The PAP using the tried and trusted pork barrel politics again

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FairPrice Group doubles discounts for lower-income families for two months​

The discounts are valid for up to $200 per transaction per day.PHOTO: FAIRPRICE GROUP
Chin Soo Fang
Dec 30, 2024

SINGAPORE – FairPrice Group (FPG) is kicking off SG60 celebrations with more discounts for Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) blue and orange card holders for the first 60 days of 2025.

From Jan 1 to March 1, it will double its 3 per cent discount for Chas blue and orange card holders every Thursday and Friday, respectively, to 6 per cent at all FairPrice supermarkets and Unity outlets.

Households with a monthly income per person of $1,500 and below can apply for the blue card, while those with a monthly income per person ranging from $1,501 to $2,300 are eligible for the orange card.

The discounts, funded by FairPrice Foundation, are valid for up to $200 per transaction per day.

Earlier in December, the group announced the renewal of its daily discount schemes for seniors, Pioneer and Merdeka generation individuals, and Chas blue and orange card holders till end-2025.

To benefit from these discount schemes, eligible customers need to present either their physical or digital (through the Singpass app) membership cards to cashiers upon checking out their purchases.

At self-checkout counters, customers must select the relevant discount option to apply it to their purchases.


Group chief executive officer Vipul Chawla said the launch of the 6 per cent discount initiative for Chas blue and orange card holders is just the start of year-long celebrations that the group has planned to mark Singapore’s diamond jubilee.

The deeper discounts are part of FPG’s way of showing appreciation for Singaporeans’ support of a food-donation drive it had held from October to November 2024, he added.

The donation drive, A Full Plate, raised more than $1.6 million for 600,000 beneficiaries of 10 charity partners, such as The Food Bank Singapore, Food from the Heart and Jamiyah Singapore, to provide them with nutritious groceries and meals.

FPG said the campaign had rallied Singaporeans to donate by selecting curated grocery bundles or meals at participating outlets at 570 touchpoints, from FairPrice stores, Unity pharmacies, and Cheers and Kopitiam outlets to its app and FairPrice Online.

Its success is a testament to the compassion that Singaporeans have for their neighbours in need, even in the midst of inflation and a challenging economic backdrop, said Mr Chawla.

“With food and grocery expenditure accounting for more than 20 per cent of the average Singaporean household monthly budget, FPG believes that more can be done for lower-income groups who are probably spending an even higher percentage,” he said.

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng said that as Singapore celebrates SG60, NTUC remains committed to its social mission in caring for workers and ensuring that no worker is left behind.

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng (left) with FairPrice Group CEO Vipul Chawla.PHOTO: FAIRPRICE GROUP
“FairPrice Group’s enhanced discount scheme for Chas card holders demonstrates our continued efforts to care for and help Singaporeans cope with rising costs,” he said.

“Together with our enterprise businesses like FairPrice Group, we will continue to strengthen our social compact and build an inclusive and caring Singapore,” he added.

Other initiatives that FPG introduced in 2024 to help Singaporeans with their grocery spending included price freezes on some items ahead of Chinese New Year, $4.5 million worth of NTUC Union and Link member deals for May Day, and vouchers worth $2,000 for consumers to buy selected essential products at discounted prices from June to September.

 

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Price freeze on some seafood, pork, vegetables at FairPrice from Jan 9 through CNY period​

Items at FairPrice outlets that have their prices locked during the Chinese New Year period include seafood like Chinese pomfret, grey prawns and red snapper.ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

Anjali Raguraman
Jan 09, 2025

SINGAPORE – The prices of 15 popular seafood, pork and vegetable items sold at FairPrice outlets islandwide will be frozen, starting from Jan 9 through the Chinese New Year period.

This will keep such items affordable during the festive period, said FairPrice Group (FPG) on Jan 9. It had done the same in previous years.

Items that will have their prices locked include seafood like Chinese pomfret, grey prawns and red snapper, while the vegetables include enoki and shiitake mushrooms, as well as napa cabbage.

Spare ribs and minced pork have been added to the list in 2025 as they have proved popular, said Mr Andy Chang, director of fresh and frozen products at FPG.

The group noted that prices of popular fresh produce at wet markets typically increase during this season.

Surveys it conducted from Jan 2 to 7 showed that prices of items such as Chinese pomfret and red grouper had gone up and were around 20 per cent to 30 per cent higher at four wet markets – in Chinatown Complex, Bedok, Tiong Bahru and Ghim Moh – compared with prices at FairPrice.

For example, an extra-large Chinese pomfret weighing around 600g to 800g cost an average of $57.33 per kg at wet markets, compared with $39.80 at FairPrice.

At the peak of price hikes at wet markets in 2024, the prices of higher-end seafood had nearly doubled.

“High demand for festive produce inevitably drives prices up, and so this price freeze is our way of making every day of the season a little better for our customers by keeping these popular festive essentials within reach,” said Mr Vipul Chawla, group chief executive officer of FPG.

This year’s promotion will run until Feb 12, the last day of Chinese New Year.

Mr Chang said FPG maintains the flow of produce throughout the festive period via prior commitments with suppliers, so that items do not fall short when Chinese New Year begins.

At FairPrice Xtra at AMK Hub, the seafood items on offer proved to be particularly popular, despite Jan 9 being the first day of the promotion.

The items are marked with a “Price Freeze” label.ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Customers like Mrs Dorothy Koh, 64, were snapping up prawns, stocking up well in advance for reunion dinners.

“Basically, Singaporeans are kiasu (Hokkien for “fear of losing out”) and I am one of them, so I think nobody is going to wait until the last minute to get (their produce),” said Mrs Koh, who will have her reunion dinner at her brother’s house.

She added that she has a freezer that is “able to hold (food) for months”.

The housewife, who prefers to shop at supermarkets instead of wet markets because of the convenience and ease of finding items, is hoping for more steamboat ingredients to be added to the price freeze list.

Spare ribs and minced pork have been added to the price freeze list in 2025 as they have proved popular.ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Mr Chang said FPG “will continue to monitor customers’ demand” and keep the list of goods relevant to their needs.

The price freeze comes after FPG announced in December 2024 that those who hold blue and orange Community Health Assist Scheme – or Chas – cards will enjoy 6 per cent discounts at all FairPrice supermarkets and Unity outlets on Thursdays and Fridays from Jan 1 to March 1.

Earlier in January, some major supermarket chains, such as FairPrice and Giant, also announced that they will be giving out $6 return vouchers for shoppers who spend at least $60 worth of their CDC vouchers.

 

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Singaporean households can now claim $300 CDC vouchers, half for use at supermarkets​

A total of 1.33 million households will benefit from this sixth tranche of CDC vouchers.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Chin Soo Fang
Jan 04, 2025

SINGAPORE – Every Singaporean household can now claim $300 worth of CDC vouchers to help them alleviate daily expenses.

Half of the vouchers can be used at supermarkets, and half at participating hawker stalls and heartland merchants.

They are valid until Dec 31.

A total of 1.33 million households will benefit from this sixth tranche of CDC vouchers, which can be used at 23,000 heartland merchants’ stores and hawker stalls; and eight supermarket chains, with about 400 outlets involved.

The latest tranche of vouchers is part of enhancements to the Assurance Package to help cushion the impact of cost-of-living increases. The first half – $300 in CDC vouchers – was disbursed in June 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong attended the launch of the vouchers at Marine Parade Town Centre on Jan 3, along with Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, who is an MP for Marine Parade GRC.

The event was hosted by the five mayors – Ms Low Yen Ling, Ms Denise Phua, Mr Desmond Choo, Mr Alex Yam and Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman.

In his speech, Mr Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, said the launch is one of the first events in 2025 by the Community Development Councils (CDCs) to kick off Singapore’s diamond jubilee, or SG60, celebrations.

The CDC vouchers are one of the key initiatives in the Government’s efforts to help households manage cost-of-living challenges, he said.

The scheme was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to show appreciation to Singaporeans for their solidarity during those difficult times, and to support businesses.

It was continued post-pandemic to help Singaporeans cushion the impact of rising prices.

In 2024, each Singaporean household received $800 worth of vouchers, with a tranche of $500 in January and $300 in June.

As at Dec 31, 2024, about 97 per cent of Singaporean households have claimed the CDC vouchers for the year.

Of these claimed vouchers, more than $1 billion, or 97.5 per cent, has been spent at participating hawkers, heartland merchants and supermarkets.

Overall, around $1.6 billion has been spent since the launch of the digital CDC vouchers scheme in December 2021 – $907 million at participating hawkers and heartland merchants, and $689 million at participating supermarkets.

“Thankfully, inflation has cooled in recent months... and barring any unforeseen circumstances, core inflation is expected to ease further to 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent this year,” said Mr Gan.

“Even though prices may not be rising as fast, we understand that Singaporeans remain concerned about cost of living,” he added.

“We have taken several measures to address these concerns, and we stand ready to do more to support Singaporeans if necessary.”

He added: “Our strong Singapore dollar enables us to mitigate increases in the costs of imported goods and services. We work with businesses too to drive productivity and innovation, so that Singaporeans can continue to have good jobs with better wages.”

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong paying for Chinese New Year goodies at Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre on Jan 3.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Speaking to the media after the launch, Ms Low, who is Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth, said a total of $1.008 billion of the 2024 vouchers has been spent.

Of this figure, $500 million was spent at heartland merchants, while $508 million was used at supermarkets.

About two-thirds of the amount spent at heartland merchants and hawkers, or $331 million, was spent on food and beverages, including at coffee shops, cafes and hawker stalls.

Another $72 million was spent at heartland minimarts, and the remaining $95 million went to other trades such as salons and stationery shops, said Ms Low, who is also chairwoman of the Mayors’ Committee and Mayor of South West District.

Mr Gan said various measures to cushion the pace of price increases for individuals and households have been rolled out too.

For example, as part of the Assurance Package, all adult Singaporeans received up to $600 in cash in December 2024.

In January, eligible households will get additional U-Save rebates to help with their utility bills, and rebates for their service and conservancy charges.

Mr Gan said the community and the private sector – including merchant and heartland associations, schools and volunteers – have come forward to support efforts such as the CDC vouchers scheme.

Coffee shop operators have been included as participating merchants in the scheme, he added.

To date, there are about 600 coffee shop stalls that provide budget meal options and accept CDC vouchers.

“The positive impact of the CDC vouchers scheme is a good showcase of what we can achieve by having the public and private sectors working together,” Mr Gan said.

As the nation celebrates SG60, the Government, community and businesses can continue to find ways to work together to take Singapore forward, he added.

To mark SG60, some participating supermarkets, heartland merchants and hawkers are offering promotions for the use of the vouchers.

For example, some heartland merchants and hawkers will provide additional discounts or gifts for customers who use CDC vouchers at their stores to help Singaporeans stretch their dollar.

Supermarkets such as Cold Storage, Giant, FairPrice and Prime Supermarket will also be running in-house promotions for customers using CDC vouchers.

Human resources professional Victoria Ng, 36, said $300 is a “considerable sum” and will help families with rising costs of groceries and food.

“It’s good that more places are accepting CDC vouchers, including hawker centres, hair salons and neighbourhood stores,” she said.

“More people will also be inclined to spend at neighbourhood stores, which is a win-win situation for both customers and merchants.”

How to claim your vouchers​

Singaporean households will receive a notification letter by mail with instructions on how to claim and spend their CDC vouchers.

Similar to previous tranches, only one household member needs to visit go.gov.sg/cdcv and log in with his or her Singpass to claim the digital vouchers on behalf of the household.

Once the vouchers are claimed, the claimant will receive an SMS with a unique voucher link sent from “gov.sg” to the person’s registered mobile number.

This link, which is different from those of previous tranches, can be conveniently shared with other household members.

Those who face difficulties with the digital process can seek help at community centres or clubs (CCs) and SG Digital Community Hubs. There will be priority queues at CCs for seniors and people with disabilities.

Help will be provided for residents without smartphones or those who need help setting up Singpass accounts or resetting passwords.

Over the first two weeks of the launch, close to 450 youth and student volunteers from institutions, such as ITE College Central, Republic Polytechnic and St Joseph’s Institution, will assist residents at selected CCs alongside CDC ambassadors.

SG Digital Office’s digital ambassadors and Silver Infocomm wellness ambassadors will be stationed at CCs to help residents claim their digital vouchers from Jan 3 to 16.

Residents are reminded to guard against scams.

Claiming the CDC vouchers does not require any involvement with bank applications or transactions.

Those who encounter any suspicious messages relating to gov.sg or CDC vouchers can contact the People’s Association on 6225-5322, or submit the information online at police.gov.sg/i-witness or call 1800-255-0000 to make a police report.

More details on January’s CDC vouchers scheme can be found at vouchers.cdc.gov.sg

​

 

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Buangkok residents enjoy better connectivity, more convenience with new bus interchange​

Buangkok Bus Interchange, which is integrated with Sengkang Grand Mall and Buangkok MRT station, has been operating with three services since Dec 1. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Lee Li Ying
Jan 11, 2025

SINGAPORE – Buangkok residents now have more convenient transfers and improved connectivity to Sengkang town, as well as areas like Changi Airport, Bishan and Bukit Timah with the opening of a bus interchange.

Buangkok Bus Interchange, which is integrated with Sengkang Grand Mall and Buangkok MRT station, has been operating with three services since Dec 1, 2024. The interchange, which is operated by SBS Transit (SBST), will be able to progressively accommodate seven services.

Its official opening at 8.30am on Jan 11 was attended by Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai.

The launch marks the 12th integrated transport hub built by the Land Transport Authority. Such hubs link bus interchanges to MRT stations and nearby developments like malls for commuter convenience.

In a Facebook post after the event, Mr Pillai said he was heartened to hear from residents about how the Buangkok interchange has significantly boosted connectivity and convenience.

The services operating from the interchange are 110, 114 and 156.

Service 110, which goes to Changi Airport, was relocated from the Compassvale Bus Interchange, and no longer serves two stops in Compassvale Road.


As at Dec 1, 2024, service 114, which used to operate from Buangkok MRT station, has been rolled out from the new interchange at 5.55am, with stops along Buangkok Crescent and Sengkang Central.

Service 156, which used to operate from Sengkang Bus Interchange, now serves two additional stops along Sengkang East Avenue. It is skipping seven stops in Sengkang East Road, Sengkang East Way and Compassvale Road, with its route traversing Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Timah and Ulu Pandan.

Residents whom The Straits Times spoke to are most excited about service 110, which can slash the travelling time to Changi Airport.

Residents whom The Straits Times spoke to are most excited about service 110 – which can slash the travelling time to Changi Airport. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Mr Johnson Setoh, 48, who works in the healthcare sector, said he enjoys taking his family to the airport. He usually takes a train from his home near Sengkang MRT station, taking a little over an hour to reach the airport.

But by taking the train to Buangkok station, and transferring to service 110, the journey is faster. “I tried the bus once, and it didn’t take me too long. It took about 50 minutes to get to Terminal 3,” said Mr Setoh.

Dr Frederick Yeo, 35, a doctor who has a four-month-old daughter and a three-year-old son, said his family usually takes a taxi to get to the airport, which would cost up to $30. They live in Sengkang East Drive.

He will now consider tapping service 110 to save cost. “My son also enjoys taking bus rides, so we might take a bus to Changi Airport for his entertainment,” added Dr Yeo.

Mrs Ang Ziya, who works in a financial institution, said that in the past, service 114 terminated at a stop outside Sengkang Grand Mall.

“It was sometimes quite inconvenient if we wanted to go to the shopping mall, because we had to take the underpass via the MRT station. If I’m with my children and I have a stroller, I have to wait for the lift, which will take me five to 10 minutes (to get to the mall),” the 32-year-old added.

Speaking at the official launch, Mr Jeffrey Sim, group chief executive of SBST, said the Buangkok interchange focuses on inclusivity, catering to families with young children, the elderly and those with mobility challenges.


There is barrier-free access at the entrances while the boarding berths have priority queue zones with seats. Facilities include a wheelchair accessible toilet, a baby care room and a commuter care room which provides a quiet space.

SBST has signed a memorandum of understanding with private healthcare provider HMI Medical for an initial period of two years.

HMI Singapore’s CEO, Dr Walter Lim, said the three key areas of focus under the agreement would be to equip the public and SBST employees with first responder skills, raising awareness of preventative healthcare and spreading the word about common medical issues like bone and joint health.

“We want to provide options to Singaporeans to access quality wellness and healthcare in the community. Healthcare is not just restricted to clinics,” he added.

 

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New bus service in Woodlands starts operations; latest under $900m enhancement scheme​

The new service 967 is the latest in a series of bus routes launched under the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Kok Yufeng
Jan 12, 2025

SINGAPORE – A trip from his home in Champions Way to Woodlands Polyclinic, where he has a medical appointment every three months, would have required Mr Jefri Mohamed to take two different bus services, transferring at Woodlands interchange.

But the new trunk service 967, which began operations on Jan 12, provides a more direct bus route for the 50-year-old, who has permanent disabilities owing to heart failure and a bout of cancer.

Other residents in the area told The Straits Times that the new bus service helps reduce their travel time and offers them another option when using public transport.

Operated by SMRT, the new bus service starts at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange and plies Woodlands Avenue 3 and Woodlands Avenue 1, making a loop at Woodlands Drive 17.

It runs at intervals of 12 to 15 minutes, with the first bus leaving the interchange at 5.30am and the last bus at 12.30am. Six buses and 11 drivers have been deployed on the route for a start.

The new service is the latest in a series of bus routes launched under the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme. The initiative, announced in July 2024, aims to improve the bus network to better serve new housing developments and meet shifting travel patterns.

Up to $900 million will be spent over eight years to buy more buses, hire additional staff and build new infrastructure so these planned improvements can be made.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has said more bus routes are in the pipeline for both new and old towns.

Ms Nur Eliyana, who lives near Marsiling MRT station, decided to try service 967 as it stops in Woodlands Street 41, where her in-laws live.

Before the launch of the new service, the 40-year-old, who works as a purchaser at a shipping company, would typically take 15 minutes to walk to her in-laws’ home.

She said she will consider taking the bus in future.

“This route also goes directly to the Woodlands Health Campus, so it will be useful for me,” she said.

To mark the start of the bus service, a launch event was held on Jan 12 at Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange. Certificates and memorabilia were given out to more than 100 attendees, including throngs of bus enthusiasts.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MPs Zaqy Mohamad and Hany Soh said the new route will especially benefit those living in Woodgrove, where there is limited public transport connectivity.

“Many residents have been requesting this service for some time,” said Mr Zaqy, who is also Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower.

Woodgrove is a division of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, bounded by Woodlands Avenue 3, Woodlands Avenue 4, Woodlands Avenue 7, Mandai Road and the Bukit Timah Expressway.

For residents of Marsiling ward, which Mr Zaqy represents, service 967 will provide greater accessibility to medical care, as it stops near Woodlands Polyclinic and the Woodlands Health Campus, which opened in July 2024.

“That’s one of the major factors why this service is very useful,” he said.

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Ms Soh, who represents Woodgrove ward, said some of her residents have elderly parents living in Marsiling and Admiralty.

Previously, they had to transfer between two bus services, even though Woodlands Avenue 1 offers a straight route between these places.

Before Jan 12, the Woodgrove estate near Woodlands Avenue 1 was primarily served by services 912, 912B and 913M. Service 912M, which plied Woodlands Avenue 1 during weekday peak periods, was discontinued on Jan 10 in tandem with the launch of service 967.

Ms Soh said service 967 will improve public transport connections to several schools in her ward, bringing greater convenience for families with young children. The new service also stops at amenities such as the Woodgrove Community Centre and Marsiling Mall.

When asked if other parts of the constituency’s public bus network could be improved, Mr Zaqy said one area he is looking at is how traffic jams near Woodlands Checkpoint have impacted some of the feeder bus services.

Ms Soh pointed to previous questions she had filed in Parliament, including one on Jan 7 about whether LTA would consider starting a new dedicated feeder service between the checkpoint and Woodlands interchange.

In response, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said there is still sufficient capacity on the six bus services that currently operate between the checkpoint and the Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub.

With more housing projects coming up in Marsiling and Woodgrove, Mr Zaqy said he expects the demographics in the two estates to change, which means bus service requirements will change too.

Upcoming Build-To-Order projects there include the 1,540-unit Woodgrove Ascent and the 1,127-unit Woodgrove Edge.

 

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Eligible lower-income households can apply for public transport vouchers from Jan 14​

Public transport vouchers can be used to top up fare cards or buy monthly passes.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Sheo Chiong Teng
Jan 13, 2025

SINGAPORE – From Jan 14 to Oct 31, households with a monthly income per person of not more than $1,800 who did not receive public transport vouchers (PTVs) in 2024 can apply for vouchers worth $60 online or at their local community clubs, to help defray the public transport fare increase.

During this period, households that require more help - including those who did not qualify based on the household income eligibility criterion - can submit an appeal online or at their local community clubs, the Ministry of Transport and People’s Association said in a statement on Jan 13.

Households who have received a PTV notification letter can follow the instructions in the letter to redeem the voucher via the SimplyGo app, or at any SimplyGo kiosk, top-up kiosk, assisted service kiosk, SimplyGo ticket office or SimplyGo ticketing service centre. Residents may also approach their local community club if they have questions.

Each eligible household will receive one PTV, and these vouchers can be used to top up fare cards or buy monthly passes. The vouchers are valid until March 31, 2026.

This follows the first stage of the exercise, which was completed in December 2024, where about 270,000 households that received the voucher during the 2023 exercise and continue to meet the household income eligibility criterion received physical or digital notification letters, or both.

Vouchers handed out as part of the latest exercise are worth $60, higher than the $50 vouchers made available in the 2023 exercise. This is expected to benefit 60,000 more households.

From Dec 28, 2024, adult passengers began paying 10 cents more for each train and bus ride, as part of a 6 per cent public transport fare hike.

Meanwhile, seniors, students, people with disabilities and low-wage workers enjoying concessionary fares started paying four cents more for each journey. These increases apply if passengers pay by debit, credit or fare cards.

 

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10 areas in towns across Singapore to be made more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly by 2026​

Holland Village is one of the towns that are part of the LTA initiative to make areas around key neighbourhood amenities more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly.PHOTO: LTA

Vanessa Paige Chelvan
Jan 14, 2025

SINGAPORE – About 2km of roads in Holland Village, including Holland Avenue and Holland Drive, will soon be made safer for pedestrians, with the introduction of road humps and a lower speed limit on certain stretches of road.

Holland Village is one of 10 towns that are part of a Land Transport Authority (LTA) initiative to make areas around key neighbourhood amenities more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly, by modifying some roads connected to places such as markets, MRT stations and schools.

Dubbed Friendly Streets, the initiative will also go to Bedok, Buangkok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong East, Pek Kio, Punggol, Sembawang and Tiong Bahru.

Works on the Friendly Streets in the 10 neighbourhoods will progressively start in the first half of 2025 and are expected to be completed in 2026, Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor said at their launch event at One Holland Village on Jan 14.

By 2030, every town in Singapore will have at least one Friendly Street, she added.

Jalan Besar GRC MP Denise Phua (left) and Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor at the launch event for Friendly Streets in 10 towns at One Holland Village on Jan 14.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
LTA said on Jan 14 that the locations and features of the Friendly Streets in these neighbourhoods were selected in consultation with residents and stakeholders.

Some features that will be added are more barrier-free crossings, longer green-man signals, and road humps and green road markings, which are meant to encourage drivers to slow down ahead of pedestrian-friendly zones. New road signs will also tell motorists that they are entering a Friendly Street.

Holland Avenue will see a new signalised pedestrian crossing for residents heading to Holland Village and Holland Avenue Hill Park, while another signalised pedestrian crossing in Holland Drive will be relocated to better serve those heading to the Holland Drive Market and Food Centre.

New road humps and wider centre dividers will also be installed in Holland Avenue and Holland Drive to slow down traffic and make it safer for pedestrians, particularly the elderly, to get to the markets, Buona Vista Community Club, and the Holland Village and Buona Vista MRT stations, LTA said.

Mr William Tang and Mrs Lee Tang, who have lived in the neighbourhood for more than 40 years, said it is high time streets in the area were made safer for pedestrians. At the moment, the roads “cater more for cars than pedestrians”, Mrs Tang told The Straits Times.

The couple, who live in Holland Drive, said there is a “speed issue” on that road, and called for more road humps on the stretch between Buona Vista Community Club and Block 18, which houses a multi-storey carpark.

Mrs Tang said road humps would be more helpful than lowering the speed limit, as humps force drivers to slow down, whereas not all will abide by the speed limit.

In Bukit Panjang, the signalised pedestrian crossing between Bukit Panjang Community Club and Pending LRT station will have pedestrian priority, which means a longer green-man signal and shorter waiting times.

These enhancements will complement the nearby Silver Zone in Bukit Panjang Ring Road and make it more convenient for residents to reach Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market, Bangkit LRT station and Zhenghua Nature Park, LTA said.


Over in Pek Kio, a raised, signalised pedestrian crossing will be built on Owen Road to help pedestrians get to Pek Kio Market and Food Centre more safely. The area will also get raised zebra crossings, kerbless crossings and centre dividers, LTA said, without elaborating.

This will benefit existing residents as well as future residents of the upcoming public housing flats in Owen Road, it noted.


The unveiling of the 10 new Friendly Streets locations on Jan 14 follows four successful pilots in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok West, Toa Payoh and West Coast from 2023.

Nine in 10 residents of these neighbourhoods have agreed that their walking and cycling experiences have improved, LTA said.

A fifth pilot, in Tampines, will be completed by March.

 

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About 850,000 older Singaporeans to receive cash under Assurance Package Seniors’ Bonus​

The money will go to seniors living in Singapore who do not own more than one property.PHOTO: ST FILE
Chin Soo Fang
Jan 15, 2025

SINGAPORE - About 850,000 lower-income Singaporeans aged 55 and above will get $200 to $300 from the Assurance Package Seniors’ Bonus in February 2025.

The money will go to seniors living in Singapore who do not own more than one property.

They must also be living in properties with an annual value of up to $31,000, and with an assessable income not exceeding $34,000, said the Ministry of Finance on Jan 15.

Eligible seniors can get their payouts from 5 February 2025 via PayNow-NRIC. To do so, they would need to link their NRIC to PayNow through their banks.

They can also provide their bank account information at the govbenefits website (govbenefits.gov.sg) by Jan 27, and get the cash benefits via Giro from Feb 13.

Those without PayNow-NRIC or valid bank accounts will otherwise receive their cash benefits later via GovCash.

Every Singaporean aged 20 years and below, or 55 years and above, will also get an Assurance Package MediSave top-up of $150 in their CPF accounts.

About 2 million Singaporeans living here will benefit, regardless of the annual value of their homes or their assessable incomes. These payments will go into their CPF accounts from Feb 11.

These benefits were first announced in Budget 2022. Under the Assurance Package, eligible Singaporean seniors will get a Seniors’ Bonus totalling $600 to $900 over three years.

All Singaporeans aged 20 years and below, and 55 years and above, will also receive AP MediSave top-ups totalling $450 over three years. The disbursements are made annually, from 2023 to 2025.

At Budget 2024, a $1.9 billion enhancement to the Assurance Package was announced to help alleviate cost-of-living pressures for Singaporean households and provide more support for lower- to middle-income families.

Eligible recipients will get an SMS after the benefits have been credited in February. Those without a Singpass-registered mobile number or who do not get an SMS will get a letter, sent to their address on their NRICs.

All AP MediSave recipients aged 16 and below will get a letter addressed to their parents or guardians, informing them of the top-up to their child’s CPF account.

To safeguard against scams, the SMS notification sent from “gov.sg” will only inform citizens of their benefit. Citizens will not be asked to reply to the SMS, click any links, or provide any information to the sender. No messages regarding the payments will be sent through WhatsApp or other mobile messaging platforms.

Citizens can check their eligibility on the govbenefits website by logging in with their Singpass. They can also contact 1800-2222-888 or go.gov.sg/apcontactus for more information.

From Jan 3, every Singaporean household can also claim $300 worth of CDC vouchers to help them with daily expenses. A total of 1.33 million households will benefit from this sixth tranche of CDC vouchers, which can be used at 23,000 heartland merchants’ stores and hawker stalls; and eight supermarket chains, with about 400 outlets involved.

 

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Over 50,000 flats to be launched from 2025 to 2027; HDB will exceed earlier target: Desmond Lee​

National Development Minister Desmond Lee said keys to the last pandemic-delayed BTO project will be handed out “in a matter of weeks”.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Isabelle Liew
Jan 16, 2025

SINGAPORE - Some 19,600 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats will be launched in 2025, as part of continued efforts by the authorities to address shocks to the housing market caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

These flats will be among more than 50,000 units that the Housing Board will launch from 2025 to 2027.

The figures, revealed by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee in a media interview on Jan 13, will mean that the authorities would have launched around 102,300 new flats from 2021 to 2025, exceeding their target of 100,000 flats.

This was an effort to ramp up housing supply after the pandemic caused construction to come to a halt, which led to delays for many BTO projects – some for up to 12 months.

Mr Lee said that keys to the last pandemic-delayed BTO project will be handed out “in a matter of weeks”.

“I wouldn’t say we entirely resolved everything, but I think after a few years, we’ve not just addressed the issue of pandemic-delayed flats, but also addressed (demand from first-timer applicants).”

The 2025 flat supply includes 3,800 flats with shorter waiting times of below three years. The number of flats that will be launched in 2025 is similar to the 19,637 units released in 2024.

In February, HDB will launch 5,000 BTO flats and another 5,500 balance flats for sale – the largest exercise for these flats to date.

Mr Lee said that beyond 2027, the Government will study the demand for homes before deciding how many flats to launch.

He noted that the Covid-19 pandemic was the “crisis of a generation”, which had a significant impact on construction and housing, and created challenges both in terms of supply and demand.

“We had the challenge with supply... because we shut down construction for the first time in our history,” Mr Lee said, adding that constraints on supply chains and manpower meant also that the pipeline of new flats was affected significantly.

On the demand side, BTO application rates shot up overnight as people were worried about housing and brought forward plans to apply for a flat.

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Five years on, the Government has managed to address “quite a number” of these supply and demand challenges that confronted the public housing market, Mr Lee said.

He pointed out that amid efforts to ramp up supply, demand for BTO flats has stabilised.

In 2024, there were 2.1 first-time applicants for each flat, lower than the rate of 3.7 in 2019, he said. But this is slightly higher than the rate of 1.9 in 2023.

Shorter waiting time flats – those that are already being built when they are launched – will become “quite a major feature of our BTO flat supply” in the years to come, he said.

About 2,800 of these flats were launched in 2024.

“Were it not for Covid-19, there would have been more shorter waiting time flats over the last few years, but they were all sacrificed because of the spike in demand during Covid,” said Mr Lee.

Asked if there will be at least one project with shorter waiting time flats in each BTO launch, Mr Lee said this would not necessarily be the case. He declined to reveal where these flats will be launched in 2025, and said details will be announced later.

In the private housing market, 8,505 units (including executive condominiums) will be made available in the first half of 2025 across 10 confirmed-list sites and nine reserve-list sites, up from 8,140 units in the second half of 2024.

The measures to address concerns over affordability that Mr Lee outlined included the launch of the new flat classification system in 2024, which sorts BTO flats into Standard, Plus and Prime categories based on their proximity to the city centre and amenities, as well as transport connectivity.

Flats in attractive locations, which fall under the Prime and Plus categories, come with greater subsidies to keep them affordable, but they also have stricter resale restrictions such as a subsidy clawback and 10-year minimum occupation period.

Other measures he cited included the move to lower the loan-to-value limit for HDB housing loans from 80 per cent to 75 per cent in August 2024.

At that time, the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant was also increased to help first-time home buyers in the lower- to middle-income brackets.

Turning to single home buyers, Mr Lee noted that demand from such applicants surged after the restriction that limited them to BTO flats in non-mature estates was lifted in October’s sales exercise.

He added that the authorities are committed to launching more two-room flexi flats from 2025 to address demand from singles and seniors, pointing out that such units make up 25 per cent of the 5,000 BTO and 5,500 balance flats that will be rolled out in February.

The upcoming Family Care Scheme, which grants singles priority access when they buy a home near or with their parents, is expected to drive more demand from singles when it kicks in from mid-2025, he noted.

Mr Lee also gave an update on measures implemented in the BTO market, including those to help first-timers secure their BTO flats and the stricter rules for applicants who reject offers to book units.

Since the First-Timer (Parents and Married Couples) priority category took effect, nine in 10 applicants under this group, on average, were invited to book a flat in the three BTO sales exercises from October 2023 to February 2024, he said.

These are exercises in which bookings have been completed.

First-timer families with Singaporean children aged 18 and below, as well as married couples aged 40 and below, are eligible for the priority category, which gives them three ballot chances in their BTO and Sale of Balance Flats applications. Up to 40 per cent of the flat supply are set aside for this group of applicants.

Meanwhile, the tighter rules for applicants who do not select a BTO flat when invited to do so, which kicked in from October 2023, resulted in a decline in the proportion of BTO applicants who did not book a flat.

Across the three sales exercises, the proportion dropped to 19 per cent, from 40 per cent before, Mr Lee said. “This means that people were thinking more carefully before they apply, and thinking a lot carefully before they reject,” he said.

Under these rules, first-timer applicants who do not select a BTO flat would be considered second-timers in subsequent flat applications for a year.

Those who get a queue position falling within the flat supply also cannot apply for a flat in later exercises until after their booking appointment.

With that, the HDB will issue two times more queue numbers than the flat supply from February’s BTO exercise, down from three times previously, Mr Lee said.

He said it is “the right time to do so”, as the booking chances of applicants who have queue numbers above two times the flat supply were much lower than before.

It also gives applicants more certainty in whether they should apply for the next sales exercise, rather than worry about incurring a non-selection penalty, he added.

“The aim is to help genuine home buyers, particularly first-timers, to be able to get (a home) to settle down.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Singapore Govt ‘not averse’ to more property cooling measures if necessary: Desmond Lee​

National Development Minister Desmond Lee said the Government has to ensure there is no property bubble, whether in private or public housing.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Isabelle Liew
Jan 16, 2025

SINGAPORE - The Government is “not averse” to implementing more cooling measures on the property market if needed, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee.

He added that it was not yet time to roll back curbs that have been imposed to keep property prices under control.

Mr Lee was responding to a question during a media interview on Jan 13 on whether the Government’s efforts over the past years have addressed concerns over housing affordability.

He outlined the Government’s approach to addressing such concerns in recent years – the authorities have ramped up the supply of public housing through its Build-To-Order (BTO) programme, while also implementing measures to cool demand. He called for more time to let these efforts take effect on the market.

“Let the supply and demand side measures work their way through. We are not averse to putting in new measures if necessary, because we need to ultimately make sure that there’s no property bubble, whether it’s on the private side or on the public housing sector,” Mr Lee said.

Prices of Housing Board resale flats rose 9.6 per cent in 2024, up from a 4.9 per cent increase recorded in 2023. HDB resale prices grew at a rate that outstripped median income growth, which rose 3.4 per cent in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Manpower.

In the private residential market, home prices rose 3.9 per cent in 2024 – a slower pace compared with the 6.8 per cent gain in 2023.

Over the last few years, the authorities have put in place a range of measures to curb prices, both in the HDB resale and private property market.

The loan-to-value limit for HDB housing loans was lowered from 80 per cent to 75 per cent in August 2024, as part of a move to dampen demand at the higher end of the HDB resale market.

In September 2022, a 15-month wait-out period was introduced for private home owners who wish to buy a resale flat.

In the private market, additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD) rates were raised in April 2023 for Singaporeans and permanent residents buying their second and subsequent properties. The ABSD rate for foreigners buying any residential property was also doubled, from 30 per cent to 60 per cent.

Asked about the effectiveness of the 15-month wait-out period, Mr Lee said the proportion of private property downgraders paying high prices for HDB flats has come down.

From Jan 1 to Sept 29 in 2022, this group made up about 34 per cent of buyers who bought million-dollar flats. After the wait-out period was implemented, the proportion dropped to 12 per cent between January and November in 2024.

He added that the Government would lift this temporary measure when the property market stabilises, and not at this point of time.

Mr Desmond Lee outlined the Government’s approach to addressing concerns over housing affordability in recent years.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Meanwhile, price growth in the private residential market slowed in 2024, Mr Lee noted. The stock of unsold homes has been built up, and developers are more cautious in their bids for Government Land Sales sites.

But prices are still higher than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Government will continue to keep a close eye on the private market, he said.

On affordability, he noted that eight in 10 first-timer families who bought new or resale HDB flats could service their HDB loans using their Central Provident Fund contributions, with little or no cash payments.

Mr Lee said the Government is “very careful” about intervening in the property market, as people’s homes and assets are at stake.

“If you want to take very tough demand-side measures, you must be mindful of the economic environment and not over-correct, because that would risk causing the market downturn to be sharper than what I think most home owners would expect,” he said.

Mr Lee said more than 100,000 new flats will be entering the market, which would build up the stock of homes.

More than 50,000 BTO flats will be launched from 2025 to 2027, including 19,600 flats that will be rolled out in 2025.

In all, about 130,000 flats will be offered for sale from 2021 to 2027.


Noting that the property market moves in cycles, Mr Lee urged home buyers to be cautious in their financial decisions.

“Those who pay very high prices, especially high prices above valuation, will be at greatest risk when the market – when, not if – eventually does correct,” he said.

He also pointed out that “sentiment-driven psychology” has contributed to rising public housing resale prices.

Million-dollar resale flats, despite being concentrated in locations with good attributes and forming a small proportion of overall resale transactions, have caused sellers to believe they can raise their asking prices.

A record 1,035 flats changed hands for at least $1 million in 2024, more than double the 469 million-dollar deals in 2023.

This sentiment also causes home buyers to feel anxious about securing a flat despite the high price, because they think that “tomorrow (the price) may go up”, Mr Lee added.

In addition, fewer flats met their minimum occupation period (MOP) in 2024, compared with the year before, resulting in a “temporary tightness” in supply, Mr Lee said. Many of these flats were also located in central locations, and they tend to transact at higher prices.

“There’s no doubt there’s been a psychological impact on people’s sense of affordability. But we have to look at where these flats are, their age, their youth, the attractive attributes that they come with, and recognise that they remain a small proportion (of resale transactions),” he said.

He also pointed to the new flat classification system – which sorts BTO flats into Standard, Plus and Prime categories based on their proximity to the city centre and amenities, and transport connectivity – as another measure to ensure that flats in attractive locations are affordable.

These flats – which fall under the Prime and Plus categories – come with greater subsidies and resale restrictions, such as a 10-year MOP and a subsidy clawback upon resale.

Mr Lee was also asked about whether the new flat classification would contribute to higher prices in estates where Prime and Plus flats are located, because existing flats in these areas do not come with the new resale restrictions applied on Prime and Plus BTO flats.

He said this was “way too early” to tell as it will be some 10 to 15 years before Prime and Plus flats hit the resale market.

 

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COE quota up 8.2% to 17,133 for Feb to April, including first injection of additional certificates​

In all, there will be 17,133 certificates available for bidding for the February to April period.PHOTO: ST FILE

Lee Nian Tjoe
Jan 16, 2025

SINGAPORE – There will be 1,299 more certificates of entitlement (COEs) available for tender in the February to April period than in the preceding three months, marking an increase of 8.2 per cent.

In all, there will be 17,133 certificates available for bidding, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Jan 16.

This is the first quota period during which LTA is injecting extra COEs on top of the supply coming in part from deregistrations in 2024 and certificates being brought forward from guaranteed deregistrations in the next projected supply peak, using a “cut and fill” method to stabilise COE supply.

The number of COEs brought forward, as well as the additional certificates injected, will come to 4,201 across the car and motorcycle COE categories.

The Straits Times has asked the LTA for a further breakdown of the extra COEs injected.

Last October, LTA announced that it will progressively inject up to 20,000 additional COEs over the next few years across the five vehicle categories, starting in February 2025.

It had said it was able to do so because travel patterns have evolved, with the total mileage clocked by vehicles decreasing by around 6 per cent from 2019 to 2023.

The next-generation satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing system will also allow the authorities to better manage traffic congestion.

At 6,828, the supply of COEs in Category A, which are meant for smaller and less powerful cars and electric vehicles (EVs), is 10.3 per cent more than the 6,190 pieces available in the November 2024 to January 2025 period.

Category B COEs, which are used to register larger and more powerful cars and EVs, will also receive a boost of 10 per cent to 4,465 pieces, from 4,060 in the previous period.

The Open category (Category E) COE supply will rise by 10.7 per cent from 1,072 to 1,187.

Although Category E COEs can be used to register any type of vehicle, they are almost always used for larger cars and EVs.

The supply of COEs for commercial vehicles (Category C) will be 1,548 – 10 per cent more than the 1,407 pieces available in the previous three-month period.

The motorcycle COE supply remains at 3,105, unchanged from the preceding three-month period.

The Jan 16 announcement comes a week before the next COE tender exercise on Jan 22 – the final exercise for the November 2024 to January 2025 quota period.

 

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Toa Payoh Stadium can expand beyond 10,000 seats if needed, says SportSG chief​

SportSG chief Alan Goh said the stadium will be built with the flexibility to expand its capacity later if required.ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Deepanraj Ganesan
Jan 16, 2025

SINGAPORE – The new Toa Payoh Stadium could become the second-largest football facility in Singapore after it is completed by 2030, if demand calls for an expansion beyond its 10,000-capacity in the future.

At present, the National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub in Kallang is the largest with 55,000 seats, with Jalan Besar Stadium a distant second at 6,000.

But that could change in the future. In an interview with The Straits Times on Jan 16, Sport Singapore (SportSG) chief executive Alan Goh said that the stadium at the Toa Payoh Integrated Development will be built with the flexibility to expand its capacity later if required. However, he stressed that it is too early to determine whether such an expansion will be necessary.

The 48-year-old said: “We do get government funding for the project and much as we sports people would wish for more... when you spend taxpayer’s money, it’s about trying to make sure that it is well utilised.

“Have we seen situations where Jalan Besar is always sold out? It was certainly for the (Asean Championship) semi-finals. And when we have data to show that you do have the kind of demand that can fill a stadium, then you get more justifications to build a bigger one.”

Details of the Toa Payoh project were revealed during a ground-breaking ceremony on Jan 5, and among the sporting upgrades are a 2,000-seater aquatic centre with four indoor swimming pools, a 5,000-seat indoor hall, and sheltered futsal, tennis, and netball courts.

But it is the 10,000-seater football stadium that has sparked discussions, with some observers asking about the feasibility of building a larger mid-tier stadium of 20,000 to 25,000 to serve as an alternative venue for major events.


The need for such a facility was highlighted during the Asean Championship semi-finals last December, when the match was moved to the Jalan Besar Stadium (6,000-capacity) due to a late scheduling change that rendered the National Stadium unavailable.

Goh added: “Some quarters want a bigger one (stadium), but it’s a question of how often would that situation be? The prudent thing to do, which we have done, is build for 10,000 and hopefully we fill it up as often as we can, but we have built the development such that it allows for future growth.

“So when the time comes, and we really see another situation like we encountered, then we can make the arguments to try to increase the capacity.”

Sports facilities remain a hot topic in land-scarce Singapore, with various sports vying for dedicated spaces.

One of them is motor sports, with the $380 million Changi Motorsports Hub mooted over a decade ago, though those plans were eventually scrapped in 2013.

When asked if Singapore is still keen on such a hub, Goh did not rule it out, though he admitted that it would be “hard to find a suitable pocket of land”.

“But we keep that conversation alive. As long as there’s a land plot of sufficient size and the stars align for the number of things to come together, then we can go for that,” he added.

Other developments like the velodrome at the Kallang Alive precinct and Olympic-sized skating rink – the only such facility at JCube Mall was closed in November 2023 – are in discussion, said the sports chief. On the latter, he noted that SportSG is in talks with suitable partners to “find a suitable space”.

The 10,000-seater football stadium at the Toa Payoh Integrated Development has sparked discussions.PHOTO: SPORT SINGAPORE
Before the interview, Goh, who started work at SportSG in April 2023, joined members of the press for a 3x3 basketball game at the OCBC Arena. After sinking several two-point shots, he later reflected on a bountiful season for Singapore sports in 2024.

Some of the year’s highlights for Goh included achievements from athletes like Maximilian Maeder, who won the kitefoiling bronze at the Paris Olympics in a phenomenal season where he also claimed the world, Asian and European titles.

He also noted SportSG’s slew of initiatives to support athletes and make sport a viable and attractive career path, such as the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarship Programme and the monthly CPF top-ups that spexScholars will enjoy from April.

Goh added: “We know we are on the right track when retired athletes ask us, ‘how come this was not available when I was young?’, and existing athletes who say ‘I actually thought of retirement, but this can help me push on for a couple more years’.”

SportSG chief Alan Goh joining members of the press for a 3x3 basketball game at the OCBC Arena on Jan 16.ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
While there have been successes, Goh also acknowledged that there are areas for improvement, particularly for sports that have underperformed. Some like karate, sepak takraw and tennis have not produced notable results or qualified representatives for the SEA and Asian Games in recent years. Team sports such as football, despite being one of Singapore’s most popular sports, and basketball have also lagged behind regional counterparts.

He said that SportSG will work closely with the respective national sports associations to improve.

He added: “It is not rocket science. A top athlete is only produced... when you have the correct talent, coaching, infrastructure, training and competition. When you’re missing one of these key ingredients, you aren’t quite able to break out and reach the very top.”

Reflecting on his tenure so far, he said: “What we’ve been able to achieve the last two years shows that sports is important to our society. I still think we are a very academic biased society, and as long as we improve support for athletes, such that an athlete career is viable... that’s the room that we can improve a lot in today.”

​

 

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10,000 households in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC to benefit from $1 grocery deals​

PM Lawrence Wong with MP Mr. SMS Zaqy Mohamad at the launch of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC's MY $1 Deals at 888 Plaza on Jan 18.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

David Sun
Jan 18, 2025

SINGAPORE – Some 10,000 households in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC will be able to buy cooking oil, eggs or rice for $1 under a new initiative to help residents cope with the rising cost of living.

The GRC’s initiative, called MY $1 Deals, will allow households with at least one Singaporean to buy up to three coupons for $1 each. These coupons can then be used to redeem a 2.5kg pack of rice, a litre of cooking oil or a tray of 30 eggs.

The coupons were sold at the community clubs in the GRC from Dec 30, 2024, to Jan 17, and can be exchanged for the groceries on Jan 18 and 19.

At the launch of the grocery exchange on Jan 18, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the cost of living has gone up, with prices rising in the last two years.

PM Wong, who is in charge of the GRC’s Limbang ward, said the Government has been trying to help Singaporeans cope by rolling out initiatives such as the Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers.

In January, Singaporean households got $300 in CDC vouchers, which can be used in supermarkets, hawker stalls and heartland shops.

“Worldwide, everyone is feeling the pressure of higher prices,” said PM Wong at the event held at 888 Plaza in Woodlands.

“But in Singapore, we are doing everything we can to help residents cope with these higher prices.” He added that the Government will continue to provide help for Singaporeans with the Budget in February.

Volunteers helping to distribute necessities under the Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC’s MY $1 Deals to residents at 888 Plaza in Woodlands on Jan 18.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Also at the launch of the GRC initiative were the constituency’s other MPs – Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Mr Alex Yam and Ms Hany Soh.

Mr Wong said additional $1 deals will be rolled out in 2025.

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC is not the only constituency with such initiatives to help residents with cost of living concerns.

Bukit Panjang launched the Bukit Panjang Dollar Deal in 2024, which allowed residents there to buy set meals, vegetable packs or eggs each month for $1 for a whole year.

Speaking to the media at the Jan 18 event, Mr Zaqy said the grassroots leaders will review residents’ response to the initiative before deciding whether to extend it in the GRC. He added that the scheme is funded by grassroots funds and donations.

“This is meant to complement what government rolls out, whether it’s (from the) Budget that’s coming up, whether it’s CDC vouchers, GST vouchers, Assurance Package,” said Mr Zaqy.

“There are many things that Government is rolling out today, and I think it’s useful for residents if we complement this along with other schemes.”

Residents said they were thankful for the initiative as they have been feeling the pinch recently.

Ms Esther Tay, 48, who works in sales, said: “Recently the price of everything has been going up quite a bit. While this initiative is quite generous, we hope that the Government can do more to help Singaporeans by maybe controlling the price of basic items and goods.”

Another resident, who wanted to be known only as Madam Nadia, said she hopes more can be done to help Singaporeans over the medium to long term.

“We feel the pinch of (rising prices of) basic necessities, which have got quite expensive. Every time I buy groceries, it feels like there’s an increase of five to 10 cents, which adds up in the long run,” said the 35-year-old, who works in marketing.

“While this is a nice initiative, I hope that more can be done in other areas as well, such as wage increases and addressing inflation.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

New community hub in Siglap to get running track, rooftop gym and jamming studio​

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To improve accessibility, a new road will be constructed to facilitate traffic and provide seamless access to the upcoming hub.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION

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The new hub will feature a black box theatre with around 200 seats.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION

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The expanded space will allow for a broader range of activities and amenities centred around the arts, sports and innovation.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION

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Guests at the preview of the new Joo Chiat integrated community hub at Siglap South Community Centre on Jan 15. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
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Joyce Lim
Jan 18, 2025

SINGAPORE – A new, upcoming community club in Siglap will span over 8,000 sq m – more than triple the size of the existing facility it will replace – and contain amenities such as a 300m running track, jamming studio and a rooftop gym.

Situated in Upper East Coast Road, the new integrated hub will replace the ageing Siglap South Community Centre (CC). It is slated for completion in 2029.

Mr Edwin Tong, who is MP for the Joo Chiat ward, said the new building will also feature a community plaza, basement parking with over 200 spaces, and a multi-purpose hall that can accommodate festive events like Chinese New Year celebrations and also be used for pickleball or badminton.

Other facilities that residents would be able to enjoy in the upcoming four-storey building include a black box theatre with around 200 seats, a sheltered basketball court, and a multi-purpose atrium to hold exhibitions, yoga sessions and farmers’ markets, said Mr Tong, who is also Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.

Speaking at a briefing on Jan 15, Mr Tong said a new road to the community hub will also be built to improve accessibility.

The new hub will benefit from a larger plot size, which will allow its planned gross floor area to be more than three times the size of the 65-year-old Siglap South Community Centre in Palm Road, just 500m away.

The new hub will feature a multi-purpose atrium to hold exhibitions, yoga sessions, farmers’ markets and other community gatherings.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION
Between 2020 and 2024, Mr Tong had consulted residents through estate dialogue sessions, town halls and other smaller engagement sessions at condominiums and community events while planning for the project.


The expanded space will allow for a broader range of activities and amenities centred on the arts, sports and innovation, which residents highlighted in their feedback, said Mr Tong.

Joo Chiat ward resident Jordin Tan, 16, expressed her excitement about the new facilities.

“I am definitely most excited about the jamming studio and the black box theatre. I look forward to performing at the black box or just hanging out with friends at the jamming studio,” said the teenager who is also a singer-songwriter.

The new hub will feature high ceiling indoor sports hall which can be used as a badminton court or pickleball court.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION
The Straits Times previously reported that the design process for the new hub was spearheaded by architect Edmund Ng, 52, a Joo Chiat community volunteer.

Mr Ng, who runs his own architecture firm, was roped in by Mr Tong to brainstorm ideas for a new community club some time in 2022. Mr Ng’s architectural concept would be further developed by DP Architects, the firm appointed to execute the project.

DP Architects’ chief executive Seah Chee Huang said: “The design aspiration of the development is about cultivating a unique sense of togetherness, where shared spaces foster vibrancy and meaningful connections.”

Mr Tong said: “Joo Chiat is more than just a neighbourhood; it’s a vibrant home, made of memories, shared experiences and steeped in heritage.”

Mr Edwin Tong, MP for the Joo Chiat ward, said the new building will also feature a community plaza, basement parking with over 200 spaces, and a multi-purpose hall.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
He recalled a memorable interaction during a dialogue session where he was asked by a resident: “Got mahjong room or not?”

“It shows that people come to the CC with very different perspectives – young persons, old persons, all with different interests. Our job was to blend all of this together within the space we have. That was really important,” said Mr Tong.

“No point building something that’s spectacular-looking and award-winning but doesn’t meet the needs of our residents.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

More help on the way to address Singaporeans’ cost of living concerns: SM Lee​

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong presenting Edusave awards at a ceremony at Teck Ghee Primary School, on Jan 18.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Ng Keng Gene
Jan 18, 2025

SINGAPORE – The cost of living is an issue many Singaporeans are anxious about, and the Government has taken steps to help people cope and ensure that no one is left behind, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Jan 18.

He added that more assistance is on the way in 2025, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivering the Budget statement in Parliament in February.

“PM Wong has said there should be good news to look forward to,” said SM Lee, who was speaking at an Edusave awards presentation ceremony at Teck Ghee Primary School.

Mr Lee noted that Singapore’s economy did well in 2024 and that the country has emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic, but anxieties remain.

“Singaporeans are anxious about the cost of living, and to some extent anxious about job security,” he said, adding that people are worried about keeping their jobs if the economy changes and providing for their families.

SM Lee outlined the help that the Government has provided so far: On the national level, this includes $800 in Community Development Council vouchers in 2024, and a further $300 in January, public transport vouchers, GST vouchers, U-Save rebates for utilities and cash payouts to the needy.

There is help too at the local level, he said. Citing his Teck Ghee ward as an example, he pointed to the help provided for needy residents, which includes bursary awards, free tuition and reading programmes for children, meal vouchers and grocery shopping trips.

Care packages and hongbao funded by community donors were also distributed to some 400 seniors recently, he said.

“All this will help everyone to cope, to deal with the cost of living, to get by and more than get by, and make sure nobody is left behind,” said SM Lee.

Mr Lee said the Government also has its eye on future opportunities and wider challenges facing Singapore.

There are new technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics, which are creating new jobs and transforming businesses, he said.

US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan 20, he added, pointing out that the world is watching to see what Trump would do.

“How will US-China relations develop? What does that mean for our part of the world – Taiwan, South China Sea? What does it mean in the Middle East – between Israel and the Palestinians? In Europe – the war with Ukraine and relations with Russia? So, there are many uncertainties around us.” said SM Lee.

“The Government is actively preparing us for this world and preparing us for these challenges and the new opportunities ahead.”

These efforts include investing heavily in education, upgrading schools with better facilities, updated curricula and better-trained teachers, he said.

Pointing to his own experience facing uncertainties, SM Lee said Singapore became independent while he was in school.

“My classmates and I were in your shoes, facing a changing world, wondering what would the future hold for Singapore,” he said.

There were formidable challenges then, concerning security and unemployment, and schools then were also basic, with few sports facilities and no enrichment programmes. But SM Lee pointed out that the Pioneer and Merdeka generations knuckled down and worked hard to face down these challenges, and created a better life for themselves and their children.

“So today, with all the resources that we have, with the confidence we have done it before, I have no doubt that you can do it again. That whatever challenges there are, we will surmount them, and we will be able to take Singapore forward for the next 60 years,” he said.

Among the students who received an Edusave Merit Bursary was Liaw Ri Guang, 10, a Primary 5 pupil from Townsville Primary School.

His father, Mr Liaw Wee Liang, 39, said this was the fourth consecutive year his son had received an Edusave award.

“It’s encouraging for him, and something that he can work towards every year,” said Mr Liaw.

 

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First pedestrian-only paths open in Toa Payoh; paths in other towns to be completed by July​

Apart from pedestrians, users of personal mobility aids – such as mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs – are allowed on pedestrian-only paths.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Vanessa Paige Chelvan
Jan 21, 2025

SINGAPORE – Some footpaths in Toa Payoh, such as in Toa Payoh Central, Toa Payoh Lorong 1 and Toa Payoh Lorong 4, have been turned into pedestrian-only paths to improve the safety of those on foot.

This is under an initiative to convert footpaths next to cycling lanes into those for pedestrian-only use, with Toa Payoh being the first town to benefit from this plan.

But apart from pedestrians, users of personal mobility aids – such as mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs – are allowed on pedestrian-only paths.

This will be implemented in other towns across Singapore by July 1, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said in a Facebook post on Jan 21.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the initiative “will be expanded to all HDB towns with existing dedicated cycling paths across Singapore”.

In the coming months, this will be rolled out in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan and Punggol, an LTA spokesperson told The Straits Times.

To alert users to pedestrian-only paths, physical markings – including pedestrian logos and “pedestrians only” wording – will be imprinted on footpaths that are next to cycling paths.

New paths will have the pedestrian-only markings included as part of construction works, LTA said.

The authority added that the markings are designed to help users identify the type of path they are on and remind them to use the appropriate paths.

In August 2024, LTA said that footpaths situated next to more than 200km of cycling lanes would be turned into pedestrian-only paths progressively from the last quarter of 2024 in an effort to improve the safety of pedestrians.

With this move, bicycles and non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick-scooters, which are allowed on footpaths at present, will be banned from pedestrian-only paths.

To give cyclists and users of non-motorised PMDs time to adjust to the move, enforcement will start only from July 1. First-time offenders convicted of riding on a pedestrian-only path could be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for three months, or both.

Pedestrians who stray into cycling paths will not face these penalties.

LTA said that since August 2024, its active mobility enforcement officers “have been engaging and educating cyclists and non-motorised PMD users if they are observed to be riding on the wrong path”.

These efforts will continue until July 1.

After that, “enforcement action will be taken against those who are speeding or riding in a rash and reckless manner regardless of the path used”, LTA said.


After the move takes effect, only pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids will be allowed on pedestrian-only paths. Personal mobility aids must observe a speed limit of 6kmh by the end of 2025, down from 10kmh.

Bicycles, electric bicycles, motorised and non-motorised PMDs, and personal mobility aids will continue to be allowed on cycling paths.

On other footpaths, bicycles and non-motorised PMDs remain permitted.

Toa Payoh resident Joseph Chua, who was walking his son home from school, welcomed the roll-out of pedestrian-only paths.

“It’s a bit dangerous without them,” he said.

His younger son’s head was hit by the handlebar of a passing bicycle a year or two ago, he said.

Mr Chua, a recruiter, said that if bicycles and pedestrians stick to their lanes, “we don’t have to worry”.

Another resident, exercise therapist Nicole Wong, told ST that pedestrian-only lanes are “helpful, but people are not used to it yet”.

“Pedestrians are walking on the cycling path, and cyclists are on the pedestrian-only path,” she noted. “It’s only fair to give residents time to get used to this.”

 

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‘We will always keep public housing affordable for Singaporeans’: PM Wong​

PM Lawrence Wong said HDB will continue to price new flats in relation to income and not the resale market, to make sure public housing remains affordable.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Chin Soo Fang
Jan 22, 2025

SINGAPORE - Public housing will always be kept affordable for Singaporeans, both now and in the future, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

He gave this assurance during a dialogue on Jan 21 with close to 900 student participants across various education institutions at the University Cultural Centre in NUS.

The Housing Board will continue to price new flats in relation to income and not the resale market, to make sure public housing remains affordable, PM Wong said.

“We are able, through heavy government subsidies, through what we do on the HDB side, to provide assurance to all of you, both now and in the future, that we will always keep public housing affordable for Singaporeans,” he said.

The Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global research organisation, considers home ownership affordable when the ratio of the median home price to median annual household income is below 5.

This means that the flat’s price is within five times of the buyer’s annual household income.

According to a ULI report released in May, the ratio in Singapore for HDB flats is 4.7.

Besides housing affordability, PM Wong fielded questions on topics such as the Singapore Dream, geopolitics and same-sex marriage in a wide-ranging dialogue that lasted about 90 minutes.

It was organised by government feedback unit Reach and Varsity Voices, a student-led university initiative.

He acknowledged the anxiety over housing prices, including over flats that fetch more than $1 million on the resale market.

PM Wong shared that in the 70s, his parents bought an HDB flat for about $30,000.

“You may say, wow, so cheap. Today is so much more expensive, 10 times or more,” he said.

“But remember, at that time, their salaries were nothing like today’s salaries.”

While flat prices have increased, so have Singaporeans’ incomes, he said, adding that today, more than 80 per cent of first-time flat buyers can afford their flat and service their mortgage with their Central Provident Fund, with very little or zero cash.

The Prime Minister noted that resale flat prices are “on the high side”, but also said that the pandemic caused a supply disruption as the construction industry was severely impacted.

The Government has since gone “full steam ahead” to build more flats, and has also been putting out land for private housing, he said. However, the effects on supply will not be immediately felt as these take years to build.

On high application rates for certain Build-To-Order projects, PM Wong said there will be higher demand for flats in more attractive locations.

“But generally speaking, because we’ve been putting out so many new flats, we have seen the application rates come down.”

This means success rates for getting a new flat are higher now, and many are able to get a flat within two or three tries, he said.

The Government will continue to review the situation, and the supply that it is putting onto the market will eventually have an impact on stabilising the overall property market, he added.

Different pathways to success​

The Singapore Dream is evolving to be more open and less prescribed, PM Wong said.

“It’s one where we want you to choose your own path of success, and there will be different pathways, different aspirations, different goals,” he said.

He spoke of moving away from too much comparison with others, noting that this can lead to people feeling like they are “chasing someone else’s dream”.

“We want an environment where there are many opportunities, where people can eventually find purpose in what they do,” he said.

PM Wong expressed his hope that Singaporeans will look out for one another and help others succeed, even as they realise their own potential.

Singaporeans today enjoy more opportunities and exposure compared to past generations, he said.

This includes those with disabilities, and there will be plans to help them in the upcoming Budget, he said.

‘We don’t start off assuming we know everything’​

Asked what are common criticisms of the ruling People’s Action Party and the Government, PM Wong said to laughter from the audience: “There are many. I mean, you just need to go online.”

His approach to such criticism is not to start off assuming that the Government knows everything, or that everything is perfect.

“I think we should have a balance – be grateful first of all that in Singapore, we have many things that we can be appreciative of: healthcare, retirement, public housing,” he said.

“But does it mean that we therefore become complacent and assume everything is okay? No, I mean, there are genuine concerns around cost, around affordability.”

PM Wong noted that global inflation, as a result of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, caused much unhappiness around the world. In many countries, the incumbents either lost ground in elections or lost the right to govern altogether.

“There will be criticisms. We listen to the feedback. We hear you: the concerns, the unhappiness, the frustrations. We try to find solutions to tackle them. If there are no easy answers, we explain to you what the situation is to the best of our abilities, and then we find ways to move forward as a country,” he said.

“That must be the way we do things in Singapore, not to tear each other down, but to try and uplift one another, to try to move forward together as one people.”

PM Lawrence Wong taking a wefie with student participants after the wide-ranging dialogue at NUS on Jan 21.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Let things take natural course​

Asked whether Singapore will recognise same-sex marriage, PM Wong said the nation made a major move recently with the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code.

But the Government recognises the consensus of society today, which is that marriage is between man and woman. Because this could come under challenge, it protected the definition of marriage in the Constitution, he said.

“This is where we are today. How will it evolve? I really do not know,” he said. “The Government’s position is to let things take its natural course. People will discuss, people will have opinions and the views may well evolve over a period of time.” The Government’s priority is for these sorts of issues to not divide Singapore society further, he added.

Said PM Wong: “Let us sit down and talk, let us continue to engage one another and let us do this organically.”

 

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Hume MRT station on Downtown Line to open ahead of schedule on Feb 28​

Hume station, between the Hillview and Beauty World stops, is the last on the second stage of the Downtown Line that has yet to open.PHOTO: CHEE HONG TAT/FACEBOOK

Vanessa Paige Chelvan
Jan 24, 2025

SINGAPORE – Hume MRT station in Bukit Timah, which is on the Downtown Line (DTL), will open for passenger service ahead of schedule on Feb 28, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said on Jan 24.

The station between the DTL’s Hillview and Beauty World stops is the last on the second stage of the line that has yet to open. DTL Stage 2 started operations in December 2015.

Hume station, which will open at 3pm on Feb 28, was slated to start operations in the second quarter of 2025.

The station will make it more convenient for residents to travel to the city centre, Mr Chee wrote in a Facebook post.

He said a resident travelling from Hume station to Downtown station in the Downtown Core will take around 30 minutes, down from about 45 minutes.

It will also be easier for passengers to visit attractions such as the Former Ford Factory and the Rail Corridor in Bukit Timah.

When it opens, Hume station will serve more than 20,000 residents in the area between Hillview and Beauty World MRT stations. Work to fit out the long-empty station – a shell structure built in 2015 – began in 2021 after years of lobbying by residents.

The Government had previously said developments in the area and ridership growth did not warrant the station opening.

But this changed after moves to redevelop the Rail Corridor and the former Bukit Timah Fire Station.

​

 

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Rooftop badminton court, sheltered exercise spaces among upcoming facilities in housing estates​

The Sport-in-Precinct next to Block 508C Wellington Circle in Sembawang opened in September 2022.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Wong Yang
Jan 28, 2025

SINGAPORE - A badminton court on the rooftop of a multi-storey carpark, a 400m running track that weaves in and out of Housing Board blocks, and more sheltered multi-use courts so that games do not have to stop when it rains.

These are among plans for new sports facilities that will be built in housing estates across the island over the coming years, under an initiative to make a wider range of exercise equipment and play spaces available in public housing estates.

More MPs and town councils are tapping the Sport-in-Precinct (SIP) scheme to build these facilities in housing estates, checks by The Straits Times show.

At least five estates are getting SIP projects by the end of 2026, with tenders for another two projects set to be called in 2025, according to MPs.

They are among 24 SIP projects currently in various stages of development across Singapore.

Some 10 SIP projects have been completed since the scheme was launched in 2014. The initiative involves MPs and town councils working with Sport Singapore (Sport SG) to plan for and conceptualise these facilities, which are funded by the national agency.

ST spoke to six MPs, who said the SIP projects will make sports facilities more accessible for residents of varying ages and abilities. They hope this will encourage residents to maintain an active lifestyle.

The new facilities will also bring residents closer together and foster strong community bonds, they added.

The SIP projects are part of the Sports Facilities Master Plan, which, among other things, aims to improve accessibility to sporting facilities by locating them within a 10-minute walk from housing estates by around 2030, said a Sport SG spokesperson.

At least five estates will also get SIP projects by the end of 2026.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Among the SIP projects that will open in 2025 is one at Choa Chu Kang Ave 7 that includes a sheltered basketball court, fitness corner and playground.

These will be built beside a BMX track that will be part of the Singapore Cycling Federation’s upcoming BMX Academy in Brickland.

Mr Don Wee, an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, said he hopes that residents in his Brickland ward, which has many young families, will benefit from a diverse range of activities, such as cycling workshops for children.

Students at the nearby APSN Delta Senior School, a purpose-built vocational school for those with special needs, will also be able to play wheelchair basketball at the SIP facility’s sheltered basketball court, said Mr Wee.

The integrated project is expected to be fully completed in June, he said.

MPs who spoke to The Straits Times said the SIP initiatives in their wards tap underutilised spaces in public housing estates.

Ms Rachel Ong, an MP for West Coast GRC, said the rooftop of the multi-storey carpark at Block 19A Dover Crescent will be transformed into a facility that features a 200m running track, sheltered multi-use courts for sports like badminton, a fitness corner, table tennis tables and a mezzanine level with an events space.

“The top floor of the carpark has always been underutilised because not many vehicles are parked there. So we thought to maximise it and turn it into a sports and recreation venue where there is something for everyone,” she said.

Ms Ong, who added that the project was designed in consultation with residents who shared what their preferences were, said construction works are set to begin in April.

Meanwhile, residents in Zhenghua will get a 400m running track that snakes between blocks 615 and 623 in Senja Road, where a new SIP facility will be built.

Mr Edward Chia, an MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, said some residents had shared that they would like a place to train for the 2.4km run – part of the individual physical proficiency test that full-time national servicemen and NSmen have to do – but did not want to have to drive or take public transport to stadiums in the west.

He added that the project, which also involves upgrading an existing basketball court at the estate and building a shelter over it, has been designed as a circuit of play spaces and fitness stations for both adults and seniors.

Construction is expected to start in the first half of 2025, said Mr Chia.

The Sport SG spokesperson said grassroots advisers, residents and other stakeholders have given positive feedback about the existing SIP projects, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, which underscored the importance for people to have recreational and sporting spaces close to their homes.

Residents can scan QR codes to learn the correct techniques for each exercise.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Sembawang resident Ansar Khan, 43, said the opening of the SIP facility next to Block 508C Wellington Circle in September 2022 meant that he now only has to walk across the road from his block to exercise at a fitness corner, instead of walking five minutes to another block.

“This fitness corner has a lot more variety – there are ropes you can hang on to train your strength and magnetic bell weights. Sometimes, I also bring my two kids with me because they find the exercises interesting,” said the civil servant, who has lived in the area for about 10 years.

He added that there are also QR codes at the fitness corner that residents can scan with their phones to learn the correct techniques for each exercise.

​

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Bigger fare discounts, more express bus services in 2025 to manage peak-hour crowds​

The Travel Smart Journeys scheme will cover more bus services than it did before.ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

Kok Yufeng
Dec 06, 2024

SINGAPORE – Public transport users who shift their travel schedules to avoid the morning rush hour are set to receive up to 80 per cent in fare discounts, in an effort to better manage peak-hour crowding on buses and trains, especially in north-east Singapore, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

This is part of a planned refresh of the Travel Smart Journeys scheme, which will cover more bus services than it did before.

For the first time, the scheme will be extended to the rail network too, focusing for a start on journeys beginning from the Punggol, Sengkang, Buangkok and Hougang MRT stations on the North East Line (NEL), and the Punggol and Sengkang LRT stations, Mr Chee said in an interview on Dec 3.

Additionally, the scheme will offer incentives to NEL passengers who shift their travel times to either pre-peak-hour or post-peak-hour periods. Today, rail passengers enjoy fare discounts only if they tap in before 7.45am.

The bigger fare rebates, Mr Chee said, are aimed at spreading the peak-hour load on public transport, while sharing the resulting cost savings with passengers.

The Travel Smart Journeys scheme, launched in 2020, has been suspended temporarily since Nov 25 to pave the way for the refresh.

Details of the upgraded scheme will be provided later in December, according to the website of transit ticketing provider SimplyGo.

Under the scheme’s earlier format, participants who used seven eligible express bus services between 7am and 9am – instead of the congested NEL – were awarded points worth $1.50 per eligible trip.

The points could then be redeemed for travel credits, which would have potentially offset more than half of the bus fares paid.

With the refresh, the idea is to provide more impactful fare discounts, at up to 80 per cent, to further incentivise passengers to change their travel behaviour, said Mr Chee.

Speaking to reporters at his ministry’s office in Alexandra Road to round up the year, Mr Chee also gave updates on several highly anticipated rail projects, and discussed a broad range of issues, including distance-based road pricing and a separate certificate of entitlement category for private-hire vehicles.

He also expressed confidence that Changi Airport’s passenger traffic in 2025 will exceed the levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apart from fare incentives, other steps will be taken to ease the load on the NEL, which hit an average daily ridership of 588,000 passenger trips in the first half of 2024. This is 2.2 per cent shy of the 601,000 daily trips made in 2019.

Four new City Direct bus services – 675, 676, 677 and 678 – will start operations from Jan 2, 2025, taking north-east residents to the Central Business District during peak hours.

The new express routes are being introduced under the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme (BCEP), which has already led to the addition of City Direct Service 673 in October to serve Punggol West residents.

Under the $900 million programme, five existing City Direct services have also been given additional capacity or had their routes extended so that more passengers can use them to travel from Punggol, Sengkang, Buangkok and Hougang to the city.

Mr Chee, who became transport minister in January, said the north-east is a focal point, given the new developments in the area. “It’s important for us to make sure that we have adequate capacity, through both the MRT and buses,” he added.

The minister noted that 29 existing bus services have benefited from the BCEP so far, with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) adding more bus trips and adjusting routes in response to changes in ridership and demand.

This is on top of the new bus routes that have been introduced under the programme, including a first-of-its-kind express feeder bus service in Tampines.

New bus services will also be rolled out elsewhere.

From Jan 12, 2025, a new feeder bus service 967 will ply the roads in Woodlands, providing better connectivity to Marsiling and Woodlands South MRT stations, and amenities such as the Woodlands Health Campus.

By February 2025, bus service 230 in Toa Payoh East will also be extended to serve Toa Payoh Lorong 7 and 8, and Caldecott MRT station. This extension was supposed to happen by the end of 2024, but more time is needed to build the bus stops for the service to be rerouted, said Mr Chee.

After this initial tranche, LTA will continue to look at additional bus services that can be introduced under the BCEP in old and new towns, he added.

“(It is) still early days, but I’m happy to see that the initial response from our residents, and also from our operators and public transport workers, has been positive.”

Asked if he was concerned about the deficit for public buses growing larger as a result, Mr Chee said the authorities are prepared to accept a lower cost-recovery ratio – the ratio of fare revenue to operating costs – during the initial periods when ridership will be low.

“We shouldn’t wait until the estate is better developed, and more people have collected keys and moved in, (before) we introduce the bus services,” he said.

With the new funding allocated to the BCEP, Mr Chee said, the authorities now have a greater ability to introduce bus services, instead of having to rely on rationalising existing routes to free up resources.

“We still have to use the resources prudently, but at least it gives us more leeway and more options to be able to meet the new demand in different parts of Singapore.”

In response to queries, a Transport Ministry spokesman said it is too early to tabulate the costs of the improvements under the BCEP so far.

LTA is also actively monitoring the new BCEP routes, and will review the benefits of the enhancements as they stabilise about six months after the roll-out.

Meanwhile, Mr Chee noted that LTA’s efforts to make it easier for people to walk and cycle have also been given a significant boost, with a $1 billion kitty set aside for transport infrastructural improvements over the next decade.

One example of how these funds will be used is the conversion of a staircase at Exit C of Braddell MRT station to a down-riding escalator.

As there is insufficient land to build a lift at that exit, a high sheltered walkway will also be built across Toa Payoh Lorong 2. This is so that wheelchair users and those with prams or trolleys can have sheltered access to the lifts at other exits, Mr Chee said.

“This is not the only place where we will do this,” he added.

Mr Chee was also asked about bus and train fares, and how the Government intends to make up for a 12.9 per cent hike that has been rolled over to future fare review exercises.

He said the financial gap is being paid for by the Government through public funds for now to avoid a situation where public transport operators are not paid enough to cover their rising costs.

Yet, Mr Chee said, this should not become a permanent arrangement and the plan is to reduce the gap slowly when the opportunity arises.

“This has to be done very carefully because you do not want the total increase to be too high, which will then make the fares unaffordable,” he said. Adult card fares are set to rise by 10 cents for every MRT and bus ride from Dec 28.

Mr Chee noted, however, that the authorities should also have the discipline not to write off these outstanding arrears. “That is not being honest about it,” he said.