Transport — Topics

6 Nov 2023

Regulation for Dormitory Operators on Shuttle Transport Waiting Times and Adequacy of Service

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not currently require dormitory operators to monitor shuttle waiting times or service adequacy, as these services are often provided voluntarily and fall outside the mandatory provisions of the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA).
Under FEDA, dormitory operators are only obligated to ensure dedicated transport to workplaces if workers do not walk, cycle, or use employer-provided transport, while non-work travel typically relies on public transport.
Residents can report transport issues via FAST or FWMOMCare, after which MOM collaborates with the Land Transport Authority and operators to address gaps in service.

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6 Nov 2023

Overcharging of Fares due to Errors Involving Card Readers on Buses

LTA receives regular feedback on overcharging due to bus card reader errors, with a significant reduction in claims from 0.0005% of trips in 2014 to 0.0002% in 2022.
Bus operators must maintain equipment, and LTA audits their maintenance regimes biannually to ensure compliance.
Bus captains are trained to verify bus stop accuracy on card readers and report discrepancies promptly.
LTA tracks commuter claims for over-deduction and collaborates with operators to investigate buses with frequent issues.
Measures have been strengthened over the years and are considered effective in minimizing overcharging incidents.

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6 Nov 2023

Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Rezoning of Sungei Serangoon from "Park" to "Road" to Build Bus Depot

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked whether an environmental impact assessment was conducted for the proposed rezoning at Sungei Serangoon from "park" to "road" for a bus depot, and if such studies could be disclosed.
The Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee, stated that environmental studies are required for developments with significant impact, but an assessment was not needed for this project as the site is a brownfield area with limited sensitive habitats.
To mitigate any negative environmental impact, the Land Transport Authority will implement earth control measures and restrict working hours during construction.

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6 Nov 2023

Cost, Lifespan and Expected Outcomes for Installation of Next Generation ERP 2.0 System On-Board Units in Vehicles

The Land Transport Authority will replace the aging ERP 1.0 system with a new satellite-based ERP 2.0, installing on-board units (OBUs) free of charge for existing vehicles to improve traffic management and allow for more agile congestion pricing without physical gantries.
The new system will alert motorists of charges via the OBU or a smartphone app, and payment options will align with current car park systems using contactless cards, though cash cards are being phased out.
There are strict data safeguards in place for anonymized or aggregated data use, with specific vehicle data only used for payment and enforcement, and robust security measures prevent unauthorized access.
Distance-based charging is not immediately planned, as factors for its implementation are still under consideration, and the OBU is favored over a smartphone app due to reliability, security, and operational consistency.

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6 Nov 2023

Outlook for COE Prices and Proposal for Support for Persons and Firms who Rely On Vehicles to Continue Their Trade

The government reaffirmed its zero-vehicle growth policy to manage land scarcity and carbon emissions, emphasizing that public transport remains the core strategy while COE prices are driven by supply and demand dynamics, with recent increases attributed primarily to strong resident demand rather than speculation or foreign buyers.
To address high COE prices, the government announced a significant 35% increase in supply for Categories A and B in Q4 2023, using a "cut-and-fill" approach to bring forward future quotas, though this involves trade-offs such as potential short-term increases in vehicles on the road.
Concerns about support for commercial vehicle owners and SMEs were noted, with the government highlighting existing measures like lower taxes for motorcycles and light goods vehicles, and commitments to study further support through agencies like Enterprise Singapore, while maintaining that market mechanisms and COE allocation must be preserved.
The government is reviewing point-to-point services, including private hire vehicles, to ensure they complement public transport, but has no plans for a separate COE category for car-leasing companies due to risks of supply volatility and impact on commuters.
Members raised suggestions for motorcycle COE adjustments, usage-based charging, and reallocation of COE categories, with the government indicating ongoing studies but emphasizing the need to balance congestion management, equity, and system stability.

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4 Oct 2023

COEs Registered During Month and Sold and Registered to New Owner within First, Second or Third Year

Ms He Ting Ru asked for monthly data over the last three years on COE registrations that were later sold and re-registered to a new owner within the first, second, or third year, broken down by the year of sale and COE category.
For 2020, out of approximately 67,000 vehicle registrations, about 12,000 were transferred within the first year, 4,000 within the second year, and 4,000 within the third year.
The majority of transfers in the first year of registration are for Category D motorcycles.

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4 Oct 2023

Adequacy of Existing Flood Prevention Measures for Underground MRT Stations

Melvin Yong Yik Chye questioned the adequacy of current flood prevention measures for underground MRT stations and whether they need enhancement due to increased rainfall from climate change.
Chee Hong Tat, for the Minister for Transport, stated that MRT infrastructure design considers climate change scenarios based on national studies and complies with PUB’s drainage code, with new stations featuring elevated entrances.
Existing stations not meeting the latest standards have additional measures like flood barriers, which are maintained regularly, and operators conduct staff training and drills to ensure readiness for flooding incidents.

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4 Oct 2023

Median Wage Growth of Workers Employed by Public Transport Operators

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Transport for median wage growth data over the past five years for Professionals, Managers and Executives, non-Professionals, Managers and Executives, and senior management at public transport operators, whether such data could be made public in future fare reviews, and why the national wage index is used instead of a sector-specific index.
Chee Hong Tat, responding for the Minister, stated that the question had already been addressed during the Parliament Sitting on 3 October 2023 and referred to the relevant Official Report.

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4 Oct 2023

Considerations in Siting Proposed Brickland MRT Station at Current Planned Location

The planned Brickland MRT station was selected after engineering studies and consultations to serve about 13,000 households and future developments in Keat Hong, Bukit Batok West, Pavilion Park, and Tengah’s Brickland district.
Moving the station along Brickland Road is not feasible because the existing North-South Line tracks in that area are curved and sloped, and realigning them would disrupt train operations and cause greater disamenities to residents.
Residents will also benefit from the upcoming Jurong Region Line, and bus services will be reviewed to improve last-mile connectivity to the stations.

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4 Oct 2023

Effect of Increases in Public Transport Fares and Higher COE Prices on Inflation in 2024

Public transport fare increases are projected to contribute 0.17 percentage point to core inflation in 2024, while the impact of COE price changes on inflation cannot be projected at this time.
The government is maintaining affordability through annual subsidies exceeding $2 billion and additional measures such as $300 million in 2024 subsidies and $50 Public Transport Vouchers for lower-income households.
Broader cost-of-living support includes a $1.1 billion package with cash payments, vouchers, and rebates, building on existing assistance from Budget 2023.
Support for businesses includes enhanced financing schemes to help manage cashflow and rising costs.
The government continues to monitor inflation pressures and implement measures to mitigate impacts on living and business costs.

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4 Oct 2023

Extension of 24/7 On-demand Audible Traffic Signals to More Town Centres

The LTA has equipped 1,300 pedestrian crossings with audible traffic signals operating from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm to assist persons with visual impairment while minimizing late-night noise.
As part of the Enabling Masterplan 2030, 325 crossings across 10 town centres are being upgraded to 24/7 on-demand signals by 2025, with 62 completed so far; the usefulness will be monitored before considering further expansion.
LTA has received an average of eight noise complaints annually over the past five years, typically resolved by reducing audio device volume.
LTA is studying the feasibility of integrating traffic signals with third-party applications to enhance mobility for persons with visual impairment.

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4 Oct 2023

Measures to Address Irresponsible and Drink-driving in view of Hike in Road Accidents in 1H 2023

Murali Pillai questioned whether the 2019 deterrence strategy against irresponsible driving is effective given the rise in road accidents and fatalities in early 2023, and asked for specific steps to tackle drink-driving and protect elderly pedestrians and motorcyclists.
K Shanmugam responded that a longer monitoring period is needed to assess the 2019 amendments’ effectiveness but acknowledged the concerning increase in accidents and fatalities.
He stated that the Traffic Police have intensified a three-pronged approach of education, engagement, and enforcement to address the trends.
The government previously outlined measures in response to similar concerns raised by Melvin Yong in October 2023.
The debate emphasizes ongoing efforts to curb irresponsible and drink-driving while protecting vulnerable road users.

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4 Oct 2023

E-bike Models Approved to Date

As of August 2023, 66 e-bike models have been approved, with 17 new models approved since January 2023, and about 26,300 e-bikes were registered from 2020 to 2022.
In the same period, 3,000 non-compliant e-bikes were detected, 10,900 riders were caught riding illegally on prohibited paths, and there were 380 road and 50 off-road accidents involving e-bikes.
The government is working with suppliers to increase approved models, enforcing fines for illegal use, and expanding cycling paths to 1,300 km by 2030, with construction starting in areas like Nanyang from 2024.

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4 Oct 2023

Expected Impact of Recent Announcement of Increase in Pricing Cap for School Bus Fares

The Ministry of Education increased the pricing cap for school bus fares by up to 13% from January 2024 to address rising costs and sustain operations, while expanding financial assistance schemes for low-income and special education students.
Education officials emphasized ongoing support through enhanced subsidies and school-level assistance, with plans to review and adjust measures as needed to prevent disruptions.
The debate highlighted concerns about limited bus options for students, particularly in special education, and called for further creative solutions and deeper ground understanding to assist affected families and schools.

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3 Oct 2023

Considerations for Extensions of Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive and Additional Registration Fee Floor from 1 January 2024

The government extended the Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive and Vehicular Emissions Scheme rebates to reduce the upfront cost difference between cleaner energy and internal combustion engine cars, supporting the 2040 target for all vehicles to run on cleaner energy.
The Additional Registration Fee floor for electric cars was extended to allow them to maximize combined rebates of up to $40,000, meaning many mass-market models will not need to pay ARF.
These extensions and adjustments aim to continue subsidizing cleaner energy vehicles and encourage wider adoption by making them more financially accessible.

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3 Oct 2023

Plans to Increase Transport Connectivity in Keat Hong and Brickland in Chua Chu Kang with Opening of NS3A Brickland MRT Station

Residents in Keat Hong and Brickland currently have access to multiple bus services for first-and-last-mile connectivity, and the future NS3A Brickland and JS2 Choa Chu Kang West MRT stations will enhance direct access to the rail network.
The Land Transport Authority will monitor travel patterns and adjust bus services, including improving frequency, to meet demand in new estates.
LTA will conduct a further review of bus services once the new MRT stations are operational to improve connectivity to these nodes.

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3 Oct 2023

Incidence of Departing Flights Having to Offload Passenger Baggage Due to Poor Weather Conditions

A member of parliament asked about the number of flights departing Singapore that had to offload passenger baggage due to poor weather over the past five years, and whether such incidents predominantly affect budget airlines.
The Minister for Transport, represented by Chee Hong Tat, responded that airlines may offload baggage for safety or operational reasons, but there is no requirement for them to report these incidents.
The minister further stated that the authorities do not track these occurrences at Changi Airport.

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3 Oct 2023

Data on Profitability of Public Transport Operators and Their Generated Returns on Invested Capital

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Transport for data on the profitability of each public transport operator over the last three years and their respective returns on invested capital.
Chee Hong Tat, speaking for the Minister for Transport, responded that the question had already been addressed in the 3 October 2023 sitting.
The debate highlighted the Member's request for specific financial performance metrics of public transport operators.
The Minister's representative indicated that the information was previously provided in a prior parliamentary session.
The exchange underscores ongoing parliamentary interest in the financial transparency of public transport operators.

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3 Oct 2023

Ensuring High Maintenance Standard of Air-conditioning Systems on MRT Trains

The government ensures that MRT trains use robust joints and corrosion-resistant pipes to minimize air-conditioning refrigerant gas leaks, with rail operators conducting preventive maintenance and regular leak checks.
Air-conditioning units on trains are periodically dismantled for thorough inspections based on manufacturer guidelines and replaced when necessary to maintain high standards.
Refrigerant gas leaks are rare occurrences that do not pose public health risks, and the measures in place aim to prevent future malfunctions while ensuring passenger comfort and safety.

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3 Oct 2023

Safety Precautions Adopted by Other Countries that Permit Passengers to be Ferried in Rear Deck of Lorries

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether the Ministry of Transport has studied safety precautions and restrictions in countries that allow passengers to be ferried in the rear deck of goods vehicles and if so, what they are and if they can be applied in Singapore.
Chee Hong Tat, for the Minister for Transport, responded that policies vary internationally, with countries like Thailand and some jurisdictions in the US and Canada allowing it subject to safety requirements such as passengers seated away from the vehicle edge.
He noted that Singapore has imposed additional safety measures since 2011, like canopies and higher side railings on lorries, which are not mandated in those countries.
The Land Transport Authority regularly studies international best practices and adapts them to Singapore's context, considering local circumstances.

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