Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang): In 2019, the LTA reported that they were on track to meet its 2030 target of a 75% public transport mode share for all peak period commutes. In 2016, the public transport mode share for MRT, Light Rail Transit (LRT) and buses was 62%. This increased marginally to 65% in 2023.
I am concerned about the pace of progress in encouraging public transport use, given we are just five years away from 2030. Regardless, however, we should aim to ambitiously exceed our current car lite light targets by enhancing the affordability, comfort and reliability of our public transport network. Commuting via public transport should be made more economical for regular commuters, especially given the high cost of car ownership.
However, the adult monthly travel pass is still considered expensive by many frequent commuters, many of whom are also being squeezed by the high cost of living. As it is for existing adult monthly travel pass holders, their average expenditure without the pass would be about $140 per month, compared to the price of the pass at $128 per month, just a $12 savings a month, on average, for heavy users of public transport. The average monthly expenditure for adult commuters, on the other hand, is estimated to be only about $45, based on the response to my Parliamentary Question earlier. Even for lower-wage workers who qualify for a monthly concession pass at $96 a month, this is barely economical for average users, without even considering that they already received discounts of up to 25% of adult public transport fares.
Lowering the cost of the travel pass could better incentivise Singaporeans currently taking less environmentally friendly private vehicle options, regardless of whether it is cars, taxis or private hire vehicles (PHVs), to make the switch to public transport. This is ultimately our goal, as expressed by the LTA, if the plan is to meet and exceed the 75% public transport mode share.
Therefore, would the Government consider reducing the price of the adult monthly travel pass to further incentivise greater public transport use? Alternatively, could the scheme be expanded to include City Direct and Express fares as well, given an expansion of such travel options as part of the commuting mix and that these two are green public transport options as well. I recognise that building a people-centric public transport network may require funding from the Government’s purse, which also includes sustainability-linked revenue sources such as carbon taxes.
Hence, with carbon taxes aimed at supporting our decarbonisation efforts set to increase in the future, would the additional revenue generated help fund enhancements to our public transport network? As Singapore accelerates towards a car lite future, building a transportation network centred around affordable, comfortable and reliable public transit should be the Transport Ministry’s utmost priority.
Ministry of Transport
5 March 2025
https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=budget-2604
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 