Transport

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport about complaints regarding aggressive or jerky bus driving in the past year, how such behaviors are monitored, contributing factors, and measures to improve safety and comfort. Chee Hong Tat reported that there were around 10 daily complaints related to driving behavior out of nearly four million bus trips in 2024, primarily due to bus captains reacting to other road users. Bus operators are required to balance schedules with safe driving, and newly licensed bus captains undergo extensive training on safe driving techniques. Telematics systems are used to monitor driving behavior, rewarding good practices and providing additional training for those with issues. The Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce is reviewing ways to enhance road safety and situational awareness for bus captains, with a report expected by mid-2025.

Gan Thiam Poh requested a feasibility study on connecting the Cross Island MRT Line's Punggol extension to Yio Chu Kang MRT station for better access to residents along Yio Chu Kang Road and Fernvale. Chee Hong Tat responded that there are currently no plans to extend the Punggol extension beyond Punggol station. Residents in Yio Chu Kang and Fernvale already have access to multiple MRT lines and bus services, and upcoming transport expansions will enhance connectivity. The Land Transport Authority will continually evaluate future transport infrastructure needs based on various factors, including land use developments and travel demand.

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised several questions regarding incidents involving intoxicated passengers on public transport, including the number of reported incidents, enforcement actions taken, staff training, and potential new measures. Chee Hong Tat responded that intoxicated passengers unable to travel are not allowed on public transport, and disruptive individuals may be removed with police involvement if necessary. Over the past three years, there were approximately 34 reported incidents monthly, mostly without the need for enforcement actions. Public transport staff are trained to identify signs of intoxication and manage situations involving disruptive passengers.

Liang Eng Hwa questioned the Minister for Transport about extending incentives for commuters to avoid morning peak travel or switch to selected bus services beyond the North East Line, specifically to the Downtown Line. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Travel Smart Journeys initiative was enhanced on 2 January 2025, currently focusing on the North East Line. The Land Transport Authority will evaluate its effectiveness before considering expansion to other rail lines.

Gan Thiam Poh raised questions about the adequacy of HDB and public car parks in light of the upcoming increase of 20,000 COEs and the maximum car population increase that would necessitate further adjustments to parking facilities. Desmond Lee clarified that the Land Transport Authority will incrementally release the COEs starting February 2025, with this increase representing about 2% of the current vehicle population. He assured that national public car parks have enough capacity to support the expected rise in season parking demand, with most residential car parks having over 10% of lots unallocated. Lee acknowledged occasional local shortages in parking and stated that monitoring and demand management measures are implemented to address these issues.

He Ting Ru asked about the operational reasons for the differences in bus boarding ramp deployment for wheelchair users versus parents with strollers and the resources allocated for improving public transport accessibility for families. Chee Hong Tat explained that parents can board from either door and seek assistance with the ramp, while wheelchair users have a standard procedure for ramp deployment due to their unique needs. He noted that stroller restraints have been added to bus wheelchair bays and highlighted that all new bus interchanges are designed with family-friendly features, with upgrades to existing interchanges planned when feasible. Additionally, all stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line and upcoming lines include family-friendly facilities.

Desmond Choo raised concerns about the impact of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link on various sectors in Singapore, including retail and the job market. The Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan, referenced a previous written response and acknowledged merchants' concerns regarding the potential benefits skewed towards one side. Hany Soh suggested a comprehensive approach to improve the overall appeal of areas like Woodlands to attract Malaysian visitors, while Alvin Tan highlighted existing Government efforts to enhance neighbourhood centres and support local businesses. Lim Biow Chuan emphasized the broader implications for all retail industries, pointing out that Singaporeans are likely to shop in Johor due to lower prices, and urged the Ministry to consider strategies for the entire retail sector.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked for updates on the roll-out of On-Board Units (OBU) for the Electronic Road Pricing 2.0 system and whether installations would be completed by the end of 2025. Dr. Amy Khor reported that over 217,000 vehicles had been fitted with OBUs by December 2024, and the timeline has been adjusted to complete installations by 2026. Yong inquired about third-party applications for the ERP 2.0 system, and Khor confirmed three such apps have been developed, along with the LTA's own app, encouraging further collaboration with developers. The OBU features include information on school zones, traffic cameras, car park availability, and they plan to introduce reminders for missed payments and dynamic traffic messages.

Ang Wei Neng requested information from the Minister for Transport regarding passenger numbers and capacity rates at Changi Airport for 2024, as well as updates on the construction of Terminal 5. The Minister confirmed that Changi Airport handled about 61 million passengers from January to November 2024, forecasting that annual traffic will nearly reach pre-pandemic levels and likely exceed them in 2025. Terminal 5 is scheduled to begin construction in the first half of 2025 and will increase capacity by 50 million passengers annually. Preparations for rising demand include a $3 billion investment over six years to enhance services across Terminals 1 to 4, and the aviation workforce has already surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels. The Minister also addressed concerns related to the recent Jeju Air incident, stating that investigations are ongoing and that safety measures are in place at Singapore's airports to prevent similar events.

• Mr. Lim Biow Chuan inquired about the number of outstanding projects connecting covered linkways to MRT stations and suggested that the LTA should enhance its resources to expedite these works.
• Chee Hong Tat from the LTA stated that the authority aims to complete covered linkways alongside new station openings, but delays can occur due to site constraints and community concerns.
• The LTA is committed to resolving these issues quickly to ensure residents have timely access to sheltered linkways connecting to mass rapid transit stations.

• The debate addresses concerns about the ageing profile of bus drivers and the lack of young entrants in the bus driving industry.
• Desmond Choo questioned the Minister for Transport on strategies to ensure the sustainability and reliability of bus services over the next decade.
• Chee Hong Tat highlighted that since 2016, public bus operators have improved salary packages and working conditions to attract and retain drivers.
• Public bus operators are implementing higher pay, flexible work arrangements, and bonuses to address manpower shortages in the sector.
• The Land Transport Authority is collaborating with bus operators and the National Transport Workers Union to enhance driver welfare and working conditions.

• Ms. Hazel Poa inquired about the proposed service pattern for the Circle Line after the completion of Stage 6 in 2026, including potential impacts on service frequencies due to the Dhoby Ghaut to Promenade branch.
• The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, stated that the Land Transport Authority and the operator are reviewing the future service pattern for the Circle Line post-Stage 6.
• The new service pattern will consider current and projected ridership to optimize capacity, similar to the existing service pattern.

• Desmond Choo raised concerns about traffic congestion caused by recent anti-drink driving operations on the Central Expressway and its impact on emergency vehicle accessibility and private hire drivers.
• K Shanmugam acknowledged the inconvenience caused by roadblocks but emphasized their importance in deterring drink driving and ensuring road safety.
• The Traffic Police manage roadblock operations carefully to minimize disruption while maintaining safety, including coordinating with emergency services for rerouting during operations.

• Ms. Hany Soh proposed a dedicated feeder bus service between Woodlands Checkpoint and Woodlands Bus Interchange to alleviate congestion for commuters, especially during peak hours.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat responded that six existing bus services already operate between Woodlands Checkpoint and the Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub, providing sufficient capacity for commuters.
• Three of these services (903, 911, and 912) are designated as feeder services for local residents, with enhancements made to improve capacity and frequency during peak times.
• Additional measures include short trips on service 911 that skip the checkpoint and the introduction of service 967 in January 2025 to further support residents in the area.

• The Minister for Home Affairs reported that as of the end of 2024, only around 50 lorries have complied with the mandatory installation of speed limiters.
• The Traffic Police are concerned about the low compliance rate and are collaborating with various organizations to encourage early installation of speed limiters.
• Lorry owners are urged to install speed limiters ahead of compliance deadlines to avoid potential penalties and inspection failures.
• Compliance deadlines vary, with older lorries required to comply sooner than newer ones, which have until 2027 to install speed limiters.

• The debate focused on the Tuas South accident on December 15, 2024, involving a lorry transporting workers, which resulted in one death and two injuries.
• Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about the cause of the fatality and the status of safety reviews for transporting workers.
• Preliminary investigations indicated that a heavy metal box was improperly secured in the lorry's rear deck, contributing to the accident.
• The driver is under investigation for a negligent act causing death, and findings will be presented at a Coroner's Inquiry once investigations are complete.
• The Government is committed to collaborating with stakeholders to enhance road safety for all users.

• The addition of six new trains and the opening of Punggol Coast MRT Station will increase the North-East Line's (NEL) capacity from 36 to 42 trains.
• The Land Transport Authority will monitor ridership and adjust train frequencies accordingly, ensuring sufficient capacity while maintaining safety and reliability.
• The implementation timeline for the increased frequency has not been specified, and adjustments will depend on various factors throughout the day and year.

• The Amber Road plot is being rezoned from "Reserved" to "Residential" to meet housing demand driven by changing household trends post-COVID-19.
• The Land Transport Authority has determined that the existing road infrastructure can accommodate the expected increase in traffic due to the new residential development.
• The recent opening of the Tanjong Katong Thomson-East Coast Line Station is expected to further support traffic management in the area.
• The Amber Road area is already well-equipped with public parks and recreational spaces, with plans for a new park along Tanjong Katong Road to enhance local amenities.

• Joan Pereira inquired about statistics on motorists caught making illegal turns, injuries and deaths resulting from these violations, particularly in Silver and School Zones, and measures for traffic law enforcement.
• K Shanmugam reported that approximately 4,300 motorists are caught annually for illegal turns, with a decrease from 7,700 in 2019 to 2,000 in 2023, primarily for unauthorized U-turns.
• The Traffic Police do not track injuries or deaths specifically linked to illegal turns.
• Measures to enhance compliance and enforcement of traffic laws were previously detailed in a report from May 2024.

• The Singapore-Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is expected to enhance connectivity and expand the market for businesses on both sides of the border.
• Local retailers have expressed concerns about increased competition from Johor retailers and online platforms, prompting the government to consider their needs.
• The government is providing support to local retailers through grants and initiatives aimed at building capabilities and enhancing offerings to attract overseas demand.
• Upgrading efforts for heartland shops and neighbourhood centres are ongoing to improve the shopping environment and appeal to Singaporean consumers.
• The Community Development Council (CDC) Voucher scheme has been implemented to support households and heartland enterprises, with significant funds allocated to participating businesses since its launch.