Transport

• Ms. Hazel Poa inquired about updates on addressing the needs of bus drivers in light of additional foreign worker quotas.
• The Ministry of Manpower is collaborating with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Education to support public and school bus operators in maintaining an adequate supply of bus drivers.
• The government emphasizes that bus driving is a viable career for Singaporeans and that additional foreign worker quotas are temporary, aimed at encouraging the hiring and retention of local drivers.
• Efforts are being made to enhance salary packages and working conditions for bus captains through collaboration with public bus operators.

• Ms. Joan Pereira and Mr. Liang Eng Hwa raised concerns about the frequency of repairs, common problems, and the reliability of HDB car park gantries.
• The Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee, explained that routine monthly maintenance is conducted on the Electronic Parking System (EPS) in HDB car parks.
• Common issues with the gantries include network connectivity problems, barrier malfunctions, and power failures, with some issues stemming from motorists' cashcard problems.
• Service providers are required to respond to issues within 60 minutes and HDB conducts regular audits to ensure compliance and quality of service.
• HDB is committed to improving the quality and reliability of car park gantries through collaboration with service providers.

• Melvin Yong Yik Chye raised concerns about the low adoption of speed limiters on lorries and suggested that the Traffic Police collaborate with LTA to facilitate their installation alongside the ERP 2.0 system.
• K Shanmugam responded that lorry owners can currently install both the speed limiter and the ERP 2.0 system at six designated workshops.
• The Traffic Police plan to appoint additional workshops to enable the concurrent installation of both devices.

• In 2024, 33% of motorcycle accidents in Singapore involved foreign-registered motorcycles, according to the Singapore Police Force's report.
• The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, highlighted ongoing enforcement operations by the Traffic Police targeting errant motorcyclists at land checkpoints.
• The Traffic Police also conducts regular road safety talks at workplaces with many foreign workers to promote safe riding techniques.

• Ms. Hany Soh inquired about the impact of the March 2025 monsoon surge on traffic accidents and congestion along expressways to Woodgrove division.
• The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, reported that there was no observed increase in accidents or congestion during the specified period on the relevant expressways.

• Mr. Ong Hua Han urged the Government to consider recommendations from a report on the transportation of migrant workers, including removing exceptions in the Road Traffic Act and providing transport subsidies.
• The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, emphasized the priority of improving road safety but stated that banning lorry transportation is not feasible due to potential negative impacts on small- and medium-sized enterprises.
• The Government is engaging with companies to understand challenges and promote safer alternative transportation methods for migrant workers.

• Dr. Tan Wu Meng raised concerns about the reporting of defects in leased or hire purchase vehicles, questioning the number of belated reports and the prevalence of vendors buying back defective vehicles at inflated prices.
• He also inquired about cases where hire purchase firms allowed buybacks of cars with undisclosed defects while imposing penalties on hirers, and sought information on support for financially limited hirers in such situations.
• The Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, stated that only one report matching these concerns had been received in the past two years.
• He highlighted the Lemon Law, which mandates businesses to repair, replace, or refund defective goods within six months, and mentioned that consumers can seek assistance from the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) for redress.
• CASE can help negotiate settlements with car dealers, and if unsuccessful, consumers have the option to file claims in court or with the Small Claims Tribunals.

• Ms. Joan Pereira proposed that local vehicle owners should be required to service their vehicles at authorized workshops and that foreign vehicles should submit proof of roadworthiness from authorized foreign workshops due to recurring fire incidents.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat emphasized that all Singapore-registered vehicles must undergo regular inspections at Authorized Inspection Centres, and those failing inspections cannot be used on the roads.
• He noted that the cross-border movement of vehicles is regulated by the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic, allowing vehicles from signatory countries to enter Singapore if they meet specific standards.
• Vehicle owners are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy, and the Land Transport Authority conducts spot checks, with penalties for non-compliance.

• The Minister for Transport provided an update on the installation of lifts at pedestrian overhead bridges (POBs) as part of the Land Transport Master Plan 2040.
• Since 2018, all new POBs are constructed with lifts, and retrofitting of existing POBs has been ongoing since 2011.
• To date, lifts have been retrofitted at 91 existing POBs, with plans to retrofit an additional 150 by the end of 2030.
• The approximate cost to retrofit a POB with a pair of lifts is about $5 million.

• Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about the status of the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) plans to extend covered linkways to an 800-metre radius around MRT stations.
• The LTA has constructed 186 kilometres of covered linkways since the Walk2Ride programme began in 2013, focusing on improving access to public transport nodes.
• In 2024, the LTA announced plans to further extend covered linkways to Friendly Streets within an 800-metre radius of MRT stations.
• Over the next five years, the LTA aims to build an additional 50 kilometres of covered linkways to improve first and last mile connectivity.

• The Green Man crossing times at pedestrian crossings are reviewed based on factors like crossing distance and pedestrian walking speed, with adjustments made for specific areas like Silver Zones and Friendly Streets.
• The Green Man Plus scheme allows seniors and persons with disabilities to extend crossing times by tapping their concession cards at certain crossings.
• Concerns were raised by residents in Ang Mo Kio about insufficient crossing times, particularly for seniors, prompting a discussion on the adequacy of current timings.
• The Land Transport Authority calculates crossing durations using a standard walking speed and considers the impact on vehicular traffic when determining crossing times.
• The Minister for Transport will review the specific crossing highlighted by the Member to ensure it meets safety and comfort needs for pedestrians.

• The Minister of State for Home Affairs reported that common causes of fires in indoor and multi-storey car parks include vehicular issues, electrical faults, and improperly disposed lighted materials.
• Fire incidents in these car parks have been low, with a gradual increase from 14 in 2020 to 36 in 2024, primarily due to vehicular fires, none of which involved electric vehicles (EVs).
• Fire safety measures in Singapore's car parks include fire-rated walls, ventilation systems, and sprinklers, which are regularly maintained and inspected.
• Concerns were raised about the challenges of extinguishing EV fires, which take longer to put out due to thermal runaway, and the need for guidelines on the placement of EV chargers in car parks.
• The government has developed guidelines for EV chargers to ensure safety, including compliance with safety distances and the installation of power cut-off switches.

• Over the past 10 years, there have been five bus passenger fatalities in Singapore, primarily involving elderly commuters who fell onboard.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented safety features on buses, such as priority seats, non-slip flooring, and training for bus captains to ensure the safety of elderly passengers.
• The government has accepted recommendations from the Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce to enhance bus safety, including audio reminders and improved safety technology.
• There is a concern about the aging population and the need for further enhancements to bus safety features, particularly for seniors.
• The implementation of the task force's recommendations is planned to begin in the second half of 2025, with ongoing discussions about additional safety measures.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the increase in demand for dedicated transport services for children with disabilities over the past five years and whether this demand has been met by registered school bus operators.
• Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that public transport has generally catered well to persons with disabilities, and not all require dedicated transport services.
• He noted that SPED schools and disability service providers arrange suitable transport for those in need and that the government supports these services through the Enabling Transport Subsidy.
• The use of the Enabling Transport Subsidy for dedicated transport services has risen by an average of 6% annually, reflecting increased enrollment in SPED schools and disability services.

• The Minister for Home Affairs was asked to explain the fire safety protocols for electric vehicles (EVs) and how they compare to those for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, as well as measures to improve EV fire safety.
• Studies indicate that EVs have a lower rate of fire incidents compared to ICE and hybrid vehicles, but EV fires present higher safety risks, including potential explosions and re-ignition after extinguishment.
• Specific safety protocols for EV fires include larger safety buffer zones for first responders and extended monitoring after a fire is extinguished, along with quarantining the vehicle post-incident.
• All vehicles, including EVs, must adhere to international safety standards and undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance, while EV charging systems must meet national safety standards.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang raised questions regarding the provision of child car seats in taxis, referencing a pilot program by SMRT Taxis. Chee Hong Tat explained that taxis are exempt from requiring child seats for passengers under 1.35 meters, as they offer street-hail services where prior notification is not possible. Ride-hail services, however, must allow passengers to request child seats during booking. Families can also use their own child seats in taxis and private hire vehicles.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the increase in speeding violations in 2024 and the effectiveness of existing deterrent measures. K Shanmugam explained that the rise is partly due to enhanced enforcement efforts, including the activation of speed enforcement on red-light cameras, and possibly due to drivers speeding more. The Ministry plans to intensify public education to promote safety and compliance, increase enforcement, and implement harsher penalties for repeat offenders starting January 2026.

Yeo Wan Ling raised concerns about illegal carpooling arranged through online chatgroups and requested information on measures to combat this and whether a public education campaign on legal carpooling practices would be initiated. Dr. Amy Khor highlighted that the Land Transport Authority conducts enforcement actions against illegal carpooling, with heavy penalties for offenders. The use of informal platforms like Telegram for carpooling is illegal and poses safety risks, prompting the need for public awareness campaigns. Khor acknowledged the demand for carpooling but emphasized the importance of using licensed services for commuter safety and indicated plans to collaborate with associations on education efforts.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Transport about the industries transitioning from transporting workers by lorries to buses and the factors facilitating this change. Chee Hong Tat reiterated that this question had been addressed in a previous Parliament sitting on 26 February 2025 and referred to the official report for details.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the Minister for Transport about the new policy prohibiting the sale of private-hire cars to individuals for three years, seeking clarification on why this timeframe was deemed optimal and what assessments were made regarding its impact on the industry and car ownership trends. He also inquired if the policy would increase costs for companies and drivers and if there are measures to alleviate any financial burdens for private-hire drivers. Chee Hong Tat indicated that further information would be provided during the upcoming Committee of Supply debate.