Transport

He Ting Ru inquired about the installation and performance of ERP 2.0 On-Board Units (OBU) in 2024, specifically regarding the number installed, faulty units, replacements, and part replacements. Chee Hong Tat responded that approximately 130,000 vehicles have been fitted with OBUs since November 2023, and less than 1% have required servicing or component replacement. The Land Transport Authority is committed to ensuring a smooth installation process for motorists.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the Ministry of Transport is studying the EU mandate for Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology in new vehicles to reduce road accidents. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that the LTA is aware of the EU's requirement for ISA systems in newly registered vehicles starting July 2024. Various ISA systems are under review by EU authorities for effectiveness and reliability. The LTA will continue to monitor international developments in vehicle technologies to enhance road safety.

Gan Thiam Poh raised multiple questions regarding recent MRT disruptions, including their root causes, prevention measures, compensation for affected commuters, investment in maintenance, and accountability for maintenance and operation. Chee Hong Tat responded that these concerns were addressed in a previous Ministerial Statement titled "A Safe, Reliable, and Resilient Rail System" given on 15 October 2024.

Ong Hua Han asked for an update on the energy conservation initiative that turns off lighting at selected bus stops and covered linkways from 1:00 am to 5:00 am, and whether it will expand to all constituencies. Chee Hong Tat explained that safety is the primary concern when determining which lights can be turned off during low foot traffic hours. As of March 2024, the initiative has been applied to about 4,400 bus shelters and linkways, saving over 45,000 kilowatt-hours monthly. The Land Transport Authority plans to selectively continue this initiative while expanding the covered linkway network.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about plans to enhance bus connectivity between farms and businesses in Lim Chu Kang, Neo Tiew, and Kranji with surrounding residential areas like Choa Chu Kang, Limbang, and Yew Tee. Chee Hong Tat responded that currently, agricultural areas are served by Services 975 and 925M, although ridership is low, averaging up to 30 passengers during peak demand. A private shuttle service was previously operated on weekends but was discontinued in December 2023 due to its financial unviability. The Land Transport Authority will continue to monitor travel demand and review public transport options in the region.

Jean See Jinli raised concerns about measures to prevent frivolous reports of misuse of personal mobility devices by delivery workers and to ensure fair fact-finding without placing the burden of proof solely on the workers. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) adopts an impartial and evidence-based approach in handling such reports, reviewing them thoroughly and considering available evidence. LTA will gather information from all relevant parties and will not pursue actions on reports deemed false, frivolous, or unsubstantiated.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport about actions taken by the LTA regarding difficulties Singaporeans face in registering for the Malaysian Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), particularly for regular business travelers. He also inquired whether LTA has engaged with Malaysian authorities to address issues like delays in VEP approvals and uncertainties about enforcement timelines. Chee Hong Tat responded that the LTA has communicated feedback from Singapore motorists to the Malaysian Road Transport Department concerning the MVEP.

He Ting Ru questioned whether the Government conducts economic analyses of transport modes to assess public benefits and guide policy and infrastructure planning. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that transport infrastructure plans align with long-term strategic frameworks and that economic analyses are used to evaluate benefits against costs for transport projects. He emphasized that while economic viability is important, factors such as social mobility and equal access for all Singaporeans are also considered in the decision-making process.

Sharael Taha raised concerns about the East-West MRT line disruption in September 2024, asking whether proper procedures were followed, the possibility of preventing the rail track damage, the total cost of the disruption, and who will cover these costs. Cheryl Chan Wei Ling inquired about the Ministry's plans for overseeing the fleet maintenance of MRT operators and implementing best practices and digitalization improvements. Edward Chia Bing Hui asked about staff welfare and compensation for overtime during the disruption, as well as the procurement procedures for emergency services and parts. Chee Hong Tat referred to a prior Ministerial Statement made on 15 October 2024 that addressed these questions.

Leong Mun Wai addressed concerns about public transport connectivity in the West of Singapore, highlighting the recent six-day disruption on the East-West MRT line that exposed reliance on this line for commuting. He questioned whether the Land Transport Master Plan 2040 would effectively achieve the goal of a 45-minute city, especially for Western residents, given existing bottlenecks in connectivity. He proposed extending the Jurong Region Line (JRL) to the Circle Line and creating interchange connections to mitigate reliance on the East-West Line, as well as introducing skip-stop bus services for quicker inter-town travel. Senior Minister of State Amy Khor responded, affirming ongoing efforts and the planned rollout of new MRT lines that will improve connectivity and reduce travel times in the West while recognizing the need for enhanced bus services as part of the transport strategy.

The Minister for Transport addressed a significant disruption on the East-West Line from September 25 to 30, affecting around 500,000 passenger journeys daily and leading to extensive damage to rail infrastructure requiring more than five days to repair. The Minister extended apologies to affected commuters, outlined the sequence of events during the disruption, and highlighted ongoing investigations to determine the root cause of the incident and improve future response measures. The Ministry is conducting thorough investigations with support from an Expert Advisory Panel and the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau, while discussing the balance between maintenance costs and reliability standards. Various measures were implemented to assist commuters during the disruption, including free transport alternatives and support for vulnerable groups, with a commitment to maintaining safety and resilience in Singapore's transport system.

Edward Chia Bing Hui proposed that HDB review its policy to allow electric vehicle (EV) owners to have season parking permits at two locations: their residence and a nearby carpark with charging facilities, until chargers are installed at their primary parking. Tan Kiat How responded that while HDB allows temporary transfers of season parking to car parks with EV chargers at the same rate, there are no current plans to permit dual parking tickets to maintain fairness for all residents. The government is working towards installing EV charging points in nearly 2,000 HDB car parks by 2025, enhancing accessibility for EV owners. Liang Eng Hwa inquired about consideration for car parks with lower occupancy rates for such dual use, to which Tan acknowledged ongoing efforts to provide sufficient charging options for EV drivers.

Saktiandi Supaat questioned the Minister for Education about the need for guidelines to ensure sufficient campus transport and food court services in local universities due to recent overcrowding issues. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong responded that autonomous universities have implemented measures to manage visitor access and prioritise services for students and staff, while the Ministry of Education regularly monitors student welfare. Saktiandi raised concerns about bus overcrowding and logistics, to which Huang noted ongoing collaboration with universities to address these issues. The universities are also working with the Singapore Tourism Board to manage tour operators' impact on campus life.

• The Ministry for Transport is prioritizing a culture where commuters across all carriages look out for vulnerable individuals rather than creating dedicated priority carriages, due to concerns about crowding and capacity during peak hours.
• Existing measures include priority seats in every carriage, priority queues introduced since 2019, and staff assistance for boarding, with additional initiatives like the Helping Hand scheme and Caring Commuter Champion program.
• The Land Transport Authority is expanding outreach and support for commuters with mobility needs, including those with less visible conditions, with over 16,000 volunteers trained as of September 2024.

• LTA has assessed the projected noise from the Jurong Region Line (JRL) and identified areas requiring noise barriers to stay within NEA limits.
• JRL trains will be equipped with noise-dampening wheels to further reduce noise levels.
• The study for Choa Chu Kang Central considered existing noise from the North-South Line and Bukit Panjang LRT.
• With planned noise barriers, projected combined noise levels at residential blocks near JRL tracks are expected to comply with NEA limits.
• No additional measures beyond noise barriers and dampening wheels were mentioned for managing combined noise.

• Hazel Poa queried the percentage of cycling lanes fully grade-separated from footpaths and whether all such lanes will be grade-separated in the future.
• The Minister responded that current designs generally do not include grade-separated paths adjacent to footpaths and there are no plans to introduce them.
• Grade-separated paths are considered problematic as they can create tripping hazards and pose navigation difficulties for wheelchair and mobility aid users.

• Hazel Poa asked about the top 10 bus services near East-West Line disruption sites with increased ridership and whether they would be prioritized for enhancements or excluded from rationalization.
• Gerald Giam questioned the safety, failure rates, and maintenance of first-generation MRT trains, seeking their end-of-life date and reasons for delayed replacement.
• Syed Harun Alhabsyi raised concerns about vulnerability to rail fractures, preventive steps, and lessons from contingency responses during the September 2024 disruption.
• Dennis Tan inquired about MRT reliability metrics (MKBF) and whether stricter inspections would be imposed for lines with persistently lower reliability.
• Chee Hong Tat stated that the Minister for Transport would address these questions in a detailed ministerial statement on 15 October 2024.

• Joan Pereira asked for data on escalator accidents over the last three years, their causes, age groups of victims, and whether more lifts would be built for safety amid an ageing population.
• Desmond Lee reported about 600 escalator incidents annually from 2021 to 2023, with 97% due to user behavior like imbalance or carrying bulky items, and over 40% involved people aged 60 and above.
• Since 2010, new buildings with five or more storeys must have lifts, and the Accessibility Fund helps retrofit existing buildings with lifts, covering up to 80% of costs.
• The Land Transport Master Plan 2040 includes installing more lifts at older MRT stations and pedestrian overhead bridges to improve accessibility for seniors and those with mobility challenges.
• The ministry is addressing safety through existing regulations, financial support, and infrastructure plans rather than directly committing to building more lifts at public facilities.

• Dennis Tan asked for annual road traffic accidents and deaths per billion vehicle kilometres over the past five years.
• The Minister said the Annual Road Traffic Situation 2023 report on the Police’s website provides the annual number of road traffic accidents.
• The Traffic Police do not track road deaths per billion vehicle kilometres but instead use per 100,000 population and per 10,000 vehicles as indicators.
• These indicators align with Global Health Observatory and Sustainable Development Goals tracked by the World Health Organization.
• The response clarifies the data availability and the metrics used for road safety monitoring in Singapore.

• The target temperature for MRT trains and underground station platforms is set at around 25°C to balance commuter comfort and environmental impact, with temperature sensors and thermostats in place to monitor and maintain this level.
• In the first six months of 2024, about 10% of total feedback to train operators and LTA concerned excessively warm trains or platforms, with the North-South and East-West Lines receiving the most such feedback.
• The North-South and East-West Lines are undergoing upgrades, including replacing old trains with better air-conditioning by 2026 and improving underground station air-conditioning by end-2025, while LTA is also installing more fans to enhance air circulation.