Transport

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked if the Government could install seating in long underground MRT tunnel walkways to assist seniors and those with mobility challenges. Dr. Amy Khor, representing the Ministry of Transport, affirmed the suggestion and noted that seating has already been installed in some longer walkways based on commuter feedback. The plan includes extending this feature to more stations and incorporating seats in upcoming lines like the Jurong Region line and Cross Island line to enhance commuter comfort and convenience.

• Ms. He Ting Ru questioned the inclusion of hybrid vehicles in the Government's cleaner-energy mandate for new car registrations starting in 2030, seeking clarity on their classification and future registration projections.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat responded that hybrid and electric vehicles are considered cleaner due to their lower carbon emissions compared to traditional vehicles.
• The registration of cleaner energy vehicles is increasing, with over 82% of new registrations in 2024 being cleaner models, and electric vehicles showing significant growth.
• There are currently no plans to prohibit the registration of hybrid vehicles, as it is deemed unnecessary and impractical.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Lim proposed extending Bus Service 371's route to better serve elderly residents in Compassvale Crescent, Sengkang.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat noted that residents already have access to 14 bus services within 400 meters and are close to MRT and Light Rail Transit stations.
• The Land Transport Authority will consider the suggestion, but it may negatively impact current commuters by increasing their travel times and fares.

• Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about the effectiveness of enforcement actions related to noise complaints on public transport, including statistics on successful actions, response times, and repeat offenders.
• Chee Hong Tat responded that a measured approach is taken against noise nuisances, with staff trained to manage complaints and enforce compliance when necessary.
• The Land Transport Authority has implemented new signage to remind passengers to keep noise levels down and has increased checks by public transport staff.

• Ms. Joan Pereira inquired about the safety measures for aircraft checks before their arrival and departure at Singapore airports.
• The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, highlighted that the International Civil Aviation Organization mandates regular inspections for all registered aircraft.
• The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has established a regulatory safety framework that includes routine inspections and audits for Singapore-registered aircraft.
• Foreign-registered aircraft operators are also required to comply with their home country's safety regulations, with CAAS conducting inspections to ensure compliance.
• Overall, CAAS ensures that both local and foreign operators maintain robust safety processes for aircraft operations.

• Mr. Don Wee inquired about the percentage of same-card transfers within the 45-minute allowance period and whether this period would be reviewed to better support commuters.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat explained that public transport fares are based on distance and designed to allow optimal service combinations without penalizing transfers.
• The Land Transport Authority reported that most transfers occur within 30 minutes, and commuters facing exceptional circumstances can apply for fare refunds through SimplyGo.

• Ms. Yeo Wan Ling inquired about enhancing the EZ-Link system to reconcile payments made from different devices linked to the same credit card for easier verification by ticket inspectors.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat explained that each payment device has a unique digital identifier, which prevents automatic linking of payments across devices, even if they are connected to the same bank card.
• The security of the links between identifiers and cards is maintained by the issuing bank, limiting vendors' access to this information.
• Commuters are advised to present the specific device used for tapping in when requested by ticket inspectors.

• Mr. Leong Mun Wai questioned the classification of Bus Service 502 as an express service with higher fares, noting that some trunk services have longer express segments.
• He requested the government to reconsider the classification of Bus Service 502 or the necessity of higher fares for express bus services.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat explained that the classification of express bus services considers multiple factors beyond route length, emphasizing that higher fares reflect the shorter travel time and added convenience they offer.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed the idea of allowing overnight parking in loading and unloading bays in Sengkang and Punggol due to limited parking spaces.
• Minister Desmond Lee responded that loading and unloading bays are designated for specific activities and allowing overnight parking could inconvenience residents.
• In the early 2000s, some flexibility was allowed for overnight parking at certain LUBs, but there are currently no plans to expand this arrangement.
• The government aims to preserve the availability of loading and unloading bays for their intended purpose.

• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced plans to broaden the use of assistance dogs to include persons with physical disabilities and those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.
• This extension will allow these assistance dogs access to public housing, public transport, and licensed food establishments in a phased manner.
• The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has updated its policies to permit assistance dogs in HDB flats.
• MSF is collaborating with various agencies to implement the necessary changes for the inclusion of these assistance dogs in public spaces.

• Christopher de Souza inquired about the implementation of Red-Amber-Green arrows at an additional 200 traffic junctions and the potential to minimize discretionary right turns to enhance safety.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is focusing on implementing RAG arrows at junctions near schools, Silver Zones, and areas with a history of accidents, particularly at wider junctions with higher speed limits.
• As of the end of 2024, RAG arrows have been installed at over 1,200 junctions, with site studies ongoing for the additional 200 junctions, aiming for completion by the end of 2025.

• Gerald Giam raised concerns about the high number of potholes detected early in 2025 and questioned the effectiveness of current inspection methods and standards for road construction.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) conducts regular inspections and increases frequency during heavy rainfall, with public feedback accounting for about 30% of pothole detections.
• LTA has implemented proactive road resurfacing to prevent potholes, resulting in a nearly 70% reduction in pothole detections from 2021 to 2024.
• The LTA is committed to monitoring road conditions and exploring new materials and construction standards to enhance road durability.

• Mr. Gan Thiam Poh and Ms. Carrie Tan both urged the Minister for Home Affairs to consider providing incentives for lorry owners to install speed limiters early to increase adoption rates.
• Ms. Tan inquired about the number of companies authorized to install speed limiters and their monthly installation capacity.
• The Minister, K Shanmugam, confirmed that there are 11 authorized companies with a combined capacity of about 2,200 installations per month.
• The Ministry has no plans to subsidize the installation costs, following a similar approach taken in the past for heavier goods vehicles.
• The Ministry will monitor the installation progress and may consider future measures to encourage early adoption if needed.

• The debate focused on the need to review the safety and design of zebra crossings in light of the increasing number of cyclists and personal mobility device (PMD) users.
• Desmond Choo raised concerns about whether current zebra crossing designs adequately meet the safety needs of all road users.
• Chee Hong Tat responded that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) considers safety in zebra crossing designs and implements features like markings, signs, and flashing lights to enhance safety.
• The LTA plans to widen and raise zebra crossings in high footfall areas and will continue to review design features to improve safety for active mobility users.
• Both active mobility device users and drivers are advised to exercise caution at zebra crossings by slowing down and being vigilant for oncoming traffic.

• Ms. Carrie Tan inquired about the feedback and effectiveness of the Caring SG Commuter lanyard and card initiative for commuters with invisible disabilities since its launch in October 2022.
• The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, reported that over 15,000 lanyards and cards have been distributed, with positive feedback from users.
• A 2024 survey indicated that 90% of respondents believe the initiative encourages kindness among commuters, and 42% of card holders felt personally benefited by the scheme.
• The Ministry plans to continue gathering feedback to improve the initiative and promote a kinder public transport culture.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the impact of increased Changi Airport charges on its competitiveness and airlines' operations. Chee Hong Tat assured that the Ministry of Transport and CAAS are focused on maintaining Changi’s competitiveness and meeting operational costs and future infrastructure investments. The charge increase aims to support upgrades, cover rising operating costs, and improve employee conditions. The fare increase is estimated to affect economy class tickets by less than 1%, and most consulted airlines, including low-cost carriers, understand the necessity of this increase. Continuous monitoring of Changi's performance and service levels will be conducted to ensure competitiveness.

Hazel Poa raised concerns about whether the KTM Tebrau shuttle train service between Woodlands and Johor Bahru has enough capacity to meet demand. Chee Hong Tat responded that the shuttle is a commercial service operated by Malaysia's KTMB and that ticket sales do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Singapore Government.

Leong Mun Wai asked about the ridership of the newly introduced express feeder Bus Service 298X compared to its parent Service 298 and inquired if express variants of trunk bus routes would be considered. Chee Hong Tat responded that ridership for Service 298X has yet to stabilize since its launch less than a month ago. He mentioned that express variants of trunk routes are not new, citing existing services like Service 30e and Service 97e as examples.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the possibility of retrofitting HDB multi-storey carparks to accommodate taller vehicles in newer estates like Sengkang and Punggol. Desmond Lee explained that HDB carparks are designed for standard passenger cars and light goods vehicles, with height limits in place due to safety and resident comfort. Larger commercial vehicles are generally not permitted in HDB carparks, and alternative parking options are available for them. HDB has no plans to retrofit existing multi-storey carparks for taller vehicles, as it would require significant alterations impacting all current users.

Leong Mun Wai asked about the future uses planned for the interim bus park at Boon Lay Place and whether users would be consulted regarding alternative parking options. Desmond Lee responded that agencies are studying plans to rejuvenate the Boon Lay Neighbourhood Centre, which includes the bus park, to meet the needs of residents and enhance community appeal. Engagements with the bus park operator have begun, and more information will be provided later.