Transport — Topics

10 May 2021

Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Bill

The government proposes the Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Act (SINGA) to borrow up to $90 billion for major, long-term infrastructure projects like new MRT lines and coastal protection, spreading costs across generations to ensure intergenerational equity and fiscal efficiency.
Strict safeguards are included, such as a $4 billion minimum project cost, a 50-year useful life requirement, and an annual interest cap of $5 billion, to ensure borrowing is prudent and focused on nationally significant assets.
Most members support the bill as a necessary response to upcoming infrastructure needs and low interest rates, though some seek clarifications on interest thresholds, project selection, and potential impacts on future generations.

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10 May 2021

Regulations to Ensure Safety for Migrant Workers Ferried in Lorries

Multiple MPs raised concerns about the safety of migrant workers transported in lorries, asking for data on accidents and fatalities, and proposing stricter regulations such as using buses or mini-buses with seat belts.
The Senior Minister of State for Transport acknowledged the tragic recent accidents but highlighted that international practices vary and that banning lorry transport would impose significant costs and operational challenges on industries, especially during the pandemic.
The government has implemented past safety measures, such as higher side railings and stricter licensing, and noted a downward trend in injuries and fatalities, but stressed that balancing safety with livelihoods is complex and requires ongoing stakeholder engagement.
MPs called for a new workgroup to review vehicle designs, speed limits, and equipment securing, while the government indicated it would consider these suggestions in its current review but cautioned against measures like speed limits that could increase accident risks.
The government emphasized the need for public education, enforcement, and partnerships with employers to improve safety, while acknowledging that any regulatory changes must account for industry viability and workers' job security.

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5 Apr 2021

Promulgating Stringent Electric Vehicle Battery Standards and Safe Charging Practices

Murali Pillai inquired whether the Ministry for Transport would consider establishing stricter electric vehicle (EV) battery standards and safe charging practices to mitigate fire risks associated with EV usage and charging.
Ong Ye Kung affirmed that Singapore already adheres to stringent international benchmarks, such as UNECE regulations, and that both EVs and charging systems are governed by these standards.
He noted that Singapore’s safety guidelines for EV charging systems are detailed in Technical Reference 25 (TR25), which incorporates international standards and additional local safeguards.
Ong Ye Kung added that the Land Transport Authority is actively reviewing TR25 with stakeholders to enhance safety, technical, and operational requirements in response to rapidly advancing EV charging technologies.
The debate underscored Singapore’s proactive stance in maintaining and updating EV safety protocols to balance industry growth with public safety.

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5 Apr 2021

Extension of Bus Service 983 to Cover Keat Hong Close

Don Wee asked the Minister for Transport why bus service 983 is not being routed through Keat Hong Close as he believed it was previously done.
Ong Ye Kung clarified that there was never a previous arrangement for service 983 to stop at Keat Hong Close.
LTA studied the request and decided against the change because it would increase fares and travel times for more commuters daily.
The change would also require larger government subsidies to maintain service levels.
The decision balances service efficiency with broader commuter needs and fiscal responsibility.

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5 Apr 2021

Number of Public Feedback on Illegal Parking and Enforcement Tickets Issued in Past Three Years

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked for the number of public feedback on illegal parking and enforcement tickets issued over the past three years.
The Minister for Transport provided 2018 figures showing 130,101 public feedbacks and 410,854 enforcement tickets.
For 2019, the data indicated 121,317 public feedbacks and 389,207 enforcement tickets.
In 2020, there were 117,877 public feedbacks and 272,428 enforcement tickets.
The figures demonstrate a declining trend in both public feedback and enforcement tickets issued from 2018 to 2020.

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5 Apr 2021

Number of Accidents Involving Passenger Cars, Private Hire Cars and Taxis

Louis Ng Kok Kwang requested from the Minister for Transport accident statistics for the past five years for passenger cars, private-hire cars, and taxis, broken down into total accidents, accidents involving injuries, and accidents involving fatalities.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the requested statistics are provided in two detailed tables (Tables 1 and 2) that accompany his answer.

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5 Apr 2021

Street Lamps Using LED Lighting

LTA aims to convert all public streetlights to LED lights by end 2022, with about 60% already converted as of February 2021.
LED lights are about 25% more energy efficient than conventional high-pressure sodium lights, require less maintenance, and provide equivalent illumination.
Using solar energy for streetlights would require battery storage, significantly increasing costs and maintenance needs, which must be weighed against benefits.
The government is balancing sustainability measures with practical considerations to maintain adequate illumination for vehicles and pedestrians.
LTA is evaluating the feasibility of solar-powered streetlights while focusing on the ongoing LED conversion effort.

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5 Apr 2021

Safety of Children Seated on Parents' Laps While Travelling in Taxis

Louis Ng asked the Minister for Transport whether it is safe for a child to sit on a parent's lap in a taxi.
The Minister explained that road safety involves multiple precautions and is not a simple yes or no answer.
The Ministry noted that making child seats compulsory in taxis is not straightforward due to potential costs and inconvenience.
The government will continue to monitor the situation and review the rule periodically.

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5 Apr 2021

Covered Linkways Connecting to Condominiums Built under Walk2Ride Programme

Yip Hon Weng asked about the number of requests for covered linkways from condominiums to transport nodes under the Walk2Ride programme over the past three years, whether exemptions were granted for incomplete internal sheltered routes, and if LTA would consider removing this requirement.
Ong Ye Kung stated that LTA received 53 requests in the last three years, approving 15, and emphasized that internal sheltered routes from residential blocks to gates are mandatory to ensure effective use of public funds.
LTA does not plan to waive the requirement for fully sheltered internal routes, as this ensures continuous sheltered access and justifies public expenditure.

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5 Apr 2021

Drivers Caught Speeding along Fernvale Street, Fernvale Link, Jalan Kayu, Fernvale Road and Sengkang West Way

In the past 18 months, 6,500 drivers were caught speeding across Fernvale Street, Fernvale Link, Jalan Kayu, Fernvale Road, and Sengkang West Way, with Sengkang West Way accounting for the majority of violations.
Authorities do not designate areas as "speeding red zones," but Sengkang West Way is being considered for a speed camera to enhance deterrence.
Joint operations between the Traffic Police and LTA are already being conducted at these locations to tackle speeding and illegal vehicle modifications.
Penalties for speeding include fines up to $1,000, imprisonment up to three months, or both, while illegal modifications can result in fines up to $5,000 and doubled penalties for repeat offenders.
The measures aim to address both speeding and noise pollution from modified vehicles in the specified areas.

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5 Apr 2021

Proposal to Review COE Renewal Intervals Given Plan to Transit to Low-emissions Vehicles

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned why COEs for personal-use vehicles in Categories A, B, and D can only be renewed once for five years, unlike Category C vehicles which can be renewed multiple times, and suggested exempting hybrid and electric vehicles from the single renewal limit if they pass emissions inspections.
Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that the COE system’s main goal is congestion control, with emissions regulated through other policies, and that allowing repeated renewals for personal vehicles would reduce COEs available for new bidders, upsetting equity between existing and prospective owners.
He noted that the single five-year renewal for personal vehicles is an exceptional measure for owners whose cars may not last another full decade, while Category C vehicles for businesses have a 20-year statutory lifespan and allow flexible renewals to support commercial decisions.
The Minister emphasized that the current approach balances sustainability with system fairness, and that other policy levers, not COE renewals, are used to manage vehicle emissions.

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5 Apr 2021

Investigation into 25 February 2021 Incident of Person Killed on MRT Track near Kallang Station

Melvin Yong asked about the circumstances of the 25 February 2021 incident where a person was killed on the MRT track near Kallang station, the safeguards against unauthorized track incursions, and whether these measures are sufficient.
Ong Ye Kung noted that investigations are ongoing, but it was found that the barbed wire on the high fencing near the incident site was compressed and has since been repaired.
The MRT network has multiple security measures including platform screen doors, CCTV, regular patrols, and high fences with barbed wires or razor mesh to deter intruders.
The Public Transport Security Committee will review current security measures in light of the incident.
The Minister emphasized that it is premature to conclude the adequacy of safeguards until investigations are completed.

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5 Apr 2021

Land Transport Authority of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

The bill aims to amend the Land Transport Authority Act to promote the use of electric vehicles and make a related amendment to the Electricity Act.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Ong Ye Kung, presented the bill for its first reading in Parliament.
The bill is scheduled for a second reading at the next available parliamentary sitting and will be printed thereafter.

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5 Apr 2021

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill

The bill aims to amend the Road Traffic Act to improve road safety, passenger transport security, and vehicle taxes, with related changes to other acts such as the Active Mobility Act and Rapid Transit Systems Act.
It was presented by the Minister of State for Home Affairs on behalf of the Minister for Home Affairs, with presidential recommendation, and has been read for the first time.
The bill will proceed to a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting and will be printed for further deliberation.

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5 Mar 2021

Committee of Supply – Head W (Ministry of Transport)

Speakers expressed concern over the financial sustainability of public transport, noting that both bus and rail operations are heavily subsidised and that the current fare model may not cover operating costs in the long term.
The debate highlighted challenges in the aviation sector due to COVID-19, with calls for more targeted support for aerospace companies and workers, as well as strategies to safely revive international travel and maintain Singapore’s status as an aviation hub.
There were suggestions to enhance the transport system through new mobility solutions, such as integrated mobility tickets, improved feeder bus services, and expanded cycling infrastructure, while ensuring affordability and inclusivity for all commuters.

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4 Mar 2021

Efforts to Simplify and Render More Transparent Fee Structure of Taxicabs in Light of Rise of Private-hire Cars

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked for an update on efforts to simplify and clarify taxi fees and whether transparency rules would extend to private-hire cars.
Ong Ye Kung stated that since 2015, taxis have a standardized metered fare structure requiring operators to publish booking charges, per-distance rates, and surcharges.
Under the 2020 point-to-point framework, private-hire car operators must disclose trip fares at booking and publish any additional charges.

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4 Mar 2021

Increase Availability of Parking Spaces for Start-ups Operating out of JTC Launchpad at Ayer Rajah Crescent

Gan Thiam Poh asked if JTC can increase parking spaces for start-ups at JTC Launchpad at Ayer Rajah Crescent.
Chan Chun Sing explained that LaunchPad @ one-north is a car-lite estate with good public transport access, and JTC encourages tenants to use sustainable transport.
JTC has introduced a quarterly season parking scheme and notes that applications have not exceeded available lots, with fewer appeals for parking.
JTC will continue monitoring the situation and assist tenants with critical parking needs upon request.

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4 Mar 2021

Enhancement to Public Sector Taking the Lead in Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) initiatives

Leon Perera inquired about the timeline for the next enhancement to the PSTLES initiatives and the possibility of shifting government vehicles to electric models.
Grace Fu Hai Yien announced that PSTLES has been rebranded as GreenGov.SG under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, with key shifts to be detailed in the MSE Committee of Supply 2021 debates.
From 2023, new government vehicle purchases will be cleaner and greener where feasible, with agencies like MINDEF aiming for an all-electric fleet by 2030.
The government is actively studying ways to accelerate electric vehicle adoption in the public service as part of GreenGov.SG.
More specific targets, strategies, and initiatives for GreenGov.SG will be developed and released over the course of the year.

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4 Mar 2021

Calls for More Enforcement Actions at Roads that are Prone to Car Racing

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Home Affairs about increasing enforcement actions on roads prone to illegal car racing, following a fatal accident in Tanjong Pagar.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, outlined existing Traffic Police enforcement at hotspots, penalties for illegal speed trials, and statistics on past cases from 2015 to 2020.
Ms Ng Ling Ling followed up with a query on whether there are preventive measures beyond enforcement to deter racing, citing resident feedback on late-night incidents.
The Minister of State responded that the strategy includes both enforcement and overall road safety, with ongoing operations based on community feedback and intelligence gathering.
The debate concluded with the Deputy Speaker moving to the next agenda item, noting some questions were postponed.

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4 Mar 2021

Measures to Improve Road Safety Given Pedestrian Fatalities amongst Seniors

Ms Ng Ling Ling raised concern over the high rate of pedestrian fatalities among seniors, noting that half were due to jaywalking, and asked what more can be done to improve road safety as the population ages.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs outlined efforts by the Traffic Police, including partnerships with Senior Activity Centres and Lion Befrienders to educate the elderly on road safety and the launch of an Eye Care Kit for self-assessment.
The Ministry plans to enhance enforcement in Silver Zones by adding two demerit points and a $100 composition fine for offences like speeding or using mobile devices, aiming to increase driver caution in areas with many elderly pedestrians.

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