Transport — Topics

8 Jan 2018

Restrictions for Users of E-bikes and Personal Mobility Devices within Designated Silver Zones

Sitoh Yih Pin asked if LTA can impose "dismount and walk" restrictions for e-bike and personal mobility device users in designated Silver Zones.
Khaw Boon Wan noted that the existing Active Mobility Code of Conduct already requires dismounting and pushing devices in high pedestrian traffic areas, including all public paths.
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel will consider further refinements to active mobility rules in 2018.

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8 Jan 2018

Measures Adopted by Bus Drivers to Avoid Being Penalised for Returning Earlier-than-scheduled to Bus Interchanges

A Member of Parliament asked whether measures exist to prevent bus drivers from slowing down or lingering at stops to avoid penalties for returning early to interchanges.
The Minister for Transport responded that the Bus Service Reliability Framework was introduced to address bus bunching and improve service punctuality.
Under this framework, bus captains are required to adjust their speeds to maintain consistent intervals between buses, which reduces bunching and waiting times.
The Minister clarified that drivers do not deliberately stop longer than necessary and emphasized the benefits of more regular bus intervals for commuters.

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8 Jan 2018

National Smartphone Navigation App for Public Transport

Dr Tan Wu Meng queried the feasibility of a national app that would integrate real-time operator data, volunteered user location and speed data, and crowd-sourced delay reports.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan noted that multiple apps already serve commuters, with LTA’s myTransport app and operator-specific apps like SMRT-Connect providing real-time information, alongside third-party apps like Google Maps and Citymapper.
The government facilitates private innovation by making transport data open through Data.gov.sg and LTA’s DataMall, with potential to enhance user-location data and disruption notifications.
LTA and operators plan to expand data offerings and app features, such as platform and train loading information derived from wi-fi and camera data.
The focus is on supporting an ecosystem of solutions rather than mandating a single national app, with ongoing collaboration to meet evolving commuter needs.

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8 Jan 2018

Impact on Business Operations caused by Suspension of MRT Services on Tuas West Extension

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan questioned if the suspension of MRT services on the Tuas West Extension in November 2017 significantly negatively affected businesses served by that segment.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed the suspension occurred from 16 to 19 November 2017 due to safety checks after a train collision, but stated the impact on businesses and commuters was manageable.
During the suspension, bridging buses with short headways and enhanced bus services were deployed, and some companies used private buses to ferry staff.
The Minister noted that the Tuas West Extension remained segregated to allow safe and speedy re-signalling work and thanked commuters and employers for their patience.

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8 Jan 2018

Impact of Extended Engineering Hours on MRT Rail Maintenance Works

Khaw Boon Wan highlighted that extended engineering hours from early closures and late openings in December 2017 significantly doubled available maintenance time, accelerating key projects like re-signalling, rail repairs, and noise barrier installation.
The Minister noted that similar plans are scheduled for January 2018, with targeted station closures and reduced frequencies to further advance maintenance and system renewals on both the North-South and East-West Lines.
Khaw emphasized that while such measures benefit rail reliability, the Ministry will work to balance maintenance needs with commuter convenience through alternative transport arrangements and sustainable planning for transport workers.

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8 Jan 2018

International Benchmarks to Track Reliability and Safety of MRT System

The government uses Mean Kilometres Between Failures (MKBF) as an internationally recognised benchmark for MRT reliability, targeting one million train-kilometres by 2020, benchmarked against top-performing systems like Taipei Metro and Hong Kong MTR.
Other international benchmarks include data from metro industry groups like CoMET and Nova, while local indicators track safety, punctuality, cleanliness, and commuter satisfaction through the Land Transport Authority and Public Transport Council.
The Ministry acknowledges recent setbacks affecting commuter perception and is redoubling efforts on asset renewal and network expansion to improve reliability, while also considering broader factors that shape the overall commuter experience.

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8 Jan 2018

Better Planning for Road Closures to Prevent Disruption to Essential and Safety Services

Miss Cheryl Chan asked whether government agencies were consulted and provided advice on road closures for the 2017 Singapore Marathon to prevent disruption to essential services.
The Minister confirmed that Traffic Police and Land Transport Authority evaluated the road closure application in consultation with Sport Singapore and the Civil Defence Force, and the plan was scaled down to keep hospitals accessible.
Raffles Hospital was consulted and agreed to specific road modifications, and emergency vehicles would be escorted by auxiliary police if needed.
Authorities are investigating whether the event organizer complied with the approved road closure conditions after public feedback on traffic disruptions.

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8 Jan 2018

Investigation into Joo Koon MRT Train Accident

The Land Transport Authority completed its investigation, identifying a software logic issue in the new Communications-Based Train Control signalling system as the root cause, triggered by operating two signalling systems concurrently on the same line.
The signalling supplier, Thales, has rectified the fault and will set up a local simulation facility for more rigorous testing before deployment on the rail network.
As a precaution, the new signalling system on the Tuas West Extension is being separated from the rest of the East-West Line until full transition, which is being accelerated with extended engineering hours and expected by mid-year.
Thirty-seven passengers and staff were injured, all discharged from hospital within a week, with nine requiring outpatient follow-up and expected to make a full recovery.
The authorities have emphasized lessons learned and steps taken to prevent similar incidents, including improved testing and operational safeguards.

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8 Jan 2018

Ban on Petrol and Diesel-fuelled Vehicles

Leon Perera asked whether the Ministry will set a future date to ban petrol and diesel-fuelled vehicles.
Masagos Zulkifli stated that the Ministry has no current plans to specify a ban date, though it monitors approaches from countries like the UK and France.
The Ministry emphasized that Singapore's emission policies are technology-neutral and aim to meet WHO air quality targets cost-effectively.
Current measures include incentives for cleaner vehicles, public transport investment, support for electric vehicle trials, and tightened emission standards.
The Ministry will continue strengthening policies while ensuring feasible vehicle models for transport needs.

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8 Jan 2018

Prevention of E-scooter Accidents

The Minister reported 30 e-scooter accidents involving pedestrians in the first nine months of 2017 and outlined planned measures including stricter fines, enforcement patrols, and a public education campaign, while noting victims can seek compensation via police reports or civil suits.
New regulations prohibit e-scooters and e-bikes on roads and expressways, with increased composition sums and court prosecution for offenders, alongside efforts to involve community patrols and schools in promoting safe riding practices.
The government acknowledged suggestions to collect data on near-misses and review compulsory insurance for higher-risk devices, referring these to an advisory panel for ongoing consideration alongside possible registration for certain e-scooters.

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7 Nov 2017

Announcements on Peak-hour MRT Delays

Leon Perera asked whether SMRT announced the 24 October 2017 peak-hour delays through all usual channels and if the delay exceeded the mandatory 10-minute announcement threshold.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that SMRT operated the East West Line at slower speeds due to a signalling fault and informed commuters through regular station and train announcements.
The response did not specify whether the delay exceeded the 10-minute threshold for mandatory announcements.
The debate focused on the adequacy of SMRT's communication to passengers during service disruptions.

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7 Nov 2017

7 October 2017 SMRT Flooding Incident and Related Issues

The Minister explained that the 7 October 2017 flooding at Bishan MRT was due to maintenance neglect and falsified records by SMRT staff, while a separate electrical arcing incident occurred concurrently, causing service disruptions.
SMRT management accepted responsibility, suspended involved staff and supervisors, and announced immediate corrective measures including increased maintenance frequency, technology upgrades, and an independent review by Taipei Metro experts.
LTA and SMRT will form a Joint Readiness Inspection team, while the government emphasized the need for a collaborative regulator-operator relationship to improve rail reliability and asset renewal, despite challenges like limited engineering hours.

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7 Nov 2017

Ensuring Continuous Operation in MRT Network Even with Service Disruptions along Some Parts

The Minister outlined that during disruptions, unaffected parts of the MRT line can continue operating through bi-directional services or loop operations, with buses used to bridge gaps where needed.
Abnormalities on tracks are monitored via condition monitoring equipment and regular staff patrols, not primarily by train drivers, with pump systems installed to manage water in underground tunnels.
The oldest MRT lines are undergoing a multi-year renewal programme to address age-related wear-and-tear and obsolescence, targeting full renewal by 2024, with plans to accelerate works to reduce disruption risks.

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7 Nov 2017

Adequacy of Reserve Buses to Minimise Disruptions to Commuters Caught in Train Breakdowns

Miss Cheng Li Hui raised concerns about the adequacy of reserve buses and drivers to mitigate MRT breakdowns, the potential involvement of taxi companies, and existing accountability measures for service disruptions.
The Minister for Transport stated that maintaining a large reserve fleet solely for train disruptions is impractical, and during prolonged breakdowns, operators use off-duty or cross-deployed buses for bridging services while taxi companies are alerted to increase driver availability.
Rail operators must have incident management plans with bus bridging and information dissemination, and regulators can take action for failures, though bus capacity is insufficient during peak hours.
The government’s priority is to focus on improving train reliability rather than relying heavily on bus bridging, as trains remain the preferred mode of transport during disruptions.

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7 Nov 2017

Ensuring Sufficient Engineering Graduates for Projected Needs in Rail Engineering

The Ministry is coordinating efforts through the Singapore Rail Academy and the Public Transport Skills Framework to establish industry-wide standards and training pathways for rail engineering, ensuring alignment between educational institutions, employers, and workers.
New and expanded training programs, including seven railway engineering courses from NITEC to Masters, as well as continuing education and Professional Conversion Programmes, are being rolled out to build a pipeline of skilled engineers and technicians for the expanding rail network.
The Minister emphasized the need to develop "deep engineering expertise," particularly in emerging areas like predictive maintenance, and highlighted the global opportunity for Singapore to position itself in the growing rail industry, though he acknowledged a shortage of mid-level mentors for on-the-job training.

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7 Nov 2017

Foreign-registered Motorcycles or Scooters Used in Singapore for Delivery Services

Foreign-registered motorcycles and scooters may be used for delivery services in Singapore if the rider has a valid work pass, complies with Ministry of Manpower regulations, and holds insurance covering third-party bodily injury and death.
Individuals caught using a vehicle without valid insurance face a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
Delivery service riders must ensure their insurance policy explicitly covers commercial use, often requiring an additional rider or commercial policy, and employers are obliged to verify this coverage.
A joint advisory will be issued by relevant agencies to remind employers of the motor insurance requirements for delivery riders.

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7 Nov 2017

Progress in Construction of North-South Expressway

The North-South Corridor is a major integrated transport project now expected to be completed in 2026, with eight of 16 major civil contracts tendered and construction set to start next year.
The timeline was extended from the original 2023 target due to construction complexities, such as interfacing with existing roads, rail lines, and building a tunnel near MRT infrastructure.
To ease congestion on the Central Expressway in the interim, the government has widened roads, added ERP gantries, and is building the Thomson-East Coast Line, which will provide alternative commute options.

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7 Nov 2017

Installation of Screens in Public Buses to Protect Bus Captains and Minimise Risk of Hijack of Public Bus

Melvin Yong asked whether LTA would install protective screens on public buses to protect bus captains and reduce hijacking risks.
The Minister for Transport, through Dr Lam Pin Min, announced a six-month trial starting early 2018 on 16 buses to test impact-resistant screens.
The trial will assess if the screens protect captains without hindering duties and will gather feedback from commuters and staff.
Previous implementations elsewhere caused complaints about screen glare, which the trial aims to address.

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7 Nov 2017

Allowing Ambulances to Run Red Lights in Emergencies

The Ministry of Home Affairs does not currently have a law allowing ambulances to run red lights but grants SCDF officers discretion to do so in life-threatening emergencies, with safety procedures like sounding sirens and assessing traffic before proceeding.
MHA is working to exempt SCDF ambulances from laws prohibiting red-light running and unauthorized U-turns, similar to practices in some foreign jurisdictions, to avoid the need for case-by-case appeals.
MHA plans to update the Highway Code and use public awareness campaigns to encourage motorists to give way to emergency vehicles, with penalties including demerit points and fines for non-compliance.
The review will also cover other emergency vehicles like police and fire engines to ensure comprehensive response protocols.

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7 Nov 2017

Investigations into MRT Tunnel Flooding on North-South Line

Multiple MPs raised questions about the root cause of the 7 October 2017 MRT tunnel flooding between Bishan and Braddell, including the status of pump inspections, maintenance schedules, and the effectiveness of flood mitigation measures.
Concerns were expressed about systemic issues, such as LTA's oversight of operator maintenance, the transfer and auditing of operating assets, and the presence of "deep-seated cultural issues" affecting SMRT's reliability.
The Minister for Transport indicated he would address all questions through a later Ministerial Statement, inviting clarifications thereafter.

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