Nine in 10 peak-hour trips could take less than 45 minutes by 2040

A seamlessly connected transport system could save commuters 15 minutes everyday.

Almost all of peak-period commutes in Singapore could be completed in less than 45 minutes by 2040 as the government heightens investment in the city's bus, rail and active mobility network, according to the recommendations submitted by the Land Transport Master Plan (LTMP) advisory panel. 

“Our land transport system needs to transform to continue to support Singapore’s growth,” LTMP advisory panel’s chair and senior minister of state for transport & communications and information Janil Puthucheary said in a statement. “It will also need to contend with technological disruptions to the industry, demographic changes and land constraints.”

The panel said it envisioned a land transport system where public, active and share transport modes accounted for nine in 10 of all peak-period journeys as customers opt for public transport for their transport requirements. Should this vision come to fruition by 2040, peak-period trips could save commuters approximately 15 minutes every week day, whilst all journeys to the nearest neighbourhood centre would be completed in less than 20 minutes. 

“Coupled with the development of new regional centres closer to homes, Singaporeans will be able to access live, work and play destinations more directly, conveniently and quickly,” the panel highlighted.

Also read: Here's what kept Singapore from having the world's best public transport system

Additionally, the panel is calling on transport operators to equip public transport workers with the right training and capabilities to meet the diverse needs of commuters, particularly those with special and invisible needs, and therefore make the transport system more inclusive.

To encourage Singaporeans to stay healthy and active, the panel recommends providing more community spaces for walking, cycling and public transport. Its other recommendations include urging the government and industry players to switch to cleaner energy sources for all shared fleet vehicles such as public buses, and challenging Singaporeans to work towards a ‘Vision Zero’ environment with fewer land transport-related fatalities.

The recommendations were based off 7,400 responses received through a public engagement exercise conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) over the past six months, which included feedback from commuters, associations, transport industry representatives and businesses.

Photo from Muggershell - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0