SINGAPORE
TRANSIT
Public transport in Singapore is
mainly land-based. This includes bus,
MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and taxi. There are two
operator companies SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit) and SBS (Singapore Bus
Services) that run the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the rail and bus
fleet. There are seven private Taxi operators in Singapore with a total of more
than 25,000 taxis. Most of these companies have to meet the LTA’s (Land Transport Authority ) quality of
service standards to receive their Taxi Operator License (TOL). Developing infrastructure for
transportation is responsibility of the Singapore government and thus operator
companies concentrate on the O&M of the fleet, maintaining their profit
with affordable public service.
MRT and
LRT
MRT is a popular public
transportation mode. As per LTA (2013) everyday over 2 million people travel by
MRT. Presently MRT covers a network of 142 stations and is still in the phase
of expansion. Operation of MRT began in
1987. The ridership of Singaporeans on MRT has increased ten fold since 1987.
Today more than 60% of Singaporeans use MRT as a mode of transport to satisfy their
daily needs. MRT runs on the electricity, is faster way of transport away from
the traffic congestion. In 1999 Light Rail Transit (LRT) began serving as a
feeder mode to MRT, bus and taxi. LRT is smaller in size than MRT and leads a
driverless automatic train. Majority of LRT run through the residential areas. Over
the years LTA has implemented various decisions to make public transit better
and use of light rail is one of them. Especially running through residential
areas, LRT not only serves as a feeder mode to the MRT or bus stations but can
also help in satisfying first and last mile connectivity. As LRT runs through
the residential areas, it is equipped with mist boosted window glasses i.e. whenever
LRT runs through dense residential areas, the windows of the rail become opaque
to protect the privacy of the people. Recently North-East line began rail
service which is fully automated and underground covering 20 kilometers span
serving 40 stations. North-East line is Asia’s first fully automated
underground operated facility.
Singapore government has been proactive and responsible in planning policies towards public transportation. The transformation that bus and trains have gone through over the years is admirable. Public transit demands have changed over the years, initially struggling with quality and now with the increasing population demand. In the Master Plan (2009) Singapore has set up very ambitious goals for future. By 2020 LTA expects 8 out of 10 Singaporeans to live within 10 minutes walking distance of a MRT or bus station. As pet LTA more emphasis is given on improving and expanding rail lines to get more people off the road and in the trains. By 2020 the rail coverage is expected to double in size as that of today.
REFERENCES
BUS AND
TAXI
The bus and taxi complement rail
transit and provide another mode of travel. Although expanding road
infrastructure is not feasible considering limited land area, to meet the
expected travel demand, making infrastructure better by technological
advancement is considered to make bus transport faster. This includes use of EZ
cards over magnetic cards for boarding in the bus. EZ cards can be used in the
trains as well. Boarding time has reduced by half since the use of EZ cards.
This has contributed in making boarding and overall travel faster.
Apart from EZ cards in 2005 LAT launched full day bus lane scheme which will
lead to increased bus speed. To keep bus
transport cheap and affordable buses are exempted from paying ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) charges,
which can be higher if the roads are congested.
Singapore government has been proactive and responsible in planning policies towards public transportation. The transformation that bus and trains have gone through over the years is admirable. Public transit demands have changed over the years, initially struggling with quality and now with the increasing population demand. In the Master Plan (2009) Singapore has set up very ambitious goals for future. By 2020 LTA expects 8 out of 10 Singaporeans to live within 10 minutes walking distance of a MRT or bus station. As pet LTA more emphasis is given on improving and expanding rail lines to get more people off the road and in the trains. By 2020 the rail coverage is expected to double in size as that of today.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.