Speech by Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development Ms Sun Xueling At The Future Of Transport Motion

1.          Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the motion. Members have affirmed the strategic importance of transport and connectivity, and shared their suggestions on how we can strengthen Singapore’s long-term economic competitiveness. I value their suggestions and ambitions. Technology is key to realising these ambitions. If we harness technology early and well to create opportunities and improve lives for our residents and our workers, we can thrive in this increasingly uncertain world.

2.          Several members have highlighted that transformation must create good jobs for Singaporeans. We agree. The use of technology helps us solve problems, but people will always remain at the heart of transport. Experience, judgement, professionalism and care are not replaceable, and our transport workforce will always be at the core of our transport services.

3.          We will ensure that Singaporeans are well-positioned to seize these new opportunities. Last July, I launched the $200 million OneAviation Manpower Fund to support employers, unions and workers.  CAAS and NTUC have also announced a partnership to co-design an AI training roadmap for aviation union leaders.

4.          Autonomy and AI are at work across our Transport sector. In Tuas port, automation has been built in from the ground up.

5.          Automated guided vehicles move containers, and cranes are operated remotely, making it one of the most advanced container terminals in the world. Trials for autonomous prime movers are also underway in Pasir Panjang terminal. I spoke to Mr Faiz who works at PSA in Pasir Panjang. He used to drive a prime mover but has now transited to work in the control room as a remote operator for autonomous prime movers. He said that the workplace is now more comfortable and he is happier with the shift arrangements.

6.          We are investing in our maritime workforce just as deliberately across different stages of their career. Seafarers remain the backbone of the industry. The Sail Milestone Achievement Programme provides up to $50,000 for local seafarers Together with our unions and partners, we have also enhanced the Tripartite Maritime Training Award for individuals seeking a seafaring career.

7.          The Career Conversion Programme for the Sea Transport sector reskilled close to 200 mid-career entrants and existing employees last year, equipping them for roles in digitalisation, decarbonisation and cybersecurity. New pathways into shore-based roles are opening, such as SMU's Industry Graduate Diploma in Maritime for mid-career transitions. Additionally, as Mr Dennis Tan mentioned, we want to prepare Singaporeans to take on leadership roles in the maritime sector. As maritime is global in nature, maritime leaders will need to have experience and capabilities running international operations and managing cross-cultural teams. And this is why we have launched a new Maritime Cluster Fund Global Rotation scheme. The scheme provides grants to companies to co-fund the overseas deployments of local middle managers, to equip them with the competencies to take on supervisory roles.

8.          On our roads, the deployment of autonomous vehicles or AVs can help us meet our connectivity needs, ease manpower constraints in public transport, and improve safety.

9.          Grab and ComfortDelGro currently operate 16 fixed route autonomous shuttles in Punggol. Safety operators are on board to ensure safety in this initial deployment phase. As of June this year, close to 10,000 unique riders have taken the shuttles, and 99% of them surveyed said they felt safe and would recommend the ride to others.

10.          Riders provided feedback that they would like more destinations, direct connections, and flexible bookings. We will work with the operators to improve the service. We agree with Mr Ang Wei Neng’s suggestion that AVs should first be deployed to serve underserved areas.

11.          We will progressively extend AVs to new areas with clear transport needs and are considering areas such as Sentosa, Tuas, and Mandai as possibilities.

12.          We are also expanding AV trials to other modes of transport, including public buses. We will begin piloting autonomous buses on two public bus services, Service 400 in Marina Bay and Service 191 in One-North. However, in response to Mr Ang Wei Neng’s and Mr Fadli Fawzi’s points, further deployment must be realistic. The technology for AV buses is not as mature compared to that of AV cars. Current autonomous bus models have a smaller passenger carrying capacity than our public buses. Public buses also have to meet the needs of different commuters – such as elderly, parents with children in strollers, and Persons with Disabilities. Hence, the operational aspects of autonomous public buses have to be worked through to meet the needs of different commuters.

13.          We agree that there are good use cases for autonomous buses such as night bus services, and will consider it when the technology is more mature.

14.          As autonomy grows across our airport, seaport and roads, new job opportunities will emerge in areas such as fleet management and remote operations, autonomous and electric vehicle engineering, as well as business development.

New Opportunities, with Our People at the Centre

15.          We recognise that autonomy and AI, if not managed well, can bring disruption to existing jobs, industries and business models. The ultimate purpose of using technology is to benefit people - our residents and our workers. We will not adopt technology blindly.

16.          Technology’s worth lies in the problems it solves and the lives it improves. We will roll out the use of autonomy and AI at a pace acceptable to residents, commuters and drivers.

17.          As the Acting Minister has mentioned, the introduction of AVs will be a gradual process to give our commuters and drivers time to adapt. Widespread adoption is still some time away.

18.          We have been engaging taxi and private hire drivers early as we want to ensure that our drivers are well-equipped to seize job opportunities from this transition and that they can stay ahead of this change.

19.          I recently met leaders from the National Taxi Association and National Private Hire Vehicles Association again, together with Ms Yeo Wan Ling. The union leaders asked what they can do to equip themselves and their members.

20.         Together with our tripartite partners, we have put together a manpower transition package to empower our taxi and private hire car drivers to stay ahead of industry developments and explore new career options with confidence. This package has three parts:

a.           First, Place-and-Train Career Conversion Programmes, or CCPs., This is for drivers looking to transition into new roles that come with up to 90% salary support. The CCPs will be launched in Q3 this year.

 i.           We will introduce a CCP for drivers keen to pivot to the autonomous vehicles sector, known as the “CCP for Autonomous Vehicle specialists”.  Like all CCPs, participants will be offered employment prior to the commencement of the programme and training supported by the Skills and Workforce Development Agency or SWDA. GrabAcademy, Grab’s training arm, has been onboarded as a registered training provider with SWDA to deliver AV-related training.

ii.           For drivers who wish to pivot to other transport related jobs such as Bus Captains, we will introduce a new pathway under the “CCP for Public Transport Professional”. This follows recent announcements we have made regarding increasing salaries and sign on bonuses for new bus captains.

iii.           Drivers who are keen to move into other sectors can tap on existing programmes offered by the SWDA.

21.           Second, we will pilot a new training incentive scheme from January 2027, focusing on short-form courses. Drivers do not just forego some income when they go for training. They also incur other costs such as car rental expenses. Hence, under this scheme, eligible drivers will get a training incentive of $20 per hour for attending any of over 2,000 curated SWDA-supported courses, up to a cap of 80 hours of training. This training incentive amount is significantly higher than any other training allowances currently offered as we understand that drivers have additional expenditure like car rentals to manage. Drivers can tap on this incentive to acquire new skills before committing to longer-term programmes such as the career conversion programmes.

22.           Third, we will launch a new one-stop webpage with relevant information and resources curated for drivers and to raise awareness of the new support measures available.

23.           Some of our drivers are already taking steps to thrive in this future of mobility. Ms Ang Li Wei used to drive a taxi with ComfortDelGro, but she seized the opportunity to train as a safety operator for AVs. She believes AVs will change the scene of driving worldwide, and she also sees new and more specialised roles emerging for drivers, such as helping wheelchair users, families with young children, and others who need extra care on their journeys. Another driver is Mr Raymond Tong. Mr Tong is here with us today. Mr Tong has spent over a decade behind the wheel. He qualified as a safety operator and has gone on to get certification as a remote operator. In his words, he wants a front-row seat to where the industry is heading.

24.           I told Mr Tong it will be late when I make my speech, but Mr Tong said he wants to support our efforts so he will be here regardless how late, despite his busy schedule. Thank you, Mr Tong!

25.           The government will take a pro-active approach to help workers adapt, support job transitions, and equip Singaporeans with the skills and capabilities needed in the age of autonomy and AI.  The manpower transition package is one of more upcoming moves we are putting in place for our point-to-point drivers. We will continue to work closely with the unions and support our workers as jobs evolve. 

26.           Mr Speaker, in Chinese please.

27.           时代不断在变化。科技的发展和人工智能的应用令人担忧-比如，它们是否会影响生计。

28.           我们的德士和私招车司机朋友们也不例外，你们有的已经在德士公司工作很多年；有的是工作转换后， 通过GRAB找到一份自由职业；有的非常熟悉新加坡的街道，驾驶技术高超。

29.           无论你们的背景如何，都有一个共同点，那就是你们每天辛苦工作，赚钱养家，担起了家庭的重任。你们与时间赛跑，为新加坡人的交通出行，提供了许多便利，我们非常感恩。

30.           面对人工智能和自动驾驶等创新科技的到来，我认为，我们一定要充分考虑交通人员的利益，以人为本。我始终相信，使用科技的最终目的，是造福人民，造福我们的居民和我们的员工。

31.           根据目前的情况来看，引入自动驾驶车辆是一个循序渐进的过程。交通部会在居民，乘客和司机们能够接受的节奏下，逐步推广新科技和人工智能。

32.           与此同时，劳、资、政三方伙伴正在积极合作。我们会率先推出人力转型配套， “Manpower Transition Package，”从就业转型、技能培训和就业指导等方面支持德士和私召车司机。我们希望司机朋友们能够更好地把握这场技术转型带来的就业机会。

33.           我认为，科技本身不是最终目的，新加坡人的福祉才是我们一切努力的目标。

34.           在提升新加坡的交通效率和科技竞争力的同时，我们一定会切实保障居民工作、生活的稳定和发展。我相信，只要政府、企业、员工能共同为这一目标努力，我们不仅能应对新科技浪潮，更能抓住技术变革所带来的机遇，一同创造更美好的未来。

Strengthening our Connectivity and Preparing for the Future

35.           Mr Speaker Sir, in English please.

36.           Our air hub is one of Singapore’s crown jewels. Changi Airport’s story is one of deliberate ambition, constant reinvention and an unwavering commitment to connect us to the world.

37.           The Changi East Development, including Terminal 5, positions Changi Airport for the future of air travel, anchoring good jobs and a significant part of our economy. To address Mr Edward Chia’s, Mr Sharael Taha’s , and Ms Valerie Lee’s suggestion on strengthening Changi’s connectivity to other parts of Singapore, we are studying how to best enable seamless air-sea transfers between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, and synergise future developments in the wider Changi region including Changi Business Park, Changi Village and Loyang. We agree with Mr Fadli Fawzi’s suggestion that infrastructure should also improve Singaporeans’ lived experiences. The Changi East Urban District will be a new lifestyle and business hub for Singaporeans and visitors to connect, work, and play.

38.           Expanding Changi Airport gives us an opportunity to rethink existing processes, increase productivity, and transform jobs. Ms Poh Li San has rightly highlighted that many roles in ground handling and facilities management are physically demanding, and will increasingly take its toll on our ageing workforce. We agree with Mr Gerald Giam’s point that digital tools should benefit workers. Changi Airport has been deploying automation, robotics, and AI, to improve the safety and productivity of our workers.

a.           Since January 2026, autonomous baggage tractors are used to move passenger bags between terminals. They spare workers from repetitive driving, reduces fatigue and frees them up for complex and safety-critical last mile services. From driving a single tractor, a worker can now oversee and coordinate a fleet of vehicles or be trained to maintain the vehicles.

b.           The new job role is more sustainable and offers a higher pay. In time, autonomous tractors can be used to move cargo and airside equipment.

c.           Technology tools can also be used to optimise work planning. OpsAssist is an AI Tool that SATS uses, to enable better manpower and equipment allocation for each aircraft turnaround. OpsAssist also schedules in breaks for workers to ensure that their well-being is well taken care of.

39.           Beyond our air and sea gateways, Mr Liang Eng Hwa raised the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail project. Such bilateral projects can only proceed if there are mutual interests and benefits. We remain open to discussing new proposals with Malaysia in good faith, starting from a clean slate.

40.           Mr Dennis Tan, Mr Edward Chia, Ms Lee Hui Ying, and Ms Poh Li San have highlighted the importance of greening our Aviation and Maritime sectors. We agree.

a.           For Aviation, our Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint sets the direction. Sustainable aviation fuel will remain our primary lever for cutting emissions across the bulk of our air traffic. Our goal is to start with a 1 per cent SAF uplift, rising to 3 to 5 per cent by 2030, subjected to global developments and the wider availability of SAF.

b.           For Maritime, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is working closely with the industry to prepare for a multi-fuel future, by investing in infrastructure, developing technical standards and licensing frameworks to ensure we can handle these fuels safely.

c.           These efforts reflect our commitment to position our port to meet the evolving needs of international shipping as it decarbonises.

41.           Mr Liang Eng Hwa raised suggestions to support the electrification of heavy vehicles. This is indeed our direction. With the adoption and charger incentives for heavy vehicles, registrations of electric heavy vehicles rose from less than 1% of all heavy vehicle registrations last year to around 20% as of May this year.  We will continue to monitor take-up and see how best to achieve our electrification targets. We will also continue to study new EV technologies adopted around the world, including smart charging technologies to better optimise the grid, as well as battery  energy storage solutions to manage grid capacity constraints during peak hours.  

42.           Ms Poh Li San and Dr Neo Kok Beng have highlighted the opportunities in electric and hybrid-electric aircraft for short-haul routes and drones.

43.           I have extensively addressed this topic in my response speech to the adjournment motion on ‘Low Altitude-Economy: Building the Flying Car, Air Tourism and Drone Logistics Industry’ during the 8 April parliamentary sitting.

44.           Electric and hybrid-electric aircraft is an emerging technology but in the short term, they can only complement aircrafts powered by sustainable aviation fuel as hybrid-electric aircraft technology may take time to commercialise and not yet suitable for deployment.

45.           We will be ambitious, but pragmatic, and keep our options open. There is potential for Singapore to go further as a centre of excellence for research into cleaner and greener aircraft, working with partners such as A*STAR and our Institutes of Higher Learning with funding set under RIE2030.

46.           We will study the Member's proposal carefully, and work with industry partners to take it forward where it plays to our strengths.

47.           On drones, they are used across Singapore for a wide variety of functions, from ship-to-shore deliveries at our port, to inspections of our rail and road infrastructure and high-rise cleaning. Many of these use cases improve productivity and worker safety, allowing workers to focus on tasks that call for human judgement and expertise. We are carefully studying how drones can be deployed while being mindful of Singapore’s dense urban environment, complex airspace and security needs.   We will continue to support responsible innovation through trials, testbeds, and regulatory refinement.

Conclusion

48.           Sir, I thank the GPC for raising this motion. Our best chance at delivering a good life for our people is to strengthen Singapore’s long-term economic competitiveness and anchor good jobs in Singapore. This can be achieved through international cooperation, appropriate use of frontier technologies, and establishing world-class infrastructure to reinforce our position as a globally connected aviation, maritime, and logistics hub. This is how Singapore stays relevant and secures our competitiveness in an uncertain world.

49.           Mr Speaker, I support the motion. Thank you.