Transport — Topics

9 Jan 2024

Deployment of Technologies to Enforce against Excessive Vehicular Noise

Lim Biow Chuan asked if the National Environment Agency (NEA) can use advanced technologies to enforce against excessive vehicular noise on the roads.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that excessive vehicle noise stems from factors like vehicle design, illegal modifications, poor maintenance, and inconsiderate driving, and that NEA sets noise emission standards for vehicles.
She noted that unlike speeding, measuring and attributing noise to a specific vehicle is challenging due to interference from other sounds, so current enforcement involves pulling over suspected vehicles for separate noise tests.
Grace Fu added that NEA is monitoring and studying new technologies to address these challenges and will consider their effectiveness for future deployment on roads.

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9 Jan 2024

Cap on Number of Hours Spent on the Road by Private Hire Car or Taxi Drivers

The Ministry does not impose a regulatory cap on driving hours for private hire or taxi drivers, considering it a personal decision, but promotes safe driving culture through tripartite partners.
Guidelines from the Tripartite Workplace Safety and Health Council recommend limiting shifts to no more than 12 hours, and operators remind drivers to take breaks via in-vehicle systems or apps.
Some operators have deployed driver assistance and anti-fatigue technology, and vocational licence training includes advice on taking breaks every two hours to prevent fatigue.

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22 Nov 2023

Increasing Amenities and Connectivity in Lentor Area

Yip Hon Weng asked whether there are plans to increase amenities like hawker centres and car parks and improve traffic connectivity in the Lentor area, given upcoming housing developments.
Desmond Lee responded that the Urban Redevelopment Authority collaborates with agencies and developers to ensure sufficient infrastructure and amenities, including retail, F&B, and a neighbourhood park in the Lentor Hills Estate.
He noted that the area is already well-served by hawker centres, eateries, and the Lentor MRT Station, with road capacity ensured through completed traffic studies and improvements.
Agencies will continue engaging local stakeholders to address feedback and meet residents' needs.

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22 Nov 2023

Derivation of Quota for COE Category E (Open)

Hazel Poa inquired about the method used to determine the COE quota for Category E (Open).
The Minister for Transport, represented by Chee Hong Tat, directed the query to the Land Transport Authority's website for the specific information.
The response indicates that the calculation details are publicly available online rather than elaborated in parliamentary debate.

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22 Nov 2023

Enforcement Actions Against Drivers for Failing to Conform to Requirements of Fourth Schedule of Road Traffic Rules

Ms He Ting Ru queried the number of enforcement actions taken against drivers or vehicle owners for non-compliance with the Fourth Schedule of the Road Traffic Rules on identification marks over the last five years, broken down by vehicle type.
The Minister for Transport, represented by Chee Hong Tat, responded that the data is available in Table 1, which shows enforcement actions for registration number plate or identification mark offences over the last five years, broken down by vehicle type.
The debate focused on the need for transparency and accountability in enforcing vehicle identification mark regulations, with the government providing the requested statistical breakdown.
The exchange highlights the parliamentary process of questioning and answering on regulatory enforcement matters related to road traffic rules.
The response confirms that enforcement data is collected and presented in a structured format, enabling oversight of compliance with vehicle identification requirements.

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22 Nov 2023

Allowing Disabled Persons to Work as Private Hire Drivers

Hazel Poa asked whether cars registered under the Disabled Persons Scheme could be used as private hire cars to allow disabled persons to earn a living as drivers.
The Minister for Transport responded that all private hire cars require COE and ARF payments, with an exemption only for cars used by disabled persons for commuting to and from work.
The exemption does not extend to using such cars as private hire vehicles, meaning they cannot be used for earning income as PHC drivers.

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22 Nov 2023

Statistics of Category E (Open) COEs Used To Register New Vehicles in Other Categories

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Transport how many Category E (Open) COEs were used to register new vehicles in other COE categories over the last 12 months.
Chee Hong Tat, representing the Minister, replied that 4,206 Open Category E COEs were used for this purpose in the past year.
The response provided a specific figure to address the query on COE usage across different vehicle categories.

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22 Nov 2023

Traffic Impact Assessments for Faber Hills Estate and Mitigation Measures for Better Traffic Connectivity

Dr Tan Wu Meng inquired about reviewing traffic impact assessments for the Faber Hills estate due to new housing developments and resident experiences, and whether additional mitigation measures would be considered.
Chee Hong Tat, representing the Minister, stated that the Land Transport Authority requires developers to conduct Transport Impact Assessments for new major developments, with a TIA already completed for Faber Hills in March 2019.
Road improvement measures such as widening roads and improving junctions were identified and implemented to handle increased traffic, with LTA continuing to monitor conditions post-development.

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22 Nov 2023

Considerations for Placing Cap on Private Hire Fares

Gan Thiam Poh proposed a fare cap on private hire cars to make them an attractive alternative to car ownership.
Chee Hong Tat, representing the Minister for Transport, explained that private hire fares are dynamically priced based on demand and supply, and capping them would distort market signals.
The Ministry argued that capping fares would reduce driver incomes, leading to fewer drivers during high demand and making it harder for commuters to secure rides.

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22 Nov 2023

Impact of ERP 2.0 on Heavy Road Users and Measures to Prevent Operators from Transferring Costs to End Users

Dennis Tan inquired whether the Ministry of Transport has assessed the cost impact of ERP 2.0 on heavy road users like taxi, private hire, and delivery drivers, and if measures will be considered to prevent operators from passing costs to end users.
Chee Hong Tat, representing the Minister for Transport, noted that this issue was addressed in a previous parliamentary session on 6 November 2023, directing to an official report on ERP 2.0 system costs and outcomes.
The response did not provide new details but referenced existing documentation, indicating that the matter has been previously discussed without immediate new cost alleviation measures announced.

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22 Nov 2023

Construction Companies Transporting Workers in Rear Decks of bizSAFE Level 3-certified Lorries and Risk Management Audits Carried Out

Miss Rachel Ong asked whether the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has data on construction companies transporting workers in the rear decks of bizSAFE Level 3-certified lorries, if risk management audits for bizSAFE certification incorporate checks on the new legal requirements effective 1 January 2023, and whether companies certified before that date will be re-audited.
MOM does not collect specific data on the percentage of such companies but noted that over 50% of construction companies are at least bizSAFE Level 3-certified, with renewal required every three years.
The bizSAFE audit focuses on risk management systems and may or may not include lorry transport risks depending on the company's activities, while MOM conducts inspections to ensure compliance with legal requirements introduced from 1 January 2023, such as appointing a "Vehicle Buddy" and ensuring dual-role drivers take rest breaks.
Additional safety requirements from the Land Transport Authority and the Inter-Agency Advisory on Safe Transport of Workers are also applicable, but bizSAFE audits do not mandate re-audits for companies certified before 1 January 2023 solely to check new requirements.

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22 Nov 2023

Retention of Shuttle Tebrau Service after Commencement of Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link

The Ministry for Transport confirmed that the Shuttle Tebrau service will be discontinued six months after the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) begins passenger services, per an agreement with Malaysia.
The RTS Link is designed to handle up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction, significantly exceeding the current shuttle’s daily capacity of under 10,000 people.
Alternative cross-border travel options, such as bus and ferry services, will remain available to commuters after the RTS Link commences operation.

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22 Nov 2023

Campaigns to Encourage Public Transport Users to Exercise Greater Consideration for Other Commuters

The Land Transport Authority and Public Transport Council run annual Graciousness Campaigns and the Caring Commuter Champion programme to promote considerate behaviour on public transport.
Partnerships with agencies like the Ministry of Education and the Singapore Kindness Movement develop educational content to instill kindness from a young age.
Public transport workers are trained to handle commuters who are being a nuisance, and all Singaporeans are encouraged to collectively build a gracious commuting culture.

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22 Nov 2023

Allocation of More Funds for Aesthetic Covered Linkways Near Founders' Memorial Area and Other Tourist Attractions

Lim Biow Chuan proposed increasing funds to make covered linkways near the Founders’ Memorial and other tourist spots more aesthetically pleasing rather than just functional.
Chee Hong Tat, representing the Minister for Transport, confirmed that covered linkways will be built within the Founders’ Memorial area to connect key sites and the MRT station.
The response emphasized that these linkways will be designed to be both functional and aesthetically appropriate for the area.
The debate centered on balancing practicality with enhanced visual appeal in public infrastructure near tourist attractions.
No additional funding was explicitly committed beyond the planned developments mentioned.

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22 Nov 2023

Enhanced Action Against Drivers of Vehicles with Illegally Modified Exhaust Systems

Lim Biow Chuan asked whether the Traffic Police will monitor and take enhanced action against drivers of vehicles with illegally modified exhaust systems causing noise pollution on expressways like East Coast Parkway.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs clarified that enforcement is led by the Land Transport Authority, with penalties including fines up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment, and Traffic Police refer cases to LTA.
Lim Biow Chuan highlighted ongoing complaints from residents about noise from modified vehicles and suggested stricter enforcement or additional regulations to deter such behavior.
The Minister of State responded that agencies conduct joint operations and work with communities to address specific area complaints, with the National Environment Agency adopting more stringent noise guidelines.
Gan Thiam Poh inquired about noise level guidelines between modified vehicles and sports cars, and the Minister confirmed existing guidelines and stressed inter-agency collaboration.

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22 Nov 2023

Allowing Private Hire Car and Taxi Drivers to Install Passenger Facing Video Recorders with Audio Functions

The Land Transport Authority already allows drivers to install authorized passenger-facing video recorders with audio functions, provided they are installed at approved centers and with prior permission.
To protect privacy, recordings can only be accessed for official investigations and must be stored securely, while vehicles must display notices to inform passengers of the devices.
Drivers are prohibited from using unauthorized devices like personal phones to record, and passengers must be informed so they can choose not to use such a vehicle.
The government encourages mutual respect between drivers and commuters, and drivers can seek recourse under harassment laws if passengers record and share videos without consent.

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7 Nov 2023

Estimated Overall Cost and Timeframe to Move Into ERP 2.0 System Era

The estimated cost for the ERP 2.0 project was awarded at $556 million in 2016, with final costs to be determined upon completion.
The Land Transport Authority assessed that replacing the current system with ERP 2.0 is less costly than extending the existing system.
The installation of new On-Board Units is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

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7 Nov 2023

Incentives for Vehicle Leasing Platforms to Allow Leasing to Vocational Motorists

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked if the Ministry of Trade and Industry could incentivize platform companies to partner with vehicle leasing firms that have responsible contractual practices for leasing vehicles to vocational motorists.
Minister Gan Kim Yong directed the question to a prior oral reply on the same topic from 7 November 2023.
The previous reply was about a low-cost dispute resolution platform for disputes between vehicle leasing firms and vocational drivers or riders.
The reference provided was for the Official Report of the 7 November 2023 meeting, specifically the Written Answers section for questions not answered by the end of Question Time.

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7 Nov 2023

Grab-Uber Merger's Impact on Grab’s Market Share, Fares, Driver Earnings and Quality of Service

Leong Mun Wai asked whether the government has data on the Grab-Uber merger's impact on Grab's market share, fares, driver earnings, and service quality, and whether the 2018 penalties were sufficient or if further action would be taken.
Gan Kim Yong stated that the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore imposed directions in 2018 to maintain pre-merger pricing, remove exclusivity obligations, and reduce anti-competitive impacts.
He noted that the entry of other ride-hail platforms since 2018 has reduced Grab's market share.
Gan added that the 2020 Point-to-Point Transport Regulatory Framework removed exclusivity rules, leading CCCS to release its directions while continuing to work with regulators to keep the sector contestable.

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7 Nov 2023

Timeline to Ban Transport of Workers on Back of Lorries

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for an update on a timeline to ban workers from being transported on the back of lorries after a meeting in October 2023.
Chee Hong Tat responded on behalf of the Minister for Transport, reaffirming the government's commitment to improving road user safety.
He stated that the government is working with industry and civil society to develop practical solutions for the issue.
He indicated that further updates will be provided once ready, without committing to a specific timeline.

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