Public Transport Network Improvements with Development of Punggol Digital District

16 Ms Sun Xueling asked the Minister for Transport with the launch of the Punggol Digital District, (a) what are the road and rail transportation network improvements which will coincide with the development of the Punggol Digital District to ensure good connectivity for residents of the North East as well as commuters to the Punggol Digital District; and (b) whether the Cross Island MRT Line will be built in time for the build-up of the Punggol Digital District.

The Senior Minister of State for Transport (Dr Lam Pin Min) (for the Minister for Transport): Mr Speaker, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has made several provisions to ensure good transport connectivity to and within the Punggol Digital District (PDD). A new Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the North-East Line will open in 2023, when the first phase of PDD developments is ready for occupation. Enhancements will also be made to the bus network. To cater to increased vehicular traffic, we are expanding the Tampines Expressway (TPE) and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) road interchange linking to Punggol and Pasir Ris and building a new Tampines Expressway (TPE) and Seletar Link interchange. There will also be covered walkways and cycling paths in the area to encourage active mobility. We are also working towards the deployment of autonomous buses and autonomous on-demand shuttles in PDD from 2022 which will improve first-mile-last mile connectivity for those living or working there.

These provisions will enhance the connectivity of PDD significantly in the lead up to 2030, when the Cross Island Line in the Punggol region is expected to be ready.

Mr Speaker: Ms Sun Xueling.

Ms Sun Xueling (Pasir Ris-Punggol): I thank the Senior Minister of State. May I know, what is the expected number of commuters that the Ministry is planning for, who will travel into PDD; and what is the expected timeline of the inflow of commuters, with the progressive completion of different offerings in PDD?

Separately, does the Ministry have in mind a general transportation mix that it expects commuters will use to travel into PDD, for example, x% by car, x% by bus or rail, if the Senior Minister of State could give an indication on whether there are certain pending parameters?

Dr Lam Pin Min: I would like to thank Ms Sun Xueling for the supplementary questions. I do not have the exact makeup of the commuter mix at this point of time. But suffice to say that LTA will continue to work closely with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) as well as the various Government agencies and stakeholders when planning for the transportation network in PDD, and also to study the demand of residents as well as commuters to that area. We will continue to work with local advisors to ensure good connectivity for the residents and also address any concerns or feedback along the way.

Mr Speaker: Ms Sun Xueling.

Ms Sun Xueling: I would just like to enquire again with regard to my first two questions on the expected number of commuters that the Ministry is planning for who will travel into PDD.

Dr Lam Pin Min: I thank Ms Sun Xueling for the query again. Like I have mentioned, I do not have the figures right now, but I will be happy to reply to Ms Sun Xueling separately with regards to the exact figures.

Mr Speaker: Mr Ang Hin Kee.

Mr Ang Hin Kee (Ang Mo Kio): One supplementary question for the Senior Minister of State is that he mentioned that by 2022, there will be autonomous vehicles or buses and shuttle buses serving PDD. Is that going to be island-wide? What is the potential for such autonomous vehicles being deployed across the island and will there be a displacement impact on drivers who currently take on such vocational jobs?

Dr Lam Pin Min: I would like to thank Mr Ang Hin Kee for the supplementary question. The deployment of autonomous vehicles will be done in phases. We do understand the concerns on the ground with regards to displacement of bus captains as well as taxi drivers, for the project in PDD is going to be confined to within the district where it will provide the last-mile and the first-mile connectivity. But, of course, the technology of autonomous vehicles is advancing very quickly and we are watching the space very closely. Eventually, in years to come, it may extend to other parts of Singapore as well.