Transport — Topics

28 Jan 2016

Evening ERP along Central Expressway

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah questioned the Transport Minister on the current traffic speed along the Central Expressway (CTE) during the evening peak, the purpose of the evening ERP, and whether it could be removed, citing residents' observations of improved speeds following the opening of a new interchange.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan explained that the ERP is used to manage congestion and maintain optimal speeds, noting that current speeds on the northbound CTE are already at the lower end of the target and could worsen without the ERP, while data from the new interchange have not yet justified a fee reduction.
Minister Khaw emphasized that ERP adjustments are based on quarterly speed data and, while he shares the member's hope for improvement, he used a personal analogy about managing cholesterol to illustrate the cautious approach to policy changes even when some indicators appear favorable.

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28 Jan 2016

Review of COEs for Motorcycles

Joan Pereira proposed keeping motorcycle COE deregistrations within the Motorcycles category and creating separate quotas for normal and luxury motorcycles.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef requested a review of the motorcycle COE system.
Senior Minister of State Ng Chee Meng explained that motorcycle COEs are separate from cars to avoid competition, and splitting the category could cause price volatility given the small quota.
He noted that Category E allows flexibility for market changes and its contribution rate has been reduced from 25% to 10% over three years.
The government will continue reviewing the COE framework and make adjustments if needed.

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15 Jan 2016

Ministry of Transport

The Ministry of Transport aims to connect Singaporeans locally and globally, emphasizing aviation and maritime as vital economic sectors that contribute 13% to GDP and 330,000 jobs while facing competition and economic headwinds.
A "Walk, Cycle, Ride" vision seeks to shift commuters to public transport by 2030, with increased investments in rail expansion, bus improvements, and infrastructure like covered walkways and cycling paths to reduce reliance on private cars in land-scarce Singapore.
Major projects such as Changi Terminal 4, Jewel Changi, Pasir Panjang expansion, and Tuas Terminal are underway to bolster hub competitiveness, alongside technology integration and skills development for aviation and maritime sectors.
Rail reliability is prioritized through enhanced maintenance and recruitment, with plans to double the rail network, improve walking and cycling infrastructure in towns, and pilot designs for safer, more accessible streets.
Future mobility will incorporate self-driving vehicle trials and expressway reconfigurations like the North-South Corridor to integrate bus lanes and cycling routes, supporting a sustainable transport system for Singapore.

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18 Aug 2015

Public Transport Council (Amendment) Bill

The Public Transport Council (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the Public Transport Council Act to institutionalize PTC's advisory role to the Minister for Transport, formalize the 2013 Fare Review Mechanism Committee's recommendations, and empower PTC to standardize taxi fare structures.
The Bill establishes the Public Transport Fund as a government fund, mandates operator contributions during fare increases, and enhances PTC's powers to enforce fare evasion penalties and regulate non-public bus service fares.
Debate highlights include Mrs Lina Chiam's support for PTC's new advisory role but concerns about the Public Transport Fund's complexity and a call to explore deregulation, to which the Minister responded by defending the regulated public transport system and clarifying taxi fleet ratios and fund management.

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18 Aug 2015

Bus Services Industry Bill

The Bus Services Industry Bill transitions Singapore’s public bus sector to a contracting model, with LTA planning routes, owning assets, and tendering out operations to improve service responsiveness and quality.
The Bill consolidates regulatory powers under LTA, introduces a two-tier licensing system for operators, and includes step-in arrangements to ensure service continuity if operators fail.
Debate highlighted concerns over asset maintenance, crisis response coordination, and workforce challenges, with support for the Bill but calls for better working conditions and retention of local expertise.

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18 Aug 2015

Foreign Vehicles with Illegal Modifications

The Ministry of Transport outlined that foreign vehicles failing to meet international standards or with outstanding fines are fined or barred from entry, with enforcement conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) at checkpoints and notifications issued to drivers at border crossings.
Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar highlighted ongoing issues with foreign vehicles having illegal modifications and unpaid fines, proposing enhanced enforcement such as stricter checks at immigration and re-entry bans for repeat offenders.
The Senior Minister of State acknowledged the challenges of enforcement due to high traffic volume but noted that offences are rare, representing about 0.3% of monthly visits, and committed to studying localized issues and improving measures in collaboration with LTA.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah raised concerns about accident claims involving foreign vehicles, to which the Ministry suggested submitting a formal parliamentary question for a detailed response.
The debate concluded with an agreement to continue monitoring and addressing the issues, emphasizing ongoing efforts by LTA to ensure compliance and payment of fines.

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18 Aug 2015

Double-Glazed Windows for HDB Flats near MRT Lines, Expressways or Busy Roads

Arthur Fong proposed that HDB consider installing double-glazed windows for new and existing flats near noisy areas like MRT lines, expressways, or busy roads, and include such retrofitting in improvement programs.
The Minister for National Development responded that HDB currently has no plans to retrofit double-glazed windows, as single-glazed windows are sufficient when closed, and HDB's planning already mitigates noise through building orientation and buffers.
Residents can apply to HDB for double-glazed window installation, but it will not be added to the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) options at this time.
The government is exploring other noise mitigation measures, such as LTA-installed noise barriers, though their effectiveness may be limited for high-rise flats.
A multi-agency effort continues to address noise concerns in housing estates, with ongoing trials and studies.

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18 Aug 2015

Expansion of National Cycling Plan

The Ministry is on track to expand the cycling path network to every HDB town within five years, aiming for over 700 km of integrated off-road paths, with links to the city centre.
An Active Mobility Advisory Panel has been formed to propose a clear and consistent set of cycling rules and norms by the second quarter of 2016.
The Singapore Road Safety Council and LTA will develop a national voluntary cyclist education programme by next year, while the Ministry emphasises ongoing enforcement and holistic engagement of all road users in the interim.

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18 Aug 2015

Video Footages or Photographs of Traffic Offences

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap inquired about procedures for individuals to access video footage or photographs of their traffic offences for verification before compounding.
The Second Minister for Home Affairs stated that photographic evidence is available for most red-light and speeding offences detected by cameras, but not for all violations, such as those observed by officers or via radar guns.
Offenders can view available photographs at the Traffic Police Headquarters by arranging an appointment via the hotline, but access is limited to offences with photographic evidence.
The Minister emphasized the importance of safe driving and adherence to traffic rules for road safety.
The response highlights that not all traffic offences have photographic documentation, and the process for viewing evidence is specific to camera-detected violations.

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18 Aug 2015

Profile of Transport Concession Card Applications

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Transport about the number of applications for transport concession cards since 2014 across various groups including seniors, students, and people with disabilities.
The Parliamentary Secretary replied that from January 2014 to July 2015, around 760,000 people applied for concession cards, and about 1.6 million people currently hold such cards.
Gan Thiam Poh inquired about further outreach efforts by the Land Transport Authority to those who have not yet applied.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that the government is encouraged by the uptake of concession schemes and will continue to reach out to agencies, organizations, and the public to enable more commuters to benefit.

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18 Aug 2015

System Design of North-South and East-West MRT Lines

The Minister explained that a third rail insulator failure between Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place stations, due to chloride deposits and a water leak, caused a safety mechanism to trip power across the entire North-South and East-West Lines, with an ongoing investigation to determine if it was a design or maintenance flaw.
The Minister outlined ongoing corrective actions, including replacing all third rail insulators, checking for tunnel leaks, installing data loggers, and adjusting the safety mechanism’s voltage threshold to align with international standards.
The Minister stated that sleeper and third rail replacements are managed by the operator SMRT, with the government sharing costs under a White Paper formula, and that the third rail replacement is scheduled for completion by 2017.
The Minister noted that sleeper replacement is done on an ad-hoc basis as needed, with a mass switch to concrete sleepers later, and that signalling system upgrades were initiated primarily to increase train frequency rather than due to end-of-life failures.
The Minister addressed concerns about delays in asset renewals, explaining that monitoring and coordination between LTA and SMRT have been strengthened, with regular reporting and embedded teams to oversee the process and ensure safety.

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17 Aug 2015

Non-payment of Fares and Acts of Violence against Taxi Drivers

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about the number of cases of fare refusal and violence against taxi drivers over the past three years, whether penalties should be raised as a deterrent, and if insurance for loss of income and medical treatment should be made mandatory for taxi drivers.
The Minister for Transport reported 355 cases of fare evasion and 162 cases of assault in the past three years, with current penalties including fines up to $2,000 or jail for fare evasion and fines up to $5,000 or jail up to two years for assault, while also noting protection under the Protection from Harassment Act.
The Ministry indicated that current penalties are appropriate and will be reviewed regularly, and while encouraging taxi drivers to obtain insurance, it declined to make it mandatory, stating that individual drivers should decide based on their needs.

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17 Aug 2015

Extending MRT Network to Link Punggol to Yio Chu Kang and Seletar Towns

Ang Hin Kee asked the Minister for Transport about plans to extend the MRT network to directly link Punggol with Yio Chu Kang and Seletar towns, citing current road-only access and growing population in Sengkang.
Lui Tuck Yew responded that buses currently suffice for travel between Punggol and Yio Chu Kang/Seletar, and the LTA is studying a new bus service to connect north and north-east regions under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme.
The LTA will continue monitoring travel demand and assess the feasibility of new rail lines where needed.

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17 Aug 2015

Measures to Minimise Traffic Noise Level along Central Expressway Facing Residential Homes

Ang Hin Kee asked about additional measures beyond tree planting and porous road mixtures to reduce noise from expressway expansion and traffic near residential areas like Seletar and Sunrise estates.
The Land Transport Authority is trialling road noise barriers at four high-traffic locations to assess their effectiveness, visual impact, and installation challenges.
Following the trials, LTA will consider the feasibility of installing noise barriers at other locations, including near the Central Expressway.

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17 Aug 2015

Extension of Downtown Line or Circle Line and Building of Cross Island Line

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether the Downtown or Circle Line could be extended to Pasir Ris, Punggol, and Sengkang West, and whether the Cross Island Line could first be built from Changi through Pasir Ris and Punggol.
Lui Tuck Yew responded that Pasir Ris, Punggol, and Sengkang West are already served by the East-West Line and North-East Line, and extending other lines would undermine their primary design and operational efficiency.
The Downtown Line's eastern stretch is intended to serve corridors without MRT access, while the Circle Line is meant to improve orbital connectivity between radial lines.
The Cross Island Line is still under study, and further details will be provided once the study is completed.

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17 Aug 2015

Expediting Completion of Downtown Line 2 MRT Stations

Christopher de Souza questioned how LTA expedited the completion of Downtown Line 2 MRT stations ahead of schedule despite the insolvency of contractor Alpine Bau GmbH.
Lui Tuck Yew explained that Alpine Bau's insolvency affected three stations and their tunnels, but LTA mobilised resources from other completed stations and extended work hours to recover time.
LTA restructured work processes and coordinated concurrent activities, including simultaneous testing and commissioning across different parts of the line.
A Local Control Centre was set up at Little India station to allow early testing of the affected section due to the lack of cabling connection to the Operation Control Centre.
These measures enabled LTA to complete the Downtown Line 2 stations by December 2015 without significant delay despite the contractor's insolvency.

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17 Aug 2015

Update on Construction of Downtown Line 2 MRT Stations at King Albert Park, Sixth Avenue and Tan Kah Kee

Christopher de Souza requested an update on the progress of construction for the Downtown Line 2 stations at King Albert Park, Sixth Avenue, and Tan Kah Kee, and asked if they are on track to be operational by mid-2016.
Lui Tuck Yew reported that progress has been better than expected, with the Land Transport Authority working innovatively with new contractors to address delays caused by the insolvency of the original contractor, Alpine Bau.
Lui Tuck Yew announced that Downtown Line 2 will now open on 27 December 2015, ahead of the earlier forecast for the first quarter of 2016.

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17 Aug 2015

Increasing Bus Frequency to Rivervale Delta

Lee Li Lian requested additional bus services and increased frequency for bus service 371 to serve new BTO flats in Rivervale Delta.
Lui Tuck Yew noted that service 371 was introduced in 2014 and currently operates at 10-minute peak intervals, with plans to reduce headways to under eight minutes by end-2016.
The Minister also highlighted that residents can access nearby LRT stations and other bus services via short walks from the area.

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17 Aug 2015

Meeting Manpower Needs of Expanding Bus Network

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan questioned how the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP) addresses rising manpower demand, why labour shortages haven’t delayed deployments, and what plans exist for future network expansion.
Minister Lui Tuck Yew outlined strategies including salary increases of about $400 since 2012, the Progressive Wage Model, and professional training under the Workforce Skills Qualifications Framework.
The government is improving bus depot facilities and rest areas, and the Tripartite Committee will continue exploring measures to attract and retain workers.

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17 Aug 2015

Commuters Switching from North East Line to Upcoming Downtown Line 2

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked about the number of commuters switching from the North East Line to Downtown Line 2, the possible early commencement of Downtown Line 3, and extending Downtown Line 3 to Punggol, Sengkang, and Ang Mo Kio.
Minister Lui Tuck Yew said up to 20% of North East Line commuters, or about 90,000, will benefit from greater connectivity via Little India station to the city centre and areas like Bukit Timah.
Downtown Line 3 is on schedule to open in 2017 with no plans for extension to Punggol, Sengkang, or Ang Mo Kio, as it targets areas not currently served by the MRT network such as Ubi, Kaki Bukit, and Bedok Reservoir.

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