Transport

Lee Hui Ying asked about the number of personal mobility aid users certified by medical professionals since 2019. Jeffrey Siow responded that certification for mobility scooter use under the Active Mobility Act has not commenced yet. From February 27, 2026, users will be able to undergo assessments for mobility scooter certification conducted by medical professionals. Further details can be found in the Second Reading of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the annual number of motorists booked for failing to keep left since 2021 and whether the Traffic Police would enhance public education and enforcement regarding lane discipline for heavy and slower vehicles. K Shanmugam reported that from 2021 to 2025, about 1,930 summonses were issued annually for this offence. The Traffic Police will continue both enforcement and educational efforts to promote lane discipline.

Valerie Lee questioned the planning reasons for the Loyang Cross Island Line MRT station being located away from the high-density residential areas of Flora, Toh, and Mariam estates, and asked about potential improvements for better connectivity. Jeffrey Siow explained that the station's location aimed to maximize commuter access while considering land use plans, space availability, and engineering feasibility to minimize disruptions. He indicated that enhancements for first- and last-mile connectivity would be implemented, including improved linkways, cycling paths, and possible adjustments to bus services to better connect the estates to the new MRT stations.

Fadli Fawzi asked whether driving lesson fees are regulated by the Traffic Police or any government agency and if the government has assessed recent fee increases by driving centres for anti-competitive behavior. K Shanmugam confirmed that driving schools must charge fees deemed fair and reasonable by the Traffic Police, which recently reviewed fee increase proposals from three driving schools. The fee increases were aimed at addressing rising operating costs and improving instructor wages, which should help increase the availability of driving lessons and reduce wait times.

The debate on the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill addressed several key issues concerning road safety, enforcement, and the integration of technology in traffic management. Valerie Lee highlighted the importance of ground-level enforcement and brought attention to the need for clearer rules regarding illegal vehicle modifications and the safety of personal mobility aids. Concerns were raised about the accessibility of obtaining medical certifications for mobility aid users, emphasizing that the process should be straightforward to prevent deterring genuine users. There was a strong consensus on the necessity of effective enforcement to ensure compliance with new regulations, especially regarding speed limits on shared paths. Various members stressed that while the bill aims to improve safety, it must also consider the practical realities of residents' lives, ensuring that measures are equitable and do not unintentionally burden vulnerable populations.

The Acting Minister for Transport, Mr. Jeffrey Siow, stated that tampering with or modifying On-Board Units (OBUs) without authorization will be considered an offence as part of the ERP 2.0 system, with penalties up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment for serious violations. A correction was later made to the penalties, indicating a maximum imprisonment of one year instead of two years. The details regarding these offences and penalties will be included in subsidiary legislation. The statements were made during the Second Reading of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill on 3 February 2026.

Victor Lye questioned the feasibility of looping bus Service 88 along Buangkok Green to connect directly to Ang Mo Kio MRT station, seeking assessment based on various transport data. Jeffrey Siow responded that looping Service 88 would benefit about 150 residents but would significantly increase travel time and fares for more than 4,000 existing commuters. This change would also exceed the recommended two-hour travel time limit for the service. Instead, Service 114 has been extended to Yio Chu Kang MRT station, providing residents at Buangkok Crescent with access to the North-South Line for connection to Ang Mo Kio.

Liang Eng Hwa asked about the daily entry of Malaysia-registered motorcycles into Singapore and their accident involvement in 2025. Jeffrey Siow reported that approximately 69,000 Malaysia-registered motorcycles entered Singapore daily in 2025, with monthly variations. There were also about 1,600 accidents involving these motorcycles in the same year.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Acting Minister for Transport about the status of the Public Transport Customer Satisfaction Survey (PTCSS) for 2024 and the publishing timeline for the findings of subsequent surveys. Jeffrey Siow responded that the PTC did not conduct the survey in 2024 due to a review of its methodology. The survey was conducted in the third quarter of 2025 using the revised methodology, with findings expected to be published in 2026 following analysis.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked for a breakdown of electric vehicle chargers in Singapore by type and kilowatt rating. Jeffrey Siow provided that there are approximately 28,300 charging points, with about 24,900 being alternating current chargers, mostly rated at 7.4 kW and below. There are around 3,200 direct current chargers, with over 90% rated at 50 kW and above, categorized as fast chargers. Additionally, there are 200 battery swapping points for electric motorcycles.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about the feasibility of requiring private hire car and taxi rental companies to place rental deposits in escrow. Jeffrey Siow responded that implementing escrow arrangements would lead to increased operational costs for these companies, which would be passed on to hirers as higher rental rates and potentially result in higher fares for passengers using point-to-point transport services.

Victor Lye questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about the effects of withdrawing Service 43M, specifically regarding waiting times, service regularity, and left-behind rates for Service 43 at Buangkok Green. Jeffrey Siow responded that additional trips have been added to Service 43, reducing morning peak wait times from 10 to 6 minutes and evening peak times from 13 to 8 minutes, allowing most commuters to board the first bus. He acknowledged that traffic conditions may still affect bus arrival times and stated the bus operator will continue to optimize operations for improved service regularity.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Acting Minister for Transport about the operating schedules of MRT trains and their responsiveness to real-time demand. Jeffrey Siow responded that MRT trains run on fixed schedules designed to meet anticipated demand and do not adjust during service hours to maintain smooth operations. The Land Transport Authority collaborates with rail operators to regularly review and adjust schedules based on demand and commuter feedback, ensuring that crowding remains below five passengers per square meter.

Foo Cexiang raised concerns about the increasing interest in internal combustion engine vehicles compared to electric vehicles and inquired how the Ministry of Transport intends to address issues like public-charger quality and interoperability. Jeffrey Siow responded that electric vehicle demand remains strong, with projections indicating that 45% of cars registered in 2025 will be electric. The Ministry is focused on enhancing charging infrastructure and keeping regulations up to date, requiring public charger operators to maintain at least 90% service uptime and collaborating with the industry to trial new technologies through regulatory sandboxes.

Jessica Tan Soon Neo questioned the Ministry of Transport about implementing clearer accountability measures for train service delays, including the provision of late slip notices to protect commuters from penalties at work or school. Jeffrey Siow responded that commuters impacted by disruptions may request a travel chit or delay slip from station staff or rail operators' websites, which can serve as proof of the disruption to employers or educational institutions.

Jessica Tan Soon Neo raised concerns about improving the reliability of early morning train services for essential and shift-based workers, specifically asking about preventing early departures and reducing long intervals. Jeffrey Siow explained that train services currently run at five to seven-minute intervals during off-peak times, including pre-peak, and that the Land Transport Authority monitors adherence to train schedules. Variations in train intervals may occur for operational reasons, such as passenger safety during boarding and alighting. To assist commuters, real-time arrival information is provided on digital displays at train stations.

Ng Chee Meng requested information from the Acting Minister for Transport regarding the deployment of 60,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points by 2030, focusing on HDB carparks in high-demand areas and consideration of residents' growing EV demand. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the target is on track, with EV chargers available in nearly every HDB carpark. The Land Transport Authority monitors usage and collaborates with EV Charging Operators to increase charging points in high-demand carparks where electrical capacity allows.

Jackson Lam asked how long-term transport expansion plans consider residential liveability near expressways and MRT corridors, if alternative designs are evaluated to minimize noise, and how resident feedback influences planning. Jeffrey Siow responded that future rail and expressway alignments factor in their impact on residents, including implementing noise mitigation measures like barriers and maintaining adequate buffer distances. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) collects resident feedback through public channels and ground engagements to evaluate noise mitigation effectiveness and make adjustments if necessary.

Jackson Lam asked about the effectiveness of existing noise barriers, low-noise pavements, and rail modifications in reducing residential noise levels over the past five years, as well as measurement methods and potential adoption of newer technologies. Jeffrey Siow reported that these noise mitigation measures have reduced noise levels by up to five to 10 decibels and that further measurements are conducted to ensure compliance with National Environment Agency guidelines. The Land Transport Authority will continue to explore and adopt new technologies for effective noise reduction.

Jackson Lam asked how the Ministry for Transport assesses noise from roads, MRT lines, and airports during transport system design, and whether cumulative noise exposure for residents is considered, along with the prioritization of noise mitigation alongside capacity and efficiency. Jeffrey Siow responded that noise impact assessments evaluate the combined effects of transport infrastructure, using simulation models and ground measurements to identify areas exceeding noise guidelines. Measures to mitigate noise include maintaining buffer zones, implementing noise barriers, routing aircraft away from residential areas, and enforcing a night curfew at Seletar Airport, all aimed at achieving efficient transport while maintaining livability for communities.