Transport

• Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised a concern about the lack of a feeder bus service for residents of Compassvale Crescent, who face long distances to the nearest bus stop.
• The Acting Minister for Transport, Jeffrey Siow, referenced previous discussions on the topic, indicating that there has been no change in the assessment regarding the introduction of a feeder bus service.
• The debate highlighted ongoing concerns about public transport accessibility for residents in the area.

• Mr. Ng Shi Xuan raised concerns about the inaccessibility of approximately 90% of private Heavy Vehicle (HV) parking lots for public inquiry regarding availability.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat stated there are around 40,000 total HV lots and 32,000 HVs registered under the Vehicle Parking Certificate (VPC) scheme, which requires designated overnight parking for registration and road tax renewal.
• The allocation of VPCs for HV lots is at the discretion of Heavy Vehicle Park (HVP) license holders, who may prioritize their own operational needs.
• Government agencies will consider the availability of private HV lots when collaborating with industry stakeholders to address parking needs effectively.

• Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about the extent of road resurfacing re-excavation over the past three years, the costs involved, and the authority of the Road Opening Coordination Committee regarding a consolidated dig-once schedule.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforces a one-year moratorium on reopening newly resurfaced roads to reduce unnecessary disruptions, although exceptions are made for emergency utility work, which is funded by the utility providers.
• The Road Opening Coordination Committee facilitates coordination among agencies and utility providers but does not have the power to direct road work implementations.
• Solutions like Common Services Tunnels and Utilities Specific Ducts are used to minimize repeated excavations, although their deployment may be limited by cost and specific site conditions.

• The Free Morning Off-Peak Rail Rides scheme on the North East Line (NEL) is a pilot program aimed at reducing peak hour crowding by encouraging commuters to travel during off-peak hours.
• The government will assess the effectiveness of the scheme after one year, with a target of shifting about 7% of peak hour commuters to off-peak travel, which would help manage train capacity without needing additional resources.
• The scheme is fully funded by the government, and any revenue loss will be covered, with future decisions on its continuation dependent on the program's success and commuter response.
• Concerns were raised about the accessibility of the scheme for vulnerable groups, and the government emphasized that the initiative aims to benefit all commuters by improving overall travel conditions.
• The need for long-term infrastructure improvements, such as the potential acceleration of the Seletar Line, was acknowledged, with ongoing studies to address future transport demands in the North East region.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about additional safety measures following the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau’s report on the collision between Vox Maxima and Marine Honour. Jeffrey Siow stated that the report identified several causal factors and made six recommendations specifically for the company managing Vox Maxima. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has taken action against four crew members convicted under the Merchant Shipping Act. MPA has implemented emergency response protocols, updated training for harbour pilots, and modified the Vessel's Checklist for Piloted Movements to enhance safety measures. Long-term plans include assessing the feasibility of stationing harbour tugs in critical port areas for added support during mechanical or electrical failures.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked about the long-term cost-benefit analysis of transitioning to electric vehicles in public bus tenders and safeguards against fare increases due to higher electrification costs. Jeffrey Siow highlighted that the shift to electric buses will enhance air quality and public health while currently only replacing buses that are near the end of their lifespan. He mentioned that the life cycle costs of electric and diesel buses are similar, with potential for reduced operational costs as technology advances, which may allow for a faster transition without significantly impacting bus service costs or commuter fares.

Pritam Singh requested data on the number of bus captains and drivers in the public transport sector from 2015 to 2024, categorized by nationality. Jeffrey Siow reported a 9% increase in the total number of bus captains, growing from approximately 8,900 in 2015 to about 9,700 in 2024. The nationality composition has remained stable over the years, except for a temporary decline in foreign bus captains during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of December 2024, the breakdown is approximately 28% Singaporeans, 15% Permanent Residents, and 57% foreign Work Pass holders.

Shawn Loh requested the Acting Minister for Transport to consider a right-turn from McNair Road onto Balestier Road towards the Central Expressway due to anticipated increased traffic from new BTO developments. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the Land Transport Authority will indeed provide this right-turn along with other traffic enhancements, including junction widening and lane extension. These improvements are planned to be implemented before the completion of the new BTO projects, which are expected in the first half of 2026.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised concerns about whether penalties for traffic offenses related to substance use, including vaping substances, are aligned with drink-driving penalties. K Shanmugam confirmed that the penalties for driving under the influence of drugs are the same as for drink-driving, with additional penalties for drug consumption. The Ministry reviews penalties periodically and will consider the suggestion for stronger deterrent measures.

Yip Hon Weng raised questions regarding the speeding prevalence of larger vehicles, including lorries and vans, particularly in overtaking lanes on major roads, and whether work-related pressures contribute to this behavior. K Shanmugam provided statistics on speeding violations for 2024 but noted that the Traffic Police do not track lane-specific speeding or the reasons behind it, with common excuses including lack of awareness of speed limits. He mentioned that foreign-registered vehicles with unpaid fines could be denied entry into Singapore until those fines are settled. The possibility of targeted enforcement for such vehicles was also raised.

Fadli Fawzi questioned the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth about the Marine Parade Cluster WeCare Shuttle Service, focusing on its utilization rates, costs, future plans, additional funding, and interest from other grassroots organizations. Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that the service was initiated by Grassroots Organisations with a $200,000 seed grant and featured six bus routes for resident connectivity. The pilot service is set to end on 20 November 2025, as feedback led to the decision to redirect resources elsewhere. Funding to operate the service, beyond the initial grant, was sourced from GROs and donations. The potential for similar services by other GROs will depend on local needs, costs, and alternative transport options.

Low Wu Yang Andre questioned the Ministry of Transport about the criteria for distinguishing between isolated incidents and systemic issues in the rail network, as well as the analytical processes to identify systemic weaknesses. Jeffrey Siow explained that the Land Transport Authority analyzes fault trends, reliability performance indicators, system logs, asset conditions, and maintenance records to diagnose rail incidents. He noted that recent disruptions across MRT lines were found to have different causes, but the Rail Reliability Taskforce was established to thoroughly review these incidents and assess maintenance practices to ensure no systemic problems exist.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked whether there is legislation preventing motor insurers from deducting MediShield Life payouts from third-party damages awarded to accident victims, and if not, whether new legislation would be considered. Ong Ye Kung clarified that Singapore Courts have established that insurers cannot reduce damages in this way due to the common law principle against double recovery, which is also recognized in other common law jurisdictions. He also mentioned that the Ministry lacks data on the prevalence of this practice among insurers.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Acting Minister for Transport about the availability of the Commuter Graciousness Index and survey results from the past five years, as well as measures to encourage seat-giving for those in need on public transport. Jeffrey Siow stated that the Ministry has been promoting seat-giving through the Caring SG Commuter Movement and related campaigns. The government tracks perceptions of graciousness via studies by the LTA and Public Transport Council and is currently reviewing the methodology of the LTA survey used for the Commuter Graciousness Index.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Acting Minister for Transport about collisions between cyclists and pedestrians on cycling paths adjacent to pedestrian-only paths, the lack of legal prohibition for pedestrians on these paths, and the possibility of introducing such a prohibition. Jeffrey Siow reported 20 accidents involving active mobility users and pedestrians between July 1 and August 31, 2025, but noted no tracking of collisions specifically on adjacent paths. The Code of Conduct for Active Mobility encourages users to stick to their designated paths to improve safety, and pedestrians can use cycling paths for flexibility when safe. The Land Transport Authority plans to enhance user education and awareness about safe path usage.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the Ministry of Education's oversight of school bus operators' operational performance standards. Desmond Lee confirmed that the Ministry sets performance requirements for bus operators serving mainstream schools, focusing on safety, reliability, and service quality. Special education (SPED) schools establish their standards in collaboration with social service agencies to address specific transportation needs. Both mainstream and SPED schools selected bus operators through a competitive bidding process, emphasizing competitive bus fares and evaluating factors like operators' track records and fleet capacity.

Yip Hon Weng asked the Acting Minister for Transport about reviewing and enforcing stricter regulations on motor vehicle loans to address 100% financing packages offered by some car dealers. Jeffrey Siow responded that motor vehicle loans from financial institutions must follow MAS regulations, which set loan-to-value limits based on the vehicle's Open Market Value (OMV). He noted that car dealers can offer alternative financing arrangements not regulated by MAS, such as leasing or lease-to-own schemes. Buyers were advised to seek loans through regulated sources for better protection.

Charlene Chen raised concerns to the Acting Minister for Transport regarding complaints related to foreign-registered vehicles, particularly focusing on noise, illegal parking, and other disamenities. Jeffrey Siow reported that the most common issues reported are illegal parking and pollutive emissions from these vehicles. Joint enforcement operations are conducted by the Land Transport Authority, the National Environment Agency, and the Traffic Police to address these issues, with uniform penalties for all vehicles. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on foreign vehicles to the appropriate agencies.

David Hoe asked about the deployment status of EV chargers in HDB carparks, specifically regarding progress towards the 60,000 charging points target by 2030, the criteria for requesting additional chargers, and the possibility of expedited deployments. Jeffrey Siow reported that over 25,000 EV charging points are currently in use, with more than 7,500 installed in about 85% of HDB carparks, and confirmed that the targets for accessibility and deployment are on track. The Land Transport Authority is monitoring usage rates and plans to increase the number of chargers based on demand and capacity, ensuring more charging points will be available in the future.

Mariam Jaafar asked about the Ministry of Transport's monitoring of road safety and maintenance in areas with heavy construction, like Woodlands, and measures for timely and durable repairs. Jeffrey Siow responded that critical defects, such as potholes, are addressed within a day, while the Land Transport Authority (LTA) employs a comprehensive inspection regime, including regular inspections using video analytics. LTA is exploring using cameras on public buses for defect detection and collaborating with industry and academic institutions to develop more durable road materials to reduce maintenance needs.