Transport: Overcoming Constraints, Sustaining Mobility - Singapore’s transport policies have moved in tandem with the city’s development. At one level, this can be seen as a linear progression in transport infrastructure – from ‘mosquito’ buses and ‘pirate’ taxis, to a modern bus and train system. Seen in this light, the main policy challenge is the integrated planning and development of effective transport hardware and systems. At another level, transport is about meeting the mobility needs and social aspiration of individuals, as well as addressing negative externalities such as congestion and pollution. These needs are often at odds, and integration on this level means meeting competing needs for land – roads in Singapore have to compete with housing, industry and living spaces for Singapore. This study presents the dynamics, processes and institutional framework involved in resolving these issues. It presents a historical account of transport policy changes in Singapore, while highlighting how the twin policy dilemmas - between public and private transport, as well as between roads and other uses of land - have resulted in policy challenges and innovations over the years. The Singapore Urban Systems Studies Booklet Series draws on original Urban Systems Studies research by the Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore (CLC) into Singapore’s development over the last half-century. The series is organised around domains such as water, transport, housing, planning, industry and the environment. Developed in close collaboration with relevant government agencies and drawing on exclusive interviews with pioneer leaders, these practitioner-centric booklets present a succinct overview and key principles of Singapore’s development model. Important events, policies, institutions, and laws are also summarised in concise annexes. The booklets are used as course material in CLC’s Leaders in Urban Governance Programme. The Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore (CLC) was set up in 2008 based on a strategic blueprint developed by Singapore’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development. The Centre’s mission is to distil, create and share knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities. CLC distils key learning points from Singapore’s experiences over the last half-century, while creating knowledge to address emerging challenges. It also shares knowledge with, and learns from, other cities and experts. The Centre works across three main areas - Research, Training, and Promotions. CLC’s research activities include its Integrated Urban Solutions Research, and Research Workshops, as well as Urban Systems Studies. ISBN-13: 978-981-4424-89-9 ISBN-10: 981-4424-89-7 90000 For product information, visit www.cengageasia.com 9 789814 424899 CVR_Tran_SL.indd 1 J1201160-Size: 205x265mm Spine: 4mm 4cx0c 9/25/12 5:49:19 PM S U S S B S TRANSPORT O C, S M Centre for Liveable Cities Ministry of National Development, Singapore Land Transport Authority Ministry of Transport, Singapore Andover • Melbourne • Mexico City • Stamford, CT • Toronto • Hong Kong • New Delhi • Seoul • Singapore • Tokyo i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd i 9/24/12 11:52:54 AM Transport: Overcoming © 2013 Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd Constraints, Sustaining Mobility ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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Printed in Singapore 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 16 15 14 13 12 i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd ii 9/24/12 11:53:01 AM Editorial Committee Chief Editor : Mr. Khoo Teng Chye, Executive Director, Centre for Liveable Cities Research Advisor : Prof. Neo Boon Siong, Fellow, Centre for Liveable Cities Project Leader : Dr. Limin Hee, Associate Director, Centre for Liveable Cities Assistant Project Leader : Mr. Dinesh Naidu, Manager, Centre for Liveable Cities Editor : Ms. Leong Ching, Research Associate, Centre for Liveable Cities Researcher : Ms. Grace Lau, Senior Associate, Centre for Liveable Cities Ms. Ang Chor Ing, Senior Researcher, Knowledge Management, LTA Academy, Land Transport Authority Centre for Liveable Cities 45 Maxwell Road #07-01 e URA Centre Singapore 069118 www.clc.org.sg/ i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd iii 9/24/12 11:53:15 AM i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd iv 9/24/12 11:53:16 AM Contents List of Figures . vii List of Appendices . vii Land Transport Authority . ix LTA Academy . ix Foreword . xi Preface . xiii Acknowledgements . xv 1. Introduction: Land Transport Planning and Development . 1 2. From Unregulated Market to Planned Transport Reorganisation . 3 • Unfettered Market Forces 4 • From Chaos to Order – Transport Planning Begins 5 3. Private and Public Partnerships . 7 3.1 Regulating Buses 7 Box Story 1: e Mosquito and the Public Servant 8 • Market Building E orts 9 3.2 Regulating Taxis 9 3.3 e Big Leap Towards Trains 12 • Financing Transport Infrastructure 12 • “Hub and Spoke Model”: Buses and Light Rapid Transit 14 • Towards a New Transport Model 15 i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd v 9/25/12 5:52:07 PM vi Contents 4. Private Transport . 19 1.1 Land Use Planning 19 1.2 Managing Demand 20 • Restraints on Car Ownership 20 • Implementing the ERP 22 Box Story 2: Flying Projectiles and Careful Planning 24 5. Driving Forces for the Future . 27 5.1 Integrating Transport: Increasing Complexity 27 Box Story 3: White Elephants Don’t Forget 29 5.2 Private Aspirations, Public Costs 30 References . 33 Appendices . 35 i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd vi 9/25/12 5:53:03 PM List of Figures Figure 1 e Iterative Process . 11 Figure 2 E ect of the evening ALS on volume of tra c . 22 Figure 3 Tra c volume into the City (AM Peak) with ALS and ERP Implementation (1975–2011) . 23 Figure 4 Public Transport Services Regulating Framework . 28 Figure 5 Sharp drop in numbers with 1.5% car population growth rate . 36 List of Appendices Appendix A Key Policy Timelines of Transport System . 35 Appendix B Governance Tools for Singapore Transport . 37 Appendix C Comparisons of public transport fare charges and a ordability with other cities 39 Appendix D Economic Evaluations for nancing rail developments . 41 Appendix E “Regulating for Quality” . 43 Appendix F e “constellation concept” strategy in Concept Plan of 1991 . 45 i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd vii 9/24/12 11:53:16 AM i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd viii 9/24/12 11:53:16 AM Land Transport Authority e Land Transport Authority (LTA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport, that spearheads land transport developments in Singapore. LTA plans the long-term transport needs of Singapore, taking care of those who drive as well as those who take public transport. LTA’s vision is to work towards a more people-centred land transport system that will meet the diverse needs of an inclusive, liveable and vibrant global city through its three key strategic thrusts — Making public transport a choice mode, Managing road use, and Meeting the diverse needs of the people. LTA Academy e LTA Academy is a division of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Singapore. It serves as a one-stop focal point for governments, organisations and professionals around the world to tap Singapore’s know-how and exchange best practices in land transport management and development. i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd ix 9/24/12 11:53:16 AM i-xvi_Tran_SL.indd x 9/24/12 11:53:16 AM Foreword Over the past few decades, Singapore’s land transport has evolved from tra c-clogged roads and unreliable bus services to one which has a world-wide reputation for mobility and e ciency. is transformation was not achieved by chance, but through foresight, judicious planning, infrastructure developments and the sustained implementation of policies, some of them requiring di cult and unpopular decisions, to ensure sustainable mobility in Singapore. e land transport journey, however, is a never-ending one. Singapore, like many major cities with a growing population and expanding economy, will continue to face the challenge of balancing the increasing mobility needs of the public while enhancing the liveability of the urban environment. With a more a uent society comes the need to meet rising public expectations and to keep improving the mobility options for the populace.