Transport — Topics

2 Nov 2021

Proper Disposal and Recycling of Battery Packs Given Rise in Battery Electric Vehicles

The Ministry for Transport highlighted that EV batteries are regulated under NEA’s Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, requiring importers to collect and properly dispose of or recycle them, with useful materials recovered locally or exported.
Local recycling capabilities for EV batteries are being developed through collaboration with the industry, and the government is exploring technologies to repurpose used batteries for energy storage.
Repurposing batteries for grid applications is intended to extend their lifespan, address solar intermittency, and strengthen grid resilience.

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1 Nov 2021

Data on Category D COEs Sold and Utilised in 2021

Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Transport about the percentage of Category D COEs sold to dealers in 2021 and the percentage of temporary COEs used to register motorcycles within two months of bids.
He also inquired if any dealers had been found stockpiling temporary COEs to resell at higher prices and whether the validity period for such COEs should be reduced from six to two months.
S Iswaran referred to a prior reply on 1 November 2021 that addressed these questions, pointing to an official report on utilisation rates and bid proportions.

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1 Nov 2021

Reasons for Significant Difference in LTA Fees when Transferring Vehicle Registration Number to Used Car Compared to New Car

Don Wee asked the Minister for Transport about the significant fee difference when transferring a vehicle registration number (VRN) to a used car versus a new car.
LTA stated that most owners accept a free system-generated VRN, but since 2003, allows existing owners to retain their VRN on used vehicles for a fee tied to the $1,000 minimum bid for new numbers plus a $300 replacement fee.
The fee structure ensures parity between discretionary retention and bidding for a VRN, acknowledging the cost difference for used cars compared to new cars.
LTA is considering a review of these fees in response to the query.

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1 Nov 2021

Update on Plans to Build Cycling Paths at Bukit Batok SMC

The Government is committed to tripling cycling paths to around 1,300 km by 2030 under the Islandwide Cycling Network programme to support safe and convenient active mobility.
For Bukit Batok SMC, plans focus on improving connectivity to transport nodes like Bukit Batok MRT and the future Jurong Region Line Bukit Batok West MRT station, as well as amenities such as West Mall and Bukit Batok West Shopping Centre.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will call an engineering consultancy study by the end of this year to develop and evaluate cycling paths in the Western region, including Bukit Batok, with more details to be shared when confirmed.

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1 Nov 2021

Illegal Car-pooling Services Caught in Past Two Years and Whether Facilitation of Such Services on Online Platforms is an Offence

The Ministry of Transport reported that five drivers were caught for providing illegal car-pooling services in the past two years.
Commercial car-pooling is allowed only through licensed platforms like Grab and Ryde under strict rules, including a limit of two trips per day and cost-recovery fares.
Facilitating illegal car-pooling services via online platforms such as Telegram is considered an offence and can be reported to the Land Transport Authority for investigation.

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1 Nov 2021

Utilisation Rate for Category D COEs and Proportion of Successful Bids by Commercial Entities and Individual Buyers

From January to September 2021, the utilisation rate for Category D COEs was 99.9% for temporary COEs that expired, while those issued after April 2021 had not yet expired due to their six-month validity.
96% of successful Category D COE bids were made by commercial entities, but most of these COEs are ultimately used to register motorcycles for individual buyers, as many prefer purchasing through dealers for immediate availability.
The Ministry does not support setting a fixed quota for individual buyers, as it would be arbitrary, potentially increase market volatility, and could lead to higher COE prices, with no evidence that current prices are driven by allowing both dealers and individuals to bid.
The Ministry is closely monitoring the impact of COE prices on motorcycle owners, particularly those who ride for a living, and will consider appropriate measures if needed.

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1 Nov 2021

Likely Changes to Government's Bus Contracting Model

The Ministry confirmed that the bus contracting model, introduced in 2016 to enhance competition and service responsiveness, has succeeded in increasing operators, lowering tender prices, and improving commuter satisfaction.
LTA is continuously refining the model, such as by raising service reliability standards and bundling packages to boost competitiveness, and will keep reviewing tender terms for future contracts.
The shift to cleaner energy buses will be smoothly integrated into the existing contracting model through updated contract provisions, without disrupting current operations.
Decisions on on-demand bus services will be evaluated separately based on commercial viability and are not directly tied to the electrification of the bus fleet.

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1 Nov 2021

Proposal for Mandatory Foldable Benches and Seat Belts at Back of Lorries that Ferry Passengers

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the Ministry would consider making foldable benches and seat belts mandatory for lorries ferrying passengers, and what studies on cost and safety benefits have been done.
S Iswaran responded that fitting seat belts and benches to commercial lorries requires detailed study, as they are not designed like military vehicles and OEMs have raised safety concerns about insufficient anchorage points.
The Ministry acknowledges evolving technology and is engaging the industry on the feasibility and safety of customising new lorries with seat belts, with more details to be shared later.

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1 Nov 2021

Class 4 Licence Driving Courses under SkillsFuture Framework to Facilitate Mid-career Transfers into Public Transport Driver Roles

Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry proposed incorporating Class 4 licence driving courses into SkillsFuture to help mid-career Singaporeans transition into transport driver roles amid labour shortages.
Minister Chan Chun Sing acknowledged the regulatory importance of Class 4 licences for certain heavy vehicle driving jobs.
SkillsFuture Singapore indicated readiness to support such courses given their direct employment-related outcomes.
The proposal aims to address labour gaps in public transport by enabling career shifts for mid-career individuals.
The response confirms alignment between SkillsFuture and the need for driver training to meet industry demands.

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5 Oct 2021

Number of Certificates of Entitlement Issued Monthly Broken Down by Engine Capacities

From January to September 2021, between 800 and 1,200 motorcycle Certificates of Entitlement were issued each month.
Class 2B motorcycles, which are mass market, accounted for approximately 65% to 75% of the monthly registrations.
Class 2A motorcycles represented about 10% to 20% of registrations, while Class 2 motorcycles made up 5% to 10%.
The figures provide a breakdown of COE issuances for motorcycles based on engine capacity categories aligned with class 2, 2A, and 2B licenses.
The response addressed the question on monthly COE numbers for motorcycles from January to September 2021.

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5 Oct 2021

Update on Utilisation of Rail Manpower Development Package and Number of Workers Who Have Benefited Since November 2019 Launch

The Rail Manpower Development Package, a $100 million initiative launched in November 2019, comprises three key initiatives: the Rail Manpower Development Incentive, scholarships and sponsorships for rail engineering talent, and co-investments in training hardware.
More than 2,300 workers have completed training under the Rail Manpower Development Incentive, with over 3,000 expected to benefit by the end of the five-year period.
The package has awarded 15 scholarships and 30 in-service sponsorships, and more than 150 students have participated in industrial attachments with rail operators.
Applications for training hardware investments are ongoing and will close in October 2021, aiming to enhance hands-on training efficiency.
The government will continue working with rail operators and NTWU to equip workers with skills for the expanding and digitalising rail network.

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5 Oct 2021

Statistics on Point-to-point Trips for Private Hire Cars and for Taxis, and Proposal for Statutory Lifespan for Private Hire Cars

For the first eight months of 2021, the average daily point-to-point trips were 550,500, with taxis accounting for 42% and private hire cars (PHCs) for 58%.
The government has a statutory lifespan of eight years for taxis due to their higher mileage compared to PHCs, and there is no intention to impose a similar lifespan for PHCs.
Under the 2020 point-to-point regulatory framework, PHCs must undergo annual vehicle inspections to ensure road worthiness, which is more frequent than the biennial inspections for standard cars aged three to ten years.
The Ministry will continue to monitor safety outcomes and review regulations as necessary.
The response clarifies that while taxis face a statutory lifespan due to their usage, PHCs are subject to stricter inspection requirements to maintain safety standards.

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5 Oct 2021

Traffic Accidents Involving Delivery Workers on Motorcycles, Power-assisted Bicycles and Personal Mobility Devices

From January 2019 to December 2020, there were 7,711 accidents involving motorcyclists, 102 involving power-assisted bicycles, and 250 involving personal mobility devices.
The Ministry for Home Affairs does not have information on how many of the riders involved in these accidents were delivery workers.
The Ministry also does not have data on how many of the delivery workers were hired via online platform firms.

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5 Oct 2021

Percentage of Lorries Used to Ferry Passengers in the Rear with Rain Covers Installed

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Ministry for Transport about the percentage of lorries used to ferry passengers in the rear that have rain covers installed on the sides in addition to roof shelters.
The Ministry for Transport, represented by S Iswaran, stated that it does not track this percentage because rain covers are detachable and easy to install or uninstall, making the information impractical and not meaningful to collect.
The Ministry will consider the suggestion to require rain covers for such lorries as part of ongoing efforts to protect worker welfare, while encouraging employers to reschedule trips during heavy rains.

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5 Oct 2021

Impact of Corrupt Transactions Involving Former LTA Deputy Group Director on Standards and Safety of Thomson-East Coast and Cross Island MRT Lines

Sylvia Lim asked about the impact on standards and safety of the Thomson-East Coast and Cross Island MRT Lines due to corrupt actions of a former LTA deputy group director.
Minister S Iswaran referred to his previous reply on the matter in a parliamentary session on 13 September 2021, citing a written answer regarding companies involved.
The debate highlighted concerns about integrity in public infrastructure projects and the need for transparency in addressing corruption cases.

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5 Oct 2021

Allowing Motorists with Class 3A Licences to be Trained and Licensed to Drive Buses with Automatic Transmission

Melvin Yong asked if Class 3A licence holders could train for a Class 4A licence to drive buses given the fleet's shift to automatic transmission.
K Shanmugam confirmed Traffic Police will amend rules to allow both Class 3 and 3A holders to train for Class 4A licences.
The update noted Class 4A eligibility previously required a Class 3 licence due to mixed manual/automatic buses.
Until changes take effect, Class 3A holders can appeal for training, with most appeals recently approved.

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5 Oct 2021

Lessons Learnt from Abrupt Exit of oBike and New Requirements for Licensees for Similar Public-subscribed Transport Schemes

Lessons from oBike’s abrupt exit highlight the need for stronger regulatory oversight to prevent consumer loss and public inconvenience, prompting Singapore to shift from a light-touch approach to a licensing regime in 2018.
Under the Shared Mobility Enterprises Act, licensees must now submit exit plans and provide performance bonds to LTA, which can be used to address sudden market withdrawals and protect affected parties.
LTA has the authority to prohibit bicycle-sharing operators from taking deposits from consumers, reducing the risk of financial loss for users.
Companies and consumers with claims can seek redress through civil courts or assistance from the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) if operators fail to meet obligations.

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5 Oct 2021

Update on Review of New Rail Financing Framework for Downtown MRT Line

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about the completion timeline of the New Rail Financing Framework review for the Downtown Line, the impact of COVID-19 on its operating loss, and the potential effect of sustained losses on rail reliability.
Minister S Iswaran stated that COVID-19 significantly reduced ridership, though service capacity and high rail reliability were maintained with additional costs for safety measures, partially cushioned by government relief.
The review of the Downtown Line’s financing framework is ongoing to ensure reliable operation, productivity, and sustainability, with details to be announced upon completion.

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5 Oct 2021

Motorcycle Ownership

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap argued that high motorcycle COE prices are burdening Singaporeans who rely on motorcycles for their livelihood, proposing reforms such as splitting COE into engine-capacity sub-categories, replacing bidding for Class 2B motorcycles with a balloting system, allowing a second five-year COE renewal for income-earning bikes, and introducing PARF rebates and designated parking for delivery riders.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport responded that the COE system is working as intended, with recent high prices driven by strong demand and reduced supply, and that dividing COE quotas further could increase volatility; he also noted that balloting is not equitable, individual bidding is already allowed, and the PARF scheme is not planned for motorcycles.
The government acknowledged concerns about motorcycle COE affordability and will monitor the situation closely, while encouraging commercial building owners to provide dedicated motorcycle parking for delivery riders.

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4 Oct 2021

Data on Number of Complaints on Jerky Driving by Bus Captains Received in Last Five Years and Correlation between Jerkiness of Driving and Accident Rate

In response to queries from Gerald Giam, Minister S Iswaran outlined that new bus captains undergo comprehensive training on safe driving techniques, including smooth driving, and receive annual refresher courses; operators also use telematics systems to monitor driving behavior and provide remedial training.
Data shows a decline in accidents per 100,000 bus-kilometers and average monthly complaints about jerky driving from 2017 to 2021, with specific figures provided.
The minister stated that accidents are influenced by multiple factors, such as other road users' sudden actions, and that no direct correlation can be inferred between jerky driving and accident rates.

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