Connecting People, Places & Possibilities
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched an exhibition today, themed Connecting People, Places & Possibilities, to commemorate the milestone of 25 years since its inception.
2 Held at the Singapore Mobility Gallery located at LTA’s headquarters at 1 Hampshire Road, the exhibition showcases the rich history behind Singapore’s efforts to improve land transport connectivity over the years, and LTA’s vision to transform our urban landscape through a sustainable transport system to better support spaces to live, work and play. The exhibition was officially opened by Minister for Transport, Mr Ong Ye Kung.
3 The Connecting People, Places & Possibilities exhibition recaps major transport milestones and achievements in Singapore, from the building of the Mass Rapid Transit system from the 1980s, to taking a more strategic approach, such as the role of the centralised bus planner and launching the National Cycling Plan in the 2000s. The exhibition also highlights upcoming and future plans, as outlined in the Land Transport Master Plan 2040, to improve accessibility for commuters and quality of living. Through its three thematic sections, visitors to the 209-square metre exhibition will be able to chart Singapore’s land transport journey over the years and visualise the road ahead.
Connecting People
4 This section of the exhibition showcases past and future projects to enliven Singapore’s streetscapes and create more spaces for community interactions and activities. The showcased projects began as far back as 1998 when part of Albert Street and Waterloo Street were converted into pedestrian areas. In 2014, part of Campbell Lane in Little India was converted into a pedestrian street when the Indian Heritage Centre opened. Today, these areas bustle with culture and activity.
5 Looking forward, with some 60 possible road repurposing projects identified, LTA will continue to transform our streets into spaces that support active communities and neighbourhoods, with wider paths for pedestrians and cyclists. LTA has already embarked on the first phase of the road repurposing at Kampung Admiralty and along Havelock Road this year and is studying the possibility of pedestrianisation in the Civic District.
Connecting Places
6 In this section, the exhibition puts the spotlight on efforts to connect people and places through active mobility and public transport. To support more active and greener commutes, in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, LTA plans to triple our existing cycling network to about 1,300km by 2030. Active Mobility Corridors comprising cycling paths and park connectors will support inter-town connectivity and longer trips, enhancing leisure and commuting experiences. For instance, the cycling network in Ang Mo Kio town will seamlessly link to the North-South Corridor (NSC), providing Ang Mo Kio residents a direct and convenient ride to the CBD. As the longest Transit Priority Corridor (TPC), the NSC allows for faster and smoother journeys for all users, from pedestrians and cyclists to motorists and bus commuters. Buses will also be given more priority on TPCs.
7 Singapore’s rail network remains the backbone of our drive towards sustainability and will function alongside active modes. Future MRT stations will have more bicycle parking spaces, covered linkways and direct connections to the cycling path network. Like the Canberra station which was awarded the Building & Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Platinum certification, future MRT infrastructure will similarly incorporate eco-friendly features.
Connecting Possibilities
8 This section of the exhibition highlights the possibilities and the role transport can play in transforming the urban landscape. By integrating our rail, bus and active mobility networks in urban planning, towns will become more interconnected and Singaporeans will have more sustainable travel choices.
9 This is reflected in upcoming towns and districts such as Bayshore, Jurong Lake District and Tengah. Planned with a holistic approach by integrating transport and land use objectives, these towns will incorporate sustainable or car-lite features such as TPCs, autonomous buses and on-demand shuttles, electric vehicle charging stations, and dedicated cycling networks.
10 The Connecting People, Places & Possibilities exhibition also features selected paintings of historical transport milestones by watercolour artist and Cultural Medallion recipient Mr Ong Kim Seng. The exhibition will be open to the public on weekdays between 9.30am to 5pm from 27 April 2021, for six months. Interested visitors may book a slot to visit the exhibition via the LTA website three working days prior to their visit.
Annex: Photos of the different sections of the exhibition
