Transport

He Ting Ru asked about plans to address peak-hour crowding on the North East Line and Circle Line due to upcoming housing developments in Fernvale North. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) monitors housing developments closely and collaborates with transport operators to increase capacity as needed. LTA has already introduced short-trip bus services to connect Fernvale residents to MRT stations during peak hours and is planning more express bus services. The completion of the Cross Island Line will further enhance public transport options for residents. Chee clarified that the projected number of new homes referenced by He did not originate from URA or other government agencies.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Transport about the possibility of reclassifying COE categories based on open market value (OMV) instead of engine capacity. Chee Hong Tat acknowledged that this suggestion has been previously raised and noted the merits of using OMV. However, he highlighted challenges with fluctuating OMV values which could lead to inconsistencies in COE categorization for the same car model over time.

Christopher de Souza asked about government regulations on airfare pricing to ensure affordability for Singapore citizens amid rising inflation and airline costs. Chee Hong Tat responded that the government does not regulate airfares due to sufficient market competition in the airline industry, allowing airlines to set prices based on commercial factors.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for an update on the review regarding a ban on transporting workers in the back of lorries and the expected timeline for such a ban. Chee Hong Tat responded that they are collaborating with relevant stakeholders to enhance safety for workers and other road users, and further updates will be provided when available.

Tan Wu Meng raised concerns about road safety at the unsignalised cross junction of Jalan Lempeng and Faber Drive, citing four accidents in six weeks and inquiring about LTA's assessments and unreported incidents. Chee Hong Tat explained that a Traffic Impact Assessment was conducted in 2019, leading to road improvements to accommodate increased traffic from nearby residential developments. He noted that there were no reported accidents from 2018 to 2023, but two accidents occurred in early 2024 due to careless driving. To enhance safety, LTA has implemented measures such as narrowing the junction, adding road humps, enlarging "Stop" signs, and building new pedestrian footpaths, and will continue to monitor the situation.

Saktiandi Supaat raised concerns about the safety rules and checks regarding personal mobility devices and power-assisted bicycles allowed on trains due to fire risks. Chee Hong Tat stated that these devices must meet specific safety standards (EN15194 for PABs and UL2272 for PMDs) to be used in Singapore. The Land Transport Authority conducts checks to ensure compliance, and non-compliant devices are seized. Only approved devices that meet size restrictions can be taken onto MRT premises, and they must be switched off and folded, with strict prohibition on usage within trains. Non-compliance can result in removal from MRT premises and fines up to $500.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye requested data on electric vehicle fire incidents in 2023 and their annual trend over the past three years in relation to electric vehicle ownership. Chee Hong Tat reported one electric vehicle fire incident in 2023, compared to two in 2022 and one in 2021. The overall number of EV fire incidents has remained low despite the increase in electric vehicle adoption, and efforts will continue to ensure safe vehicle electrification.

Alex Yam Ziming raised questions about the adequacy of public EV charging points in Singapore, the ramp-up rate for their provision, and the demand for fast-charging points in HDB estates. Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the number of new EVs registered by HDB residents and the utilization rate of EV chargers at HDB car parks. Chee Hong Tat reported that one in three new cars sold recently are EVs, with a significant number owned by HDB residents. The EV charging infrastructure is on pace to ensure every HDB town has charging points by 2025, with initiatives underway to increase the number of fast chargers in key locations to support EV adoption.

Yip Hon Weng asked about plans to phase out internal combustion engine motorcycles by 2030 and support for a battery swap service for electric vehicles. Chee Hong Tat stated there are no plans to phase out ICE motorcycles as the electric motorcycle market is still developing. The government is focused on ensuring safe and reliable charging infrastructure for electric motorcycles, including working with the industry on battery charge and swap stations. The Land Transport Authority has approved two applications for battery swap stations and will continue exploring charging solutions, prioritizing safety.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the government's considerations for determining the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) rebates for 2025 and proposed enhancements for cleaner energy vehicles. Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that VES incentivizes lower emissions vehicles through rebates and surcharges, ensuring cleaner energy vehicles are competitively priced. She confirmed that the 2025 VES rebates will be designed to continue encouraging the adoption of cleaner energy vehicles based on ongoing reviews with the Ministry of Transport.

Hazel Poa raised multiple questions regarding the funding, justification, and coverage of a free shuttle bus service in Marine Parade, MacPherson, and Mountbatten, including whether the service and public transport are adequate for residents. Pritam Singh inquired about the assessments from LTA regarding the service's provision and its potential for similar initiatives in other parts of Singapore to improve accessibility. Alvin Tan explained that the shuttle bus service is a pilot initiative funded primarily by donations, aimed at assisting seniors and those in older estates with mobility challenges. The service operates during non-peak hours, and its success will be evaluated after one year to determine financial sustainability and operational effectiveness. Questions regarding the bus's average ridership and associated political branding were also raised, emphasizing the desire for equitable public transport services across Singapore.

• Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport about plans to recalibrate streetside parking allocation to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow.
• Chee Hong Tat responded that the Land Transport Authority, in consultation with agencies and the community, will continue reviewing roadside parking to support walking and cycling.
• Examples of such reviews include Havelock Road, Tiong Bahru, and Ang Mo Kio Street 31 Friendly Street over the last few years.

• Leong Mun Wai queried the rationale and cost of displaying images of Grassroots Advisers on free shuttle buses for Marine Parade.
• Edwin Tong explained the images help residents recognize buses and increase usage, similar to banners in other grassroots programs.
• The cost is bundled in the bus operator contract without a separate breakdown.
• The debate focused on whether such imagery is appropriate or merely promotional.
• No further action or policy change was proposed during the exchange.

• The Ministry of Health encourages taxi and private hire car drivers to inform passengers that vaping is illegal in Singapore and report incidents to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) via its hotlines, though reporting is not mandatory.
• HSA keeps the identities of reporters confidential, and drivers will not be penalized for passengers vaping in their vehicles.
• If passengers retaliate or are uncooperative, drivers can seek help from relevant authorities such as the Singapore Police Force.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether the Ministry of Health is investigating if the transportation of injured workers in private vehicles complies with the Healthcare Services Act 2020, and what the findings or future plans are.
• Ong Ye Kung responded that the need for an ambulance depends on the circumstances, but serious work injuries most likely require emergency ambulance conveyance.
• Investigations into the two fatal incidents at the worksites are ongoing, and the Ministry of Health will provide further details when ready.

• Darryl David asked how the jurisdiction of LTA enforcement officers differs from that of the Traffic Police and whether LTA motorcycle officers receive the same training as Traffic Police, particularly for pursuits.
• Chee Hong Tat explained that both bodies operate under the Road Traffic Act, with LTA focusing on vehicle standards, registration, and roadworthiness, while Traffic Police handle behavioral offences like speeding, reckless driving, and drink driving.
• LTA enforcement officers complete an Enforcement Riding course run by Traffic Police, which includes defensive riding and methods for stopping and engaging violators to safely carry out their duties on motorcycles.

• Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport about the number of flights affected by the CrowdStrike IT outage at Changi Airport, the lessons learned, and how to enhance Singapore's air hub resilience; Chee Hong Tat responded that 108 departing flights were delayed by more than 30 minutes, one departing flight and its arriving turnaround were cancelled, and business continuity plans like manual check-in were activated to maintain operations.
• Key lessons included the need to review and improve business continuity plans with airlines and ground handlers, such as implementing back-up measures more efficiently and adjusting check-in processes to manage passenger congestion and prioritize earlier flights.
• To enhance resilience, Changi Airport Group is collaborating with airlines and handlers to incorporate these learnings, focusing on better planning and execution of manual and alternative procedures during system disruptions.

• KASM coordinates with agencies like LTA, SMRT, and SPF through a Traffic Management and Crowd Control Committee to plan crowd dispersal, with most events cleared within 15 minutes.
• On event days, additional marshals manage traffic, and government agencies deter illegal parking in surrounding areas, with feedback channels for residents via Residents’ Committees.
• KASM uses event guides, media, and direct SMS to encourage public transport and early arrival, and pilots crowd management tactics like emcees at MRT stations.
• For events expecting over 5,000 people, KASM notifies SPF under the Public Order Act and operates an Integrated Command and Control Centre for incident response.
• Successful examples include the Taylor Swift concerts, where officers stationed at car parks prevented illegal parking and ensured resident access.

• Melvin Yong asked about the number of lightning-induced train disruptions in the past five years and the rail redundancies in place, given Singapore's high lightning strike rates.
• Chee Hong Tat referred to his previous written reply on 2 July 2024 regarding a specific June 3 MRT disruption and efforts to handle future incidents.
• The exchange highlights the impact of weather on Singapore's rail operations and the need for system resilience measures.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the PTC’s review of extending concessionary fares to graduating students before they enter the next stage of education.
• The suggestion was originally raised in the context of the 2024 Fare Review Exercise due to feedback from parents and students.
• The Public Transport Council is currently reviewing the proposal to extend the concession period for graduating students such as those taking GCE A-levels, IB, or ITE.