Committee of Supply debate, 5 March 2021.
Efficient and convenient public transport is vital to achieving many national priorities. It allows HDB to build more flats away from the city; it enables workers to travel to further-out workplaces; and it helps us reach our climate change goals.
I sold my car five years ago and now make most of my trips by bus and MRT. I have not regretted this decision and highly recommend it to others who can afford not to drive.
Improving the commuter experience can convince more people to take public transport — reducing both traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
How can we nudge more people towards going car-lite? I have a few suggestions:
First, reduce the amount of walking needed during the journey. Singapore’s tropical weather is not conducive to walking outdoors for long distances while dressed up for work. Transport planners should keep this in mind when planning the location of bus stops and the routes of feeder bus services. For example, some of my HDB and condo residents living along Bedok Reservoir Road do not have a direct feeder bus to the nearby Bedok North MRT and have a rather long walk to and from the station.
Second, construct more covered linkways from housing estates, including private condominiums, to transport nodes. Covered linkways can influence a commuter’s decision whether to brave the elements or take private transport.
Third, reduce crowding on trains and buses so that commuters have a more comfortable ride with better safe-distancing. I hope MRT operators will also stop removing seats from their train cars, because we commuters like sitting during our rides!
And fourth, continue to make our roads and public transport more accessible for people with disabilities. I had earlier suggested how we should use tactile signals to enable visually-impaired commuters to cross roads late at night. I look forward to that being implemented.
