S Iswaran
Singapore
“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has incorporated the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 regulation in its Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Air) Regulations 2022. The Regulations are applicable to Singapore-registered ships and all other ships while they are in Singapore waters.”
“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) plans to progressively roll out the charging infrastructure for electric harbour craft operations in the Port of Singapore from 2025.”
“Since 2018, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has imposed minimum bicycle parking provisions covering different types of developments. The requirements are determined by multiple factors, including the developments’ use, location and gross floor area (GFA).”
“I had addressed similar Parliamentary Questions by Mr Gerald Giam on 29 November 2022 and 10 January 2023, as well as in my Ministerial Statement on 8 May 2023. The Member can refer to these past answers and statement as there has been no material change in the allocation of Certificates of Entitlement.”
“To encourage the uptake of electric cars, the Government has rolled out the Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive and enhanced Vehicular Emissions Scheme. When taken together, it provides up to $45,000 off the Additional Registration Fee of an electric car upon registration.”
“The Land Transport Authority studies all potential changes to the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system carefully, including conducting sensitivity analysis where appropriate.”
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“To date, LTA has installed Red Amber Green (RAG) arrows at 798 traffic junctions to replace discretionary right turns with a higher chance of conflict. By 1Q2024, there will be RAG arrows at 1,200 junctions. Based on a sample of traffic junctions where RAG arrows have been implemented, LTA has observed about a 40% reduction in accidents involving right turns after RAG arrows are installed. LTA has also installed other features to enhance the safety of our roads. These include additional road markings, lighted road studs, integrated pedestrian countdown timers and signages. In areas with a higher concentration of seniors, LTA comprehensively redesigns the roads to create Silver Zones. These zones have reduced speed limits and traffic calming measures, such as narrower and meandering lanes, road markings, raised crossings and speed humps. To date, LTA has completed 24 Silver Zones and will complete a further 26 by 2025. The Silver Zones have proven effective in reducing the accident rate among senior pedestrians by about 80%. Beyond infrastructural improvements, LTA also works with Traffic Police and Singapore Road Safety Council on educational programmes to promote road safety awareness and encourage responsible practices among all road users.”
“Vehicles brought in specifically to support Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) events do not require a COE. If these vehicles are sold to private buyers after the event, the buyers would need to secure a COE and pay the relevant vehicle taxes. Such vehicles contribute to a very small proportion of vehicles registered every year. It would be impractical to limit the vehicle to any single use and to create an exception or a separate COE category just for that purpose. Doing so would proliferate COE categories, each with a small supply and greater volatility. It would also require more rules and enforcement, which will complicate the COE system and increase compliance burden.”
“MOT and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) are working with other Government agencies to develop safety regulatory requirements for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flights in Singapore. This includes aircraft certification standards, operational regulations, and assessment of flight routes and other potential security considerations. In particular, the eVTOL aircraft and its operations have to be certified to a safety level similar to that of commercial air transport today. In developing this framework, CAAS is also working closely with leading regulators, like the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry, to ensure that industry practices and our safety regulatory framework are robust, and above all, safeguard aviation and public safety.”
“The Government's regulatory approach is to facilitate an open, safe and contestable Point-to-Point (P2P) market in the transport sector. There is no regulatory limit on the number of ride-hailing platforms that can operate in Singapore. P2P operators with more than 800 vehicles are required to be licensed and all operators must comply with safety-related regulations. They then compete to meet different types of demand with attractive fare structures. Our regulations focus on ensuring the safety of P2P drivers and commuters, and that fares are transparent and clearly communicated to commuters. The Government does not intervene in the setting of fares, but requires operators to state and publish all fares clearly, including any additional charges to be levied. Licensed ride-hail operators must also give commuters sufficient notice by announcing any changes in schemes and fees to the public at least seven days ahead of implementation. Grab's move to shorten its waiting and cancellation grace periods before charging penalty fees – which was announced seven days prior to implementation, as required – is its own commercial decision and may differ from that of other P2P operators.”
“Bicycle-sharing operators are subject to a licensing regime to ensure that their services do not result in public disamenities. They are required to integrate LTA's QR code parking system with their mobile applications and to impose an additional fee of $5 on users who do not park within the designated areas. New bicycle-sharing operators are subjected to a "sandbox licence" regime where they are only allowed to operate up to 1,000 bicycles. Users who repeatedly park improperly are also banned from hiring shared bicycles for a period. Since the introduction of these measures in 2019, indiscriminate parking has declined, with more than 90% of shared bicycle users ending their trips at designated parking areas. On 1 July 2022, LTA awarded a sandbox licence to HelloRide to provide a fleet of up to 1,000 bicycles for one year. They were required to submit, as part of their application, plans to devote resources and set up systems to monitor their fleet and remove indiscriminately parked bicycles within a given timeframe. LTA will monitor their operations and assess their track record in managing indiscriminate parking, among other factors, before they are allowed to obtain a full licence. We will also continue to provide more bicycle parking to cater to a growing number of cyclists. Since 2019, LTA and other agencies have added about 40,000 new bicycle parking lots, and now, have over 246,000 lots across the island. With all these measures in place, we hope that all users will play their part and park their bicycles in a responsible manner.”
“Madam, I thank the Member for his question. As I said, it is difficult to set the target at this stage of our recovery for the total volume of passengers that can come in. The reason is simply because the source markets are at different stages of managing the recovery from COVID-19. Key markets like China, Japan and Northeast Asia in general, are still working their way through and we are not sure when exactly and how exactly they will make further changes. With that in mind, having set an initial 50% target which has been well and truly met and exceeded, our focus now is to prepare our aviation ecosystem and Changi Airport in particular, for a potential volume of about 70 million, which is at about the level that it was pre-COVID-19. And it is about 80% or so of the pre-COVID-19 capacity of Changi Airport. That, in itself, is no mean feat. What it means is we have to now further ramp up manpower. As I have shared with Members before, we have had an attrition of about one-third of the workforce in the aviation ecosystem over the course of COVID-19. Recovering from that, not just in terms of recruitment but in terms of making sure that the manpower is operationally ready, is a major challenge. One only has to consider the experience in many other airports around the world to appreciate the enormity of the task. So, our focus, in response to the Member's question, is to ramp up capacity and as part of that effort, reopen Terminal 4, and also have both departure and arrival operations in the southern part of Terminal 2 and all of these to be fully executed by October, so that we are prepared for the year-end peak travel season. 3.00 pm”
“This will enable the airport to handle up to pre-COVID-19 passenger traffic levels, or about 70 million passengers per annum, which represents about 80% of Changi Airport's pre-COVID-19 capacity. To support this ramp up in capacity, our aviation stakeholders are also working hard to build up their manpower and restore the traveller experience that Changi Airport is renowned for. With the efforts and support of the entire aviation community and our partners, we will be ready to welcome more passengers and airlines back to Singapore, and ultimately, restore Changi Airport's position as a pre-eminent global air hub.”
“As of the first week of July 2022, weekly passenger traffic at Changi Airport had recovered to about 55% of 2019's average weekly levels. This is on the back of weekly passenger services by airlines recovering to more than 50% of pre-COVID-19 levels. Changi Airport is also connected to 108 cities by passenger flights as of July 2022, which is more than 65% of the number of cities it was connected to before the pandemic. The pattern of recovery across the world has been uneven. Air hubs in regions such as Europe, North America and the Middle East, which reopened their borders earlier, have seen a faster recovery. International passenger traffic at the Middle Eastern air hubs of Dubai, Doha and Istanbul had recovered to more than 90% of their pre-COVID-19 levels even before June 2022. The connectivity at these hubs, in terms of international city links, is also at 90% or more of pre-COVID-19 levels as of June 2022. Within the Asia Pacific region, Changi Airport is leading the recovery. As of June 2022, compared to the major Asia Pacific air hubs, such as Incheon, Hong Kong and Bangkok, Changi Airport is ahead in terms of both international passenger traffic and city links vis-a-vis pre-COVID-19 levels. Demand for air travel remains fundamentally strong. We expect the recovery at Changi Airport to continue and to gather pace when key markets in Northeast Asia, including Mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, fully reopen their borders. To ensure that Changi Airport will be ready to manage the anticipated traveller flows, the Changi Airport Group has announced that it will reopen Terminal 4 from 13 September and commence departure operations in the southern wing of Terminal 2 from October.”
“Madam, may I take Question Nos 15 and 16 together?”
“The Land Transport Authority (LTA) works with our public transport operators and social service agencies to improve the accessibility of our infrastructure and enhance navigation for commuters with diverse needs. Apart from the NaviLens trial led by SMRT, which uses an app to provide audio navigational information when activated, LTA has implemented other systems to help commuters with visual impairment. Since 2018, all new public buses have been fitted with the Passenger Information Display System that includes audio announcements to inform passengers about the next bus stop. Tactile ground surface indicators have also been installed at all train stations and all new bus interchanges since 2014 to facilitate wayfinding. For existing bus interchanges, tactile ground surface indicators will be progressively implemented. In addition, LTA has installed Braille signages at railings at boarding areas of all new bus interchanges since 2019 and will progressively install Braille signages at other commuter facilities such as accessible washrooms for all new and existing bus interchanges. To complement the above measures, LTA and the Police Transport Council (PTC) have been working with public transport operators to promote a more inclusive and caring commuting culture in our public transport system through the Caring SG Commuters Committee. For example, through the Caring Commuter Champion initiative, we are growing a group of volunteers trained to assist commuters with mobility needs during their daily commute. The Committee will continue to work with relevant stakeholders such as schools and social service agencies to foster a more inclusive commuting experience.”
“All vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs), are subject to stringent internationally benchmarked safety standards such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulations before they are approved for use. All EV charging systems in Singapore must also be compliant with our national charging standard, Technical Reference 25, before they can be installed. These standards provide assurance that both vehicles and chargers are compliant with the requisite safety standards. As of end-July 2022, we have not had any EV-related fires in Singapore which arose from normal operation. I agree with the Member that it is important that our emergency responders know how to handle EV-related fires safely. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has already been trained to handle such fires if they arise. The Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) recovery crew, who assist in the removal of damaged vehicles from our expressways, have also been trained to handle damaged EVs. It is also important for members of the public to know how to respond to incidents should the need arise, such as before the SCDF’s arrival onsite. The 9th Edition of the Civil Defence Emergency Handbook updated in 2021 incorporates guidelines on handling EV-related fires, and we encourage EV owners to familiarise themselves with the guidelines. The EV industry is nascent and EV technology continues to evolve. We will continue to monitor developments both locally and overseas to allow us to formulate effective safety protocols in addressing key risks and review our requirements and training regularly to ensure their relevance and effectiveness.”
“Since 2013, LTA has installed 21.5 kilometres of noise barriers along MRT viaducts, covering 45 locations. Works are ongoing to install a further 5.5 kilometres of noise barriers. These noise barriers have been effective in reducing train noise by five to 10 decibels (dBA), which is similar to halving of sound volume. In a recent Straits Times' article published on 18 July 2022, residents who live near train tracks shared that there was a perceptible reduction in noise from passing trains after the installation of the noise barriers. Apart from noise barriers, LTA also works with the train operators and industry to further reduce train noise in other ways. Operators frequently monitor noise levels near residential buildings, and service train tracks and wheels to minimise noise generated. For above-ground rail lines, ballast and concrete sleepers are used to better absorb vibration and noise. LTA is also fitting noise-dampening wheels on new trains, such as those for the upcoming Jurong Region Line.”
“LTA collects information on passenger pick-up bays located at MRT/ LRT stations and commercial sites, including retail malls and office buildings. This information is publicly available on LTA DataMall.”
“Vehicle rental rates are part of commercial agreements between vehicle rental companies and drivers. The Land Transport Authority does not set guidelines on such terms and rates, which are commercially determined. To remain competitive, vehicle rental companies may offer different packages and contracts, which cater to the different needs and preferences of drivers.”
“The key objective of LTA's covered linkway programme is to connect large numbers of commuters from major public transport nodes to key amenities such as schools and polyclinics, in a manner that is fiscally prudent. Covered linkways are provided within a 400-metre radius of major transport nodes, which includes MRT and LRT stations and bus interchanges. There are no plans to expand the current criteria of the programme, as our priority is to stretch our limited financial resources to cover more locations and benefit more commuters who travel within 400 metres of these transport nodes.”
“There are many competing uses for land in land-scarce Singapore. While we have been expanding and building new expressways over the years, these are heavily utilised. So, it is not practical for every vehicle type to have its own lane. That said, we share the concern over the safety of riders. That is why our Government agencies work closely together and take a holistic approach to improve road safety. The Land Transport Authority (LTA), Traffic Police (TP), and the Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC) have various outreach activities to engage key stakeholder groups annually. This includes the Singapore Road Safety Month, and the Ride Safe Campaign, which encourage all road users to do their part in making our roads safe, and motorcyclists to practise safe riding habits. Last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also enhanced the safety requirements for motorcycle helmets by increasing penalties for sellers who import or sell non-approved helmets. Nevertheless, we recognise that motorcyclists remain over-represented in road traffic accidents. We will continue to work on various initiatives and measures to enhance and promote road safety for motorcyclists, as well as other road users.”
“Since January 2020, the number of active taxi and private hire car (PHC) drivers has fallen by 18% to about 57,000 drivers as of June 2022, in response to lower demand for point-to-point (P2P) transport during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was despite the Government setting aside more than $530 million for P2P support measures such as the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund and the Special Relief Fund. Demand for P2P services has picked up sharply after community safe management measures were eased in March and April 2022, including the reopening of international borders and the return of all employees to workplaces. Daily P2P trips have increased by 30,000 in June 2022 compared to February 2022. However, the number of P2P drivers has not increased as rapidly as demand and this has resulted in fare surges and booking difficulties. Like other sectors, the P2P sector will require time to adjust to the surge in demand after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. We are seeing signs that the market is responding. Vocational Licence applications have increased recently, and some drivers who left the P2P sector may progressively return in response to the higher demand. These will boost the supply of P2P drivers in the upcoming months. Carpool trips are incidental and non-commercial in nature, and this remains the case today. As private car owners typically take two trips a day – to and from home, the current regulatory regime allows private car owners to charge at cost-recovery basis for up to two trips a day. We have no plans to change this limit as existing avenues, such as the P2P framework, are in place for drivers to provide ride sharing services which are commercial in nature.”
“LTA also carries out regular enforcement operations to take errant users to task. Ultimately, cycling paths are shared spaces that benefit all. I urge all path users to play their part in behaving responsibly and graciously. With collective ownership and responsibility, our shared spaces will be safe for everybody.”
“The Land Transport Authority (LTA) enhances safety for path users on our cycling paths through various initiatives, ranging from infrastructure, public education and enforcement. Cycling paths are designed to provide a safe and convenient way of commuting. The paths are wider than footpaths, with visual cues such as the distinctive red coating and clear path markings, to demarcate boundaries. For better visibility at night, lights are provided at cycling paths, in addition to existing street lights. At key intersections such as bus stops, traffic light junctions and exit points of residential developments, there are additional safety features. Cycling paths have speed regulating strips and safety markings to remind and slow down cyclists when they approach bus stops. Where space permits, these paths are routed behind the bus stops to segregate path users from commuters at the bus stops. At traffic junctions, there are advisory signs for users to look out for each other and crossings have been widened to provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the junction safely. For residential areas, LTA works closely with the management of developments and the community to develop mitigating measures such as D-markings, spring-loaded posts and ground markings to alert residents of potential oncoming path users at areas such as property gates and corners with poor visibility. LTA also works with the developments’ management on other initiatives such as putting up notices within the development’s premises to alert pedestrians to look out for path users when exiting. Beyond infrastructure, we promote the awareness of path users on safe riding practices through regular campaigns and programmes such as Confidence on Wheels Programme.”
“Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles were introduced in Singapore in 2002. The number of CNG vehicles peaked around 2010, with around 2,700 cars and 2,800 taxis. The experience with CNG vehicles highlighted the importance for technology, markets, infrastructure and regulations to develop in tandem, to provide assurance to consumers and businesses and facilitate adoption. In our move towards electric vehicles (EVs), we are making important moves in all these areas. With the global automotive industry making a clear shift towards EVs, we are significantly ramping up charging infrastructure nationwide. We will be putting in place legislation to regulate and ensure safe, reliable and accessible EV charging. Public transport vehicles are a key part of the transition. LTA will electrify half of our public bus fleet by 2030 and achieve a 100% cleaner energy public bus fleet by 2040. While encouraging adoption of electric vehicles, LTA continues to monitor developments in other cleaner energy alternatives that can support our plans for a more sustainable land transport sector. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles may have a role in decarbonising vehicle segments that require higher power and mileage. However, hydrogen fuel cell technology and its broader ecosystem will need to mature in areas, such as vehicle efficiency, cost, availability of vehicle models and supporting infrastructure.”
“As of May 2022, we have around 5,800 public buses with an average fleet age of eight years. About 3% of them are kept at the depots to serve as an operational reserve.”
“The timeline for the deployment of AVs in Singapore is dependent on the progress of AV technology in meeting safety standards and gaining public acceptance, within our local context. Globally, AV companies are still conducting early trials and developing the technology for the diverse range of environments in different cities, including Singapore. The technology is not ready for large-scale city-wide deployment. Our approach to AV deployment will be gradual and inclusive. We will ensure that AVs meet the necessary safety standards to pave the way for public acceptance. In tandem, the relevant agencies will plan and develop the associated infrastructure, as well as the legislative and regulatory framework to support AV deployment, in close partnership with industry players and technical experts.”
“For feeder services, the average weekday peak hour passenger load increased from 39% in January this year to 44% in mid-June, while trunk services rose from 43% to 50% over the same period. LTA will work with bus operators to add bus capacity when there is sustained high passenger loading of more than 80% to 85% of capacity over the heaviest one-hour period.”
“The Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensure sufficient safeguards to protect the health of travellers and our aviation workers. To mitigate the risk of infections on flights, the cabin air filtration systems on aircraft are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, which are very effective at trapping microscopic particles as small as bacteria and viruses. All travellers over age six are also required to wear a mask except when eating or drinking, or if prescribed medical and safety exemptions apply. All inbound travellers are required to submit a health declaration before immigration clearance. Unwell travellers will be referred to the Health Screening Station for further assessment on arrival. There is also Health Alert information provided to travellers to raise awareness of the monkeypox outbreak and encourage precautionary measures; these include maintaining a high standard of personal hygiene, avoiding direct contact with skin lesions of infected living or dead persons or animals, and avoiding contact with wild animals and consumption of bush meat. All frontline airport workers interacting with passengers are required to wear a surgical mask. Workers in a high risk environment, such as when interacting with symptomatic travellers, don additional personal protective equipment (PPE). Airport workers have been reminded to be vigilant and there are procedures in place to perform contact tracing if an infected case is detected. We will continue to work closely with MOH to monitor the evolving public health situation and review our measures at Changi Airport and Seletar Airport where necessary.”
“Ensuring that our public transport is inclusive and accessible for all commuters, including seniors, is one of the key thrusts of the Land Transport Masterplan 2040. To this end, we have been expanding our rail and bus network and have also been introducing enhancements such as lifts at pedestrian overhead bridges to make it easier for seniors to access transportation options. However, this has to be done in a financially sustainable manner while balancing other national needs including the healthcare needs of an ageing population. Residents of private estates can access public bus services along the main roads in their vicinity. In addition, LTA is open to collaborating with private bus operators and the community to serve residents in private estates, subject to commercial assessment of such an arrangement. This is in view that private operators have a role to play as they operate with different fleets that are more navigable in private estates, such as smaller buses, whether on a fixed route or on demand basis. As for the trialling of autonomous vehicles, these are still in very early stages, and we must ascertain that the technology is ready and safe before deployment.”
“Under stage 3 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), 11 stations are slated to commence passenger service in 2H 2022. This will connect residents in the north directly to many destinations in the city and significantly shorten travel times. The RTS Link project is progressing well and on track for service commencement by end 2026. When the RTS Link service commences, it will ease congestion along the Causeway and make cross-border travel between the two countries more convenient and efficient.”
“With the relaxation of workplace and safe management measures, ridership on public transport has increased but remains lower than pre-COVID levels in January 2020. In the week of 20 to 24 June 2022, morning peak ridership on public transport reached 70% of pre-COVID levels, while the whole-day average ridership was about 74% of pre-COVID levels. LTA works closely with the Public Transport Operators (PTOs) to align service capacity to ridership changes. We will continue to monitor the ridership levels closely to ensure that the capacity on public transport services remains adequate.”
“LTA monitors the performance of our bus operators against the standards stipulated under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM). Under BCM, basic bus services have scheduled headways of 15 minutes or less during the morning and evening peak periods. At least half of these services are required to have scheduled headways of 10 minutes or less. Feeder services run at shorter intervals, with scheduled headways of no more than eight minutes during peak periods. In the last six months, bus operators have adhered to the standards set by LTA.”
“MPA is also supporting trials with industry partners to facilitate the development of biofuels for ocean-going ships. MPA and 14 private sector partners have established the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation to help the maritime industry reduce its carbon emissions by shaping standards, piloting green fuels for international shipping and deploying technologies, such as shipboard carbon capture, storage and utilisation.”
“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) tracks vessel arrivals, bunkering operations and bunker sale volumes as indicators of our bunkering hub's competitiveness. The number of ships that called at the Port of Singapore for refuelling decreased by 13% from 10,294 in the first quarter of 2021 to 8,940 in the first quarter of 2022; and the total bunker sale volumes decreased by 12% from 12.8 million tonnes to 11.3 million tonnes. Based on industry feedback, this decline is driven by two factors: higher crude oil prices globally which reduce overall bunker demand; and congestion at other ports around the world due to supply chain delays. Congestion at overseas ports results in ships burning fuel while waiting to load or unload cargo. Some ships have decided to refuel while they wait at these upstream ports. They either choose not to refuel at Singapore or end up purchasing less fuel when they, subsequently, call at the Port of Singapore. To keep Singapore competitive as a global bunkering hub, we will continue to enhance the efficiency and reliability of our bunkering operations while preparing the marine fuels sector for a multi-fuel bunkering transition. MPA has provided close to S$3 million in funding for eight projects to accelerate the development of secured digital and automated workflows for bunkering document submissions, regulatory reporting and bunkering data transmission and to optimise terminal and bunker craft scheduling and utilisation. We are also preparing the Port of Singapore for a multi-fuel transition to remain future-ready as the shipping industry invests in new technology to lower its carbon emissions. We started the supply of Liquified Natural Gas bunker from truck-to-ship in 2017 and from ship-to-ship in 2021.”
“As of 31 March 2022, one autonomous vehicle (AV) has passed LTA's Milestone 2 test. The Milestone 3 test is being developed by LTA. LTA will continue to shape the Milestone 3 requirements, in tandem with AV technology development, to ensure that roadworthiness and safety are not compromised.”
“MOT, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and other Government agencies are working closely with the Changi Airport Group and other aviation stakeholders to ensure that Changi Airport operates smoothly and safely, amidst the growth in travel demand. The air transport sector lost nearly a third of its workforce during COVID-19. Over the past few months, key stakeholders have ramped up recruitment efforts, recalling experienced workers and hiring new workers to replace those who left. The Government had earlier announced a $500 million "OneAviation Resilience Package" in the 2022/2023 financial year, which includes $60 million for manpower support. To ensure that we uphold high safety standards given the higher flight volumes, CAAS has also stepped up safety oversight activities to ensure that flights operate safely.”
“Under the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules, cycling groups riding on roads are required to limit their group size to a maximum length of five bicycles and two abreast. This means a maximum group size of five cyclists if riding in single file, or 10 cyclists if riding two abreast on roads where they are permitted to do so, such as those which have two or more lanes in the same direction. Larger cycling groups are required to organise themselves, such that they adhere to these requirements when riding on roads. These groups are encouraged to maintain a minimum safe distance of approximately two lamp posts or 30 metres, between groups. Cyclists who flout the rule on cycling group size are liable for maximum penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and a three-month jail term.”
“The public sector is taking the lead on environmental sustainability under the GreenGov.SG initiative. All new cars procured and registered by public sector agencies from 2023 onwards will run on cleaner energy with zero tailpipe emissions. Other vehicles procured from 2023 onwards would also run on cleaner energy. This can include other options beyond EVs, such as hybrids, depending on the availability of vehicle models in the market that meet the operational requirements of the respective agencies. With regard to the scenario of a large-scale blackout or disruption, Singapore's power system is one of the most reliable in the world. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) and SP PowerGrid (SPPG) have contingency plans in place to restore electricity supply expeditiously in the event of power outages. In addition, essential services have their own contingency plans to ensure that they are not affected by power outages, such as deploying mobile power generators to provide temporary power supply.”
“LTA launched a tender last month to deploy up to 12 electric vehicle (EV) charging points in nearly 2,000 HDB carparks. With this, up to an additional 12,000 charging points will be deployed by 2025, subject to demand. Beyond HDB carparks, we have also launched the EV Common Charger Grant to encourage more non-landed private residences to install charging points. All these efforts contribute towards our target to have 60,000 EV charging points in Singapore by 2030, which will be adequate to meet projected EV charging demand. LTA will monitor adoption patterns and deploy more charging points where demand is stronger. Overall, slow charging places a much lower burden on electrical infrastructure, which, in turn, reduces the cost of charging for everyone. We are working with EV charging operators to optimise available charging infrastructure, such that drivers are able to slow-charge their EVs overnight at their usual carparks. At the same time, we recognise that fast EV charging points can complement the slow charging network by serving high-mileage vehicle segments, like taxis and commercial fleets, as well as EV users with urgent charging needs. EV charging operators have already started deploying fast charging points at many locations, including offices, retail malls and petrol stations, and we expect more to be deployed in the coming years. We are also studying options for the deployment of fast charging points near neighbourhood town centres and food centres.”
“The companies have also cooperated fully with MPA's investigations. MPA has since included COCs into the list of chemicals to be tested as part of its testing regime. It is discussing with the industry and the relevant international and professional bodies to establish a list of chemicals to be tested and their corresponding concentration limits. Prior to this incident, the only reported incident of contaminated bunker fuel in Singapore in the last decade was in 2018. MPA received complaints from four vessels regarding contaminated fuel bunkered in Singapore. The nature of the two incidents is different. The contaminants, then, were not COCs, and the number of vessels affected was far fewer. MPA found that the bunker suppliers involved in the 2018 incident had exercised reasonable due diligence in ensuring that the fuels they had supplied met ISO 8217 requirements. Trust is critical to our competitiveness as a bunkering hub and MPA will continue to work hard to maintain the trust of our partners. While it is not possible to completely prevent such incidents from happening, especially in cases when the source of contamination occurs overseas, we will do our best to uphold high standards and testing requirements in Singapore, and to be open and transparent in our investigations and followup actions when we encounter such incidents.”
“The Singapore Standard requires that the quality of bunker supplied to vessels must conform to the international standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The ISO 8217 on "Petroleum Products – Fuels (class F) – Specifications of Marine Fuels" is the relevant international standard that was developed together with industry stakeholders and national standards bodies. MPA monitors the compliance with these requirements through regular testing of fuels. More than 1,300 bunker samples are tested annually. In this incident, Glencore and PetroChina had tested and confirmed that the fuel met the ISO 8217 requirements. Glencore had also performed additional chemical testing on the fuel based on the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7845 standard. However, Glencore and PetroChina did not test the fuel for COCs, as both the ISO 8217 and ASTM D7845 standards did not require testing for COCs. This is because COCs, which do not occur naturally in crude oil, are, generally, of higher value in their pure form than bunker fuel. Hence, it is not common for COCs to be found in bunker fuel. While ISO 8217 states that the fuel shall be free from any material at a concentration that causes the fuel to be unacceptable for use, it also states that identifying and determining the concentration of a material that causes the fuel to be unacceptable for use can be difficult and that it is not practical to require detailed chemical analysis for each delivery of fuels beyond the characteristics and limits specified in ISO 8217. Once they knew about the problem, Glencore and PetroChina had promptly taken the necessary steps to stop further supply of the affected fuel oil.”
“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was notified on 14 March 2022 that some ships had been supplied with bunker fuel containing high concentration levels of Chlorinated Organic Compounds, or COCs, in the Port of Singapore. This is the first case of fuel contamination, due to high concentration levels of COCs reported in Singapore in the past two decades. MPA has released an update on the status of its ongoing investigations on 5 May 2022. The COCs were traced to fuel originally purchased overseas by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd (Glencore) in January and February 2022 through Straits Pinnacle Pte Ltd (Straits Pinnacle), who had contracted with cargo trader Unicious Energy Pte Ltd (Unicious) for the supply of the fuel. The fuel had been loaded onto a tanker at the Port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and shipped to floating storage facilities in Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia to be further blended. Glencore blended the fuel and sold part of the affected fuel to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd (PetroChina), another bunker supplier. Glencore and PetroChina, which are both licensed by MPA, supplied the affected fuel to about 200 ships in the Port of Singapore, of which 81 ships, to date, have reported problems with their fuel pumps and engines. MPA has a robust regulatory framework for bunkering. Every licensed bunker supplier must comply with the "Specification for Quality Management for Bunker Supply Chain" Singapore Standard, which covers the management system for the bunker supply chain from product procurement to delivery.”
“Bunker sale volumes have declined by 12% from 12.8 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2021 to 11.3 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2022. Based on industry feedback, this decline is driven by two factors: higher crude oil prices globally, which reduce overall bunker demand and congestion at other ports around the world, due to supply chain delays. Congestion at overseas ports results in ships burning fuel while waiting to load or unload cargo. Some ships have decided to refuel while they wait at these upstream ports. They either choose not to refuel at Singapore or end up purchasing less fuel when they, subsequently, call at the Port of Singapore.”
“Heavy vehicles, typically, ply roads that are specifically planned to serve industrial areas to keep industrial traffic away from residential estates. Where we cannot avoid heavy vehicles accessing residential roads, for instance, to access construction sites within residential estates, LTA requires contractors to deploy traffic marshals for road works under appropriate conditions. This includes situations where road works affect traffic junctions or result in a shared right of way, for example, when a bi-directional road is made to share a single lane; this is, usually, where roads are narrow with one lane in each direction. To further mitigate congestion caused by heavy vehicles for road works, lane closures are only allowed during off-peak hours.”
“LTA and EDB are negotiating with shortlisted consortia following their submissions for the pilot deployment of Autonomous Vehicle (AVs) under a Call-for-Collaboration (CFC). Upon award, the successful consortia will need time to develop the technology and prepare for the pilot deployment at the shortlisted location(s) – to ensure public safety and minimise risks. LTA and the selected consortia will also engage the local community leaders before finalising any deployment.”
“LTA has consulted the industry and academia on various proposals, including strengthening the floorboard of the lorries’ carriage deck for seat belts. The original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) shared that the retrofitting of seats, seat belts and reinforcements required for the floorboards may compromise the structural integrity of the lorry. In addition, the vehicle’s dynamics will be altered and this can affect the lorry’s stability when turning. These create new safety risks. There are also liability issues as the OEMs do not support and vouch for the safety of such lorries retrofitted with seatbelts. These findings are consistent with those from the previous tripartite review in 2008 on lorry transportation that retrofitting seat belts in the rear decks of lorries could result in other safety risks.”
“Private hire car (PHC) rental costs have not increased despite higher Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums as the ownership costs of cars already in service remain unchanged. The Government does not regulate PHC fares or rental costs, which are determined by dynamic market forces. This allows demand and supply for PHC services and rentals to be matched efficiently based on prevailing market conditions, while spurring service improvements and price competitiveness. Similarly, the COE is market-based, where premiums are determined by market forces of supply and demand. LTA has no plans to review the COE rules which, in general, discourage speculative bidding. For example, Category A and B COEs for cars are non-transferable. Only the successful bidder can use the temporary COE (TCOE) to register a vehicle. Further, a deposit of $10,000 will need to be placed when bidding. This bid deposit is forfeited if the temporary COE (TCOE) is not used for registration within the validity period. LTA will continue to monitor the situation on the ground closely.”
“Heavy vehicles typically use roads that serve industrial areas and would, generally, keep away from residential areas. However, school buses, refuse trucks and goods delivery vehicles still need to ply roads in residential areas to serve residents’ needs. There are also occasions when heavy vehicles use residential roads to access construction sites. In such instances, LTA works with the relevant agencies and contractors to determine the appropriate routes and put in place measures, such as warning signs and impose conditions, such as reducing the speed limit, to mitigate traffic impact and safety risks. LTA also requires contractors to deploy traffic marshals where road works result in a shared right of way, for example, when a bi-directional road is made to share a single lane, or when they affect traffic junctions. To further enhance the safety of young children and elderly persons near schools and in residential areas with more senior citizens, LTA has introduced School Zones and Silver Zones. Measures adopted in these zones include a reduced speed limit of either 30 kilometres per hour or 40 kilometres per hour, and the construction of speed humps and traffic calming markings to slow down vehicles.”
“LTA also conducts regular joint operations with the Traffic Police on roads and the National Parks Board on paths. Increasingly, we are also augmenting our enforcement capabilities with technology, such as CCTVs, and through public feedback using our MyTransport app. However, enforcement cannot be the only solution. Everyone must play their part in behaving responsibly and graciously, as well as encourage their family members and friends to do so, on our shared roads and paths.”
“In 2021, over 5,000 notices were issued to errant riders for various offences on public paths and roads, such as speeding, reckless riding and riding at locations where they are disallowed. For example, Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) are disallowed on roads. This works out to an average of about 420 notices a month. Since enforcement of the mandatory theory test commenced in January 2022, an average of about 350 notices were issued to errant riders for various offences for the months of January and February. However, given the impact on enforcement resources over the past two years due to the pandemic, these numbers are not conclusive that the number of errant riders has decreased due to the mandatory theory test. LTA will continue to monitor closely to assess the impact more accurately. LTA has implemented various initiatives to encourage Power Assisted Bicycle (PAB) and e-scooter riders to take and pass the mandatory theory test, such as providing a discounted test fee from June to December 2021; providing materials to help riders prepare for the test; and working with NTUC, food delivery companies and interest groups to raise awareness and ensure riders obtain the theory test certification. As of 15 March 2022, over 31,000 riders have passed the test, a significant number when viewed against the existing population of about 40,000 registered devices. About 120 notices have been issued for riding without valid theory test certification. Efforts to improve public education and enforcement go hand in hand. Both the Traffic Police and LTA carry out day and night operations to enforce across 9,500 lane-kilometres of roads and close to 6,000 kilometres of footpaths and cycling paths islandwide.”
“Over the past five years, popular lorry models sold in Singapore included the Toyota Dyna, Nissan Cabstar and Mitsubishi Canter. LTA does not collect information on insurance claims. LTA has engaged the industry and academia on various occasions, including most recently in December 2021, on proposals to enhance worker transportation safety on lorries, including strengthening the floorboard of the lorries' carriage deck for seat belts. The original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) shared that the retrofitting of seats, seat belts and reinforcements required for the floorboards may compromise the structural integrity of the lorry. In addition, the vehicle's dynamics will be altered and this can affect the lorry's stability when turning. These create new safety risks. There are also liability issues as the OEMs do not support and vouch for the safety of such lorries retrofitted with seatbelts. These findings are consistent with those from the previous tripartite review in 2008 on lorry transportation that retrofitting seat belts in the rear decks of lorries could result in other safety risks. Hence, as fitting seat belts in the rear of lorries could pose new risks, it is unclear that insurance premiums would be lower by doing so.”
“The provision of taxi and private hire car (PHC) services are determined by market forces. For instance, in the case of PHCs, platforms dynamically adjust the prices of rides in accordance with demand, with higher charges during peak periods to attract more drivers to take on additional assignments. The Government does not set targets for the number of taxis or PHCs. The business costs of driving a taxi or PHC mainly comprise: (a) vehicle rental; (b) commissions paid to platform operators; and (c) fuel costs. Typically, the bulk of the costs is rental, while fuel costs make up about 20% of total costs. Compared to the start of 2022, fuel expenditure has risen by 15% for a typical P2P driver who drives for a living. This translates to an increase of about 3% in the overall cost of business. To help offset the fuel expenditure increase incurred by the average P2P driver, P2P operators have made various moves to raise fares, such as increases to the base fare for PHCs and distance-time rate for taxis, which will be reviewed in end-May. Most taxi operators have also provided rental rebates to their drivers, while some PHC operators have offered commission rebates and/or other incentives. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with the National Taxi Association and the National Private Hire Vehicles Association to help drivers in this challenging period.”
“The utilisation rate for motorcycle temporary Certificates of Entitlement (TCOEs) secured from May 2021 to September 2021, which have all expired by end March 2022, is over 99%. This reflects strong and sustained demand for motorcycles. The majority of motorcycles registered using these TCOEs are for the mass-market. Motorcycles with engine capacity of 200 cubic centimetres (cc) and below account for about 70% of the registrations; those from 201 cc to 400 cc account for about 20%; and those above 400 cc account for about 10%. We understand the concerns over high motorcycle COE prices. LTA has been monitoring the market and, recently, introduced two changes to encourage more prudent bidding. First, the bid deposit for Category D COEs has been raised from $200 to $800. The bid deposit forms part of the overall price payable when the COE is used and will only be forfeited if the TCOE is not used to register a motorcycle before it expires. Second, the validity period of Category D TCOEs has been shortened from six to three months. The shortened validity period will allow unutilised COEs to be returned to the total pool more quickly to meet demand. These changes have been implemented from the second bidding exercise in March 2022. LTA will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
“As mentioned in Committee of Supply (COS) 2022, we will be accelerating our electric vehicle (EV) charging point deployment plans by making every HDB Town an EV-Ready Town by 2025. There will be at least three charging points deployed in each HDB carpark. At the national level, if there is sufficient demand, this tender will enable us to deploy up to an additional 12,000 EV charging points deployed across Singapore by 2025. By 2030, we target to increase this to 60,000 EV charging points. This will be sufficient to cater for up to half of our car population, at an EV to charging point ratio of 5:1. Beyond HDB carparks, we have also launched the EV Common Charger Grant (ECCG) to encourage more non-landed private residences to install charging points to benefit their residents. Overnight slow charging is likely to be the most common charging mode across Singapore, given its convenience to drivers and its much lower burden on electrical infrastructure. However, there is also a role for fast EV charging points, especially for certain segments of high mileage vehicles, such as taxis and commercial vehicle fleets. EV-charging operators and businesses have deployed around 420 EV fast-charging points islandwide at public carparks and private premises like private residences, offices, retail malls and petrol stations. We expect more will be deployed as EV adoption increases.”