Transport — Topics

6 Feb 2023

Training for Public Transport Staff and Drivers on Accommodating Passengers with Disabilities

The Minister confirmed that all public transport operators have training programmes developed with social service agencies to assist passengers with disabilities, including those with invisible conditions, and use initiatives like the "May I Have A Seat Please" identifier to aid staff in identifying and helping commuters in need.
Since 2016, bus captains have undergone mandatory inclusive commuter training under the Enhanced Vocational Licence Training Programme, with over 6,450 graduates, and training materials are regularly updated based on feedback from the public and social service agencies.
Public transport operators ensure their customer service hotlines are fully staffed during operating hours, with manpower planned for peak periods and contingencies such as cross-training employees and offering alternative feedback channels.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Motorcycles Bought and Rented by Malaysian Work Pass Holders

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport about the number of motorcycles purchased and rented by Malaysian work pass holders over the past five years and any trend changes.
The Minister for Transport, S Iswaran, stated that about 2% of motorcycles registered in Singapore are owned by Malaysian work pass holders with no clear trend.
The Government does not track data on the rental of motorcycles by this group.
The debate highlights the limited data available on motorcycle rentals compared to ownership by Malaysian work pass holders.
The response indicates stable ownership levels without significant changes in demand patterns.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Prevalence of Traffic Accidents Occurring on Expressways

Minister K Shanmugam reported that the number of traffic accidents on expressways involving injuries or deaths rose from 1,752 in 2018 to 1,889 in 2019, fell to 1,039 in 2020 and 1,155 in 2021 due to the pandemic, and increased to 1,687 in 2022 as activities resumed.
The Traffic Police do not track non-injury or non-fatal accidents and attribute the majority of expressway accidents to driver and rider behavior, focusing on education and engagement to promote compliance with traffic rules and good practices.
To minimize the impact of accidents, the Traffic Police collaborate with the Land Transport Authority to divert and manage traffic flow, and motorists are advised to follow officer instructions and use alternative roads.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Prevalence and Detection of Illegal Vehicle Modifications

From 2018 to 2022, illegal vehicle modification offences averaged around 2,000 for motorcycles, 3,600 for passenger cars, and 2,200 for commercial vehicles, all detected through LTA’s regular enforcement patrols.
Offences declined in 2020 due to lower traffic during COVID-19, and all cases were identified through enforcement patrols, not routine inspections or other methods.
Vehicles must pass regular inspections to renew road tax, with non-compliant vehicles barred from use, and illegal exhaust modification fines have been increased from $500 to $1,000 for first-time offenders.
More severe cases can be taken to court, even for first-time offenders, as part of stricter penalties for high-risk modifications.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Lifting of All COVID-19 Measures Including Mask Wearing on Public Transport and in Healthcare Facilities

Yip Hon Weng inquired about the criteria and timeline for removing all COVID-19 restrictions, such as masks on public transport and in healthcare facilities.
Ong Ye Kung stated that the government is reviewing remaining measures to establish a new post-pandemic normal, with progress ongoing.
The review considers recent holiday gatherings, winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and China's reopening.
A decision on lifting measures will follow this assessment, though no specific date was provided.
The debate centers on balancing public health with transitioning to a sustainable approach after the pandemic.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Sheltered Linkways for Residential Estates with Larger Elderly Population

Denise Phua asked under what circumstances sheltered linkways are approved if not near major transport nodes or key amenities, and whether estates with large elderly populations will be favorably considered.
S Iswaran explained that LTA prioritizes building covered linkways near high trip-generating clusters to serve many commuters, including seniors, and has expanded the network to over 200 kilometers.
LTA evaluates requests not near major nodes on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like pedestrian traffic, needs of vulnerable pedestrians, and potential connections to other covered networks.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Work on Silver Zone at Bedok Reservoir Road

Pritam Singh inquired about the start date for the Silver Zone at Bedok Reservoir Road and whether it could be combined with cycling path works to reduce resident inconvenience.
S Iswaran confirmed that LTA will begin the Silver Zone works by end-2023 and that they will be carried out alongside the cycling path to minimize disruptions.
The project is part of a larger plan to complete 50 Silver Zones across Singapore by end-2025.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

Dollar Amount and Percentage Increase of 25 Vehicle-related Fees from 19 December 2022

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Transport for the dollar amount and percentage increase for each of the 25 vehicle-related fees and the expected annual revenue increase per fee, effective 19 December 2022.
Minister S Iswaran explained that the fees had not been increased in at least five to over ten years, and adjustments were necessary to recover higher administrative costs, such as enhanced data security measures.
The dollar increases range from $1.07 to $130, with most fees rising by about 10% to 40% depending on the base rate.
The full list of adjusted fees is available on OneMotoring, and the fees are intended to cover administrative costs rather than burden taxpayers.
The revenue increases from each fee are meant to support operational requirements without affecting taxpayers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

Use of Low-noise Road Surfacing Pavement Mixes Along Seletar Expressway Intersecting Estates of Sengkang and Punggol

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if low-noise road surfacing technology will be applied along the Seletar Expressway stretch intersecting Sengkang and Punggol estates.
S Iswaran responded that the Land Transport Authority will continue evaluating and implementing noise reduction measures near residential areas.
For the Tampines Expressway stretch intersecting Sengkang and Punggol, LTA plans to implement the low-noise pavement mix in 2025.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

Proportion of Households Owning Two or More Cars

Gerald Giam asked the Minister for Transport about the proportion of households owning two or more cars, broken down by HDB, condominium, and landed property households.
S Iswaran responded that as of November 2022, about 15% of car-owning households have two or more cars.
The number of such households is roughly the same across HDB, condominium, and landed property categories.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

Children Injured or Killed in Taxis and Private Hire Cars

Between 2018 and 2022, no children under 12 were killed in taxis or private hire cars.
Injuries to children in taxis decreased from 28 in 2018 to 6 from January to November 2022.
Injuries to children in private hire cars were 21 in 2018, rose to 25 in 2019, then fell to 4 in both 2021 and early 2022.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

Reducing Number of Foreign Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles Entering Singapore

The government already enforces strict emission standards for all foreign internal combustion engine vehicles entering Singapore, with composition fines and potential turn-backs at checkpoints for non-compliant vehicles.
New rules from 6 April 2023 require foreign motorcycles to meet the same minimum emission limits as local motorcycles for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions.
Foreign commercial vehicles must not emit smoke with opacity exceeding 40 Hartridge Smoke Units to comply with regulations.
The Ministry of Transport collaborates with neighbouring countries like Malaysia through bilateral platforms to encourage cleaner energy vehicles and address cross-border vehicular emission issues.
Current measures focus on regulating emissions from existing foreign vehicles rather than implementing a specific plan to reduce their overall number in the coming years.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

Enforcement against PMDs That Are Modified after Registration

LTA deploys daily enforcement officers to detect illegal PMD modifications and conducts targeted operations against retailers selling non-compliant devices.
From January 2020 to November 2022, 295 riders were caught using illegally modified PMDs and 70 violations were detected from retailer operations.
Since April 2020, e-scooters must undergo biennial inspections, with about 4% failing since May 2022 and being automatically deregistered.
Non-compliant devices are seized and enforcement actions are taken against violators, with continued efforts in enforcement and public education.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

Proposed Rule to Require Commercial Vehicles and Buses to Have Rear View Cameras Installed

Gan Thiam Poh proposed requiring rear-view cameras on commercial vehicles and buses to enhance safety during reversing, especially for workers.
The Ministry of Transport responded that current rules already require devices like blind-spot mirrors and camera systems to cover blind spots and rear views, with penalties for non-compliance, and they are monitoring international developments for potential additional requirements.
Gan sought clarification on non-compliance leading to accidents, and the Ministry confirmed penalties exist and appealed for driver caution, noting that camera technology is evolving and only a few vehicles currently have rear-view cameras as alternatives to mirrors.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Applications for Purchase of Vehicles Received and Approved under Disabled Persons Scheme

From 2019 to 2022, an average of 17 applications were received annually under the Disabled Persons Scheme, with an average of five approvals each year.
Rejected applications were primarily due to applicants exceeding household income eligibility or being assessed as able to use public transport.
The median processing time from application to approval was 47 working days, or about 10 calendar weeks, due to verification and clarification requirements.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Assessment of Traffic Signal Countdown Timers

Mr Murali Pillai asked whether LTA will survey the merits of countdown timers at traffic lights for drivers.
LTA assessed that countdown timers do not necessarily improve road safety, citing experiences from other countries and a local trial at North Bridge Road and Rochor Road.
Some jurisdictions that tried countdown timers phased them out, partly because motorists sped up to beat red lights.
LTA will continue monitoring and studying this and other traffic design developments to enhance road safety.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Number of Personal Mobility Aids Users Prosecuted from 2020 to 2022 and Punishments Imposed

From January 2020 to November 2022, only two PMA users were prosecuted for using their devices on roads, with both offenders fined.
First-time offenders face a fine of up to $2,000 and/or a jail term of up to three months.
The Land Transport Authority prosecutes cases in court where offences are egregious, such as involving multiple offences.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Persons Caught for Illegal and Non-compliant Use of Personal Mobility Devices and Range of Punishment Imposed

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport about the number of persons caught for illegal PMD use and non-compliant devices from 2020 to 2022, the punishments imposed, and how many PMDs were impounded.
S Iswaran reported a decrease in offences for PMDs on roads and footpaths and for non-compliant PMDs, with such devices seized for safety and compliance reasons.
Offenders convicted of riding on wrong paths or on roads face fines up to $2,000 and/or up to three months' jail for first-time offenders, with more severe prosecution for egregious cases.
The Land Transport Authority conducts enforcement checks and will investigate and prosecute multiple or serious offenders in court.
Public education and outreach efforts continue to promote safe riding behaviors and compliance with rules.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Usefulness of Travel Buddy Programme to Passengers in Wheelchairs

The Land Transport Authority will work with SBS Transit to evaluate the effectiveness of the Travel Buddy Programme for passengers in wheelchairs, as the initiative is newly launched.
The Ministry has been collaborating with public transport operators on inclusive initiatives through the Caring SG Commuters Committee, expanding successful programs network-wide such as the "May I Have a Seat Please" lanyard and Dementia Go-to Points.
The Ministry will continue to explore and expand effective initiatives with operators to create a more inclusive public transport system for all commuters, including those with disabilities.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Data on Motorcars and Motorcycles Scrapped in Last Five Years by Engine Capacity

Mr Abdul Samad asked the Ministry for Transport for the number of motorcars and motorcycles scrapped in the last five years by engine capacity and the number of new COEs issued for both vehicle types.
Minister S Iswaran responded that about 260,000 cars and 65,000 motorcycles were deregistered from July 2017 to June 2022, with 54% of cars in Category A (1,600 cc or lower) and 76% of motorcycles at 200 cc or lower.
The data shows that from November 2017 to October 2022, about 285,000 COEs were used for cars and 65,000 for motorcycles, with more cars registered than deregistered due to the use of Category E COEs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source