Land Transport Policy

The Ministry recognizes the need to continuously improve and upgrade our road networks to cater to changing travel needs, while taking into consideration Singapore's land constraints. To ease congestion on Singapore's roads, the Vehicle Quota System (VQS) was introduced in 1990, with the objective of pegging long-term vehicle population growth at a sustainable rate. Under the VQS, potential buyers need to bid for a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) before they can register their vehicles. The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) System, introduced in 1998, manages congestion so that traffic can flow smoothly on the roads. Motorists are charged when they drive past an ERP gantry during operational hours. ERP charges vary according to the level of congestion, hence different amounts are charged at different locations and times.

Vision

The Ministry's land transport policy planning aims to develop a quality land transport system – one that is integrated, efficient, affordable, with smooth-flowing traffic and which will meet the people’s needs and support economic and environmental goals.

Policy Strategies:

A multi-pronged approach has been adopted to achieve our Vision:

1. Integrated Land Use Planning

By integrating town and transport planning, the need for travel can be minimised. This not only raises the level of convenience and enhances the quality of life for commuters, but also helps to mitigate demands on our overall land transport system.

2. Making Public Transport a Choice Option

Singapore has an efficient and reliable public transport system. The Rapid Transit System (RTS), buses and taxis provide services covering the entire island at reasonable fares.

To meet the transport needs of a growing population and overcome the constraint of limited road space for vehicles, the Ministry places emphasis on expanding the rail network to form the backbone of public transport. At the same time, the Ministry strives to make public transport an attractive option for commuters by continually seeking improvements in public transport services.

By 2030, 1 in 5 Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. In anticipation of the impending increase in our elderly population, Singapore's transport system will need to evolve to meet the needs of a more diverse resident population. Initiatives include wheelchair-assessible buses and barrier-free facilities at MRT stations.

To enhance the security of Singapore's public transport system, measures will be introduced such as closed-circuit TVs in train stations, construction of perimeter fencing and enhancing the storage period of video images recorded in MRT stations.

3. Managing the Demand and Usage of Private Vehicles

Due to land space constraints, Singaporeans’ desire to own cars needs to be balanced with the need to ensure free-flowing traffic on our roads. To achieve this, a judicious mix of ownership and usage restraint measures are used. Over the years, there has been a gradual shift from using ownership costs to using usage costs to manage the demand and usage of vehicles. Congestion pricing helps to moderate driving behaviour and ensure that our roads remain free-flowing even as the vehicle population is allowed to grow every year.

4. Expanding Our Road Network and Optimising Road Capacity

The Ministry's goal is to put in place a comprehensive road network that provides motorists with good connectivity to all parts of Singapore. But there is a limit to how many new roads can be developed. Therefore there is a need to maximise the capacity of Singapore's roads through the use of technology. An example of this is the Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS). EMAS provides early detection of traffic problems, quick recovery service for motorists in distress, and alerts motorists to abnormal or hazardous traffic conditions ahead.

Read the Executive Summary – White Paper on a World Class Land Transport System here.

The Ministry approaches these policies through two main modalities:

1. Public Transport
2. Private Transport

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