Prioritisation Criteria for Planned Lift Installation for Pedestrian Overhead Bridges Across Different Towns in Singapore
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the distribution and prioritisation criteria for installing lifts at pedestrian overhead bridges (POBs) to improve accessibility for seniors and those with mobility challenges. Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if the relative proportion of seniors should be considered in younger towns and highlighted a specific bridge at Block 327A Anchorvale Road. Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung replied that prioritisation is based on the absolute number of beneficiaries and connectivity to essential transport and healthcare facilities to ensure efficient fund usage. He noted that focusing on proportions rather than absolute numbers is unsuitable for the Land Transport Authority’s objective of helping the most people in a meaningful way. Regarding Anchorvale, he highlighted ongoing lift installations at bridges near Sengkang General Hospital and confirmed that POB retrofitting programmes are subject to periodic review.
Transcript
9 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the distribution of planned lift installations for pedestrian overhead bridges (POBs) across different towns in Singapore; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider, in its prioritisation criteria for installations, not only the absolute number of seniors in nearby blocks but also the relative number of seniors in a given town so as to ensure that the elderly living in demographically-younger towns are not disadvantaged in their access to lift-retrofitted POBs.
10 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether consideration can be given to retrofit the overhead bridge near Block 327A Anchorvale Road with an elevator so as to benefit seniors accessing the nearby crossing; and (b) if not, whether this particular bridge will be prioritised in any impending retrofitting of POBs within Anchorvale.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Prioritisation of fitting of lifts to pedestrian overhead bridges are broadly guided by two considerations. First, the number of seniors and commuters with mobility challenges that will benefit from the lift, and second, whether the overhead bridge will help better connect them to public transport nodes and healthcare institutions.
These considerations are needed to ensure public funds are put to the best use to benefit the most number of people, in the most meaningful way. As such, it is not appropriate for LTA to base its considerations on the proportion of seniors, instead of the absolute number of seniors living in the vicinity.
In the case of Anchorvale, lifts have been provided at the pedestrian overhead bridge outside Sengkang General and Community Hospital for the benefit of the many senior citizens and patients visiting the hospital. The bridge at Blk 333D next to the hospital is also currently being fitted with lifts.
LTA will continue to periodically review its programme for lifts at POBs and explore other ways to provide barrier-free crossing for those who need it.