Providing Affordable Vehicle Access for Families with Special Needs and Elderly Dependants in View of Rising COE Prices
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim’s inquiry on car ownership grants for families with special needs dependants and support for affordable car-sharing and leasing services. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Jeffrey Siow responded that prioritizing specific groups for car ownership via the Certificate of Entitlement system is complex and may not effectively reach those most in need. Instead, the Government provides direct assistance through means-tested schemes like the Enabling Transport Subsidy for individuals with disabilities using dedicated transport. Beyond investing in inclusive public transport, the Government is broadening point-to-point options by collaborating with car-sharing operators on accessible parking locations. These measures aim to provide flexible and affordable transport alternatives for families requiring occasional vehicle access without direct car ownership.
Transcript
87 Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim asked the Acting Minister for Transport given the rising COE prices (a) whether the Government will consider providing grants to support families with special needs dependants have affordable access to cars; and (b) how will the Government support (i) car-sharing platforms and (ii) companies that offer short- and long-term car leasing services provide flexible and affordable options for families with special needs dependants, children and elderly.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: It is challenging for the Government to adjudicate among the many compelling needs across society that could merit car ownership, including families with special needs dependants. Our approach is to provide direct subsidies and support to such groups to address their specific needs, rather than through the Certificate of Entitlement system, which would be more complicated and costly to administer and may not achieve the intended outcome of supporting those most in need. For example, Ministry of Social and Family Development offers a means-tested transport subsidy to individuals under the Enabling Transport Subsidy scheme to support eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with disability who need to use dedicated transport.
Apart from investing in quality and inclusive public transport, the Government is also working to broaden point-to-point transport options for commuters who may require occasional access to cars. This includes working with car sharing operators on parking lots in accessible locations.