Transport — Topics

3 Feb 2020

Noise Barriers along Kranji Expressway Adjacent to Residential Units along Segar Estate and Blossom Residences

Liang Eng Hwa asked whether noise barriers could be installed along the Kranji Expressway near Segar Estate and Blossom Residences and what the estimated cost per metre would be.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that low-noise pavement mix will be implemented instead, as it is more effective at reducing noise than vertical barriers.
Noise barriers costing $4,000 to $5,000 per metre are considered unsuitable for this stretch due to visibility concerns for oncoming traffic.
The Land Transport Authority will continue exploring cost-effective methods to mitigate traffic noise and improve living conditions for residents.
The low-noise pavement mix is expected to be implemented by the first quarter of 2022.

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3 Feb 2020

Measures to Ensure Drivers of Foreign Registered Cars Pay Outstanding HDB and URA Parking Fines before Entry into or Exit from Singapore

The Ministry of National Development explained that foreign-registered vehicles with outstanding parking fines can be clamped or towed when spotted, and since April 2019, such vehicles may be denied entry into Singapore, with 535 turned away by January 2020.
A member of parliament highlighted public concern over foreign vehicles appearing to evade fines without enforcement, and urged stricter action to deter non-payment.
The Minister responded that existing measures, including clamping, towing, and entry denial, already provide strong enforcement and will be taken seriously by vehicle owners.

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3 Feb 2020

Assessing Adequacy of Parking Lots for Delivery Trucks in Multi-storey Carparks in Public Housing Estates or Town Centres

Dennis Tan Lip Fong requested a review to assess and increase parking lots for delivery trucks that cannot access multi-storey carparks due to height limitations in public housing estates and town centres.
The Second Minister for National Development explained that HDB provides loading and unloading bays without height limits near HDB blocks and adjusts the number of bays based on local feedback.
Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked whether the Ministry could consider drivers who may have only one staff or cannot afford to leave someone in the vehicle during deliveries.
The Minister responded that HDB allows flexibility for delivery drivers, whether alone or with colleagues, to use the bays for deliveries, which understandably take time.

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6 Jan 2020

Data on Number of Children Injured in Motor Accidents as a Result of Not Being Secured in Child Seats

Louis Ng asked if hospitals collect data on children injured in motor accidents due to not being secured in child seats, and if so for numbers and percentages over the past 10 years broken down by age groups; if not, whether such data collection would start.
Gan Kim Yong stated that the National Trauma Registry tracks children aged 9 and below treated for traumatic injuries from motor accidents but cannot confirm if injuries were directly due to not using child seats or restraints.
Data from 2012 to 2018 shows between 106 and 225 such cases per year, with over half of the children known to have used restraints, while the status of the remainder is unknown.
The minister emphasized that motorists and passengers should always use appropriate restraints in vehicles.

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6 Jan 2020

Take-up of E-scooter Trade-In-Grant by Delivery Riders since Introduction of Transition Assistance Package

Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked about the number of delivery riders who have switched to bicycles, power-assisted bicycles, or personal mobility aids through the e-scooter Trade-In-Grant since the Transition Assistance Package was introduced.
As of 31 December 2019, 3,550 applications were received and all were approved after removing duplicates, with 74.6% choosing power-assisted bicycles, 24.8% bicycles, and 0.6% personal mobility aids.
About 790 riders have successfully switched to alternative devices so far, while the rest will switch progressively as they receive their new devices, with food delivery companies providing free bicycle rentals in the interim.

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6 Jan 2020

Action Taken against Riders Using Throttle-operated Electric Bikes in Last Five Years and Types of Such Bikes Approved Since Passing of Active Mobility Act in 2017

The Minister confirmed that no throttle-operated electric bikes have been approved for use in Singapore since the Active Mobility Act passed in 2017, due to safety concerns about sudden accelerations.
Enforcement action was taken against 1,863 cases in 2015, 1,648 in 2016, 406 in 2017, 485 in 2018, and about 837 in 2019 involving non-compliant power-assisted bicycles, with most related to throttle-based bikes.
The figures cover the last five years from 2015 to 2019, as the query pertained to the period preceding the Act’s implementation.

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6 Jan 2020

Proposal to Build Noise Barriers along Stretch of PIE Adjacent to HDB Blocks between Bukit Batok Road Exit and Toh Guan Road Flyover

Murali Pillai asked the Ministry for Transport to consider building noise barriers or other measures to reduce traffic noise along the PIE stretch near HDB blocks between Bukit Batok Road exit and Toh Guan Road flyover.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that the Land Transport Authority is studying feasibility of noise mitigation options, including barriers and noise-reducing pavement.
The LTA will decide on measures after the study, considering factors like building-road distance and cost-effectiveness.

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6 Jan 2020

LTA's Plan to Expand Shared Path Network by 2025

Murali Pillai asked whether constituencies without shared paths would be prioritized in LTA’s plan to expand the network to 750 km by 2025.
LTA had planned to extend cycling paths from 440 km to 750 km by 2025 and 1,300 km by 2030.
LTA will accelerate implementation and prioritize towns with high e-scooter usage and no existing intra-town cycling networks.
LTA will collaborate with local Advisors to ensure new paths meet residents’ needs.

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6 Jan 2020

Measures to Ensure Safety of Workers During Construction of Cross Island Line Tunnel

Murali Pillai inquired about the anticipated challenges to worker safety during the construction of the Cross Island Line tunnel at 70 metres depth and the measures to address them.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that tunnelling at depth presents similar challenges to existing and upcoming lines and that appropriate mitigation measures ensure no additional risks to workers.
The Land Transport Authority closely supervises tunnelling projects, enforces safety regulations, and implements safeguards like personal protective equipment, adequate lighting, ventilation, and regular emergency evacuation drills.

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6 Jan 2020

Fare Cap on Surge Pricing for Private Hire Car Operators

Mohamed Irshad proposed a fare cap on surge pricing for private hire car operators to control pricing during peak hours.
The Ministry for Transport reviewed the idea but decided against it, emphasizing fare transparency and market-based pricing instead.
The current system requires upfront fare display for bookings and preserves metered taxi options as safeguards for commuters.
Dynamic pricing is defended as necessary to match supply and demand, ensuring ride availability during peak periods.
The regulator, PTC, stated it will not impose fare caps, allowing market forces to determine pricing across diverse service offerings.

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6 Jan 2020

Complaints of Noise Pollution Caused by Vehicles with Modified Engines

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport about the number of complaints received over the past three years regarding noise pollution from vehicles with modified engines and the process LTA uses to handle such complaints and enforce rules.
Since 2017, LTA has received 4,377 complaints about noise pollution suspected to be caused by illegally modified vehicles.
Over the past three years, LTA has taken action against 3,792 illegally modified vehicles based on complaints and regular enforcement efforts.
Illegal vehicle modifications can result in fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to three months, or both, with penalties doubled for repeat offenders.
The public can report illegally modified vehicles to LTA through its feedback channels.

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6 Jan 2020

Proposal to Reconsider Allowing PMD Users and Pedestrians to Co-use All Parts or Lanes of Park Connector Network

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Ministry for National Development to reconsider allowing PMD users and pedestrians to co-use all parts or lanes of the Park Connector Network (PCN) and to outline measures for safe segregation.
Lawrence Wong responded that the PCN will be subdivided into footpaths and shared paths, with PMDs only permitted on shared paths in line with active mobility regulations, and markings and signage will be updated for clarity.
NParks will continue to promote safe use of the PCN by implementing safety measures like lighting, speed regulating strips, and advisory signs in high-usage areas.
Physical separators such as grass verges will be added between footpaths and shared paths where the PCN is sufficiently wide.
The subdivision of the PCN is expected to be completed this year, harmonizing the network with LTA's cycling paths.

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6 Jan 2020

Reasons for Massive Traffic Jams at 2019 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and Preventive Measures

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah and Mr Liang Eng Hwa questioned the approval of road closures, lack of consideration for concurrent downtown events, and the need for better regulatory reviews and communication for future marathons.
Mr Desmond Choo raised concerns about balancing major sporting events with public inconvenience, potential liability for commercial organizers, and barring organizers who fail to address congestion.
Minister Grace Fu explained that the 2019 evening marathon aimed to enhance participant experience and showcase Singapore as a World Marathon Major, with extensive planning and stakeholder engagement.
Despite preparations, the event saw significant traffic jams; the Ministry will study public feedback, de-conflict future events, and improve communications while aiming to elevate the marathon’s status.
The debate highlighted the challenge of managing large-scale events in a city, emphasizing the need for proactive planning, stakeholder coordination, and continuous improvement to minimize public disruption.

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6 Jan 2020

Update on Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail Project and Singapore-Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System

Both the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail and Singapore-Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System projects are currently suspended, with specific end dates for the suspension periods.
Malaysia has expressed intentions to modify the RTS Link project and discuss the HSR project's future, but no formal proposals have been submitted to Singapore yet.
Singapore is engaged in discussions with Malaysia on the proposed changes and will assess them objectively against national requirements when details are received.
Singapore maintains that both projects are beneficial to both countries and keeps an open mind about their continuation.

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6 Jan 2020

Active Mobility (Amendment) Bill

The bill aims to amend the Active Mobility Act to improve the regulation of personal mobility devices and other vehicles on public paths.
It also proposes related amendments to the Road Traffic Act to ensure consistent and safe mobility rules across different transport modes.
The bill was presented by the Senior Minister of State for Transport on behalf of the Minister for Transport and was read for the first time in Parliament.

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6 Jan 2020

Shared Mobility Enterprises (Control and Licensing) Bill

The Shared Mobility Enterprises (Control and Licensing) Bill aims to regulate shared mobility services and introduces amendments to the Land Transport Authority of Singapore Act, the Parking Places Act, and the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018.
The Bill was presented by the Senior Minister of State for Transport (Dr Lam Pin Min) on behalf of the Minister for Transport and was read for the first time in Parliament.
The Bill is scheduled for a second reading in the next available Parliamentary sitting and will be printed for further review.

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6 Jan 2020

Update on Enforcement and Other Measures after Ban of PMDs on Footpaths

The government has banned e-scooters from footpaths since November 2019, resulting in a 30% drop in related accidents and increased enforcement with more officers and technology, while offering transition grants for affected delivery riders.
Regulatory updates are being implemented for power-assisted bicycles, including registration, safety standards, and stricter road rules, with additional measures to support riders transitioning from e-scooters.
The cycling path network will be accelerated beyond the original 2025 and 2030 targets, with plans to expand markings and infrastructure to improve safety and connectivity, though specific kilometer details are pending.

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5 Nov 2019

Statistics on Injuries Treated at Public Hospitals Resulting from PMD Accidents

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira queried the Minister for Transport about the number of persons treated at public hospitals for PMD accident injuries since 2018, broken down by riders, pedestrians, and injury severity, and how these rates compare to international PMD experiences and other transport modes in Singapore.
Khaw Boon Wan reported that 299 people were treated in 2018 for PMD-related incidents, with 259 riders and eight pedestrians, and injuries categorized as 63% minor, 21% moderate, and 16% severe.
For comparison, 1,836 people were treated for bicycle-related incidents, 5,700 for motorcycle-related incidents, and 6,743 for car-related incidents in the same period, with about 89% minor, 7% moderate, and 4% severe injuries across these categories.
The minister noted that no international comparison of PMD-related injuries could be made due to a lack of published data.
The debate highlights the scale of PMD injuries relative to other transport modes in Singapore and the absence of global benchmarking data.

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5 Nov 2019

Final Environmental Impact Assessment before Decision on Alignment Option for Cross Island MRT Line

Dennis Tan asked if a final, holistic environmental impact assessment would be conducted before deciding on the Cross Island MRT Line's alignment, to which the Ministry responded that a comprehensive two-phase EIA was already completed in 2019, with no plans for further study.
The Minister emphasized that the existing EIA was robust, involved independent review and stakeholder engagement, and concluded both alignments are feasible with mitigation, but it does not cover broader economic or whole-biome considerations.
Dennis Tan clarified his request for a more holistic valuation of ecosystem services and species/climate projections, while the Minister noted such broader assessments are separate from the specific EIA and that no date for the alignment decision has been set.

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5 Nov 2019

Number of Public Transport Vouchers Not Redeemed

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira questioned the shortfall in Public Transport Voucher (PTV) redemption in 2018, the administrative costs and challenges of outreach, and proposed automatic distribution for future vouchers to eligible individuals under schemes like ComCare.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng highlighted expanded eligibility criteria for the 2019 PTV exercise, outreach efforts through grassroots organizations, and the value of direct engagement to tailor support beyond transport costs.
The government noted the 2018 PTV take-up rate may not reflect economic needs, as households may choose not to apply despite eligibility, and emphasized ongoing efforts to raise awareness and streamline processes.
Multiple concessionary fare schemes already support vulnerable groups, but the government remains open to consolidating assistance and using local committees to ensure no gaps in coverage for needy households.

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