Transport

• In the first half of 2025, there were approximately 730 cases of jaywalking, marking a 4% increase from the previous year.
• Nine fatal accidents involving jaywalkers occurred in the first half of 2025, up from seven in the same period the previous year.
• The Traffic Police have conducted numerous outreach events focused on road safety, particularly targeting the elderly, reaching over 100,000 individuals.
• Educational campaigns emphasize the importance of using designated crossing points and staying alert while crossing the road.
• There is a discussion on the potential for stiffer penalties to deter jaywalking.

• Mr. Ng Shi Xuan inquired about the number of new applications for licenses to operate heavy vehicle parking places and the processing times for these applications over the past three years.
• The Land Transport Authority reported receiving an average of 700 new applications annually from 2022 to 2024 for licenses to operate private Heavy Vehicle Parks.
• There are currently about 2,100 operators of heavy vehicle parking spaces, and Vehicle Parking Certificates are issued by these operators.
• The mean and median processing time for heavy vehicle park applications over the past three years was approximately two days.

• The debate focused on enforcement efforts to ensure heavy vehicles are parked in designated spaces as per the Vehicle Parking Certificate (VPC) Scheme.
• Heavy vehicles must park in authorized Heavy Vehicle Parks, particularly between 12:00 am and 6:00 am when not in use.
• The Land Transport Authority conducts enforcement actions against heavy vehicles parked in non-designated areas, responding to feedback and conducting patrols.
• An average of approximately 1,300 Notices of Offence have been issued annually for improper parking of heavy vehicles from 2020 to 2024.

• The debate focused on whether to define "heavy vehicles" under the Vehicle Parking Certificate (VPC) scheme by vehicular dimensions instead of weight.
• Ng Shi Xuan raised concerns about large vehicles that are not classified as heavy but cannot fit into standard parking spaces.
• Jeffrey Siow explained that heavy vehicles are categorized by Maximum Laden Weight (MLW) due to safety concerns related to steering and stopping capabilities.
• The use of MLW for categorizing vehicles is supported by practices in various countries, emphasizing the need for designated parking to mitigate road safety risks.

• Miss Rachel Ong inquired about the statistics of road accidents involving foreign Work Pass holders from 2021 to the present, including the number of accidents and fatalities.
• K Shanmugam provided data indicating an average of 1,489 road accidents annually involving foreign Work Pass holders, with an average of 15 fatalities each year.
• Foreign Work Pass holders accounted for 22% of all road accidents and 13% of all fatal accidents during the specified period.

• The Transport Sector (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 aims to enhance public transport safety and comfort by regulating commuter behavior and consolidating existing security measures for buses and bus interchanges.
• Key amendments include empowering the Public Transport Council to allow bus operators to withdraw from the Fuel Equalisation Fund and increasing penalties for breaches of the Public Transport Council Act to deter non-compliance.
• The Bill also introduces provisions for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to manage dumping sites and fees, ensuring environmental safety and operational efficiency.
• Concerns were raised regarding the implementation of security screenings for buses, including the need for clarity on operational challenges and the impact on commuter flow.
• Support for the Bill was expressed, emphasizing the importance of protecting public transport workers and ensuring their safety while enforcing new regulations.

Jamus Lim asked the Acting Minister for Transport about the possibility of implementing more robust policies to guarantee priority seating for the elderly and disabled on public transport. Jeffrey Siow responded that legislating for every behavior is not ideal and highlighted the importance of fostering a caring commuter culture instead. The government is promoting gracious commuting through initiatives like the Caring SG Commuter Movement, emphasizing voluntary seat-giving. A 2024 survey indicated that over 70% of respondents with disabilities found it easier to get a seat on public transport compared to the previous year, indicating progress in commuter behavior.

Fadli Fawzi asked if standards could be set for the maximum time allowed between the onset of train delays and public announcements regarding those delays. Jeffrey Siow responded that this issue was previously addressed in oral parliamentary questions during the 22 September 2025 sitting, directing attention to that session's official report for further details.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about procedures for bus captains regarding smooth braking at stops for standing or moving passengers and whether they must wait for vulnerable passengers to be seated before driving off. Jeffrey Siow responded that bus captains are trained to provide safe journeys, avoiding harsh braking, and are monitored for good driving behavior. Bus captains are required to wait for vulnerable passengers, like the elderly and pregnant, to secure themselves before departing, but they must also react to road conditions and could be required to brake suddenly for safety. Passengers are encouraged to remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop.

Charlene Chen asked about the denial of entry for foreign-registered vehicles in Singapore due to outstanding fines or offences. K Shanmugam responded that vehicles with significant unpaid fines may be denied entry and must settle these fines to enter. There were 149, 174, and 1018 entry denials in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. As of August 2025, approximately 58% of fines from this period remain unpaid.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the number of vehicle fire cases in 2025 and their causes. K Shanmugam reported 152 vehicle fires in the first eight months, with main causes being engine overheating, electrical faults, and ignition sparks from collisions. The Singapore Civil Defence Force does not monitor whether vehicles were stationary or in operation during these incidents.

Hamid Razak raised questions about how the Land Transport Authority (LTA) ensures adequate roof coverage for bus-stop shelters during heavy rain and whether older bus stops in busy areas will be evaluated for retrofitting. Jeffrey Siow responded that LTA regularly reviews bus stop designs to improve commuter service, incorporating features like back panels and rain screens in new designs. Upgrades to older bus stops will include these features, and higher-traffic stops may have wider roofs where possible.

Fadli Fawzi asked if the Ministry of Transport could collaborate with Malaysia to extend the operating hours of the Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) for cross-border commuters. Jeffrey Siow responded that operating hours will be agreed upon by both countries and RTS Operations Pte Ltd, taking into account ridership demand and operational constraints.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the Minister for National Development about the relevance of the 2,000 kg weight limit for commercial vehicle parking in HDB car parks. Chee Hong Tat stated that the assessment remains unchanged from a previous response in 2021, emphasizing safety concerns regarding larger vehicles exceeding structural capacities. Commercial vehicles cannot park in residential HDB car parks and may apply for exceptions to park in surface lots, with alternative parking available in commercial and industrial facilities. The increasing weight of electric commercial vehicles is under review for potential structural enhancements to HDB car parks.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the conversion of zebra crossings to courtesy crossings in HDB estates, including the number converted, the rationale for this policy, and concerns about pedestrian safety. Chee Hong Tat indicated that 37 zebra crossings were converted to courtesy crossings between 2022 and 2024 due to feedback about safety concerns, as some zebra crossings did not provide pedestrians a clear line of sight for safe crossing. The conversion aims to enhance safety by encouraging mutual caution among pedestrians and motorists and is supported by additional traffic calming measures where possible.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan raised concerns about the quality of existing cycling paths, highlighting issues of disjointed, blocked, or narrow paths that impact safety and usability, particularly those running parallel to footpaths. Jeffrey Siow explained that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) aims to create connected and wide cycling paths, but some gaps are temporary as they are being built in stages. LTA is upgrading older, narrower cycling paths that do not meet current standards and implementing safety measures where paths cannot be widened. For cycling paths adjacent to pedestrian paths, markings and signage are used to improve safety.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong requested updates on Changi Airport's response to Jetstar Asia's relocation and plans for improving connectivity between Terminal 4 and other terminals. Jeffrey Siow reported that Jetstar Asia ceased operations on July 31, 2025, affecting about 3% of Changi's passenger traffic. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group have collaborated with other airlines to cover most of Jetstar's routes. Starting in November 2025, Changi Airport Group will enhance the frequency of shuttle bus services between Terminal 4 and other terminals to improve passenger experience.

Fadli Fawzi questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about plans for trialling on-road cycling lanes in residential areas, similar to initiatives in cities like Paris. Jeffrey Siow responded that on-road cycling lanes have already been trialed on Tanah Merah Coast Road and West Camp Road, with considerations including low vehicular traffic and road width for such implementations. The expansion of on-road cycling lanes will be cautious due to Singapore's land constraints, leading to a focus on enhancing off-road cycling infrastructure. The Islandwide Cycling Network is set to increase from 750km to approximately 1,300km by 2030 to improve cycling safety and connectivity.

Valerie Lee requested data on primary school bus fares over the past five years, measures to make fares more affordable, and any future plans to further reduce costs. Desmond Lee explained that school bus fares are set through competitive bidding, with a noted average fare increase for 2025. Low-income families receive a subsidy that was increased to 65% in January 2023, with additional support available from schools. The government helps keep operating costs low for bus operators through various measures, including exemptions and rebates, and will monitor the fare situation for potential further support.

Low Wu Yang Andre asked how HDB's planning for new towns and BTO launches aligns with LTA timelines for transport network expansion to avoid infrastructure lag. Chee Hong Tat explained that Singapore uses an integrated approach to master planning, ensuring that major infrastructure projects are initiated years in advance to align with housing developments. Agencies collaborate to stage infrastructure and development plans, aiming to deliver transport facilities simultaneously with new housing projects.