Transport — Topics

11 Jan 2022

Support for Point-to-Point Sector Given Rising Petrol Prices and Slow Recovery in Passenger Numbers

The government has provided over $1 billion in support for the point-to-point sector, including specific schemes and rebates to offset costs, but stated it has no plans for additional aid as rising fuel prices are due to global market forces.
Fares in the sector are not regulated by the government, with operators adjusting them based on market conditions, though any changes must be notified in advance for transparency.
Ridership has recovered to about 80% of pre-pandemic levels, which has helped improve driver incomes amid ongoing challenges.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Electric Cars Sold in Last Six Months and Plans to Set Up Electric Charging Stations and Reskill Automotive Industry

In the second half of 2021, 1,400 new electric cars were sold, making up 7.2% of total new car registrations.
The government plans to deploy 60,000 charging points by 2030, with 40,000 in public carparks and 20,000 at private premises, and will work with operators to address high-demand locations while reviewing plans based on adoption rates.
The government is facilitating private building charging installations through grants and initiatives, noting strong interest from private building owners.
The government is partnering with industry to reskill automotive workers, including training at least 1,000 technicians over the next three years to maintain electric vehicles.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Number of Electric Vehicle Chargers Installed in 2021 and Expected Number to be Installed from 2022 to 2025

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the number of EV chargers installed in 2021 and expected from 2022 to 2025.
Minister S Iswaran stated there are around 2,200 EV charging points in Singapore, with about 300 installed by commercial operators in 2021.
Over 600 charging points will be deployed in 2022 through a joint LTA-URA pilot at public carparks, alongside installations in private residences, malls, and petrol stations.
LTA will monitor EV adoption and accelerate charging network deployment to meet the 2030 target of 60,000 points islandwide.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Number of Vehicle Owners Who Benefited from Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive Since Its Launch

Melvin Yong asked about the number of vehicle owners who benefited from the Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive since its launch in January 2021 and the cost to the government.
S Iswaran replied that 1,636 electric cars and taxis registered since the launch benefited from the incentive by end-2021.
The proportion of electric cars and taxis registered increased from about 0.2% in 2020 to about 4.4% in 2021.
The rebates given under the scheme in 2021 amounted to approximately $30 million.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Enforcement Tickets Issued Against Delivery Riders/Drivers for Illegal Parking in Past Three Years

LTA issued 59,990, 41,132, and 53,499 enforcement tickets for illegal parking in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively, covering motorcycles, vans, and lorries used for deliveries.
Tickets are recorded by the nearest road to the offence, not by proximity to commercial malls, so data on summonses near malls is not distinguished.
Illegal parking creates safety risks and disamenities, prompting agencies to monitor the situation and engage mall operators to provide temporary parking for deliveries.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Serious Accidents Involving Cyclists on Roads and Park Connectors in Last Five Years and Effectiveness of Safety Regulations

From 2017 to 2021, there was an average of about 560 serious cyclist accidents on roads and about 90 on shared paths like park connectors each year.
Regulations such as speed limits of 25 km/h on cycling paths and 10 km/h on footpaths were revised in 2018, though their direct impact on safety is hard to assess.
The number of serious accidents has remained stable despite the rising popularity of cycling, with ongoing efforts in education and enforcement to promote safe practices.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Safety at Traffic Junctions where Discretionary Right Turns are Replaced with Red Amber Green Signals

The replacement of discretionary right turns with Red Amber Green signals has led to a 40% reduction in accidents involving right turns at junctions where they have been implemented.
Red Amber Green signals are introduced at junctions with higher accident risks, while discretionary turns remain useful for optimizing traffic flow at lower-traffic locations.
The Land Transport Authority enhances junction safety through additional measures such as road markings, lighted studs, countdown timers, and signage.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Appointment of More Bus Operators to Support Vaccinated Travel Lane Initiative between Malaysia and Singapore

Don Wee inquired whether more bus operators could be appointed to support the Vaccinated Travel Lane (Land) initiative between Singapore and Malaysia.
S Iswaran explained that Transtar Travel and Handal Indah (Causeway Link) were initially appointed as VTL-Land operators due to their experience, facilities, and ability to meet operational needs.
Both countries plan to review and potentially appoint more bus operators to expand VTL-Land services based on ongoing monitoring.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Help to Alleviate Impact on Elderly and Disabled Commuters when Public Bus Services are Re-routed or Discontinued

The Minister for Transport stated that LTA balances operational and financial considerations when amending bus routes, aiming to minimize commuter inconvenience through adjustments like retaining and adjusting Service 65 and increasing Service 228 frequency on Bedok Reservoir Road.
LTA deploys service ambassadors at key bus stops during the initial days of route changes to guide commuters, including the elderly and disabled, and advise them on efficient travel routes.
LTA and the Public Transport Council collaborate with operators to promote an inclusive commuter culture, including growing the Caring Commuter Champion volunteer corps to assist vulnerable commuters.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Update on AI-backed Smart Traffic Light Control System for Public Roads

Murali Pillai requested an update from the Minister for Transport on the LTA’s CRUISE project, which aims to develop a next‑generation AI‑powered smart traffic light control system for real‑time traffic management.
Minister S Iswaran explained that the current adaptive system adjusts light timings based on traffic flow, and that the CRUISE project with A*STAR’s I2R is trialing AI and multi‑sensor data integration across junctions to improve road network efficiency.
The project completed laboratory simulations and controlled testing in 2020, with field trials now ongoing along Corporation Road and Boon Lay Way after being delayed to May 2021 due to COVID‑19.
The project remains in early R&D, requiring further algorithm refinement, additional controlled testing, and rigorous safety and performance checks before any large‑scale implementation can be considered.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2022

Take-up Rates of Internal Combustion Engine and Electric Vehicles, and Changes to Energy Grid to Support EVs

Miss Cheryl Chan asked for the take-up rates of internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) as well as changes to the energy grid to support EV chargers.
In 2021, EVs made up 3.8% of new car registrations in Singapore, up from 0.2% in 2020, while the majority remained internal combustion engine vehicles.
To support EV charging, the government will upgrade over 1,000 switch rooms and 900 substations in residential areas to enable charger deployment by 2040.
The Land Transport Authority is collaborating with the Energy Market Authority and Housing & Development Board to assess the pace and extent of these infrastructure upgrades.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Nov 2021

Value of Services Provided by Public Transport Operators in Return for Grants Given during COVID-19 Pandemic and Sustainability of Model

The Minister outlined that public transport operators have been supported through targeted incentives like the Rail Reliability Incentive and broad-based schemes like the Jobs Support Scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have helped maintain service levels and safety despite reduced ridership and fare revenues.
For the bus industry, the Bus Contracting Model and reliability framework have been used to pay operators for meeting service standards, with no specific grants, while increased competition from more operators has improved service quality and tender bids.
The government is monitoring evolving travel patterns post-pandemic to assess the long-term impact on ridership and financial sustainability, balancing competition with potential economies of scale from consolidation, without immediate plans to restructure or merge operators.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Nov 2021

Number of Cyclists Booked for Riding on Right Side of Motor Vehicles in Past Five Years and Cyclists Riding on Right Side of Bus Lane

Mr Dennis Tan asked the Minister for Transport about the number of cyclists booked for riding on the right side of motor vehicles in the past five years and whether cyclists can ride on the lane to the right of a bus lane without overtaking or turning right.
Minister S Iswaran referred to his previous written replies on 2 November 2021, which addressed similar questions about cyclist enforcement and safety measures.
The debate highlights concerns about cyclist behavior and regulations on road use, with officials pointing to existing documentation for answers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Nov 2021

Accidents and Violations Involving Heavy Vehicles

From January 2018 to June 2021, there were 2,160 road accidents and 57,639 traffic violations involving heavy vehicles, with accidents declining annually and violations peaking in 2019.
The Traffic Police does not track if accidents involved lorries ferrying workers, but the top three violations for heavy vehicles are speeding, red light running, and careless driving.
The government employs a three-pronged approach of education, engagement, and enforcement to improve road safety, including partnerships for technologies like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and grant support for their installation.
In response to concerns, the government will review proposals to add speed limiters to lorries and consider dedicated transport for workers instead of co-mingling with goods.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Nov 2021

Protection for Point-to-point Drivers when Ferrying Patients to and from PCR Test Venues

The Senior Minister of State outlined that passengers using private transport for PCR tests must inform drivers of their health status, with drivers advised to switch off air conditioning, open windows, clean vehicles, and passengers sitting diagonally behind, as these measures are deemed sufficient without requiring full PPE.
Concerns were raised about clearer safety protocols and support for drivers who must self-isolate, prompting commitments to enhance communication to both drivers and passengers, including potential in-vehicle reminders and updated website information.
Support mechanisms for affected drivers include rental waivers from taxi operators, medical leave insurance from Grab and Gojek, and a one-time $3,000 relief through The Courage Fund for frontliners who contract COVID-19.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Nov 2021

Number of Electric Motorcycles Registered and Projected for Next Five Years and Plans for More Charging Points

There are currently five electric motorcycles registered in Singapore, with the number expected to grow as more models become available globally.
The Ministry of Transport does not provide specific projections for electric motorcycle popularity but notes ongoing engagement with manufacturers to understand adoption trends.
The Land Transport Authority is developing a deployment strategy for charging infrastructure, considering diverse charging modes and balancing safety, accessibility, and affordability.
Efforts include engaging both global and local manufacturers to inform plans for electric motorcycle charging points.
No direct commitments were made to spur industry installation of more charging points, but the strategy will guide future infrastructure decisions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Nov 2021

Annual Cases of Odometer Tampering in Past Five Years and Plans to Educate Consumers against Such Practices

The Minister for Transport, S Iswaran, reported that between 2016 and 2020, an average of 14 cases of odometer tampering were reported annually.
Odometer tampering is considered an unfair trade practice and is an offence under the Penal Code when done with intent to deceive.
Consumers affected by such practices can seek assistance from the Consumers' Association of Singapore (CASE).
CASE has published a Standard and Functional Evaluation (SAFE) Checklist to help prospective buyers assess the quality and condition of pre-owned cars.
The debate highlighted existing measures to address odometer tampering, including legal consequences and consumer education resources.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Nov 2021

Enforcement against Cyclists Not Wearing Helmets or Involved in Accidents on Expressways and in Tunnels

From January 2018 to September 2021, the Traffic Police detected 545 helmet-related offences by cyclists, and a small number of cyclists were found not riding at the far-left edge of the road.
Over the same period, the Land Transport Authority detected more than 300 cyclists riding on expressways and in tunnels, all of whom were issued notices of traffic offences and composition fines.
From 1 January 2022, composition fines for serious cycling offences, such as riding on expressways or not stopping at red lights, were increased to $150 to strengthen deterrence.
Authorities are partnering with stakeholders to promote road safety through education, including developing a checklist for bicycle retailers and installing more prominent no-entry signages at expressways and tunnels.
For serious accidents causing injury, offending cyclists or motorists may be charged in court and face higher fines or jail sentences if convicted.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Nov 2021

Complaints of and Summonses for Speeding Vehicles along Woodlands Avenue 5

Mr Vikram Nair inquired about the number of complaints and summonses for speeding and illegally modified vehicles along Woodlands Avenue 5, and whether a speed camera could be installed there.
From October 2020 to September 2021, the Traffic Police received 16 complaints and issued 160 summonses for speeding, while the Land Transport Authority received 17 feedback and issued 20 summonses for illegal vehicle modifications in the area.
The Traffic Police conducts regular patrols and targeted enforcement operations, and will consider installing a speed camera after assessing the terrain's suitability and effectiveness for detecting violations.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Nov 2021

Number of Tesla Cars Sold in Past Five Years

From 2016 to September 2021, 558 Tesla cars were registered in Singapore, with 557 equipped with Tesla's "Autopilot" system.
The "Autopilot" system used in Singapore complies with UN Regulation No 79, and drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control at all times.
There have been no reported road traffic accidents in Singapore involving a Tesla car operating on "Autopilot" mode.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source