Number of Lifts Installed at Pedestrian Overhead Bridges

1 Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether he can provide an update on the number of lifts installed at pedestrian overhead bridges across Singapore in 2021; (b) how does this number compare to the number of lifts installed in 2019 and 2020; and (c) what is the projected annual number of lifts that will be installed at pedestrian overhead bridges for the next three years.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport (Mr Baey Yam Keng) (for the Minister for Transport): As of end 2021, a total of 77 pedestrian overhead bridges (POBs) have been retrofitted with lifts as part of LTA's lift retrofitting programme. Of these, 26 and four POBs were retrofitted with lifts in 2021 and 2020 respectively.

In 2018, LTA completed Phase 2 of its lift retrofitting programme for 41 POBs, primarily near public transport nodes. LTA was preparing for Phase 3 of the lift retrofitting programme in 2019. Preparatory works, such as site investigations and technical studies, have to be done before commencing construction, hence, it takes about 14 to 22 months to retrofit lifts at POBs.

Phase 3 focuses on POBs near places, such as healthcare institutions, so that lifts installed will benefit a high number of seniors and commuters with mobility challenges. This phase, which started from 2020, will see around 60 POBs being retrofitted with lifts. The remaining 30 lifts will be installed progressively over the next three years.

Mdm Deputy Speaker: Mr Darryl David.

Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio): Thank you, Madam. I would also like to thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his reply. Just one supplementary question. I understand that perhaps with time, the cost of installation of the lifts would come down. I would like to enquire from the Senior Parliamentary Secretary if MOT explores other alternative technologies for this. For example, conventional lifts use a certain electrical motor and mechanism, but would hydraulic lifts, for example, be a possible solution if the cost of installation of the hydraulic lifts would be a bit more economical and, therefore, allow for the Budget to be better used to serve the same purpose?

Mr Baey Yam Keng: Madam, the Member had also asked a similar question in 2018. At that time, we shared that a pair of lifts at POBs can cost up to $4 million for installation and about $40,000 a year to maintain.

Indeed, over the years, we have explored different or better ways of providing such facilities. But, of course, we have to also consider the high usage and that it is cost-efficient to maintain. Currently, I am happy to share that, with experience and technologies, we have been able to bring down the cost. So, it now costs about $2 million to $3 million to install a pair of lifts. The costs also include site investigations and the technical things that need to be done, apart from the actual cost of the lift per se. Unfortunately, the maintenance has gone up from $40,000, as shared in 2018, to about $45,000 now, because of labour and other associated costs.

LTA will continue to explore more cost-efficient ways to provide barrier-free access at our POBs when we retrofit them. I seek the public and Members' understanding that there is still a cost involved and priority will definitely be given to areas where we can benefit more commuters with such needs.