Transport — Topics

17 Aug 2015

Provision in Government Contract for Emergency Bus Services in Event of Rail Disruptions

Zaqy Mohamad asked whether the Government Contracting Model for buses includes provisions for emergency services during rail disruptions, if costs for such services would be charged to rail operators, and if there is a plan for assigning routes to specific bus operators.
Lui Tuck Yew confirmed that rail operators are responsible and cover costs for free bus services near affected stations, including regular services and bus bridging, and must pre-arrange these with bus operators.
The bus contracts under the GCM model include provisions to support these arrangements, ensuring coordinated response during rail disruptions.

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17 Aug 2015

Utilisation Rates of City Direct and Feeder Bus Services

Mr Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the utilisation rates and bus allocations for City Direct and feeder bus services, and requested more City Direct services for Hougang, Sengkang, and Punggol.
Minister Lui Tuck Yew stated that 24 private bus services under the BSEP deploy 80 buses, with City Direct services averaging 40-50 passengers per trip and peak period short services averaging 30.
Twelve additional City Direct services, including three for Punggol, Sengkang, and Hougang, are planned for introduction by next year.

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17 Aug 2015

Alternative Transport Plans in Event of MRT Breakdowns

The Land Transport Authority requires rail operators to have approved Rail Incident Management Plans that include bus bridging and information updates, but the 2015 incident showed these were inadequate for large-scale breakdowns, prompting a review and enhanced contingency plans.
Improved plans now focus on boosting trunk bus services and implementing special bridging buses to connect the city and heartlands, with resources diverted from lower-demand services and extended operating hours for certain services.
Officials acknowledge the need for better real-time communication and crowd control during disruptions, and are continuously working on these areas alongside preventive maintenance to reduce breakdowns.
Regular exercises are conducted to test contingency plans, but real incidents reveal unpredictable commuter behavior, leading to ongoing refinements in resource mobilization and coordination with multiple operators.

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14 Jul 2015

Regulation of Motorised Bicycles

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked whether motorised bicycles can carry pillion passengers, the number of accidents involving them in the past three years, and if there is inter-Ministry consultation on their importation.
The Parliamentary Secretary responded that pillion passengers are allowed if there is a seat, the passenger is at least 16 years old, and both wear helmets, with 13 accidents recorded in the last three years.
The government enforces use of only LTA-approved motorised bicycles via serialised seals and plans a public consultation on rules for such devices and other personal mobility devices.

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14 Jul 2015

Extension Plans for Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange

Alex Yam raised concerns about overcrowding and congestion at the Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange, which has been in service since 1991, and asked about plans for relocation and expansion.
The Minister for Transport responded that the interchange’s capacity remains sufficient with current measures, and redevelopment is being considered within the next three to five years as part of broader Town Centre plans.
Zaqy Mohamad acknowledged recent improvements in bus wait times but highlighted ongoing resident concerns, seeking details on whether redevelopment would include amenities and address road flow issues from Choa Chu Kang Loop.

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13 Jul 2015

Mitigating Price of Quota Premiums for Motorcycle Owners

MP Gerald Giam proposed lowering the contribution rate of COEs from de-registered motorcycles to the Open Category from 10% to 0% to return more quotas to motorcycle users, highlighting that many riders are lower-income and rely on motorcycles for work.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew explained that the Open Category allows flexibility in the Vehicle Quota System, with all vehicle categories currently contributing 10% to it after gradual reductions from higher rates.
The government will periodically review the contribution rate to balance demand across categories and maintain system flexibility, though no immediate change was committed.

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13 Jul 2015

Measures to Conserve Environment

The government is implementing the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015 to promote a car-lite society and a zero waste nation, enhancing public transport and cycling infrastructure.
Measures to make vehicles greener include higher emission standards from 2017, the Early Turnover Scheme, and a trial electric vehicle car-sharing programme.
Initiatives to reduce waste include food waste recycling pilots and centralized recycling chutes in new flats to encourage the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
The government supports retailers and supermarkets in reducing plastic bag use through incentives like rebates and charges, while encouraging households to reuse plastic bags for waste disposal.
Public, private, and people sectors are collaborating to foster sustainable development and environmental stewardship among all Singaporeans.

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13 Jul 2015

SCDF's Emergency Response Plans for Kovan/Hillside/Rosyth and Serangoon Gardens

Sylvia Lim inquired about SCDF’s emergency access plans for narrow roads in Kovan/Hillside/Rosyth and Serangoon Gardens estates.
SCDF conducts regular ground surveys to identify operational challenges like illegal parking that hinder emergency vehicle access.
When illegal parking is found, SCDF notifies LTA for enforcement, with fines or demerit points for errant vehicle owners.
SCDF uses smaller, maneuverable vehicles like light fire attack vehicles and fire bikes alongside larger engines to navigate narrow roads.
These measures aim to ensure timely emergency responses despite the terrain and parking issues in the estates.

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13 Jul 2015

Location of Construction Staging Site near Residential Area in Tanjong Rhu

The government explained that coastal construction staging sites are needed to transfer excavated materials to barges for offshore disposal and must be spread out across the island, with Marina East selected as a suitable temporary site segregated from residences by planting.
Measures are in place to reduce road disamenities, including providing adequate queue bays within the staging ground to prevent trucks from overflowing onto public roads.
The Land Transport Authority has enhanced the staging ground’s throughput to minimize truck queues and diverted some trucks to Changi East to lower volumes at Marina East.

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13 Jul 2015

Ensuring Even Standards between Taxi and Private Drivers

Seng Han Thong asked whether third-party taxi booking services must use only licensed and screened drivers, how Quality of Service standards for taxis would be harmonized when drivers also use third-party services, and if taxi registration rules would apply to private hire vehicles.
Lui Tuck Yew stated that the Third-Party Taxi Booking Service Providers Act requires dispatching only licensed taxis and drivers, and LTA will use trip data to assess taxi companies’ Quality of Service performance.
The Ministry has no plans to apply the same regulations and concessions for taxis to private hire vehicles but is studying measures to enhance commuter safety for such services.

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13 Jul 2015

Emergency Service Vehicle Access at Residential Estates

Sylvia Lim queried how the Ministry ensures emergency vehicle access to homes on narrow roads and asked whether SCDF conducts detailed area-based planning and has protocols for overcoming access difficulties caused by physical constraints or parked vehicles.
Teo Chee Hean explained that public roads are built to strict standards guaranteeing minimum clearance for emergency vehicles, and SCDF uses smaller, more maneuverable vehicles for narrow areas while conducting regular ground surveys to identify and address illegal parking issues through LTA enforcement.
In cases of obstruction, SCDF ground commanders assess the situation, deploy smaller vehicles or officers on foot, and engage building management or residents to remove obstructing vehicles; the Fire Safety Act also allows forcible removal of vehicles impeding fire-fighting operations.

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13 Jul 2015

Heavy Vehicle Parking Facilities Managed by Private Operators

Ms. Lee Li Lian questioned why private operators manage over 50% of the 41,600 heavy vehicle parking lots in Singapore.
The Minister for National Development noted there are actually about 44,000 parking lots for 35,000 heavy vehicles, primarily in industrial estates.
These parking spaces are managed by the private sector as they are located where businesses operate and use heavy vehicles for transporting goods, machinery, and people.

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13 Jul 2015

Noise Barriers along Roads and Traffic Junctions

Dr Lee Bee Wah inquired about plans for noise barriers along roads and junctions and whether the Ministry was aware of high noise levels at The Estuary condominium.
Minister Lui Tuck Yew stated that installing noise barriers is impractical due to gaps needed for bus stops and access points, which would reduce effectiveness and compromise pedestrian safety.
The Estuary meets the URA’s setback guideline, but in response to resident feedback, more trees have been planted along the road, and further noise mitigation measures are being discussed with the condominium management.

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13 Jul 2015

Noise Barriers for Residential Areas near MRT Tracks

The Minister explained that perceived higher train noise in early morning and night is due to lower ambient noise, and noise levels are managed through maintenance of wheels and tracks.
Noise barriers are considered when train noise exceeds certain thresholds, with 14 km already planned in Phase 1 and an additional 9 km to be built from 2016 in Phase 2.
The Ministry will consider requests from Members for noise barriers in Khatib and Bukit Batok, with more details on Phase 2 to be announced by the end of the year.

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13 Jul 2015

Effectiveness of CCTV System in Differentiating between Illegal Parking and Dropping-off of Taxi Passengers

The Transport Ministry reported a sharp drop in illegal parking violations to less than 15% of pre-CCTV levels since April 2014, with improvements in traffic flow and bus operations at all 70 installed locations.
Approximately one in six illegal parking summonses has been issued to taxi drivers, and the same enforcement approach applies to all vehicle types regardless of being a taxi.
Taxis are permitted to stop briefly at roadside locations outside controlled areas to pick up or alight passengers, provided it does not cause obstruction or safety issues.
The effectiveness of CCTV in distinguishing between illegal parking and lawful taxi drop-offs was not explicitly addressed, but enforcement actions are taken based on observed violations.
The overall CCTV system has proven effective in deterring illegal parking, though specific differentiation between parking offenses and taxi duties remains a matter of consistent enforcement policy.

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13 Jul 2015

Traffic Congestion in Jurong East with New Developments

Mr Ang Wei Neng questioned the Ministry's plans to address traffic congestion in Jurong East due to new developments like Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Genting Hotel Jurong.
LTA has completed road improvements since 2011, including widening key roads and adding new ones, with further plans to widen Jurong East Street 21 and enhance the road network for the High Speed Rail terminus.
To reduce localised crowding, LTA is adding more bus alighting points and providing parking availability information, while public transport services will see significant upgrades including more MRT trains and new lines.

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13 Jul 2015

Public Transport Council (Amendment) Bill

The Bill seeks to amend the Public Transport Council Act and related legislation to update regulatory frameworks for public transport.
Amendments will involve the Land Transport Authority of Singapore Act, the Rapid Transit Systems Act, and the Road Traffic Act for consistency.
The Minister for Transport presented the Bill and outlined its first reading, with a second reading scheduled for the next parliamentary sitting.

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13 Jul 2015

Bus Services Industry Bill

The Bus Services Industry Bill aims to regulate the provision of bus services, the operation of bus depots, and bus interchanges in Singapore.
It includes provisions for consequential amendments to other existing Acts to align with the new regulatory framework.
The bill was presented by the Minister for Transport and is scheduled for a second reading at the next available parliamentary sitting.

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13 Jul 2015

Security Measures for Shangri-La Dialogue

Police implemented multi-stage security measures for the Shangri-La Dialogue, including road blocks, vehicle checks for explosives, and concrete barriers to deter and slow vehicles.
The Deputy Prime Minister outlined police rules of engagement, stating that officers may use lethal force as a last resort if a vehicle breaches checks and poses an imminent threat, under section 63 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
A coroner's inquiry will be conducted to establish the circumstances of the driver's death, and the Ministry of Home Affairs is reviewing the incident to ensure security measures remain effective.
The government emphasized the real threat of terrorism and the need for public vigilance, citing past incidents globally and in Singapore involving vehicle-borne explosives.

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11 May 2015

Enforcement against Cyclists Riding on Walkways and Overhead Bridges

The Minister explained that enforcement against cycling in prohibited areas like walkways and bridges is currently done by agencies like the Traffic Police and National Parks Board, mostly in response to public complaints, with some Town Councils also taking action on HDB property.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will now lead cycling-related policies and coordinate enforcement across agencies to ensure consistency, but the Minister stressed that cyclists must also follow rules, cycle safely, and give way to pedestrians.
LTA and the Traffic Police are working with community leaders to conduct talks and distribute information at schools, workplaces, and dormitories to promote safe cycling habits.
LTA is finalising the details of a consultation exercise on the wider use of bicycles, motorised bicycles, and scooters and will share them shortly.

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