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The mission of MOT is to strengthen Singapore’s transportation connectivity and to develop the transport sector's potential to advance our economic competitiveness and the quality of life in Singapore. A total budget of $5,394 million has been allocated to MOT in FY2009 to achieve this mission.
MOT aims to achieve the following outcomes:
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A people-centred land transport system;
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A leading hub for sea transportation and a leading centre for international maritime activities; and
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A leading hub for air transportation and a leading centre for international aviation activities
A People-Centred Land Transport System
A people-centred land transport system is integral to Singapore’s development, both economically and as a society. In FY2008, MOT spent $3,419 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 $4,239 million in FY2009 as part of our long-term plans to ensure that our transport system meets the needs of an inclusive, liveable and vibrant global city.
To achieve this outcome, we have identified the following strategic thrusts:
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Making Public Transport a Choice Mode
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Managing Road Usage
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Meeting the Diverse Needs of the People
Making Public Transport a Choice Mode
Given Singapore’s land constraints, we need to promote the use of public transport to meet our travel demands. Public transport must be more convenient and comfortable, and journey times more competitive compared to driving in private cars. Ridership on public transport has increased – daily public transport journeys grew from 3.45 million in FY07/08 to 3.67 million (during the period April 08 to October 08).
Growing our Rail Network
To ensure that our public transport infrastructure meets the needs of a growing population and expanding economy, the Government will be investing in more Rapid Transit System (RTS) lines. Constructions of the Boon Lay Extension (BLE), the Circle Line (CCL) and the Downtown Line (DTL) are well in progress. $3,068 million will be spent on RTS projects in FY09. The key highlights of RTS projects are as follows:
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Boon Lay Extension (BLE)
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Circle Line (CCL)
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Downtown Line (DTL)
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Jurong East Modification Project
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Platform Screen Doors
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To enhance commuters’ safety and reduce the incidence of track intrusions, The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will install platform screen doors at all above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations. A pilot project will be carried out at Yishun, Jurong East and Pasir Ris stations in 2009 to ensure that operational considerations are met before this is implemented at all stations in 2012.
Managing Road Usage
To keep traffic flowing smoothly on our roads, we have to adopt a holistic approach to managing road usage that includes road expansion and use of the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system. $1,171 million has been set aside in FY2009 to extend our road network. The following road development projects are slated for completion in 2009 and beyond:
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Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE)
Construction of the 5km-long MCE started in 2008. When completed by 2013, the MCE will connect the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) and the East Coast Parkway (ECP) with the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), and provide an additional major access to support developments in the Marina Bay area.
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Central Expressway (CTE) Widening
By 2009, the widening of the CTE along the following three stretches of the expressway will have been completed: from Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 to Ave 3; Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 from Bishan Road to the CTE; Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 from the CTE to Yio Chu Kang Road. To enable smoother traffic flow, the stretch of the CTE between the PIE and Yio Chu Kang Road will also be widened by 2011.
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Extension of Bartley Road to Tampines Avenue 10
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This extension provides a vital link from the Tampines Regional Centre and Bedok New Town to the central region via Bartley Road and Braddell Road. This project is expected to be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2009. When the road extension is completed, motorists can bypass the Pan Island Expressway (PIE), which they currently use as a major cross-island route. This will help to relieve the heavy traffic currently experienced during peak hours along the PIE near Bedok Reservoir Road and Eunos.
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Upgrading of the Woodsville Interchange
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The Woodsville Interchange is located at the intersection of Serangoon Road, Upper Serangoon Road, MacPherson Road and Bendemeer Road. The upgrading of the Woodsville interchange is needed to cater to the high traffic flows in the area. Construction started in 2008, and the project is targeted for completion in 2011.
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Road Tunnel from Sentosa Gateway to Kampong Bahru Road/Keppel Road
Meeting the Diverse Needs of the People
A people-centred land transport system must provide for the diverse needs of our society and contribute to a quality, liveable environment. We will pay greater attention to the social role of transport in providing access to social amenities.
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Enhancing Accessibility
The island-wide programme to make pedestrian walkways, access to MRT stations, taxi and bus shelters as well as all public roads, barrier-free is on track for completion by 2010. All MRT stations have already been provided with at least one barrier-free entrance inclusive of a lift. The government will be installing 17 additional lifts for 16 MRT stations. By end-2011, more than 70% of our MRT stations will have at least 2 barrier-free access routes.
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Facilitating Cycling
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Cycling has become increasingly popular in Singapore in recent years, particularly for commuters travelling to major transport nodes such as MRT stations and bus interchanges. To make it easier for these commuters to use public transport, LTA will be building more and better bicycle parking facilities near MRT stations. A one-year pilot trial of completed sheltered bicycle racks will be carried out at Tampines, Pasir Ris and Yishun MRT stations. The pilot will allow LTA to gather feedback and better understand user needs before extending the facilities to other MRT stations / bus interchanges. The sheltered bicycle racks will be completed by 3rd quarter 2009.
A Leading Hub for Sea Transportation and a Leading Centre for International Maritime Activities
Enhancing Singapore’s Position as a Premier Hub Port
$714 million will be spent in FY09 to expand the Pasir Panjang Terminal which presently has land for 26 berths. This expansion will eventually add land for an additional 16 berths for the Pasir Panjang Terminal, providing capacity to support the future growth of our port and maintain our position as the world’s leading transshipment hub. Other port development works include dredging operations to support larger vessels as well as the development of a new Port Operations Control Centre to enhance navigational safety and security of our port waters.
As at the end of 2008, the Singapore port has 54 container berths with a total capacity of around 32.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The expansion of the Pasir Panjang Terminal will raise the total capacity of the Singapore port to around 50 million TEUs when it is completed and operational.
Developing Singapore into a Leading International Maritime Centre
To reinforce Singapore's value proposition as a one-stop international maritime centre, various fiscal incentive schemes will be continued to attract ship-owners, ship-operators, and ancillary maritime services to Singapore. Efforts will also be stepped up to develop maritime manpower and expertise in Singapore, with initiatives to grow Singapore as a centre for maritime education as well as through grants for maritime training programmes. Further efforts will be made to support maritime research and development and to promote Singapore as the choice location for maritime events and conferences.
To find out more about the Ministry of Transport and our initiatives, visit our website at www.mot.gov.sg. |
