Transport — Topics

4 Jul 2023

Ensuring Student Safety from Implementation of Common Pick-up and Drop-off Points for School Buses

The Minister affirmed that safety is paramount in selecting school bus pick-up and drop-off points, which must be safe, sheltered, and in low-traffic areas, with common points designed to streamline operations and reduce student journey times.
Bus operators plan routes based on parent requests, and parents with concerns are encouraged to discuss with operators to arrange points nearer to home.
The Ministry seeks parents’ support to instill road safety in children, choose safe walking routes, and arrange chaperones for younger children where necessary.

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4 Jul 2023

Assistance to Parallel Importers to Promote Sales of Electric Vehicles

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the government can provide more assistance to parallel importers to boost electric vehicle sales, including a review of potentially disadvantageous rules and documentary requirements.
The government has implemented incentives like the Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive and enhanced Vehicular Emissions Scheme, offering up to $45,000 off the Additional Registration Fee for electric cars.
The Land Transport Authority applies the same technical requirements for importing electric vehicles to both parallel importers and authorised dealers, ensuring compliance with international safety standards.

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4 Jul 2023

Provision of Required Bicycle Parking by Developers

Ms He Ting Ru asked how many developments fall under the lower bound of the bicycle parking requirement, whether the Ministry assesses the sufficiency of current rules, and if the requirement could be increased for better access in a car-light society.
Minister S Iswaran stated that since 2018, the Land Transport Authority has set minimum bicycle parking provisions based on development type, location, and gross floor area, applying to new or redeveloped buildings, with all submissions meeting or exceeding the requirements.
The Ministry monitors adequacy through surveys and feedback, works with developers to add parking where demand is high, and incentivizes them by exempting bicycle parking spaces from the building’s gross floor area calculation.

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4 Jul 2023

Regulations to Ensure Bicycle Headlights Emit Dipped Beams

Murali Pillai proposed regulations to require bicycle and power-assisted bicycle headlights to emit dipped beams to prevent blinding pedestrians and motorists.
The Minister for Transport responded that cyclists may adjust headlight positions for safety under different conditions and must avoid shining lights onto others' faces.
The Land Transport Authority will continue to promote gracious riding through public education campaigns rather than implementing new regulations.

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4 Jul 2023

Household Ownership of Cars from Allocation of COEs

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Transport for the number of COEs allocated to households with one, two, or three or more cars each year over the past 10 years.
S Iswaran referred her to previous answers and a ministerial statement from November 2022, January 2023, and May 2023, noting no material change in COE allocation.
He indicated that the requested data is available in the cited official reports, which detail families owning more than one car and the proportion of households with multiple cars.

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4 Jul 2023

Study to Assess Impact of Stable COE Supply on COE Prices

Hazel Poa queried whether the Ministry of Transport has simulated or studied the effect on COE prices if COE supply were stable and, if so, the results.
The Land Transport Authority conducts careful reviews and sensitivity analyses of potential COE system changes, considering factors like economic climate, commuting patterns, and consumer preferences.
The Ministry noted the limitations of such analyses and is cautious in drawing definitive conclusions about the impact of stable COE supply on prices.

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4 Jul 2023

Percentage of COEs that Went to HDB Flat Owners or Dwellers

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Transport for the percentage of COEs that went to HDB flat owners or dwellers over the past 10 years.
The Minister stated that around 70% of car-owning households lived in public housing in 2013, which declined to 55% in 2019 before rising and stabilizing at 60% in recent years.
This data reflects the proportion of car-owning households in HDB flats, not the exact percentage of COEs allocated to them.
The trend shows a decrease in public housing car ownership between 2013 and 2019, followed by a recovery to pre-decline levels.
The response provides a 10-year overview but does not give a year-by-year breakdown of COE allocation percentages.

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4 Jul 2023

Implementation of Automated Passenger In-car Clearance System at Land Checkpoints

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked for an update on the Automated Passenger In-Car Clearance System (APICS) and its possible extension to commercial goods vehicles.
Minister K Shanmugam explained that APICS, developed by ICA and HTX, uses biometric scanners, sensors, and cameras for seamless clearance.
A 2022 trial at Old Woodlands Checkpoint saw 94% of travellers self-clearing without officer assistance.
APICS will be rolled out at Tuas Checkpoint from 2026 and the redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint from 2028.
A similar system for commercial goods vehicles will also be introduced progressively in the same timeframe.

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4 Jul 2023

Regulating Growth of Private Hire and Rental Car Populations

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked if the government plans to regulate the growth of private hire and rental car populations and, if not, the reasons why.
S Iswaran explained that private hire cars complement public transport by providing point-to-point options and reduce the need for private car ownership.
He noted that private hire car demand has remained resilient, with daily ride-hail trips rising 33% since 2020 and population stability at around 70,000.
Capping private hire cars could lead to higher fares and rental costs, negatively affecting commuters who rely on these services.
The Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority will continue studying the impact of private hire cars on the market.

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4 Jul 2023

Installation of Electric-charging Stations for Use by Harbour Launches and Harbour Craft

Dennis Tan asked about plans to install more electric charging stations for harbour craft beyond the first one at Pulau Bukom and what assistance is available for owners to convert to net-zero fuels.
The MPA plans to roll out charging infrastructure from 2025 and is working with research partners to determine power needs and identify suitable locations for new stations.
MPA supports research and pilots for alternative net-zero fuels and offers a five-year port dues waiver for new harbour craft using low or zero-carbon fuels or fully electric models.

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4 Jul 2023

Better Coordination for Government Agencies' Major Construction Works in Residential Estates

The Road Opening Coordination Committee consolidates planned construction and utility works across agencies to minimize road excavations and closures.
Agencies limit closures to one lane with replacement lanes where possible, and use impact assessments and mitigation measures for major works like the Cross Island Line construction.
Engagements with affected stakeholders, including motorists, are conducted to ensure public awareness and allow adjustments to travel plans.

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4 Jul 2023

Legislating Need for Motorists to Report Traffic Accidents to Their Insurers

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked whether the government will consider making it mandatory for all motorists involved in traffic accidents to report the incident to their insurers, regardless of whether they intend to claim.
The Minister for Transport noted that while the General Insurance Association’s Motor Claims Framework requires reporting within 24 hours, this is not legally mandated; however, insurers cannot refuse liability for bodily injury or death claims due to non-reporting, and victims can pursue civil claims or compensation from their own insurers.
MPs highlighted concerns about motorists who fail to report accidents, leaving victims with limited recourse, and suggested stronger measures, but the Minister emphasized that current incentives and existing remedies largely address the issue, and further review with relevant agencies is underway.

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3 Jul 2023

Clarification by Second Minister for Finance and National Development

The Second Minister for Finance and National Development clarified a factual error in her previous parliamentary reply regarding the year of a resident's letter about traffic issues near the Singapore Turf Club.
She corrected the year from 1998 to 1988, noting the letter was published in the Forum Page and highlighted traffic congestion on Dunearn Road during race days.
The resident's letter suggested relocating the Turf Club away from residential areas, citing ongoing traffic complaints and a past Straits Times report.
The clarification was made to ensure accuracy in the parliamentary record, referencing the official report from the sitting on 3 July 2023.
The minister's statement underscores long-standing community concerns about the Turf Club's impact on local traffic and the ongoing search for alternative sites.

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3 Jul 2023

Enforcement Actions against Errant Cyclists and PMD Riders in Orchard Road Area

Melvin Yong asked for statistics on enforcement actions against errant cyclists and PMD riders in Orchard Road over three years, the number involving foreign nationals, and plans to enhance safety awareness among these users.
Between June 2020 and May 2023, about 180 errant riding offences were detected in Orchard Road, including PABs and PMDs on footpaths, speeding, and riding pedal bicycles without handbrakes.
Of 100 identified offenders, only one was a foreign national, with other cases pending investigation.
The Land Transport Authority has run public education campaigns since 2016, such as the annual Move Happy campaign, and collaborates with the Singapore Tourism Board to educate tourists on riding rules.
The Ministry plans to continue these campaigns to promote safe riding norms and active mobility guidelines.

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3 Jul 2023

Pilot Study on Allowing Pets on Public Transport

Dr Tan Yia Swam proposed a pilot study to allow pets on public transport with safeguards, such as in the last MRT carriage, on selected buses, or on leash or in carrier bags.
The Minister for Transport cited safety, hygiene, allergy, and noise concerns that cannot be fully mitigated even with leashes or carriers, and noted that dedicating space to pets would reduce capacity and inconvenience other commuters.
The Ministry highlighted that trained guide dogs are already permitted on public transport as they are essential for visually impaired commuters to travel independently.

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3 Jul 2023

Revocation of Car Insurance Policy for Non-payment of Insurance Premium Instalments

Lim Biow Chuan questioned if motor insurance companies can revoke policies for unpaid premium instalments and whether this leads to uninsured driving, noting that drivers found uninsured face fines, jail, or driving disqualification.
S Iswaran confirmed that insurers may cancel policies for breaches like non-payment after reminders or grace periods, and highlighted penalties for uninsured driving.
The debate underscores that policy revocation for non-payment is legally permitted and results in serious consequences for motorists who drive without insurance.

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3 Jul 2023

Trial of Priority Cabins for Elderly on MRT Trains

The trial of priority cabins for the elderly and other groups like expectant mothers and persons with disabilities is under evaluation by the Land Transport Authority, considering post-pandemic travel patterns.
The trial has been on hold indefinitely due to COVID-19, but other initiatives like the Helping Hand scheme and Caring Commuter Champion programme are being promoted to support commuters with additional needs.
The government is considering extending priority beyond the elderly to include groups such as expectant mothers and persons with invisible medical conditions or temporary injuries.

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3 Jul 2023

Rate of Recalcitrant Drink Drivers Caught for Drink Driving Resulting in Fatal Accidents, Injuries and Damage to Property

Melvin Yong asked the Minister for Home Affairs for the annual rate of recalcitrant drink drivers caught over the past five years and how many of those incidents led to fatal accidents, injuries, or property damage.
The Minister responded that the annual rate of repeat drink drivers was 22% in 2018, 24% in 2019, 20% in 2020, 21% in 2021, and 24% in 2022.
In the last five years, three repeat drink drivers were involved in fatal accidents, and 139 were involved in injury-causing accidents.
The Ministry does not track the number of drink-driving incidents that result only in damage to property.

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3 Jul 2023

Impact of COVID-19 Disruptions on Completion Date of North-South Corridor

The North-South Corridor is now expected to be completed in phases, with the viaduct portion targeted for 2027 and the road tunnel portion in 2029, following a delay of more than a year due to COVID-19 disruptions.
Contractors are adhering to planned construction schedules, with noisy works typically stopping by 10 pm, except for safety-critical tasks which may continue later, and measures such as noise barriers and enclosures are in place to minimize resident inconvenience.
The Land Transport Authority engages with stakeholders and grassroots leaders to provide updates and explain construction activities, while also committing to ongoing efforts to reduce disamenities as the project progresses.

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3 Jul 2023

Assistance Extended to Schools Facing Difficulty with School Bus Contracts

The Ministry of Education is working with school bus associations to address industry challenges such as driver shortages, rising costs, and the point-to-point service model, which threaten the affordability and sustainability of school bus services.
Measures include a time-limited increase in Foreign Worker quotas for school bus drivers to achieve economies of scale, with the first batch of applications processed and more expected as school bus tenders for the next year are awarded.
The Land Transport Authority will ensure sufficient training capacity and facilitate applications for the Bus Driver's Vocational Licence to help those keen to become school bus drivers obtain their licences quickly.
MOE will evolve school bus contracts to provide operators with more flexibility, such as offering common pick-up/drop-off points and discontinuing services with insufficient demand, to aid cost management and better utilize scarce manpower.
The majority of Primary 1 students are posted to schools of their choice or within two kilometres of their homes, and many older students use public transport instead of school buses, indicating that school bus services are used by a minority of primary school students.

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