Transport — Topics

24 Feb 2021

Tweaking Road Tax Regime to Encourage Installation of More Safety Features when Purchasing Higher Engine Capacity Cars

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned if higher road taxes on larger engines deter buyers from choosing cars with more safety features and suggested exemptions for private hire cars to encourage safety upgrades.
Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that road tax is progressive based on engine capacity to target luxury vehicles, with no proven link between engine size and safety features.
The Ministry has no plans to exempt private hire cars with added safety features, as all vehicles must meet existing safety standards before registration.

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24 Feb 2021

Reducing Cost of Certificates of Entitlement for Vehicles used by Care-givers in Driving People with Disabilities or Autism

Christopher de Souza asked if the COE cost can be reduced for vehicles used by caregivers driving people with disabilities or autism.
Ong Ye Kung explained that a market-based COE system cannot easily provide concessions for specific user groups without verification and abuse risks.
The Government offers targeted support like the Home Caregiving Grant and foreign domestic worker levy concessions instead.
Schemes such as the Disabled Persons Scheme and Taxi Subsidy Scheme are available to improve mobility for persons with disabilities.
The response emphasizes alternative assistance over direct COE concessions to maintain system integrity.

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24 Feb 2021

Revamp of Bus Routes Given Staged Opening of Thomson-East Coast Line

The Senior Minister of State for Transport highlighted that as the MRT network expands, bus services with low ridership, especially those parallel to rail lines, will be reviewed and adjusted to maintain financial prudence and avoid escalating subsidies, which currently amount to about $1 billion annually for buses.
In 2019, only 11 out of 356 bus services covered their operating costs through fares, while in 2020, just two feeder services did so, with the shortfall made up by government subsidies to ensure connectivity, particularly for new housing estates.
The government emphasized the need to balance service quality, fare affordability, and financial sustainability by reallocating resources from underused routes to meet new demand, such as for upcoming HDB developments, without increasing the overall fiscal burden.

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16 Feb 2021

Forensic Tests on Faulty Trip Coils that led to MRT Disruption of 14 October 2020

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2 Feb 2021

Redevelopment Plans for Bukit Batok Bus Interchange

Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Transport about any plans to redevelop the Bukit Batok Bus Interchange, which was built in 1987, and requested details of such plans if they exist.
Ong Ye Kung stated that the Land Transport Authority completed major upgrades to commuter and staff facilities at the interchange in 2016 and 2020, including shelter extensions at berths.
He confirmed that with these recent upgrades, there are no immediate plans to redevelop the Bukit Batok Bus Interchange.

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2 Feb 2021

Accidents and Incidents Involving Vehicles Catching Fire due to Mechanical Failure and Poor Maintenance of Vehicles

In the past five years, there have been about 200 vehicle fire cases annually, with most linked to overheating or electrical faults rather than direct mechanical failure or poor maintenance due to difficulty in pinpointing causes after severe damage.
Vehicle owners must send vehicles for mandatory inspections at LTA-Authorised Inspection Centres, with older, commercial, and point-to-point vehicles inspected more frequently; failing vehicles cannot have road tax renewed or be used on roads.
LTA conducts checks for illegal modifications during inspections and enforcement, with penalties up to $5,000 fine, three months imprisonment, or both, doubled for repeat offenders under the Road Traffic Act.
Joint advisories from LTA and SCDF on preventing and handling vehicle fires are available via social media and motorist touchpoints, emphasizing regular servicing and checks for fluid leakages to avoid overheating.
The government focuses on ensuring roadworthiness through inspections and enforcement, though most vehicle fires are not conclusively attributed to mechanical failure or poor maintenance due to damage severity.

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2 Feb 2021

Number of Bus Service Lines Implemented or Reviewed under Bus Service Enhancement Programme

The Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP) introduced 80 new bus services from 2012 to 2017, with two specifically serving the Woodgrove division in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
These two BSEP services complement 27 other existing bus routes in Woodgrove, providing efficient access to town centres, polyclinics, and community centres.
Additional non-BSEP bus services were later introduced in Woodgrove, such as Service 913M (2019) to link residents to Marsiling Mall and Service 960e (2018) for faster city connections.

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2 Feb 2021

Long-term Solutions to Minimise Number of Potholes on Our Roads in All Weather Conditions

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport if LTA has investigated the root causes of recent high pothole numbers and for long-term solutions to minimize them in all weather conditions.
Minister Ong Ye Kung thanked the member and referred to his previous reply on the matter from the 1 February 2021 Parliament sitting.
The debate highlighted ongoing concerns about road maintenance and the need for durable infrastructure to withstand varying weather conditions.
There was an indication that the government has previously discussed measures, but no new specific actions were proposed in this exchange.
The discussion underscores the importance of proactive road management to ensure safety and reduce maintenance costs over time.

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2 Feb 2021

Impact on Jobs and Trades with Shift Away from Fossil Fuel and Traditional Automotive Industries

Minister Chan Chun Sing stated that the shift to low emissions mobility is not expected to cause significant job losses in Singapore, as the petrochemical industry remains relevant for various products and the specialty chemicals sector continues to grow in demand across Asia.
Existing transport and maintenance workers are adapting to hybrid and electrified platforms, with the government supporting skill upgrades through initiatives like the Singapore Motor Workshop Association training facility to maintain electric vehicle components and charging systems.
Singapore is actively growing the EV industry by attracting investments from companies like Hyundai, Borgwarner, Continental, and Infineon, which are expected to create job opportunities in advanced manufacturing, R&D, design, and software engineering.
Government agencies will collaborate with companies, training providers, and unions to prepare Singaporeans for new roles in the transitioning mobility sector, ensuring a skilled workforce for the future.

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1 Feb 2021

Additional Surcharge on Certificates of Entitlement for Owners Purchasing Second Vehicle or More

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked if the Ministry would impose an additional surcharge on Certificates of Entitlement for owners buying a second or subsequent vehicle.
Ong Ye Kung responded that such a surcharge is unlikely to promote cleaner vehicles and would function more as a wealth tax, posing policy challenges.
He noted that second-vehicle buyers might have genuine needs, such as large families, and that loopholes could arise, necessitating complex rules.
The Minister emphasized that general incentives for cleaner vehicles and surcharges for pollutive vehicles are more effective than linking surcharges to vehicle ownership numbers.
He concluded that adding rules for second-vehicle surcharges would complicate the COE system without effectively advancing environmental goals.

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1 Feb 2021

Number of Public Electric-car Chargers Built as of 2020

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport about the number of public electric-car chargers built as of 2020.
Ong Ye Kung responded that as of January 2021, there were more than 1,900 electric car charging points in Singapore.
The figure includes around 1,400 charging points located in public carparks.

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1 Feb 2021

Making Helmets and Lights Mandatory for Bicycles and Mobility Devices in Park Connectors for Safety of Riders and Other Park Connector Users

The Ministry of Transport requires bicycles and mobility devices to have front and rear lights during evening and night use on all public paths, including park connectors.
The government strongly encourages helmet use for safety but has decided against making it mandatory on public paths, citing lower risk compared to road riding.
The current regulations were established following a 2018 review and nationwide public consultation by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel.

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1 Feb 2021

Measures to Address Potholes on Roads from Heavy Rainfall

Murali Pillai raised concerns about increasing potholes due to heavy rainfall from changing climate patterns and asked what steps LTA will take.
Ong Ye Kung responded that he had already addressed the issue in a previous Parliament sitting on 1 February 2021.
The debate highlighted the link between climate-related heavy rainfall and road infrastructure challenges in Singapore.

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1 Feb 2021

Number of Enforcement Actions on Vehicles and Motorcycles with Illegal Modifications Resulting in Excessive and Unnecessary Noise in Last Three Years

In the last three years, the Land Transport Authority took enforcement action on 1,123 cases in 2018, 1,686 in 2019, and 1,650 in 2020 of illegal vehicle modifications causing excessive noise, with most involving motorcycles.
Noise emission standards for vehicles are set and regularly reviewed by the National Environment Agency under internationally benchmarked regulations.
The Land Transport Authority will continue strict enforcement, including targeted actions and compliance checks during mandatory vehicle inspections.

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1 Feb 2021

Pre-emptive Interventions by Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore against Anti-competitive Mergers in Ride Hailing Industry

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Trade and Industry about pre-emptive interventions by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) to prevent anti-competitive mergers in the ride-hailing industry, which could harm consumers and drivers.
Businesses must comply with the Competition Act, and the CCCS provides avenues for prior clearance on mergers; if anti-competitive mergers proceed without clearance, the CCCS can impose interim directions, issue remedies, and impose financial penalties to protect public interest.
The ride-hailing industry is also regulated by the Land Transport Authority under the Point-to-Point Transport Industry Act, which requires operators to notify LTA of certain acquisitions; both CCCS and LTA have reminded industry parties of their obligations, and parties have committed to compliance.
The new regulatory framework since October 2020 aims to ensure market contestability by supporting multiple ride-hail operators and enforcing non-exclusivity, allowing drivers to use multiple platforms and reducing entry barriers.
CCCS and LTA will continue to monitor the ride-hailing industry closely to uphold competition and consumer interests.

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1 Feb 2021

Upgrading Rubbish Trucks into Newer and Quieter Electric Vehicles

Christopher de Souza asked if the Ministry will collaborate with companies to upgrade rubbish trucks into newer, quieter electric vehicles.
Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the National Environment Agency (NEA) encourages Public Waste Collectors (PWCs) to use electric vehicles (EVs), awarding higher tender scores for EV proposals and mandating minimum EV deployment in contracts.
NEA is adopting a phased approach to electrify the waste collection fleet, allowing PWCs to build expertise and manage operational considerations like charging logistics.
All PWCs have voluntarily introduced EVs ahead of requirements, with specific examples of EV deployment in various sectors.
The Ministry will continue working with PWCs to advance sustainable solutions in waste collection.

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1 Feb 2021

Strengthen Enforcement Action against Reckless Cyclists on Footpaths and Park Connector Networks

Lim Biow Chuan queried if enforcement against reckless cyclists on footpaths and Park Connector Networks can be increased.
Ong Ye Kung highlighted that enforcement resources have tripled, with over 200 officers and daily operations, leading to action against more than 720 cyclists since 2019.
Challenges in monitoring 6,000 km of paths are addressed through technology like mobile CCTVs and a public reporting app, alongside ongoing public education efforts.

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1 Feb 2021

Prioritise Early Completion of Jurong Region MRT Line

Foo Mee Har asked if resources from the cancelled High Speed Rail to Malaysia could be redeployed to expedite the Jurong Region MRT Line (JRL) for earlier completion.
Ong Ye Kung explained that COVID-19 caused delays in JRL construction due to manpower shortages, supply disruptions, and safety measures, pushing its phased opening to 2027–2029.
He noted that rushing the JRL is impractical due to its complexity, interfaces with existing MRT stations, and proximity to buildings and roads.
He assured that the Land Transport Authority and contractors are working to expedite the project safely.
The debate highlights a request for resource reallocation versus the constraints imposed by pandemic-related challenges and project complexity.

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1 Feb 2021

Weather-induced Soil Erosion and Damage to Roads

Mr Saktiandi Supaat questioned LTA on monitoring weather-induced soil erosion, increasing inspection frequency, and long-term pre-emptive measures for road safety.
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about the number of reported potholes, repair timelines, and recourse for vehicle damage, as well as landslip incidents, injuries, and prevention plans.
The Senior Minister of State for Transport stated that LTA conducts frequent road inspections, repaired a record number of potholes in January 2021, and responds promptly to slope erosion, with preventive measures like protective coverings and targeted resurfacing.
Motorists are advised to seek recourse from insurance providers and report road defects via official channels, while LTA continues to explore technology-enabled monitoring and repairs.

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5 Jan 2021

Balancing Efforts Spent on Inspecting Registered PMDs and Enforcing on Illegally Modified or Unregistered PMDs

Christopher de Souza asked about reducing inspection frequency for registered PMDs with good records and increasing monitoring to deter illegally modified or unregistered PMDs.
Ong Ye Kung stated that mandatory inspections are essential for all registered PMDs to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent illegal modifications, with inspection centers available across Singapore.
LTA enforces against non-compliant PMDs, uses public feedback via a mobile app, and is exploring CCTV use, with 760 cases detected in early 2020 leading to fines or imprisonment.

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