParks led to stringent mitigation measures, such as reducing boreholes and using non-intrusive surveys, to minimize impact on the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
The government has put the Phase 1 EIA report online for public consultation and will consider making future EIA reports more readily available, especially for projects with significant public interest.
Regarding future disclosures, Lee noted that while Phase 1 is ongoing, the suggestion to publish a comprehensive document integrating costs, environmental impacts, and commuting times will be considered as Phase 2 progresses.

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29 Feb 2016

Factors In Considering Underground Alignments for Cross Island MRT Line

The Minister for Transport outlined that two underground alignment options for the Cross Island Line near the Central Catchment Nature Reserve are being studied, with the direct alignment being shorter, deeper in bedrock, and avoiding surface infrastructure, while the skirting alignment is longer, requires surface facilities, and costs about $2 billion more.
The government is conducting a comprehensive assessment including environmental impact, technical feasibility, financial viability, and commuter impact, with the Environmental Impact Assessment report now available online and further public consultations planned over the next two years before a final decision.
During the debate, questions were raised about the total construction cost, potential land acquisitions, maintenance costs, and the extra travel time for commuters, to which the Minister responded that specific figures are not yet finalized and will depend on ongoing site investigations and studies.

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29 Jan 2016

Applications for Off-peak Bus/MRT Travel Pass

Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about the cumulative number of applicants for the off-peak bus/MRT travel pass.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that approximately 21,000 commuters have purchased the off-peak pass since its launch in July 2015.
The exchange highlights the government's tracking of travel pass usage to assess public transport incentives.
The figures suggest moderate uptake of the off-peak travel scheme among commuters.
The debate underscores the importance of data on transport policy initiatives for informed decision-making.

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29 Jan 2016

Inconsistent MRT Fare-pricing along Downtown Line

Liang Eng Hwa raised concerns about inconsistent and high MRT fares for Downtown Line journeys between Bukit Panjang and Newton/Bugis, questioning their fairness and logic.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan explained that fares are based on the shortest travel time route, and with DTL2, a faster route is available but using it would raise fares for seniors and the disabled due to concessionary fare caps and higher operating costs.
The Public Transport Council uses the old NSEW route for certain station pairs to ensure no commuter pays more, benefiting seniors and the disabled in Bukit Panjang without increasing costs for others.
This approach creates some fare inconsistencies but is intended to protect vulnerable groups, while most commuters still enjoy faster and cheaper travel with DTL2.
The Minister emphasized that 99% of DTL2 journeys use the distance-based fare calculation, resulting in lower fares and time savings for the majority of commuters.

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29 Jan 2016

Free Parking at NParks Facilities

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked NParks to consider free parking for the first two hours, at off-peak times, and for residents with HDB season labels nearby, or concessionary rates for them.
The Senior Minister of State replied that most parks are accessible by foot or public transport, parking is limited and charged to ensure availability, and preferential rates for nearby residents are not justified as park users come island-wide.
He noted that NParks has already revised operating hours in seven parks to benefit early morning users like seniors and retirees and is monitoring usage to possibly extend this scheme.
In a supplementary question, Dr Tan asked if MND could share the extent to which car park occupancy dropped after charging was introduced.
The Senior Minister of State responded that 42 of 71 NParks car parks remain free, and after charging, high-occupancy car parks saw usage drop from 60–100% to a more manageable 20–60%, reducing misuse by non-park users.

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29 Jan 2016

Pedestrian Safety on Footpaths Open to Cyclists

The government is enhancing pedestrian safety by increasing enforcement, developing a National Cyclist Education Programme, and having the Active Mobility Advisory Panel review safety rules after a child was hit by a cyclist.
The Minister cited practical challenges with bicycle licensing, such as outdated registers and ownership changes, explaining why most countries do not require it and questioning its feasibility.
A suggestion to introduce speed limits for cyclists in parks and park connectors was raised, with the response that this is being considered by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel as part of its ongoing review.

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29 Jan 2016

Replacement of MRT Parts and Systems

The Minister confirmed that train components are assessed for replacement based on factors like usage, maintenance, and environment, often before their official end-of-life, with operators responsible for timely replacements under regulatory frameworks.
Dennis Tan sought clarification on whether any parts are operating past their recommended lifespan and asked about acceptable tolerance margins, asset renewal schedules, KPIs for tracking replacements, and funding responsibilities under new contracting models.
The Minister explained that manufacturer recommendations are only guides, and replacements may occur earlier due to obsolescence or better technology, emphasizing that rail reliability is an engineering issue best handled by professionals rather than detailed public KPIs.

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29 Jan 2016

Demand and Supply of Heavy Vehicle Parking Lots

There is an oversupply of heavy vehicle parking lots compared to the number of heavy vehicles, but localised mismatches exist due to drivers' preferences for proximity to homes, business operations, or phantom lots where private operators misuse space, leading to some drivers sleeping in their vehicles.
The government plans to inject more heavy vehicle parking in industrial estates through developments like multi-storey car parks, and will address enforcement issues like phantom lots while exploring measures such as bicycle racks at public parks to ease commuting challenges for drivers.
Parliament members suggested alternative solutions like using empty parking at stadiums or schools at night, coordinating transport through industry associations, and creating a system to swap Vehicle Parking Certificates to better match drivers with available lots, all of which the government is considering while balancing safety and land use concerns.

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28 Jan 2016

Debate on the President's Address

The speaker supports Singapore's car-lite strategy but highlights the current need for better car ownership distribution, proposing an Additional Buyer's Car Duty to discourage multiple-car households and make cars more affordable for first-time buyers.
He calls for greater transparency in car pricing, suggesting that dealers be required to provide a clear breakdown of costs to help consumers make informed decisions and reduce perceptions of unfair profits.
The speaker advocates for accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by addressing infrastructure barriers, such as allowing charging installations in high-rise carparks and creating designated EV parking lots to boost demand and sustainability.

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