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The mission of MOT is to develop Singapore’s land, sea and air transport sectors so as to enhance our economic competitiveness and the quality of life in a knowledge-based economy. A total budget of $2,184 million has been allocated to MOT in FY2007 to achieve this mission for the land and sea sectors. The air sector is self-funded.
MOT aims to achieve the following outcomes with the allocated budget:
- A quality, integrated and efficient land transport system; and
- A leading hub for sea transportation and a leading centre for international maritime activities.
A Quality, Integrated and Efficient Land Transport System
An effective and quality land transport system is integral to Singapore’s development, both economically and as a society. In FY2006, MOT spent $1,501 million on road and public transport infrastructure among other projects, to provide an affordable, efficient and effective transport system for all. We expect to spend another $1,574 million in FY2007 as part of our long term plans to improve our transport system to enhance Singapore’s liveability.
To achieve this outcome, we will be undertaking the following major initiatives:
- Make public transport a choice mode
- Optimise road network and enhance its accessibility
Make Public Transport a Choice Mode
Growing Our Rail Network
Daily public transport journeys grew by 3.66% from 3.14 million in FY05/06 to 3.25 million (from Apr 06 to Nov 06). $1,055 million will be used as part of the longer term plans to extend our rail network by another 30% to 179 km by 2012. These plans include:
- Downtown Extension (DTE) targeted to be completed by 2012.
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This 3.4-km extension is a key infrastructure to support the new Downtown at Marina Bay's development. Besides providing seamless travel to these areas, DTE will also be an essential transport link to the Central Business District (CBD) and other parts of Singapore through the interchange stations at Circle Line’s Promenade Station and North East Line’s Chinatown Station. |
- Boon Lay Extension (BLE) which is scheduled for completion in 2009.
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This fully-elevated 3.8-km extension of the East-West MRT line from the existing Boon Lay station westwards into the Jurong Industrial Estate (JIE) comprises two MRT stations. The BLE will serve the needs of the people working in the JIE and help to meet higher future travel demands with the expected intensification of the industrial and residential developments in the Jurong region. |
- Circle Line (CCL) which is scheduled to be opened from 2010 onwards.
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This 33.3-km line is the next major rail project after the North East Line. CCL will be a long orbital line that is fully underground and will link all radial lines leading to the city. CCL would offer inter-suburban linkages not provided by the existing MRT lines. Implemented in five stages, commuters can look forward to bypassing the city centre and cutting down on travelling time. |
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will also complete feasibility studies in the next few years for the 40-km Downtown Line, which will enhance connectivity across the island to the Marina Bay.
Enhancing Travel Experience for Commuters
The new Ang Mo Kio bus interchange will be completed. The bus interchange will be integrated with Singapore Labour Foundation Ang Mo Kio, NTUC Income and NTUC Fairprice’s retail mall.
Enhancing Security of Public Transport
We will be carrying out security enhancements (e.g. installation of closed-circuit TV systems) at MRT stations and on MRT trains.
Optimise Road Network and Enhance Its Accessibility
$362 million is set aside to further grow our road network and to introduce intelligent traffic management schemes to maximise the carrying capacity of our road system to keep traffic smooth-flowing. We have expanded the road network by 59 lane-km or a 0.7% increase in 2006 (as of Oct 2006). The following road development projects have been slated for completion in 2007:
- Opening of 1st phase of Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway in 2007.
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The 12-km-long KPE, which joins the East Coast Parkway (ECP) in the south and the Tampines Expressway (TPE) in the north, will provide a high-speed link between the North-east sector and the city when completed. Works started in 2001 and the 1st phase of the tunnel will open in 2007. |
- Completion of Interchange at Braddell Road / Thomson Road / Lornie Road in 4Q2007
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The project involves the expansion and widening of the existing MacRitchie Viaduct and construction of a pair of dual two-lane vehicular viaducts from Braddell Road to the widened MacRitchie Viaduct, including the widening of existing roads. When the project is completed, it will provide a direct link between Lornie Road and Braddell Road. The new viaduct will allow motorists to bypass two signalised traffic junctions at Braddell Road / Thomson Road / Lornie Road, thereby reducing waiting time. |
- LTA will also be conducting feasibility studies on the Marina Coastal Expressway, which is an extension of the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway southwards to the Marina Bay area to link up with the Ayer Rajah Expressway. This will help to enhance connectivity to the Marina Bay area.
An Accessible and Inclusive Transport System
- All existing MRT stations now have barrier-free facilities (except for Buona Vista and Bishan stations which will be upgraded with such facilities as part of CCL works). This includes installation of tactile guides and lifts to assist the elderly and disabled.
- At the same time, LTA will be looking into providing more covered linkways and covers to pedestrian overhead bridges to enhance connectivity to transport nodes.
- LTA will be conducting a trial from Dec 06 to extend walking time for the elderly and visually impaired at pedestrian crossing using RFID technology. RFID readers mounted on traffic light poles will detect the presence of elderly pedestrians issued with a RFID tag and activate the time extension. The trial is expected to last for 9 months.
A Leading Hub for Sea Transportation
Enhancing Singapore’s Position as a Premier Hub Port
$284 million will be spent to expand Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT) which presently has land for 26 berths. This expansion will eventually add land for another 16 berths at PPT. This increase in capacity to meet demand will allow our port to sustain long-term growth and maintain Singapore’s premier status as the world’s largest transshipment hub. Our port development will take into account industry trends and changing customer preferences such as the deployment of larger vessels.
 As at end of 2006, the Singapore port had 48 container berths with a total capacity of around 26 million TEUs. With the addition of new berths by our terminal operators, Singapore will be able to handle over 32 million TEUs by 2011.
Developing Singapore into a Leading International Maritime Centre
Various fiscal incentive schemes will be continued to attract more shipowners and operators to Singapore as well as encourage the growth of ship financing. We will also explore new initiatives to further grow the maritime cluster in Singapore and strengthen our value proposition as a one-stop maritime centre. Beyond the port, Singapore is in a good position to become a base for shipping and centre for maritime services.
The training and upgrading of maritime manpower and expertise, along with the introduction of new maritime courses, will also be facilitated to develop Singapore as a maritime education and training hub. Further efforts will also be made to support maritime research and development, promote Singapore as the choice location for maritime events and conferences, and attract international maritime organisations to establish offices in Singapore.
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