LTA to offer more comprehensive transport network with ambitious framework

Through the revised Land Transport Masterplan (LTMP) - LTMP 2013 - LTA aims to deliver a transport network that better meets the needs of commuters.

Trains:

As part of LTMP 2013, two new rail lines and three new connections will be built to enhance the existing connections. The rail network will be expanded annually from now till 2021, with more to come between 2020 and 2030.

According to The Straits Times, they include the opening of the first stage of the Downtown Line, the 1km extension of the North-South Line to the Marina South Pier next year and the opening of the Tuas West Extension with four additional stations - Tuas Link, Tuas West Road, Tuas Crescent and Gul Circle in 2016.

Additionally, sections of the Thomson Line, Eastern Region Line, Jurong Region line, Circle Line Stage 6, Downtown Line extension, Cross Island Line and North East Line extension will be operational from 2019.

Buses:

Buses will connect commuters to more places, with new routes added to the bus network. By the end of 2014, about 40 new bus services would have been introduced as part of the Bus Service Enhancement Programme launched in September 2012.

A Quality Incentive Framework to improve bus frequency will be introduced by 2014 while a common bus fleet management system for public buses will be implemented by 2015.

To shorten waiting times and provide more space on public transport, LTA will increase capacity of both the rail and bus systems. For this purpose, more trains will be bought while the existing train signalling system will be upgraded for increased train frequency.

With the proposed initiatives LTA aims, by 2030, for commuters to have 75 percent of trips during peak hours to be made by public transport. Also 85 percent of trips that are less than 20km on public transport are expected to be complete within an hour.

Cars:

The Marina Coastal Expressway will open this year with the North-South Expressway projected to be complete in 2020. The current Carbon Emissions Vehicle Scheme (CEVS) will also undergo a review for 2014 to promote the use of lower emissions and environmentally-friendly vehicles. In the long run, LTA will work with other agencies to reduce reliance on cars, and consider introducing more car-free/car-less zones.

Additionally 30 Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTV) will be installed by next year to prevent illegal parking. Taxi availability will also be improved while in future while car-sharing services will be made more accessible.

Bicycles:

The island-wide cycling path network will eventually be expanded to cover 700km in length along with the trial run for a bicycle sharing scheme in Jurong Lake District. Additional bicycle racks to secure up to 3,000 bicycles will be installed at 32 MRT stations.

Accessibility & Convenience:

More than 200km of sheltered walkaways will also be built along with, more integrated transport hubs for seamless transfers between different types of transport. The island-wide cycling path network will eventually be expanded to cover 700km in length.

To cater to the less mobile and elderly, LTA will install lifts at more overhead bridges, extend road crossing timings for the elderly and those with disabilities, and install audio-tactile systems for the visually-handicapped at more traffic junctions.

Noise barriers will also be built to reduce noise levels and efforts will be increased to promote the use of lower emissions and environmentally-friendly vehicles.