Transport — Topics

2 Apr 2024

Measures with Customs Authority to Prevent Import of Non-compliant Active Mobility Devices and Batteries

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) requires prior approval for importing non-compliant active mobility devices and works with Singapore Customs and immigration authorities to enforce regulations, having investigated 51 cases and forfeited 48 devices by end-2023.
Penalties for importing such devices without approval include fines up to $5,000 or imprisonment up to six months, while use on public paths carries fines up to $10,000 and retailer display violations up to $20,000.
From 2020 to 2023, LTA detected about 5,100 offences involving non-compliant devices on paths and roads, and about 100 violations from operations against retailers.

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2 Apr 2024

Anticipated Disamenities to Residents and Commuters Due To Reclamation of Land for Woodlands Checkpoint Expansion

Ms Hany Soh raised concerns about potential noise, dust, and traffic disruptions from reclamation works for the Woodlands Checkpoint expansion, asking how the Ministry will mitigate these for residents and commuters.
The Minister of State for Trade and Industry outlined JTC’s mitigation measures, including a 3-metre-high noise barrier, dust control, traffic moderation, and an Environmental Impact Assessment that found minimal biodiversity impact.
Ms Hany Soh asked about bus service changes, environmental restoration, and land acquisition from Malaysia, to which the Minister reassured that operations will not be disrupted and the EIA has been completed and gazetted.
The Minister noted that any issues related to the viaduct through Marsiling Park fall under MHA/ICA’s purview, and a multi-agency approach will address resident feedback and minimize disamenities.

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6 Mar 2024

Road Safety Initiatives for Motorcyclists and Elderly Pedestrians

Minister Shanmugam confirmed the existence of new initiatives to enhance road safety for motorcyclists and elderly pedestrians, referencing recent official reports and parliamentary replies for details.
The government is employing tougher enforcement actions, such as against speeding and red-light running, to protect vulnerable road users.
Technology and innovative solutions are being explored, as indicated by the inclusion of a specific written answer on road safety initiatives for motorcyclists and elderly pedestrians in the official report.

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6 Mar 2024

Fines and Actions against Errant Contractors for Noise-related Infractions Related to North-South Corridor Construction Project

In 2023, the National Environment Agency took one enforcement action against the North-South Corridor contractor along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 for noise infractions, with contractors required to implement noise mitigation measures.
Repeat offenders face additional measures beyond fines, such as restricted working hours and mandatory electronic surveillance at construction sites.
The Ministry, through the Land Transport Authority, employs noise barriers, enclosures, and stakeholder engagement to minimize disruptions, acknowledging the project's proximity to residential areas.
The government balances construction progress with resident concerns, aiming to complete the project by 2029 and repurpose the area for community use post-construction.

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5 Mar 2024

Clarification by Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary clarified that illegally modifying, selling, or using non-compliant devices on public paths and roads is an offence.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) conducts enforcement on paths and roads and operations against retailers.
From January 2020 to December 2023, LTA detected about 5,100 offences involving non-compliant devices.
The clarification corrected the earlier statement to explicitly include roads alongside public paths in the scope of enforcement.
The written statement was circulated to formally update the record of the initial reply.

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5 Mar 2024

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Levy on Private Jets Departing from Singapore

Leong Mun Wai questioned whether the sustainable aviation fuel levy would apply to private jet flights departing from Singapore.
Chee Hong Tat, the Minister for Transport, confirmed that the levy will indeed be charged for such flights.
The debate centered on the application of the sustainable aviation fuel levy specifically to private jets.

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5 Mar 2024

Update on Measures to Mitigate Potential Environmental Impact at Revised A1W1 Worksite of Cross Island MRT Line

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Transport about updates on environmental mitigation measures for the revised A1W1 worksite of the Cross Island MRT Line, ongoing monitoring of environmental and wildlife impact, and whether any impact has occurred.
Chee Hong Tat responded that the Land Transport Authority, in consultation with nature groups and the National Parks Board, has developed an Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan with comprehensive mitigation measures for the A1W1 worksite.
He added that construction has not yet started at the revised worksite, implying that no impact has been observed so far.

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5 Mar 2024

Committee of Supply – Head W (Ministry of Transport)

Ministry of Transport announced new infrastructure plans including the opening of Thomson-East Coast Line stage 4 on 23 June 2024 and the extension of the North East Line to Punggol Coast by end-2024, advancing the target for 80% of households to be within a 10-minute walk of a train station by the 2030s.
Regulations for Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) will be tightened from 2025, lowering the speed limit to 6 km/h, requiring medical certification for mobility scooter users, and imposing size limits to enhance footpath safety for pedestrians and other users.
To improve point-to-point transport, the statutory lifespan of taxis will be extended from 8 to 10 years, and new measures will be introduced to ensure better service reliability and support for commuters with specific needs, such as wheelchair users and families with young children.

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5 Mar 2024

Enforcement against Retailers and Distributors of Batteries for Non-original Active Mobility Devices

The Ministry of Transport, through the Land Transport Authority (LTA), is enforcing against non-compliant active mobility devices (AMDs) and their batteries, with penalties including fines up to $20,000 and imprisonment for retailers and individuals who illegally modify or sell such devices.
LTA collaborates with retailers and the Active Mobility Fire Safety Taskforce to educate consumers on safe battery use and is reviewing standards for additional fire safety features like retardant casings or shut-off mechanisms.
Challenges in enforcement include online and overseas sales of non-compliant devices, prompting efforts to engage Singapore-based online platforms and review regulations to strengthen supplier responsibility.

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5 Mar 2024

Proposed Safe Riding Programme for Freelancers Using Motorcycles for Delivery Work

Ms See Jinli Jean proposed a structured safe riding programme for freelance delivery riders in partnership with NTUC’s National Delivery Champions Association and urged collaboration with motor insurers to boost safety awareness.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs welcomed partnerships to enhance road safety and confirmed that the Traffic Police will reach out to the mentioned organisations.
The debate highlighted the rise in accidents involving motorcyclists and the need for targeted safety measures for freelancers using motorcycles for delivery work.

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4 Mar 2024

Effectiveness and Adequacy of Road Safety Measures Around Schools

The Land Transport Authority’s School Zone scheme, established in 1996, includes features like lower speed limits, signalised crossings, textured red road surfaces, and a demerit point system to deter unsafe driving, with recent increases in penalties.
Collaboration with schools, communities, and the Singapore Road Safety Council involves awareness campaigns, educational booklets, digital materials, and programmes like Safe Route to School and Path Safety to promote student safety.
Traffic management during school hours is addressed through school protocols, designated drop-off zones, marshals, and staggered operating times, while the new ERP 2.0 system will alert drivers in School Zones.

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4 Mar 2024

Accidents Caused by Use of Handphones while Driving

Yip Hon Weng asked about the number of road accidents linked to handphone use while driving, plans to increase enforcement and penalties, and details on enhancing road surveillance with more cameras.
K Shanmugam responded that between 2019 and 2023, there were no road accidents directly attributed to mobile phone use while driving, and current penalties are deemed sufficient.
The Traffic Police will continue enforcing against handphone use while driving, but existing cameras cannot detect such offences, though new speeding enforcement functions will be activated in Red-Light Cameras from Q2 of this year.

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1 Mar 2024

Update on Conversion of Discretionary Turn Signals at Heavy Traffic and High Footfall Junctions

The Land Transport Authority has implemented Red-Amber-Green arrows at nearly 1,200 junctions since 2018, prioritising school zones, Silver Zones, and accident-prone areas, resulting in about a 40% reduction in right-turn accidents.
Speed warning devices are required for goods vehicles up to 3,500 kg, while speed limiters are mandated for heavier goods and public service vehicles; a phased expansion of speed limiters to lorries between 3,501 kg and 12,000 kg began in January 2024 and will complete by July 2027.
Traffic Police will enhance enforcement by activating speed functions in red-light cameras from the second quarter of the year and stepping up penalties for speeding offences across all vehicle types.
Additional traffic measures such as road markings, integrated pedestrian countdown timers, and signage may be introduced alongside the signal conversions to further improve safety.
Road safety is emphasised as a shared responsibility, with agencies focusing on enforcement, education, and public engagement to protect all road users.

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1 Mar 2024

Study on Impact of Replacing Yellow Streetlights with White LED Streetlights on Wildlife

Leong Mun Wai inquired whether an environmental impact study was conducted on replacing yellow streetlights with white LED lights and the effects on wildlife, or why not if none was done.
Chee Hong Tat responded that Singapore’s streetlights comply with International Electrotechnical Commission standards and that white LED lights improve road visibility and driver safety.
The debate highlights concerns about wildlife impact versus the priority of road safety in Singapore's streetlight policy.

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1 Mar 2024

Distance of Taxi Stands and Bus Stops from MRT Station Exits

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Transport for the median distances between MRT station exits and the nearest taxi stand and bus stop along the Downtown Line and Thomson-East Coast Line, and why taxi stands are typically closer to exits than bus stops.
Chee Hong Tat responded that the median distances are approximately 24 metres for taxi stands and 40 metres for bus stops.
The exact locations of taxi stands and bus stops depend on site layout, available space, and safety requirements, such as ensuring buses can move safely in and out of the bus bay.
Where existing bus stops are present, the Land Transport Authority avoids relocating them to minimize disruption to commuters.

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1 Mar 2024

Regular Maintenance to Prevent Overgrown Greenery from Compromising Visibility of Road Users

The National Parks Board conducts roadside shrub maintenance pruning every two to three months and performs monthly site inspections, including in landed housing estates, to address overgrown vegetation obstructing road signs and traffic.
When hazards are identified or reported, NParks conducts onsite assessments and generally undertakes pruning works within two weeks.
Residents in landed housing estates are encouraged to garden responsibly and ensure their plants do not create hazards for road users and pedestrians.

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1 Mar 2024

Tougher Enforcement Actions Against Speeding and Red-light Running

The Minister announced that the Traffic Police will significantly step up enforcement against speeding and activate speed enforcement in red-light cameras starting Q2 2024, focusing on accident-prone areas.
Tougher laws are already in place, including increased maximum imprisonment terms and fines for irresponsible driving offences under the Road Traffic Act, as well as expanded demerit points and fines in School and Silver Zones.
The Minister stated that fines and demerit points will be further increased later this year to strengthen deterrence against irresponsible driving behaviour.
Enforcement deployments, such as speed traps and red-light cameras, will prioritize areas with high footfalls of vulnerable pedestrians like elderly and children near schools, markets, and shopping belts.

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1 Mar 2024

Regulations Governing Speed of Heavy Vehicles on Roads and Effectiveness of Existing Enforcement Measures

The Ministry of Home Affairs states current regulations are sufficient, with heavy vehicle speeding accidents remaining low and stable from 2016 to 2023, and speed limiters are mandatory for goods vehicles over 12,000 kg, with phased implementation for lighter lorries by June 2027.
Enforcement includes strict licensing, frequent vehicle inspections, penalties like fines or imprisonment for tampering, and targeted operations with higher composition sums for speeding, while the ministry is reviewing penalties to strengthen deterrence.
Technology is leveraged through island-wide speed cameras and red-light camera enforcement starting Q2 2024, alongside driver education via road safety talks, with effectiveness assessed through monitoring speeding incidents.

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1 Mar 2024

Use of Different Devices or Cards when Entering and Exiting Buses and MRTs, and Claims for Refunds

The Minister explained that double charges occur when commuters use different devices or cards for entry and exit, which creates separate transactions; while most trips are accurate, refunds are rare, averaging $2.70 per incident.
The Minister noted that automatically preventing exits or reconciling charges is not feasible due to operational delays and system limitations, so commuters must apply for refunds via the SimplyGo app or ticket offices.
Both the Minister and Mr Giam emphasized raising awareness through multilingual educational materials and continued publicity to help commuters avoid using different devices or cards.
The Minister acknowledged Mr Giam's suggestions to improve refund convenience and multilingual outreach, committing to consider these enhancements in the SimplyGo system design.

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29 Feb 2024

Mitigation Measures to Reduce Noise from Railway Track Maintenance at Night

Leong Mun Wai asked about mitigation measures for night-time railway track maintenance noise and how they compare to international best practices.
Chee Hong Tat stated that maintenance occurs only between 1.30 am and 4.30 am when trains are not running to ensure safety and reliability.
He noted that rail operators have improved track design and adopted quieter equipment and tools over the years to reduce noise.
For noisy above-ground works, residents in the vicinity are given advance notice, which aligns with best practices overseas.

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