Transport

Diana Pang Li Yen asked whether the "agony of the moment" defense would be codified in the Penal Code for negligent driving cases involving sudden pedestrian or cyclist actions. K Shanmugam responded that the current standard of care in the Road Traffic Act and the Penal Code already considers a reasonable driver's reaction to unforeseen circumstances. He indicated that there is no need to codify the "agony of the moment" defense, as reasonable actions by drivers would not constitute negligent driving.

Valerie Lee questioned the regulations governing siren noise levels for emergency vehicles and whether there will be a review to minimize noise impact in residential areas. K Shanmugam responded that emergency vehicles use sirens compliant with the SAE J1849 international standard, ensuring they are audible for effective warning. Sirens are activated only when necessary to allow prompt responses to life-threatening situations.

Ng Chee Meng asked for statistics on personal mobility aids, devices, and bicycles related incidents causing grievous injuries from 2023 to 2025. Jeffrey Siow reported approximately 710 such accidents resulting in injuries during that period. Out of these, around 590 incidents occurred on roads, while about 120 occurred off-road, including on public paths.

Joan Pereira questioned the Acting Minister for Transport on cybersecurity measures for electric public buses from a Chinese manufacturer, specifically regarding the deactivation of remote controls and optimization of vehicle performance without over-the-air updates. Melvin Yong raised concerns about safeguards for electric vehicles prior to any over-the-air updates. Jeffrey Siow explained that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) employs a risk-tiered approach to cybersecurity, requiring motor dealers to declare over-the-air capabilities and seeking prior approval for significant OTA modifications. LTA mandates compliance with international cybersecurity regulations for electric buses and assures that software updates are currently performed on-site by authorized personnel after LTA verification. Additionally, LTA is working with government cybersecurity agencies to transition safely to OTA updates for public buses.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised concerns about disamenities related to the bus depot construction between Tampines Road and Buangkok East Drive, asking what measures had been taken to address residents' feedback, including relocation requests. Jeffrey Siow responded that while the depot cannot be relocated, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is implementing several mitigating measures. These include constructing a 12-metre-high temporary noise barrier, installing noise monitoring systems, and minimizing dust through water spraying and vehicle cleaning.

Xie Yao Quan asked about the status of individuals injured in the bus accident on Jurong West Avenue 1 on 14 December 2025, including their discharge and financial support. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that all injured individuals have been discharged from the hospital. The bus operators are assisting with medical claims for the injured passengers. Ongoing investigations are being conducted, and the Land Transport Authority will provide updates as they progress.

• The debate focuses on the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill, which aims to amend several existing transport-related acts in Singapore.
• The acts being amended include the Active Mobility Act 2017, the Land Transport Authority of Singapore Act 1995, and others related to road traffic and vehicle safety.
• The bill was presented by the Acting Minister for Transport, Mr. Jeffrey Siow, and is scheduled for a second reading in a future parliamentary sitting.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the average time for the Traffic Police to issue summonses after speeding offences, as well as operational constraints causing delays and the potential for system reviews. K Shanmugam stated that it typically takes about two weeks to issue a notice to the registered vehicle owner after verifying the offence, but a backlog has emerged due to an increase in violations and a ransomware attack on a vendor. This backlog may extend the process to about a month before the notice is received by the owner, and the Traffic Police are working to resolve these issues.

Cai Yinzhou raised concerns about limited space for wheelchairs, strollers, and personal mobility aids (PMAs) on buses and suggested increasing dedicated multi-functional standing space on high-demand routes serving polyclinics and senior centers. Jeffrey Siow from the Land Transport Authority acknowledged the importance of inclusive public transport but noted that expanding space for mobility devices would necessitate the removal of four seats per bus. He emphasized the need to study travel patterns and demand before determining the best approach to balance space for assistive devices with seating for other passengers.

He Ting Ru asked about the expected cost and potential ridership impact of the upcoming pilot offering free off-peak MRT and LRT rides for commuters in northeast Singapore. Jeffrey Siow referred to a previous Parliament sitting on November 4, 2025, where details regarding the initiative were addressed, directing her to that discussion for more information.

Fadli Fawzi questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about the percentage of roads in Singapore with three or more lanes in each direction that lack bus lanes. Jeffrey Siow responded that approximately 80% of these roads currently do not have bus lanes. The government plans to reduce this percentage to prioritize public transport and enhance travel times for commuters.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns regarding increased peak traffic demands due to the completion of Kovan Wellspring BTO, asking about congestion plans, bus and MRT capacity upgrades, and timelines for improvements. Jeffrey Siow responded that road improvements will occur at the junction of Tampines Road and Upper Serangoon Road alongside the Kovan Wellspring development. The Kovan MRT station currently has 12 bus services and will implement free morning off-peak rail rides on the North East Line starting in December 2025 to alleviate train crowding during peak hours.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the Minister for National Development about environmental assessments for the construction of a bus depot in a forested area along Sungei Serangoon. The Minister of State, Alvin Tan, clarified that the site, classified as brownfield, does not require an environmental study due to its limited impact on sensitive habitats and mentioned that mitigating measures will be implemented during construction. Dennis Tan raised concerns from residents about noise and dust from the depot's operations and advocated for relocating the depot to avoid environmental disruption in the forested area. Alvin Tan emphasized the site's long-standing industrial zoning and the efforts to mitigate disamenities during construction.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the Minister about the benchmarks for road traffic fatality rates and measures to reduce motorcycle accidents, which have increased despite a decline in speeding-related incidents. The Minister of State for Home Affairs highlighted that the government aims for zero tolerance towards accidents while acknowledging their inevitability in society. The Traffic Police updated motorcycle helmet standards, effective November 2025, and mandated Anti-Lock Braking Systems for newly registered motorcycles by April 2027 to enhance safety. Public education campaigns have also been launched to promote safe riding habits among motorcyclists amidst rising accident statistics.

Choo Pei Ling asked the Acting Minister for Transport about the possibility of opening Tengah Link, a bus-only road, to general traffic during off-peak hours to improve connectivity. Jeffrey Siow explained that Tengah Link is designed exclusively for buses to ensure quick access to Tengah town, and opening it to general traffic would lead to longer bus travel times and traffic congestion. He acknowledged the call for better connectivity in Tengah but confirmed that due to planned increases in bus services, the road will remain a dedicated bus corridor, making it impractical to allow private cars. Additionally, options to widen the road were not feasible due to surrounding infrastructure constraints.

Lee Hui Ying asked if there will be additional Silver Zones beyond the planned 50 and how the needs of the ageing population will be reviewed. The Senior Minister of State for Transport responded that there are currently no plans for more Silver Zones, as the focus has shifted to the Friendly Streets initiative, which will expand across all towns by 2030. Lee expressed concerns about the safety of senior pedestrians in the Friendly Streets pilot and requested information on the criteria for selection of these streets, as well as the inclusion of Nee Soon South in future plans. The Minister confirmed that Friendly Streets will be implemented in high-activity areas and highlighted that feedback has shown a 20% reduction in vehicle speeds in completed projects, contributing to pedestrian safety.