Record high public transport journeys since LTMP 2013
A record 6.1 million bus and rail journeys were made daily, based on the latest Household Interview Travel Survey[1] conducted between 2016 and 2017 (“HITS 2016”). Private vehicle journeys declined for the first time since 1997, even as total travel demand increased by 5% from HITS 2012 to 15.4 million journeys. This points to a possible shift of Singapore residents switching from private vehicles to public transport for their daily commute. Public transport peak period mode share recorded an increase from 63% to 67%, putting Singapore firmly on track to achieving our Land Transport Master Plan (LTMP) 2013[2] target of having 75% of all journeys during peak hours made using public transport by 2030.
2 Conducted every four years, LTA’s HITS tracks the progress of various LTMP initiatives. The last LTMP was announced in October 2013 and the ensuing HITS survey was conducted between August 2016 and May 2017, with responses from a total of 45,000 participants.
Record High Public Transport Journeys
3 With the opening of the Circle Line (CCL) and Downtown Line (DTL), and the addition of around 200 new trains to augment the capacity of our rail network, daily train journeys grew from 2.3 million in 2012 to 2.7 million in 2016.
4 The number of daily bus journeys also grew from 3.2 million in 2012 to 3.4 million in 2016. This comes on the back of initiatives such as the $1.1 billion Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP), under which 1,000 new buses and 80 new bus routes were added. By the time it was completed in 2017, the BSEP had boosted the capacity of about 70% of bus services through the deployment of higher-capacity buses and more frequent bus trips.
5 The number of daily taxi and private hire car (PHC) journeys saw an increase from 0.8 million in 2012 to 1 million in 2016 due to the emergence of PHCs.
6 At the same time, the percentage of daily public bus and rail journeys under 20km completed within 60 minutes increased from 76% in 2012 to 79% in 2016. This puts us well on track to achieving our LTMP 2013 target of having 85% of such journeys completed within 60 minutes by 2030.
Decline in Private Vehicle Journeys and Car Ownership
7 The number of daily journeys made via privately owned vehicles fell for the first time since 1997 to 4.2 million, a 13% decrease from 4.8 million in HITS 2012. Resident household car ownership also fell to 39% in HITS 2016, compared to 46% in HITS 2012. This coincided with significant improvements in public transport and the rise of the use of private hire cars instead of personal cars over the same period.
More Active Mobility Journeys
8 The increase in the number of cycling towns, as well as the ongoing expansion of the network of sheltered walkways and cycling paths have helped make walking, cycling and the use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) viable modes for short journeys. Daily active mobility journeys has increased to 2.6 million in HITS 2016, up from 2.2 million in HITS 2012.
Public Consultation for the next LTMP
9 Our land transport system is an important economic and social enabler that contributes directly to Singaporeans’ daily lives. We have made good progress since LTMP 2013, and land transport plans must continue to adapt to meet the needs and aspirations of Singaporeans for a liveable city.
10 With this in mind, LTA will commence public consultations in September 2018 to help shape the next LTMP. The public, industry players and other stakeholders will be invited to share their views and ideas on the future of our land transport system. This will help foster a conversation on how quickly, at what cost, and with what priorities we should achieve our shared vision for the future of land transport.
11 Public engagement will be done extensively, through a wide range of online platforms and focus group discussions. From 31 August, an e-poll[3] will be put up on the LTA website to invite members of public to share their thoughts and aspirations on the various land transport issues. Those who are keen to come forward to share their vision can indicate their interest to participate in further engagements as part of their responses for the e-polls.
12 We welcome feedback from everyone. All feedback received will go towards shaping the next LTMP.
