Transport — Topics

6 Feb 2024

Factors Contributing to Increased COE Prices in Recent Bidding Exercise

The increase in COE prices in the recent bidding exercise was primarily due to higher demand from individual car buyers, who won over 90% of Category A and about 90% of Category B COEs.
Car-leasing companies had a minimal impact on the price rise, winning only 3% of Category A and 2% of Category B COEs in the recent exercise.
COE prices can fluctuate due to factors such as increased demand for new cars from events like car shows, and the trend in 2023 showed that price increases were not mainly driven by car-leasing companies.
The COE quota for Categories A, B, and C is expected to continue rising in 2024 before peaking in the period from 2026.

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6 Feb 2024

Reducing MRT Noise Levels at Jurong West Jewel and Jurong West Crystal BTOs

Patrick Tay asked if noise barriers can be built near Jurong West Jewel and Jurong West Crystal BTOs to reduce MRT noise.
Chee Hong Tat stated these HDB blocks are over 50 metres from the MRT viaduct and have noise abatement features like window restrictors.
A multi-storey car park between the viaduct and blocks provides additional noise buffering.
Noise levels at these blocks are below the National Environment Agency’s limit, so no noise barriers are planned.

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6 Feb 2024

Regulating and Ensuring Fair Practices and Consumer Protection in Car-sharing Industry

Dr Wan Rizal sought steps to ensure fair practices and consumer protection in the car-sharing industry and how the Ministry balances regulation with promoting innovation.
The Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority monitor the industry and will consult stakeholders to address potential concerns.
Car-sharing operators must ensure all vehicles meet roadworthiness standards, complementing the public transport network.

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6 Feb 2024

Express Public Buses Linking Bukit Batok West Extension to Central Business District

Leong Mun Wai asked if LTA has considered launching express public buses from Bukit Batok West Extension to the CBD and why not if not considered.
Chee Hong Tat responded that residents can take Services 991 or 992 to connect to express Services 174e or 868E for travel to the CBD.
Alternatively, residents can use Services 941, 991, 992 or 993 to reach Bukit Batok or Jurong East MRT stations and travel to the CBD via MRT.

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6 Feb 2024

Average Speed of Vehicles on Expressways and Corresponding Traffic Accident Numbers

Murali Pillai requested data on average expressway speeds, congestion levels, and the three most accident-prone expressways from 2019 to 2023.
Chee Hong Tat stated that average peak-hour expressway speeds were about 60 km/h during this period.
AYE, CTE, and PIE were identified as the most congested expressways during peak hours.
BKE, CTE, and SLE had the highest per lane-kilometre accident rates involving injuries or deaths.
The data covers annual figures across the five-year period, focusing on expressway performance and safety metrics.

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6 Feb 2024

Installation of Glazed or Cladded Windows for Jurong West Crystal BTO Flats near MRT Tracks

Patrick Tay inquired about installing special glazed or cladded windows for Jurong West Crystal BTO flats near MRT tracks to reduce noise.
Desmond Lee explained that full soundproofing is not feasible due to the need for natural ventilation, and special windows have limited effectiveness if kept closed.
HDB conducted a Noise Impact Assessment and implemented measures like using a car park as a noise buffer, adding vertical fins, and providing window restrictors to meet noise standards while maintaining ventilation.

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6 Feb 2024

Update on Cost of Installing Traffic Enforcement Camera at Signalised Intersection

Leong Mun Wai asked about the cost of installing traffic enforcement cameras at signalised intersections and whether more cameras will be deployed for red light offences.
K Shanmugam stated that the installation cost ranges from $100,000 to $170,000 depending on site conditions.
He explained that Traffic Police uses a risk-based approach, deploying cameras at locations prone to accidents and violations, and will install more where merited.

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6 Feb 2024

Passenger Load at Sengkang MRT Station and LRT System, and Measures to Meet Commuter Demand

During morning peak hours, most commuters at Sengkang MRT and LRT stations can board the first arriving train, though some LRT stations like Compassvale and Renjong are more crowded as they are the last stops before Sengkang Town Centre.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will add six new trains to the North East Line by 2024 and has procured 25 two-car trains for the Sengkang-Punggol LRT system, which will double the two-car fleet by 2027, along with enhancing Sengkang Town Centre station for better flow.
Sengkang is served by 37 bus services, including two City Direct Services during peak hours, and LTA is adjusting routes like Service 102 to meet new housing demand.

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6 Feb 2024

Gap Fillers at Platforms of MRT Stations across all MRT Lines

Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Transport about LTA’s plans and timeline to implement gap fillers consistently across all MRT lines.
Chee Hong Tat confirmed that gap fillers are already fitted on all trains of the North East Line, Downtown Line, and Thomson-East Coast Line.
Installation on Circle Line trains is progressing and will be completed by 2025.
Over half of the North-South and East-West Line trains are being decommissioned and will be replaced by 2026 with 106 new trains equipped with gap fillers.
LTA is reviewing whether the remaining North-South and East-West Line trains could be retrofitted with gap fillers.

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6 Feb 2024

Permitting Motorcycle Helmets Approved under International Safety Standards for Use in Singapore

Murali Pillai asked whether the Traffic Police could allow helmets approved under international safety standards in addition to the local Singapore Standard 9:2014, and if so, how to prevent the import of counterfeit helmets from overseas.
K Shanmugam explained that the Singapore Standard 9:2014 was developed in 2014 with industry and expert consultation and is currently mandatory for all motorcycle helmets.
He noted that a working group involving Traffic Police, public and private sector stakeholders, testing labs, and academia has been convened to review the helmet standard, including assessing international standards for compatibility with local safety requirements.
The review is supported by the Singapore Standards Council and overseen by Enterprise Singapore, with an update expected once the group completes its work this year after necessary industry consultation and publication reviews.

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6 Feb 2024

Roll-out of Autonomous Buses and Taxis

The Minister reported that as of January 2024, five autonomous bus trials and one autonomous taxi trial have been conducted in Singapore, with one bus trial at Ngee Ann Polytechnic still ongoing.
Main impediments to faster rollout include the need for AV developers to enhance capabilities for local conditions, such as perception and sensing in complex traffic and inclement weather.
The government plans to continue supporting AV trials and address technological challenges to enable future deployment, though specific timelines for full service rollout were not detailed in this response.

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6 Feb 2024

Application Rates for Scheme that Exempts Persons with Disabilities from Paying COE Premiums and Additional Registration Fees for Vehicles

The Disabled Persons Scheme (DPS), which exempts eligible Singapore citizens with permanent disabilities from COE premiums and Additional Registration Fees, saw applications decline from 93 in 2015 to 20 in 2023.
The government confirmed that DPS is means-tested and that the income ceiling was last updated in 2017, with a commitment to review the scheme to ensure it remains relevant.
Officials indicated that the review of DPS is timely as part of a broader effort to make public transport more accessible to all persons with disabilities, acknowledging concerns from Members of Parliament.
During the debate, questions were raised about the tiered means-testing approach and whether rising per capita household incomes have reduced the proportion of potential applicants qualifying for DPS.
The government highlighted the need to balance the scheme's purpose with the larger goal of improving public transport accessibility and will consider situations where persons with disabilities are caregivers.

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6 Feb 2024

Falsification of Crash Test Results by Japanese Carmaker and Impact on Cars in Singapore

The Land Transport Authority confirmed that none of the vehicles affected by Daihatsu's falsified crash test results are registered in Singapore, and local dealers have not sold them.
The falsification involves 64 models across Daihatsu, Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru, but Singaporean motorists are currently not at risk, though the LTA will monitor for any future imports.
Vehicle owners can check for recalls and rectification updates on the OneMotoring website, and dealers are legally required to notify the LTA and owners of any defects.

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5 Feb 2024

Reduction of Height Difference between Platform and Train Floor for Better Accessibility

Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Transport whether LTA has studied systems to reduce the height difference between platform and train floor to improve accessibility.
Chee Hong Tat explained that the height difference varies due to passenger loading and wear, and cannot be fully eliminated.
LTA is progressively implementing gap fillers with gentle slopes across most of the MRT network where feasible to help passengers board and disembark safely.
Station staff are also available to assist passengers who need help.

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5 Feb 2024

Lessons from Initial Roll-out of Plan to Transit Commuters to SimplyGo Platform and Breakdown of Expenditure Arising from Extension of Timeline

The Minister reiterated that his earlier reply addressed questions on the $40 million expenditure breakdown for extending the card-based ticketing system, the annual cost of running both systems in parallel, and the number of feedback cases and concerns about visibility of fare deductions.
The debate highlighted lessons from the SimplyGo roll-out, including the need to engage the public and evaluate feedback during implementation, and to better gauge user experience in future transport policies.
Questions were raised on technical feasibility, such as whether real-time fare deduction information can be coded into SimplyGo EZ-Link card readers, with the Minister pointing to his previous response for details.

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5 Feb 2024

New Bus Services for Residents of New Jurong West Jewel and Jurong West Crystal BTO Projects

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked whether new or more regular bus services will be provided for residents of the Jurong West Jewel and Jurong West Crystal BTO projects to connect to key nodes like Boon Lay and Pioneer MRT stations and local amenities.
Chee Hong Tat responded that existing services 99, 192, and 974 already connect residents to nearby transport nodes such as Joo Koon MRT, Pioneer MRT, and Boon Lay Bus Interchange, as well as amenities like Boon Lay Market and Jurong West Hawker Centre.
The Land Transport Authority will monitor travel patterns and adjust bus services as needed based on changes in travel demand.

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5 Feb 2024

Rerouting of Bus Services 160 and 870 along Jurong Gateway Road

Leong Mun Wai questioned why Bus Services 160 and 870 do not stop at Bus Stop 28301 in front of Block 131 Jurong Gateway Road and suggested they be amended to do so for better commuter access.
Chee Hong Tat explained that the bus stop cannot accommodate all 15 bus services using Jurong Gateway Road due to site constraints, which would cause traffic queues and safety issues, so only six services turning left onto Jurong East Central are allowed to stop there.
Commuters can instead access Services 160 and 870 at Bus Stop 28441 on Jurong East Central or at Jurong Town Hall Bus Interchange, with the LTA planning a lift to improve access from Jurong East MRT station.

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5 Feb 2024

Proposal for U-turn Facility to Ease Traffic into Jurong West Jewel BTO

Patrick Tay asked whether agencies could expedite a U-turn facility for easier access to the Jurong West Jewel BTO.
HDB will complete the U-turn facility along Upper Jurong Road by the third quarter of 2024.
The new facility will allow residents to enter from the westbound side of Upper Jurong Road.
Until then, residents can continue using the eastbound side for access.
The move aims to ease vehicular traffic into the development.

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5 Feb 2024

Bringing Forward Deadline for Installing Speed Limiters in Lorries

Member Yip Hon Weng asked if the deadline for installing speed limiters in lower-weight lorries can be expedited for public safety and what assistance options are being considered to encourage timely installation.
Minister K Shanmugam explained that suppliers have only compatible speed limiters for older lorries, so Traffic Police requires heavier lorries to comply in two years and lighter ones in two and a half years, while newer lorries get up to three and a half years due to unavailability of newer speed limiters.
Traffic Police is collaborating with motor distributors, the Motor Traders Association, and government agencies to promote early installation of speed limiters during regular vehicle maintenance.

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5 Feb 2024

Time Taken by Traffic Police to Complete Investigations into Accidents

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the time taken by Traffic Police to complete investigations into accidents at the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles.
K Shanmugam stated that the Traffic Police does not track the requested percentile data.
He explained that the duration depends on various factors like the number of vehicles involved and witness availability, with each case differing significantly.

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