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CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S MESSAGE

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2013 has been a truly busy and exciting year for the LTA. We have been working hard on all fronts to build up a people-centred land transport system.

For commuters, they will be able to enjoy more connections to get around the city centre when six stations on the Downtown Line Stage 1, connecting Chinatown to Bugis opens on 22 December.

One of the most complex and challenging road projects: Singapore’s first undersea expressway, the Marina Coastal Expressway is set to open on 29 December after four years of construction. Linking the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway to the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), it will allow for a direct connection for east-west travel.

Apart from all the big projects and initiatives that we have launched this year, including the Travel Free programme that allows free travel on the MRT before the morning peak period and beefing up existing bus services and introducing new routes, we have also rolled out many smaller-scale but no less important projects – from installing ceiling fans in stations to improving travel information efficiency accuracy – all of which are just as essential to enhance overall commuter experience.

This year was also significant in that the LTA refreshed its Land Transport Master Plan, which outlines how the LTA will deliver a transport network in the next 10 to 15 years to better meet the needs of Singaporeans.

I am incredibly proud of all the staff of LTA for your hard work, determination and resilience that have made all these possible. Thank you very much for all the good work.

Chew Hock Yong Chief Executive, LTA

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JANUARY

Ramping Up Train StandardsTo improve rail service reliability, LTA strengthened the regulatory framework to include three-yearly review checks to ensure sufficient maintenance,new detection sensors for rail sags, upgrading of trains and stiffer fines for train disruptions.

10 JAN

5

The LTA will build two completely new MRT lines – the Cross Island Line and the Jurong Region Line – to double the rail network to 360km by 2030. By then, eight in 10 households will be within a 10-minute walk of a train station.

17 JAN

New MRT Lines Island-Wide

6

Towards an Inclusive and Liveable CommunityLTA will build 200km more sheltered walkways under the Walk2Ride programme, provide more lifts at about 40 overhead bridges to assist the less mobile and elderly, and install about 20km of noise barriers along noisy sections of MRT tracks.

24 JAN

7

FEBRUARY

Working Together to Improve Rail ServicesThe LTA and SBS Transit formed a joint team of engineering and maintenance experts to improve the rail reliability on the North East Line and Sengkang-Punggol LRT.

15 FEB

New Tiered Tax Rates for CarsFor a more progressive vehicle tax structure, a new tiered Additional Registration Fee (ARF) structure replaced the existing flat rate of 100% of the Open Market Value (OMV) for cars, taxis, and goods-cum-passenger vehicles.

25 FEB

8

MARCH

Public Transport Customer Satisfaction SurveyA survey conducted by UniSIM in October 2012 found that about 9 in 10 or 88.8 per cent of commuters were satisfied with public transport in Singapore.

Island-Wide CCTVs to Deter Illegal ParkingTo deter illegal parking, LTA will install Closed Circuit Television Cameras at 30 locations island-wide by end 2014. The cameras will operate round-the-clock.

12 MAR

18 MAR

9

The LTA announced the purchase of 15 more trains in addition to the 73 trains already bought for the 42km Downtown Line to speed up train travel and shorten waiting times. More trains will also be added gradually from 2014 on the North-South East-West, North East and Circle Lines.

28 MAR

More Trains For New Downtown Line

10

APRIL

Students created slogans on graciousness which were produced on stickers and posters and put up on train windows, platform screen doors, bus shelters and lift doors.

Early Turnover SchemeA new Early Turnover Scheme to encourage the early replacement of old Category ‘C’ (Cat C) diesel vehicles with models that comply with at least Euro V diesel standards or their equivalent was implemented. This would lead to less pollution.

24 APR

20 APR

Young Commuters take the Lead on Graciousness

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MAY

The Green Man + scheme, which extends the time to cross a road with the tap of a valid concession pass, was extended to 256 pedestrian crossings in 15 housing estates around Singapore to benefit the elderly as well as those with disabilities.

1

2

3

Tap your card* on the reader

The LED indicator will light up and for Green Man + card holders, there will be additional sound and vibration alerts.

Green Man will appear

with extended timer

* Applicable only

to CEPAS –

Compliant Senior Citizen Concession

Card holders and Green Man + Card holders.

13 MAY

Expansion of Green Man +

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LTA-SMRT Joint Team On Track to Meet COI RecommendationsThe LTA-SMRT Joint Team formed to look into rail services implemented various recommendations made by the Committee of Inquiry (COI). It will focus on renewing rail infrastructure and using new technology to strengthen maintenance regime.

Wider Lane Markings to Curb SpeedingThe introduction of broader lane markings at two bends along the PIE cut down vehicle speeds by 5 to 10 per cent. The LTA is extending the use of wider lane marking to arterial roads which are close to pedestrian crossings.

14 MAY

23 MAY

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MyTransport.SG wins UITP AwardThe International Association of Public Transport (UITP) named the MyTransport.SG mobile app as one of six category winners in its Grow with Public Transport International Award. The app provides real-time updates to commuters, motorists and cyclists.

Marina Bay Station wins UITP Asia Pacific Region AwardIn the Design Innovation category, the Marina Bay MRT station won an award for its unique station design which blends with its surroundings.

27 MAY

30 MAY

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JUNE

New Pedestrian-Centric Safety InitiativesNew road “Look” markings and “Give Way to Pedestrians” signs at selected locations to improve road safety.

1 JUN

Tampines Cycling Path Launch6.9km of dedicated cycling paths in Tampines was completed, making it the first HDB town to have such a network. LTA also produced a safe cycling guide book “Your Guide to Intra-Town Cycling”.

14 JUN

15

New Online Matching Portal For TaxisA new online matching portal to help taxi hirers find relief drivers and vice-versa was launched, so that taxis can be better utilised at all times.

28 JUN

To help ease the morning peak hour crowds, LTA started a one-year trial offering free travel on the MRT to 16 city stations before 7.45am on weekdays. Commuters exiting these stations between 7.45am and 8am will enjoy a discount of up to 50 cents off their train fare.

24 JUN

Travel Early, Travel Free on the MRT

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JULY

Public Transport Improvements CampaignA series of posters and banners were launched at MRT stations, bus interchanges and pedestrian overhead bridges island-wide to enhance the public’s awareness and understanding of its efforts to improve connectivity, accessibility and comfort of the public transport network.

18 JUL

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Nine months after LTA launched Travel Smart to help employers offer more flexible work and travel arrangements to their employees, the results were encouraging: Twelve organisations with 25,000 employees had come on board.

22 JUL

Travel Smart

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AUGUSTA series of posters and stickers illustrating positive social norms were launched at key touch points island-wide, including train windows, platform screen doors, bus shelters as well as on buses to nudge more commuters towards graciousness.

21 AUG

New Ways to Foster Gracious Behaviour

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SEPTEMBERThe first city direct bus service, bringing residents from Jurong West straight to the CBD via the expressway, was started. Nine more new City Direct bus services will be launched from January 2014, benefitting residents in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Batok, Eunos, Hougang, Jurong East, Sengkang and West Coast.

2 SEP

Launch of City Direct Jurong West Service

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First Year BSEP Report About half of 550 new buses under the Bus Service Enhancement Proramme (BSEP) had been added on the road. In total, 111 existing bus services were enhanced and 14 new bus services were introduced to shorten waiting times and increase capacity during peak periods.

2 SEP

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Annual Safety Award ConventionFor making sure that their workers work in a safe environment, 33 contractors received awards. Ssangyong Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd received the top award for its work on constructing the Rochor and Little India stations under the Downtown Line stage 2 project.

4 SEP

Singapore’s Efficient Transportation System LaudedSingapore won an award at the C40 & Simens City Climate Leadership Awards, for its efforts in managing traffic congestion, which incorporates a range of “smart” transportation technologies, including the world’s first ERP system, real time traffic information delivered through GPS-enabled taxis and a highly integrated public transport system.

5 SEP

22

EMAS Enhancement and Expansion380 EMAS electronic signboards island-wide are being upgraded to allow for clearer displays of text and graphics. These signboards are also going up at major arterial roads.

Peak Period Short ServicesFive new short bus services in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Boon Lay, Marsiling and Woodlands will be launched from the second quarter of next year to ease congestion, reduce waiting times and improve reliability during peak periods. These services will be run by private bus operators.

COE RefinementsIn response to public feedback, the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system will be refined from February 2014: On top of retaining the existing criterion for Category A cars, the engine power of these cars should not exceed 97 kilowatts (equivalent to about 130 bhp).

13 SEP

30 SEP

9 SEP

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OCTOBER

The Land Transport Master Plan 2013, a roadmapwhich outlines how the LTA will deliver a transport network in the next 10 to 15 years to better meet the needs of Singaporeans, was launched.

Bus Lanes, Give Way to Bus Scheme ExtendedTo improve bus reliability, LTA will add another 25km of new bus lanes at 13 selected road corridors island-wide and extend bus priority measures, including bus lanes and mandatory give-way to buses scheme, to more locations.

4 OCT

7 OCT

Refreshed: Land Transport Master Plan2013

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Singapore International Transport Congress and ExhibitionThe inaugural LTA-UITP event brought together international speakers to share insights on urban transport issues and solution to improve the quality and effectiveness of land transport systems.

Work begins for Yishun cycling pathA groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction for 13.8km of cycling paths in Yishun. The event also marked the completion of the Sembawang Cycling Path network.

26 OCT

7-10 OCT

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LTA Wins Award at Marketing Excellence Awards 2013LTA’s Graciousness on Public Transport Programme won the Bronze Award at Marketing Magazine’s Marketing Excellence Awards 2013 for Excellence in Government Sector Marketing. Earlier in October, the programme also clinched the Gold award at the Loyalty and Engagement Award 2013.

Taxi Availability StandardsFrom 1 January 2014, taxi companies must have 80% of their taxis on the roads during the morning and afternoon peak hours and 60% during the shoulder peak period. They also need to ensure that 80% of their taxi fleet meet a minimum daily mileage of 250km.

12 NOV

28 NOV

New Initiatives to Enhance School Zone SafetyThe speed limit on roads fronting 10 selected primary schools will be lowered to 40km/h during school operating hours from the first quarter of next year for better road safety. At most primary schools, the school zone speed limit is 50km/h.

14 NOV

NOVEMBER

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DECEMBER

The first stage of the Downtown Line (DTL), which opens on 22 December, will provide commuters with more connections to get around the city centre. Ahead of its opening, members of the public were treated to a preview of the 6 new DTL stations on 7 December with fun and games, as well as free rides along the new stations.

22 DEC

Downtown Line 1 Opens

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A Better City with the Marina Coastal ExpresswayOpening on 29 December, Singapore’s first undersea tunnel - the Marina Coastal Expressway will connect with the KPE and ECP in the east to the AYE in the west, with direct connections to the Marina South and Straits View areas.

28 DEC

Bugis Station

Chinatown StationTelok Ayer StationDowntown Station

Promenade Station Bayfront Station

28Connect is a bi-monthly newsletter of the Land Transport Authority. All rights reserved. © 2013Please contact Connect Editor regarding permission to reproduce any material within. ISSN:1793-4931Managing Editor: Sharon Lok (sharon_lok@lta.gov.sg) Editor: Lim Si Ting (si_ting_lim@lta.gov.sg) Corporate Communications Group