Transport

• Pritam Singh asked whether the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will engage with Opposition MPs and Grassroots Advisers on bus service enhancements and whether underutilised bus services would be retained for seniors, especially near new MRT stations.
• Chee Hong Tat responded that the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme (BCEP) will rationalise bus services with significant ridership drops, such as long trunk routes parallel to new MRT lines, to reallocate resources to other needs.
• He added that LTA considers travel patterns, network connectivity, and public feedback in reviews, and will continue engaging MPs, grassroots advisers, and stakeholders when planning bus services under BCEP.

• During an MRT disruption, operators first try to resolve the fault; if not possible, they allow commuters to alight at the nearest station platform, and if necessary, follow procedures for safe detrainment onto the tracks after powering down and using staff guidance.
• All trains have back-up battery systems to power emergency lighting, ventilation fans, and public address systems during a power disruption.
• The Land Transport Authority is investigating the September 2024 Circle Line disruptions to identify improvements and prevent similar incidents.

• The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, acknowledged Poh Li San's concerns about the economic sustainability of public transport services despite an additional $250 million government subsidy and recent fare increases.
• The Minister deferred his detailed response to a specific parliamentary sitting on 16 October 2024, indicating that related questions would be addressed collectively at that time.
• The debate highlighted comparative analysis of Singapore's transport fare increases over the last four years against other major cities like Hong Kong, Seoul, and Taipei.

• Between August 2023 and August 2024, Singapore-registered taxis made about 4,000 cross-border trips to Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor Bahru.
• Cross-border taxis are available at Ban San Street Terminal or via advance bookings, but the Land Transport Authority does not track passenger waiting times as pick-ups are arranged based on commuter preferences.
• The Ministry currently has no plans to increase designated pick-up and drop-off points in Singapore and Johor Bahru, citing considerations such as demand, traffic impact, effects on local drivers, and the need for bilateral agreement with Malaysia.

• Gan Thiam Poh questioned if the Ministry would prohibit smoking directly under MRT or LRT viaducts.
• Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that NEA takes a pragmatic approach, banning smoking in places with high footfall or frequented by families.
• She noted that smoking is already prohibited in over 49,000 locations, including covered walkways and playgrounds.
• There are currently no plans to specifically ban smoking under MRT or LRT viaducts.
• The NEA encourages smokers to be considerate and exercise social responsibility in public spaces.

• Miss Rachel Ong proposed that HDB car parks have allocated spaces and time-controlled charging points for motorised personal mobility aids, with priority for residents of smaller flats.
• The Minister for Transport noted that such devices can currently be charged using standard home wall sockets and urged users to follow safe charging practices.
• The government will assess the suggestion of public charging points in HDB car parks to enhance safety for device users and the public.

• Multiple MPs raised questions about the root causes of the September 2024 East-West MRT Line disruption, the maintenance failures that led to a faulty train damaging the tracks, and the adequacy of current maintenance and predictive monitoring procedures.
• Concerns were expressed about the impact on commuters, including the number affected, fare revenue loss, the effectiveness and cost of bridging bus services, and whether double charging could occur during the disruption.
• Proposals were made to review the MRT network and power redundancy, consider a Committee of Inquiry, adjust the fare increase scheduled for December 2024 to account for service reliability, and impose penalties on service providers for lapses.
• Suggestions were put forward to improve commuter support during disruptions, such as issuing work-from-home advisories, enhancing information dissemination, and providing targeted assistance for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
• The Minister for Transport was asked to conduct a comprehensive review of maintenance regimes for all trains, especially older models, and to determine the total repair costs and who would bear them.

Tan Wu Meng asked about policies preventing large numbers of goods vehicles from parking in private residential estates, highlighting the disamenities caused to residents. Chee Hong Tat responded that all vehicles, including goods vehicles, can park on public roads in private estates without restrictions. However, if parking causes obstruction or safety risks, the Land Transport Authority can implement measures like road markings to prohibit it. Additionally, heavy goods vehicles over 5,000 kg must park at designated heavy vehicle parks from midnight to 6 am due to safety and noise concerns.

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim asked if the tender documentation for the ERP 2.0 On-Board Unit (OBU) required compliance with specific automotive and international standards. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that the tender mandated that the contractor ensures the OBU meets IEC-60068 and IEC-60529 standards, and that it is suitable for use in Singapore's automotive environment.

Leong Mun Wai asked about the average ridership and cost per passenger for Bus Service 825, as well as the feasibility of deploying electric minibuses on low ridership routes. Chee Hong Tat responded that Service 825 has around 400 passengers per day, and its operational cost per passenger is higher than the average feeder bus service. He also clarified that the government does not plan to introduce smaller-capacity buses due to increased operating costs, which would impact commuters and taxpayers.

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Transport about the average headways and crowding levels on Bus Services 180, 992, and 993 during weekday peak hours, as well as congestion levels on Bukit Batok Road impacting these buses. Chee Hong Tat responded that the average observed headways for these services are eight minutes for 180, five minutes for 992, and 14 minutes for 993, with Services 180 and 992 nearing over 50% capacity due to increased ridership. Additional buses, including double-deckers, have been added to Services 180 and 992 to improve capacity and reduce waiting times. Improvement works are ongoing along Bukit Batok Road to enhance traffic flow, which is currently assessed as acceptable, with buses generally managing to clear junctions efficiently during peak hours.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Transport about guidelines for public transport operators to ensure safer bus services, including alighting closer to the kerb, reducing jerky driving, and improving attention to traffic signals. Chee Hong Tat emphasized that safety is a priority, with stringent standards set for operators and regular safety guidance provided by the Land Transport Authority. Bus safety training for new captains includes messages about stopping near the kerb, attentive driving, and smooth operation techniques. Additionally, technology such as telematics systems is used to monitor and provide feedback on bus captains' driving behaviors, aiding in their training and safety awareness.

Leong Mun Wai asked about the percentage of land allocated to roads and carparks annually since 2010 and whether the government will adopt a zero-growth policy for this land allocation, considering Singapore's zero-growth policy for vehicles. Chee Hong Tat responded that the road network currently occupies around 12% of Singapore's total land area, a figure that has remained stable over the past decade, and highlighted efforts to repurpose roads for pedestrian facilities. He noted that carpark land allocation is not specifically tracked, as they are usually included in housing and commercial developments based on parking standards.

Hazel Poa raised questions regarding the calculation of Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) values by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for different areas in Singapore to identify regions underserved by public transport. She also asked if LTA could collaborate with HDB to disclose PTAL values for new BTO developments to help prospective applicants assess transport accessibility. Chee Hong Tat explained that PTAL is a supply-side measure that does not consider travel demand or individual commuter needs, therefore making it less useful for prospective BTO applicants. Instead, LTA provides information on existing and future transport infrastructure around new developments to assist in decision-making for potential buyers.

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim questioned the Minister for National Development about studies on the structural integrity of multi-storey car parks (MSCPs) for an all-electric vehicle fleet and plans for upgrading any that might not meet safety standards. Desmond Lee responded that HDB is collaborating with the Land Transport Authority to implement electric vehicle charging infrastructure in HDB carparks as part of Singapore's shift towards cleaner energy. While MSCPs are designed for vehicles up to 2,000 kilograms, the structure generally supports the increase in heavier electric vehicles due to their batteries. HDB is monitoring EV adoption and examining how to accommodate heavier vehicles safely.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned whether zebra crossings are permitted in HDB carparks and if the government would consider them for pedestrian safety. Desmond Lee responded that zebra crossings can be installed in HDB carparks if they can be implemented safely with good visibility for pedestrians and motorists. When zebra crossings are not feasible, HDB will improve safety using courtesy crossings or traffic calming measures like road humps. He emphasized that safety is a collective responsibility among all carpark users.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised concerns to the Minister for Home Affairs about fire risks associated with overcharged electric vehicles (EVs) in basement car parks and asked about potential risk mitigation measures. K Shanmugam responded that Singapore's car parks are designed according to the Fire Code, featuring fire-rated walls, ventilation, and sprinkler systems to contain fires. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has required an emergency main isolation shut-off switch near EV charging stations since March 2022 to cut power in case of fire. Additionally, a multi-agency EV Safety Taskforce has been established to monitor and manage EV-related fire risks and will regularly review safety requirements.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong requested statistics from the Minister for Home Affairs regarding drink driving incidents and traffic accidents involving drivers aged 21 and below over the past three years. K Shanmugam provided data indicating that this age group represented 1.35% of all drivers caught for drink driving and 4% of all drivers involved in traffic accidents. The figures reveal a specific focus on the behavior of younger drivers compared to the broader driver population.

Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Transport about the tracking of road traffic incidents, including near misses and accidents without police reports, by the LTA and other agencies. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Traffic Police do not track near misses or accidents without injury and that LTA monitors traffic using surveillance cameras. LTA analyzes data from damaged road infrastructure to identify high-risk areas for safety improvements. Additionally, LTA installs portable CCTV cameras at locations with safety concerns and higher accident risks based on public feedback.

Rachel Ong requested data on reports of errant users of personal mobility devices from 2019 to 2023 via the MyTransport app, the percentage of incidents reported, alternatives for reporting, and the possibility of integrating this function into the OneService app. Chee Hong Tat provided the number of reports received annually, totaling 3,093 in 2019, 3,402 in 2020, but decreasing to 747 in 2023, which constitutes about 36% of overall reports. The public can also report incidents through the OneService app, by calling the LTA hotline, or by using a feedback form on the LTA website.