PAP MPs from the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport pushed for additional expenditure on new rail lines, and advocated for better support for rail workers this week during the Committee of Supply debates.
A world-class transport system requires both political stability and a strong financial position in order to continue developing: how can a country reasonably plan long-term projects like more MRT lines if their governments change constantly, and their budgets don’t balance?
PAP MPs from the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport asked detailed questions of the Minister for Transport during the Committee of Supply Debates (5 Mar).
Here are 4 key topics our GPC MPs covered — and how the Ministers responded:
West Coast’s Ang Wei Neng wants better transport for his residents
Source: Ang Wei Neng, Gan Thiam Poh/ Facebook
“I urge LTA [Land Transport Authority] to consider extending the JRL [Jurong Regional Line] to connect with the Circle Line and the upcoming Cross-Island Line as soon as possible,” said MP Ang Wei Neng (West Coast GRC).
This addition will improve connectivity and convenience for the residents in the western region, noted MP Ang.
His fellow GPC member, MP Gan Thiam Poh (Ang Mo Kio GRC) had a similar request for his residents.
“Many of my [Fernvale] residents are appealing to have an MRT station in the proximity of their homes. Will LTA consider new MRT lines?’ he asked.
The Jurong Region Line will indeed extend from Pandan Reservoir to connect with the Cross-Island Line at West Coast Station by the late 2030s, responded Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat to MP Ang.
Another extension by the early 2040s will connect West Coast Station with Kent Ridge Station on the Circle Line, reducing journey times to the city centre by 20 minutes.
Responding to MP Gan’s question, Minister Chee also announced that two new MRT lines are being considered.
The Tengah Line will serve west and northwest areas like Tengah, Bukit Batok, Queensway and Bukit Merah. The Seletar Line will serve the north and northeast – Woodlands, Sembawang, Sengkang, Serangoon, Whampoa, Kallang and the Greater Southern Waterfront.
Building these projects requires political stability, noted Minister Chee. “As well as a strong government, which can plan long-term and have the ability and resources to turn these plans into reality. Because the plans will span multiple terms of government.”
Supporting rail workers and keeping the rail reliable
Source: Poh Li San, Saktiandi Supaat. Melvin Yong / Facebook
“There will be new replacements of [rail] carriages coming in, and [there are] pressures rail workers put themselves though to adhere to top-of-class deliverables,” said GPC member MP Poh Li San (Sembawang GRC). “How will the Ministry work with tripartite partners to level up our workforce and strengthen rail reliability?”
GPC Chairperson MP Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) and Deputy Chairperson MP Melvin Yong (Radin Mas SMC) had similar questions.
“The Government intends to invest up to an additional $1 billion over the next five years to further strengthen our rail capabilities and scale up technology adoption,” answered Minister Chee.
“This will enhance the way we monitor and maintain our assets. The additional funding will also support skills upgrading for our workers to keep pace with these developments,” he added.
Protecting Singaporeans from inconsiderate fellow commuters
Source: Lim Biow Chuan, Gan Thiam Poh / Facebook
Meanwhile, GPC members MPs Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten SMC) and Gan Thiam Poh wanted to know what the Ministry could do about the everyday problem of inconsiderate public transport commuters.
“I take public transport regularly, and there are many occasions when I hear commuters speaking loudly on their mobile phones,” said MP Lim. “Sometimes. I also read of bus passengers behaving in an inconsiderate manner by putting up their legs on the bus seats.”
“How does LTA determine what level of volume is too loud to be acceptable, and what if a passenger insists on occupying another [additional] seat?” he asked.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Kheng gave a no-nonsense answer.
“In egregious cases, bus captains can instruct disruptive commuters to leave the bus or, if necessary, activate the police,” he said.
“By next year, our framework against inconsiderate behavior will be aligned across trains and buses,” he added. “Those who behave egregiously will face penalties commiserate with the severity of the impact on other commuters, with higher penalties for offenders.”
Keeping Singapore’s maritime competitiveness
Source: Yeo Wan Ling, Saktiandi Supaat / Facebook
The GPC also wanted to know what the Ministry will do in order to keep our maritime port thriving.
“It is critical that Singapore continues to build on its relevancy as an international hub for business and trade,” said MP Yeo Wan Ling (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC)
“Can the Ministry provide us with an update on the Tuas Port developments?” she asked, referring to the long-term upgrading of the existing facilities into the world’s largest fully-automated port.
“Eleven berths are operational, and seven more are scheduled to commence operations by 2027. When completed in the 2040s, Tuas Port will have more than 60 berths,” answered Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai.
The GPC continued looking at the bigger maritime picture for our tiny red dot.
“How is the Ministry ensuring that we continue to remain competitive amidst fierce competition in the region?” asked MP Saktiandi.
Technology like AI-processed Port Clearance Certificates for ships to streamline a three-day wait into a few minutes, and decarbonising into a bunkering hub for alternative fuels, responded MOS Murali.
“Finally, we will press on with talent development,” added MOS Murali. He cited how the Maritime Leadership Programme will expand its annual intake from 20 to 25 places in order to train more industry leaders, and how the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology System will train over 300 people in maritime vessel cybersecurity.
All these detailed questions to the Ministry – and all the detailed answers – do point to one important fact: that the MOT is vital to Singapore in multiple ways, and that the GPC’s questions are aimed at improving its function.
“The work is not just for this year, but also for many decades down the road,” said MP Saktiandi, summing up the MOT’s efforts overall. “All the staff, including LTA and [the Port of Singapore Authority] make sure that MOT works and Singapore is well taken care of.”
