Installing Solar-powered Fans at Bus Stops to Improve Commuter Comfort

3 Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry has considered installing solar-powered fans at bus stops to improve commuter comfort in view of projections that 2026 may be among the hottest years on record; and (b) if so, what are the (i) findings on feasibility, (ii) estimated costs and (iii) implementation plans.

The Minister of State for Transport (Mr Baey Yam Keng) (for the Minister for Transport): Based on earlier trials conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), fans have a limited impact on the ambient temperature in an exposed bus stop environment. Commuter feedback from the trials was also unfavourable. Most bus stops are also shaded by surrounding buildings and trees, reducing the effectiveness of solar installations. We therefore have no plans to install solar-powered fans at bus stops.

LTA will continue to study other options to improve commuter comfort at bus stops, including the use of green roofs which can help lower the ambient temperature.

Mr Speaker: Ms Lee Hui Ying.

Ms Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for the reply. Compared to 2016, when the trials took place, Singapore today is really experiencing more frequent and also intense heat stress, with 2026 projected to be among the hottest years on record. So, I have a few supplementary questions.

First, whether the Ministry has studied cooler bus stop concepts used overseas for adaptation in Singapore? For example, a solar-powered bioclimatic shelter in Spain that actually can claim to reduce temperatures by 20°C to keep pedestrians cool?

Second supplementary question: as we adapt to a rising urban heat, whether then commuter heat resilience can be a formal consideration in future bus stop designs?

Third supplementary question: may I ask for the progress of the green roofs deployment and how does the Ministry identify and prioritise these bus stops for green roofs deployment? And in Nee Soon South, we have four bus stops surrounding Khatib Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station. We are happy to partner the Ministry and LTA to deploy the green roofs as early as possible in the area, so that we can beat the heat together.

Mr Baey Yam Keng: I thank the Member for her interest in this area. Yes, we are looking at options all over the world, but they need to be commercially viable and available. I had a quick look at what the Member had suggested, the one in Spain. If I am not wrong, it is a university research project. So, it is probably still at an early stage and I understand that it will also require some underground water piping to include mist in the fans. So, this sounds quite expensive and I am not sure whether we will be able to do it and deploy across Singapore at bus stops.

Even though our trial was done 10 years ago, I think certain factors like shading from buildings and trees is still a factor that we have to overcome. In fact, I think the effect would have been more pronounced now because of our continuous greening efforts in Singapore. But we will continue to look at that.

The question about the green roof deployment, it is not just about putting turf or soil on the bus stop roof and planting some seeds because the structure of the roof must be reinforced to handle the additional weight as well as needs for access for maintenance and things like that. So, we will normally do it during the scheduled refurbishment of bus stops. It would be carried out in phases. We note the Member's interest for her area in Nee Soon. I am sure other Members will be interested as well, but we will do it in due course.

On the second point about heat resilience, may I ask the Member to just clarify again? I did not really get the question.

Mr Speaker: Ms Lee.

Ms Lee Hui Ying: Thank you. Essentially, for future bus stop designs, whether we will keep in mind solar panel designs or in future then to include heat resilience elements to keep our bus stops cool.

Mr Baey Yam Keng: Certainly. Members would remember that over the years and decades, our bus stop designs have evolved. We have to take into consideration various factors, not just the comfort of commuters who are waiting there but also the practicality of sighting of buses coming ahead as well as maintenance, safety and different factors like that.

So, as we predict more climatic challenges ahead, if we are able to address that and provide a more conducive environment for waiting commuters, that is something that we will definitely look into.

Mr Speaker: Mr Dennis Tan.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong (Hougang): Thank you, Speaker, just a quick supplementary question for the Minister of State. Can I seek the Minister of State's confirmation whether there is actually a plan to green roof all the new bus stops from now on?

Mr Baey Yam Keng: I would say that the greening of bus stop roofs may not be something that is practical across all bus stops. I do not have the exact figures, but I am sure we must have tens of thousands of bus stops in Singapore. So, there is a cost element.

And as mentioned earlier, whether it is practical because the vegetation there also needs sunlight and water. So, if the surrounding has a lot of tall buildings or tall trees that do not provide enough sunlight, then the green roof will not grow well. So, we will have to look at the conditions, whether they are favourable for a green roof to succeed and flourish. And then, as I said, it will also be done in tandem with the regular schedule of bus stop rejuvenation.