Transport — Topics

2 Aug 2022

Unsuccessful Applications for Private Hire Care Driver Vocational Licence Due to Criminal Record

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about the number of unsuccessful Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL) applications due to criminal records since 2018, those barred for less serious offences, and the average disbarment period.
In the past year, about 70 PDVL applications (1.4% of all applications) were unsuccessful due to applicants’ past criminal records.
Applicants with less serious offences may be considered after completing their sentence and debarment period, while those with risky or repeat offences may be barred for longer than three years.
This calibrated approach balances public safety in ride-hail services with providing ex-offenders a second chance.

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2 Aug 2022

Implementation of Red-Amber-Green Arrows at Traffic Junctions to Replace Discretionary Right Turns

LTA has installed Red-Amber-Green arrows at 798 junctions to replace discretionary right turns, with plans to reach 1,200 junctions by Q1 2024, resulting in a 40% reduction in accidents involving right turns at implemented sites.
Additional safety features like road markings, lighted studs, and integrated pedestrian timers are being deployed, alongside Silver Zones for senior-heavy areas, which have cut accidents among senior pedestrians by 80%.
LTA collaborates with the Traffic Police and Singapore Road Safety Council on educational programs to promote road safety awareness and responsible behavior among all road users.

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2 Aug 2022

Separate Category of COE for Vehicles to be Brought in for Large-scale MICE Events

Mariam Jaafar proposed a separate COE category for vehicles brought in for large-scale MICE events to prevent distorting overall COE demand and prices.
The Minister clarified that vehicles for MICE events currently do not require a COE if they are not sold to private buyers after the event.
Such vehicles make up a very small proportion of yearly vehicle registrations and do not significantly impact the COE market.
Creating a separate COE category would be impractical, lead to more volatile prices due to smaller supply pools, and complicate the system with additional rules and enforcement.
The Minister concluded that the existing framework is sufficient and avoids unnecessary complexity or compliance burdens.

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2 Aug 2022

Safety Measures for Air Taxi Flights and Regulatory and Insurance Frameworks for Urban Air Mobility

Melvin Yong asked about safety measures for air taxi flights and the evolution of regulatory and insurance frameworks for urban air mobility.
The Ministry of Transport and CAAS are collaborating with other agencies to develop safety regulations for eVTOL flights, including aircraft certification, operational rules, and flight route assessments.
eVTOL aircraft and operations must meet safety standards comparable to current commercial air transport, with CAAS working alongside international regulators and industry partners to ensure robust safety frameworks.

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2 Aug 2022

Regulation of Consumer-facing Charges and Terms Imposed by Major Ride Hailing Platforms

The Government does not limit the number of ride-hailing platforms but requires those with over 800 vehicles to be licensed and comply with safety and transparency rules.
Regulations mandate clear publication of all fares and charges, with operators required to give at least seven days' notice before implementing any fee changes.
The Ministry does not approve specific fee structures; Grab’s recent changes to waiting fees and grace periods were commercial decisions made within the notice requirement.
The regulatory focus is on safety, transparency, and fostering a contestable market rather than controlling fares or platform numbers.
The debate raised questions about the extent of supervision over unilateral term changes and whether more competition should be encouraged.

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2 Aug 2022

Measures to Ensure Non-dumping or Illegal Parking of Shared Bicycles Given New Bike-Sharing Licence

Bicycle-sharing operators must integrate LTA's QR code parking system into their apps and impose a $5 fee on users who park outside designated areas.
New operators like HelloRide are subject to a sandbox licence allowing only 1,000 bicycles for one year, with requirements to monitor and remove improperly parked bikes.
Users who repeatedly park improperly are banned from hiring shared bicycles for a period, and over 90% of users now end trips at designated parking areas due to measures introduced since 2019.
LTA has added about 40,000 new bicycle parking lots since 2019, bringing the total to over 246,000 lots islandwide to accommodate growing cycling demand.

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1 Aug 2022

Enabling Less Visually Impaired Commuters Not Technologically Savvy to Travel More Independently

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) collaborates with public transport operators and social service agencies to enhance accessibility for visually impaired commuters, including through the NaviLens app trial at SMRT bus interchanges.
LTA has implemented audio announcements on new buses since 2018, installed tactile ground surface indicators at all new bus interchanges since 2014, and will progressively add them to existing interchanges, along with Braille signages at new facilities since 2019.
Future plans include progressively implementing tactile indicators and Braille signages at more bus interchanges and commuter facilities, while promoting an inclusive commuting culture through initiatives like the Caring SG Commuters Committee.

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1 Aug 2022

Risks of Electric Vehicles Catching Fire and Training of First Responders to Handle Such Fires

The Minister for Transport outlined that all vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs), must meet stringent international safety standards like UNECE Regulations, and EV charging systems in Singapore comply with the national Technical Reference 25; as of end-July 2022, there have been no reported EV fires from normal operation in Singapore.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) recovery crews have been trained to handle EV-related fires and damaged EVs, respectively, ensuring first responders are prepared.
Public awareness is encouraged through the 2021 Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, which includes guidelines on handling EV fires, and the government will continue monitoring developments to update safety protocols and training.

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1 Aug 2022

Effectiveness of Noise Barriers Installed Along MRT Tracks

Melvin Yong asked about the effectiveness of noise barriers along MRT tracks, ongoing trials to reduce train noise, and any promising results.
S Iswaran stated that 21.5 km of noise barriers have been installed since 2013, reducing train noise by 5–10 dBA, with residents reporting a perceptible decrease in noise.
LTA also monitors noise levels, maintains tracks and wheels, uses ballast and concrete sleepers for noise absorption, and is fitting noise-dampening wheels on new trains like the Jurong Region Line.

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1 Aug 2022

Information on Existing Pick-up and Drop-off Points in Public Areas and Government and Commercial Buildings

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked if LTA and related agencies collect data on pick-up and drop-off points near public transport nodes and if this data can be shared with platforms like OneMap.
The Minister for Transport confirmed that LTA collects this information for MRT/LRT stations and commercial sites such as malls and offices.
This data is already publicly available on LTA DataMall for use by public and private platforms.

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1 Aug 2022

Managing Traffic and Parking in and Around Sports Hub to Prevent Massive Traffic Congestion or Illegal Parking During Major Events

Lim Biow Chuan asked if Sports Hub Pte Ltd could manage traffic and parking in public areas around the Sports Hub during major events to prevent congestion or illegal parking.
Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that Sports Hub Pte Ltd must submit a Traffic Management and Crowd Control plan before major events and uses additional marshals on event days.
The Sports Hub is accessible via multiple public transport options, and attendees are encouraged to use public transport and arrive early through media and direct communications.
Government agencies increase their presence in surrounding residential areas on event days to deter illegal parking.
Sports Hub Pte Ltd will continue collaborating with government agencies to improve traffic and parking management as more events resume.

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1 Aug 2022

Guidelines on Rental Rates for Vehicles Hired for Driving Trades

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked whether the Ministry for Transport plans to provide guidelines on recommended rental rates for vehicles hired for driving trades such as private hire vehicles.
S Iswaran stated that vehicle rental rates are commercially determined through agreements between rental companies and drivers.
The Land Transport Authority does not set guidelines or intervene in rental rates, allowing companies to offer competitive packages tailored to drivers’ needs.

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1 Aug 2022

Covered Walkways for Residents Who Live Within 800-metre Radius of MRT Stations

Lim Wee Kiak asked whether the Walk2Ride programme could be expanded to build covered walkways for residents within an 800-metre radius of all MRT stations.
The Minister for Transport, S Iswaran, stated that the covered linkway programme currently focuses on connecting commuters within a 400-metre radius of major transport nodes to key amenities in a fiscally prudent manner.
There are no plans to expand the criteria beyond the 400-metre radius, as the priority is to maximize the use of limited financial resources to benefit more commuters within the existing framework.

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1 Aug 2022

Exclusive Motorcycle Lane on Expressways Given High Casualty Rate amongst Motorcyclists

Murali Pillai proposed a feasibility study for exclusive motorcycle lanes on expressways to address the high casualty rate among motorcyclists and pillion riders.
S Iswaran responded that dedicated lanes for each vehicle type are impractical due to land scarcity and high utilization of expressways in Singapore.
The government is taking a holistic approach to road safety, with agencies like LTA, Traffic Police, and the Singapore Road Safety Council conducting outreach campaigns.
Recent measures include enhanced helmet safety requirements and increased penalties for selling non-approved helmets, reflecting ongoing efforts to protect motorcyclists.
The Ministry recognizes the over-representation of motorcyclists in accidents and will continue exploring initiatives to improve road safety for all users.

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1 Aug 2022

Reasons for Recent Booking Difficulties and Price Surges for Private Hire Vehicles

The Ministry’s analysis attributes recent booking difficulties and price surges for private hire vehicles and taxis to a sharp rise in demand after COVID-19 restrictions eased, while the number of drivers has not increased as quickly.
The number of active drivers fell by 18% since January 2020 due to reduced demand during the pandemic, despite substantial government support, and has not yet rebounded to match the 30,000 daily trip increase observed in June 2022.
The Ministry does not plan to liberalize the two-trip daily limit for carpooling, as private car-based rides are considered non-commercial and the existing ride-sharing framework provides a commercial alternative.
Signs of market adjustment are emerging, with vocational licence applications increasing and some former drivers expected to return, which should improve supply in the coming months.

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1 Aug 2022

Impact of Higher ERP Rates on Traffic Volumes

The Minister explained that ERP charges are adjusted based on traffic speeds to manage congestion, with increases in May and temporary reductions for school holidays in June as part of regular reviews.
The Minister highlighted that ERP coverage has been reduced since COVID-19, but with full workplace return, congestion is expected, and rates will continue to be monitored and adjusted accordingly.
Halting ERP increases would worsen congestion and raise costs for logistics and consumers, but the government has introduced support measures, including relief for drivers and vulnerable groups, to cushion the impact of inflation.

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1 Aug 2022

Preventing Incidents between Cyclists and Pedestrians with Increased Cycling Within Towns

Edward Chia asked the Minister for Transport about safety measures to prevent collisions between cyclists and pedestrians at key intersections like bus stops, traffic light junctions, and residential exits.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) uses infrastructure improvements such as wider cycling paths with red coatings, speed regulating strips, and safety markings at bus stops to slow cyclists.
At traffic junctions, advisory signs and widened crossings enhance safety, while in residential areas, LTA collaborates on measures like D-markings and ground markings to alert users.
LTA also promotes safe riding through public education campaigns and conducts regular enforcement operations to address irresponsible behavior.
The minister emphasized that shared cycling spaces require collective responsibility from all users to ensure safety.

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5 Jul 2022

Lessons Learnt from Compressed Natural Gas Scheme for Vehicles and Plans to Use Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

Lessons from the compressed natural gas scheme show that technology, markets, infrastructure, and regulations must advance together to support consumer and business adoption, which informs current efforts to scale electric vehicles and their charging ecosystem.
Singapore is focusing on electric vehicles, with plans to expand charging infrastructure, enact safety legislation, and electrify half of public buses by 2030 and achieve a 100% cleaner energy public bus fleet by 2040.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology is being monitored as a potential cleaner energy alternative for vehicle segments needing high power and mileage, but its adoption depends on further maturation of technology, costs, vehicle availability, and supporting infrastructure.

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5 Jul 2022

Number and Average Age of Buses Operated or Maintained by Public Transport Operators and Stored at Bus Depots

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Ministry for Transport about the total number of buses operated or maintained by public transport operators, how many are stored at bus depots, the average age of those stored buses, and why they are not deployed.
The Minister for Transport, S Iswaran, responded that as of May 2022, Singapore has about 5,800 public buses with an average fleet age of eight years.
He added that approximately 3% of these buses are kept at depots to serve as an operational reserve.

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5 Jul 2022

Timeline and Milestones Towards Achieving Islandwide Full Operational Deployment of Autonomous Vehicles

The Minister for Transport, S Iswaran, stated that the timeline for islandwide deployment of autonomous vehicles depends on technological progress meeting safety standards and achieving public acceptance, with global trials still in early stages.
The government’s approach will be gradual and inclusive, ensuring AVs meet safety requirements before wider adoption while agencies plan associated infrastructure and legislative frameworks in partnership with industry and experts.
No specific milestones or fixed deadlines were provided, as deployment timelines remain contingent on AV technology readiness and societal acceptance within Singapore’s context.

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