Transport

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has independently tested claims that the electric public buses in Singapore cannot be remotely controlled. Jeffrey Siow responded that LTA has conducted technical reviews with manufacturers confirming the buses lack such capabilities and is performing additional independent assessments. The government does not publicly disclose details of cybersecurity findings due to security concerns.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development if season parking for personal mobility devices (PMDs) could be allowed in HDB multi-storey car parks. Chee Hong Tat referred to a previous response from the Ministry regarding this issue, highlighting a related inquiry addressed in January 2026 about fire-rated outdoor charging cabinets for PMDs.

Valerie Lee questioned the Coordinating Minister for updates on the wait times for Class 3 practical driving lessons and measures against bots securing bookings. K Shanmugam responded that driving schools are hiring more instructors and can employ foreigners to meet demand. He stated that anti-bot measures, such as CAPTCHA and booking restrictions, are in place to ensure fair access to lessons, with accounts penalized for bot usage. There are no plans to reissue private driving instructor licenses, as the Traffic Police aims for a standardized approach to driver education.

Poh Li San questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about efforts to educate teenagers on safe cycling, particularly regarding helmet use and group riding on main roads. Jeffrey Siow responded that helmet usage and group size regulations are mandated for cyclists on roads. The Land Transport Authority and Traffic Police hold school talks to promote safe cycling habits. Community volunteers under the Active Mobility Community Ambassadors scheme also encourage safe path sharing, and joint enforcement operations are carried out to deter violations.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked for statistics on hit-and-run accidents involving cyclists or active mobility device users over the last three years, specifically regarding the number of incidents, pedestrian injuries, and the resolution rates. K Shanmugam reported 12 such accidents from 2023 to November 2025, with eight resulting in pedestrian injuries. Only one suspect has been identified, highlighting the challenges in investigating these cases due to the lack of registration numbers and limited camera coverage in accident areas.

Poh Li San asked about the impact of upgrading 92 SMRT trains on train capacity and service frequency and whether it would extend the service lifespan of the trains. Jeffrey Siow clarified that the upgrades are designed to enhance passenger experience, energy efficiency, and reliability, rather than extend service life. He confirmed that the upgrade will not affect service capacity or frequency as there are sufficient trains in the fleet for the process.

Charlene Chen asked the Acting Minister for Transport about informing foreign vehicle drivers of Singapore's traffic, parking, safety, and emission rules before they enter the country, as well as improving post-incident resolution processes and deterring violations. Jeffrey Siow responded that foreign motorists are responsible for understanding local laws and must obtain permits for entry. Vehicles with outstanding fines cannot enter Singapore until all fines are paid.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis requested the Acting Minister for Transport to expedite the installation of additional electric vehicle chargers in HDB carparks with high utilization rates. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that EV chargers are already installed in all HDB towns and that deployment is being scaled up in response to increasing EV adoption, contingent on electrical capacity.

Valerie Lee asked about potential adjustments to peak hours for bus services due to increased flexible and hybrid work arrangements. She also inquired about efforts to encourage public transport operators to increase service frequency beyond traditional peak periods. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Land Transport Authority and bus operators adapt bus services based on ridership and travel patterns, including increasing frequencies during off-peak times if demand allows.

Yip Hon Weng queried the Acting Minister for Transport about enforcement measures for the new cross-border taxi rules to prevent foreign taxis from making local trips, maintaining fair competition for local taxis facing higher costs, and negotiating access to subsidized fuel for Singaporean taxis operating in Malaysia. Jeffrey Siow stated that this question was already addressed in a written reply for a previous Parliament sitting, referring to a report on addressing cost concerns related to new cross-border arrangements for ride-hailing services.

Poh Li San raised concerns regarding high Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices and suggested implementing shorter renewal durations, like annually or biennially, to provide affordable options for car owners extending ownership beyond 10 years. The Acting Minister for Transport, Jeffrey Siow, acknowledged the concerns but stated that allowing shorter renewals could exacerbate COE price fluctuations and reduce availability for new car buyers. Poh suggested considering shorter renewal terms specifically for commercial vehicles to support small businesses. Siow highlighted that commercial vehicle owners are already allowed to renew COEs for five years and emphasized maintaining fair competition for new business access to COEs.

Yeo Wan Ling raised concerns about the regulation of large rental car fleets due to their impact on private-hire drivers' livelihoods in cases of financial distress. Sun Xueling acknowledged the plight of drivers and noted that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) worked with relevant associations to support affected drivers after the Autobahn business failure but cautioned that regulation might increase costs for drivers and passengers. Yeo emphasized the need for better awareness among drivers regarding their rental agreements and suggested that contractual literacy should be included in vocational licensing curriculum. Sun stated that the LTA would set up a workgroup to address these educational needs and assist drivers in understanding their rights. Ng Chee Meng highlighted concerns about drivers losing deposits and suggested measures to safeguard these funds, while Sun reiterated the importance of providing new earning opportunities for affected drivers.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked if the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has assessed the feasibility of using Selective Door Operation (SDO) to allow longer train sets on the North East Line to increase capacity. Jeffrey Siow replied that the LTA found SDO unfeasible for this line, as it would necessitate longer dwell times at stations, leading to increased journey times and reduced system capacity. Implementing SDO would also require substantial modifications to depots and tracks to accommodate longer trains.

Valerie Lee inquired about complaints regarding arbitrary fines issued by regulated car park management companies and requested data on such complaints over the past two years. Jeffrey Siow reported that the Ministry of Transport and LTA received four complaints in that timeframe. Private parking spaces are managed by owners or Management Corporations, and LTA provides a Code of Practice to ensure clear signage regarding charges and fines. Motorists can reach out to premise owners or the Strata Titles Board for mediation in dispute cases.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye raised a question about the potential for compulsory insurance for all Personal Mobility Device (PMD) users to protect pedestrians and PMD users in accident scenarios. Jeffrey Siow responded that commercial riders are required to have third-party liability insurance while using active mobility devices on public paths, but insurance is encouraged, not mandated, for other PMD users to shield against claims.

Charlene Chen raised concerns about safety measures for bus commuters, particularly vulnerable groups, regarding fast-moving cyclists near bus stops. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Land Transport Authority builds cycling paths behind bus stops and implements "SLOW" markings and speed strips to remind cyclists to reduce speed. He also mentioned enforcement actions against reckless cycling at bus stops to enhance safety.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the status of road conversions identified in March 2021 for footpaths, cycling paths, or bus lanes. Jeffrey Siow reported that six conversions have been completed and five are ongoing, with stakeholder engagement and engineering studies being conducted for each site. Some identified sites have also been repurposed under the new Friendly Streets initiative, which aims to expand to all towns by 2030.

Lee Hong Chuang raised concerns about the safety of transporting workers in the rear of lorries and inquired about potential reviews of regulations and standards. Jeffrey Siow responded that government agencies, along with tripartite partners and NGOs, have implemented measures to enhance worker safety, including canopy requirements, higher side railings, lower speed limits, and minimum space requirements. Ongoing collaboration with the industry and NGOs will continue to explore further safety improvements.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the status of the 2022 plan to pedestrianise a 500m section of Orchard Road between Buyong Road and Handy Road. Chee Hong Tat responded that the project is currently in its design phase, and the completion timeline will be announced when available.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the rationale behind selecting 11 locations for new Traffic Violation Enforcement Cameras since September 2025 and inquired about the possibility of deploying more cameras in high-risk areas like school zones. K Shanmugam responded that mobile traffic enforcement cameras are placed in areas with higher accident and violation risks and mentioned that cameras may be redeployed or added based on ongoing risk assessments.