Transport — Topics

5 Feb 2018

Ban on Errant E-scooter Owners with Repeated Offences

Joan Pereira asked if the Ministry tracks e-scooter owners and would consider banning repeat offenders.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the Land Transport Authority does not maintain records on the ownership of personal mobility devices like e-scooters.
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel is reviewing regulations for PMDs, including possible registration, and will make recommendations later this year.

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5 Feb 2018

Safety and Privacy of Data on Third-party Booking Apps

Mr Ang Hin Kee asked about the regulatory powers of the Land Transport Authority over third-party booking apps regarding vehicle safety information, data protection for commuters and drivers, and preventive safety measures.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan stated that operators are not required to submit fleet safety data but must dispatch licensed and insured vehicles, with potential suspension for repeated violations.
Personal data of commuters and drivers is protected under the Personal Data Protection Act, which mandates security arrangements and imposes financial penalties for breaches.
The government relies on existing laws like the Road Traffic Act and PDPA to address safety and privacy concerns without imposing new specific requirements on third-party apps.

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5 Feb 2018

Managing Number of Heavy Vehicle along Fort Road

Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport about plans to manage the large number of heavy vehicles on Fort Road and measures to improve safety for other road users.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that most heavy vehicles on Fort Road serve construction sites for the Thomson-East Coast Line and Marina East Staging Ground, transporting excavated materials to barges for reuse or offshore disposal.
The Land Transport Authority works with developers and contractors to implement traffic control plans that manage vehicle timing and routes to avoid peak hours and residential areas, along with signs, monitoring, surveillance cameras, and enforcement officers.
LTA engages residents, grassroots leaders, and community advisors to gather feedback and keep them informed about traffic conditions.

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5 Feb 2018

Closing the Gap between Last Step on Buses and Pedestrian Curb

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked if buses can be fitted with lower or lowering steps to reduce the gap between the bus and curb for commuter safety.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that buses already have low floors at a maximum 32cm height and are pulled close to the curb within half a metre.
He added that the Land Transport Authority has explored lowering bus steps but has not found a system that ensures safe commuter movement during heavy passenger flow.

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5 Feb 2018

Tailgating Detection System at Car Parks to Detect Motorcyclists who Avoid Payment

The Tailgating Detection System (TDS) can detect motorcyclists who evade payment by tailgating vehicles or riding on pavements around gantries.
HDB will enforce penalties against motorcyclists caught by TDS to deter errant behavior and improve pedestrian safety.
HDB will monitor TDS's effectiveness since it was recently introduced in HDB car parks.

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5 Feb 2018

Proposal for More Bus Stops with Cantilever Shelters

Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for Transport about the current percentage of bus stops with cantilever shelters and whether the Ministry would build more to protect passengers from rain.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that only 74 out of 4,900 bus stops have cantilever shelters, noting that building them everywhere is not cost-effective.
Priority is given to heavily used bus stops, especially those connected to MRT stations, where over a quarter already have such shelters.
The Ministry plans to build more cantilever shelters at busy bus stops where space permits.
The response emphasizes a targeted approach rather than a blanket expansion of cantilever shelters.

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5 Feb 2018

Reasons for Scrapping Off-peak Monthly Travel Pass for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens

The Off-peak Monthly Travel Pass for persons with disabilities and senior citizens was scrapped after a trial showed it shifted fewer than 200 users to off-peak travel, making it ineffective.
The government replaced the pass with a new scheme offering all commuters a fare discount of up to 50 cents for early morning rail travel, which senior citizens and persons with disabilities can use on top of their existing 25% concession.
Over half of the previous off-peak pass users have switched to the monthly concession pass, but some MPs raised concerns about potential adverse effects and requested further studies or assistance for affected individuals.
The Minister clarified that the decision was made to use public funds efficiently for broader benefit, and local MPs can address individual cases of hardship, while future scheme refinements will be monitored.
The Minister discouraged reintroducing the off-peak pass, citing its proven inefficacy, but committed to ongoing analysis of the new scheme’s impact.

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5 Feb 2018

Measures to Reduce Indiscriminate Parking of Shared Bicycles

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is proposing a new licensing framework for bicycle-sharing operators (BSOs) that will require them to remove indiscriminately parked bicycles within a stipulated time and implement disincentives for users.
Current measures include issuing fines to BSOs, providing more public parking spaces, and using geo-fencing with incentives for proper parking, though enforcement against individual users remains challenging.
The government aims to balance the benefits of bike-sharing, such as first- and last-mile connectivity and a car-lite society, with the need to address public disamenities through stronger regulatory actions.

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10 Jan 2018

Coordination of Repair Works to Minimise Excavation of Roads

Mr Leon Perera questioned how agencies coordinate excavation works for utilities to minimise road digging and suggested tracking and publishing instances of repeated excavations within six months to measure coordination effectiveness.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan explained that the Road Opening Coordination Committee, chaired by the Land Transport Authority, schedules work plans to minimise inconvenience but cannot plan for emergency repairs like cable faults or gas leaks.
The Minister agreed to ask the committee to consider publishing indicators of coordination effectiveness, responding to Perera’s suggestion.

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10 Jan 2018

Investigation into Joo Koon MRT Train Accident

The Joo Koon MRT collision on 15 November 2017 was caused by a software logic issue in the new signalling system, which deactivated the protective bubble between trains, a scenario not anticipated by the system supplier Thales.
The train captain of the second train was unable to engage emergency brakes in time to prevent the collision, as they were not aware the protective bubble could be deactivated and were not trained for this specific failure.
As a precaution, the Tuas West Extension is separated from the rest of the East-West Line until the full transition to the new signalling system is completed, and Thales has rectified the flaw and will set up a simulation facility in Singapore.

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9 Jan 2018

Wheelchair Transport Assistance for Low-income Families

The Ministry of Health provides funding through the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) for wheelchairs and transport services, with 23,000 seniors receiving wheelchair subsidies and 6,000 receiving transport subsidies over the past five years.
Low-income families receive higher subsidies under the SMF and the Medical Escort and Transport (MET) service, which provides accompanied transport for medical appointments.
The Ministry is working with transport providers, including taxi companies and ride-hailing services like Uber, to train drivers and increase wheelchair-accessible transport options for seniors.

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9 Jan 2018

Study on Noise Decibel Levels Caused by MRT Trains Passing Through Keat Hong Crest and Keat Hong Pride

Zaqy Mohamad inquired about noise decibel levels from MRT trains at Keat Hong Crest and Keat Hong Pride, whether they exceed the 65-decibel threshold, and the criteria for noise barrier installation.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that preliminary LTA findings show noise levels near the MRT lines are below the NEA's 67-decibel threshold, with an island-wide study planned.
LTA will prioritise noise barrier installation in areas where noise levels exceed 67 decibels averaged over an hour.

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9 Jan 2018

Adding Bus Service Between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok Town Centre for Keat Hong and Hong Kah North Residents

Zaqy Mohamad proposed a new bus service linking Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok Town Centre via Brickland Road and Gombak MRT to serve approximately 15,000 to 30,000 new residents in the Keat Hong and Hong Kah North BTO developments.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the Land Transport Authority has already introduced three bus services connecting these areas to Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang MRT stations and bus interchanges.
The LTA will continue monitoring travel patterns and adjust bus services as needed to address residents' transport needs.

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9 Jan 2018

Damages to Equipment or Facilities Caused by Bishan-Braddell MRT Tunnel Flooding Incident

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Transport about the damage and repair costs from the Bishan-Braddell MRT tunnel flooding incident.
The flooding submerged trackside equipment and train undercarriage components, causing damage that cost about $2 million to repair and replace.
The $2 million repair and replacement cost was borne by SMRT.

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8 Jan 2018

Traffic Police's Strategies to Raise Awareness of Road Safety and Reduce Accidents

The Traffic Police’s “Use Your Road Sense” movement, launched in 2015, targets road users, vulnerable groups, and vocational drivers to promote safe behaviour.
The police work with the Land Transport Authority to address the risks of personal mobility devices, using signs, campaigns, and programmes to educate riders and pedestrians.
Driving and riding curricula are regularly updated, and from 2019, simulation training will be mandatory for all learner motorists to practice reacting to traffic situations safely.
An online learning portal provides free access to theory handbooks and will soon include animated accident videos, mock tests, and regulatory updates.
The Highway Code and driving theory materials are being updated, and a Safe Driving Course helps motorists with high demerit points improve their driving techniques.

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8 Jan 2018

Marsiling Town Public Bus Transport Connectivity Review and Revamp

Zaqy Mohamad asked whether the Ministry will review and revamp public bus connectivity in Marsiling after the closure of Woodlands Centre.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that Marsiling is currently served by eight trunk and four feeder bus services connecting to Woodlands MRT and bus interchange.
He added that the LTA will monitor travel patterns and make necessary adjustments to bus services following the closure of Woodlands Centre.

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8 Jan 2018

Spontaneous Vehicle Fire Incidents

The Minister reported that there are about 200 spontaneous vehicle fire incidents annually since 2014, though data before 2014 is not readily available, with motorcars making up around 60% of the vehicles involved and light goods vehicles accounting for about 20%.
The main causes of these fires were identified as faults in electrical components and engine overheating, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance to reduce the risk of such incidents.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) mandates more frequent inspections for older and heavily used vehicles to mitigate fire risks.
LTA is collaborating with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to educate vehicle owners on the importance of regular maintenance and the dangers of illegal modifications, which can compromise vehicle safety and lead to fires.
These measures are part of a broader effort by LTA to reduce the incidence of spontaneous vehicle fires and enhance overall vehicle safety in Singapore.

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8 Jan 2018

Registration of E-bikes and Personal Mobility Devices and Stringent Guidelines on Their Quality, Safety and Usage

As of end-December 2017, over 12,600 power-assisted bicycles were registered with a deadline of 31 January 2018 for owners to complete registration and affix number plates.
Motorists or the public can report errant riders to Traffic Police or LTA by providing details such as time, location, registration number, and evidence like photos or videos.
Since February 2016, only PABs meeting the European EN15194 standard, which includes strict tests on battery strength and overcharging risks, are approved for use.
PMD power adapters must comply with SPRING Singapore’s safety regulations, including type-testing, certification, and carrying the SAFETY Mark before sale.
Authorities are assessing if additional safety requirements are needed for PMDs following recent fire incidents caused by overcharging.

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8 Jan 2018

Offences and Accidents Involving E-scooters

Melvin Yong asked for statistics on e-scooter offences and accidents over the past three years, plans to reduce risks, and whether helmets would be mandated, to which Khaw Boon Wan provided data showing 110 accidents and 330 summonses for illegal road riding from January to September 2017, with penalties increased to deter such behaviour.
LTA is enhancing outreach with signs and a Safe Riding Programme for reckless riders, while increasing fines for road riding to $300-$500 or court action, and encouraging but not requiring helmets since e-scooters are banned from roads and have speed limits.
No comprehensive pre-2017 figures were available, and the ministry emphasised personal responsibility for protective gear instead of mandatory helmet rules, focusing on education and stricter enforcement to address safety concerns.

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8 Jan 2018

Update on Investigation into TPE-PIE Viaduct Collapse in July 2017

Dennis Tan inquired about the status of the investigation into the July 2017 TPE-PIE viaduct collapse and the timeline for releasing the findings publicly.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing and will be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers for assessment once completed.
He stated that further details will be provided at the appropriate juncture following the completion of the process.

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