Convincing Singapore car owners to switch to public transport: business comments

Switching to public transport
Business Times 4 Feb 08;

Do the new initiatives to transform Singapore's public transport system go far enough? What more needs to be done to convince car owners to make the switch?

Goh Yang Chye
Managing Director
GYC Financial Advisory Pte Ltd

WHAT would convince me to give up my car which has served me well for the last 25 years? Here's my wish list: (Since the authorities intend a bold makeover of our transport system, I have also chosen to be bold and futuristic in my suggestions.)

Major business and commercial hubs like Orchard Road, Toa Payoh, Shenton Way, etc, should have travelators, preferably air-conditioned. This will help us move about from place to place without getting hot and sweaty.

We should explore the use of small electric vehicles that can take you from home to bus stop or MRT station. These would allow you to arrive at your office fresh and cool - and that would be a major incentive to give up the car.

Future towns should be designed with roads in a rectangular grid. This will allow future sub-structures like travelators or small electric vehicles to be used. Towns should have as much integration of space and usage as possible. Much like Bugis Junction on a bigger scale.

Have a premier bus service that you can book and which will pick you up at your doorstep and drop you off at your destination. The cost should be between that of the bus and the taxi.

Track exact time schedules via GPS so that waiting times are certain.

EH Lim
CEO
Avi-Tech Electronics Limited

THE government's plans to transform our public transport system, by improving the public bus service and doubling the rail network by 2020, will go a long way towards making our public transport system even more efficient and better equipped to cope with an increased population.

Car owners might make the switch to public transport if it is seamless, that is, accessible, with short waiting times and longer operating hours. The government will have achieved its goal of reducing cars on the road if the new rail network and bus system are planned and executed well.

Having said that, there are people who will always want to own cars as a status symbol and for greater convenience. Therefore, even if we have the most efficient public transportation system in the world, car owners may not make the switch. To do that, they need a mindset change.

Benjamin Low
Managing Director
S-E Asia, India
Secure Computing

WHILE the public transport plan has been lauded for its objectives to make public transportation comfortable and accessible, I don't think it is good enough.

The plan has only managed to address the train system but not the bus system. Whether the increase in capacity and frequency of the train service will aid in easing congestion during peak hours remains to be seen. Therefore, it is still a challenge to manage peak hour traffic.

Currently, I find it inconvenient to travel from my home in the eastern suburbs to my office in Suntec. For Singapore to take transport planning and services to the next level, the industry needs new blood. The entry of any new transport provider will provide a fresh take to the current model.

As for me, I don't think I'll be giving up my car anytime soon. I'm far too addicted to a lifestyle of convenience especially since I have to transport my aged parents and two young children.

Daniel Yew
CEO
Spinn

WE will get more ingenious solutions if we let a free and competitive market devise ways to convince car owners to make the switch. Although I find the new initiatives encouraging, I thought the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would do a better job at defining the vision, setting the boundaries and objectives, providing incentives and rewards to the market to meet our public transport goals.

There is a huge element of social and public service in public transport and market rewards alone in our small market may not be incentive enough. Here, the government would do well to provide additional incentives.

Leong Cheng Chit Executive Director
Cypress Woods Pte Ltd

FROM the commuter's view point, the main objective must be the reduction in travelling time, including waiting time. I recently took a bus from Stamford Road to Upper Bukit Timah Road during the afternoon peak hours and the journey was one and half hours!

One good integrated public transport system to follow is that of Stockholm, where I was stationed 30 years ago. The buses and trains not only run on time but are also integrated. The fare is priced according to time and you can hop from bus to bus or bus to train.

Tan Ser Giam
Chairman
Eastern Navigation Pte Ltd

HAVING suffered traffic jams in Orchard Road and driving around aimlessly looking for a parking lot, I sometimes wish I could leave my car behind and take public transport. However, the thought of the wait for a bus and the walk in the heat always stops me.

To convince me to take public transport, the service would have to be punctual, comfortable, not too time-consuming, with bus stops and MRT stations not too far from my workplace or home.

The steps proposed by the LTA so far appear to be in the right direction. Whether they are enough to encourage car owners to take public transport will depend on the initial outcome. More bus stops and feeder services can be added as the scheme progresses.

Having new MRT lines in the northern and eastern parts of Singapore is a good move. Even if some of these stations may not have the requisite number of passengers to be profitable, the improvement in road congestion and time saved by commuters will add to the productivity of the economy.

Mark Steele
Chief Operating Officer, APAC
Tele Atlas Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd

We applaud the Singapore government's efforts to create a first-class public transportation infrastructure.

With more transportation services and providers expected in the future, what would complement this initiative would be a comprehensive navigation and routing system showing route options, timing, and fare information. For easier navigation from the bus stop or MRT station to the final destination, such a system could even include a 3D digital map with voice instructions at every turn. Such information could be made accessible through hand phones and wireless devices by simply entering the starting point and destination.This would also make it easier for car owners, who are unfamiliar with the public transportation system, to determine the most efficient routing according to traffic conditions, fare, and timing, and facilitate their switch to using the bus and/or MRT.

Wee Piew
CEO
HG Metal Manufacturing Ltd

I THINK the overriding objective of public transport has to be convenience, comfort and timeliness.

Singapore's compactness and tropical weather make these factors very important determinants for car users deciding to make the switch to public transport.

The proposed new MRT lines and the further integration of the train system and bus services have to ensure that travelling is as seamless as possible. The ideal scenario for the Land Transport Authority to work on will be that the commuter, in any part of Singapore, can leave his home under a covered walkway to reach a form of public transport in less than five minutes. The integrated transport system, whether train or bus, will then take him to his destination in less than 30 minutes with another five-minute walk under covered walkway to his final destination. I believe once such a public transport system can be achieved, many car users will make the switch.

Liu Chunlin
Managing Director
K&C Protective Technologies Pte Ltd

EVERY global city is trying to find its own workable transportation model. I'm not sure anyone ever does - at best the transportation system is an unstable equilibrium and that's something we have to remember in our current effort.

We may become more like London, where people, executive and blue-collar alike, take the Tube. The only way people will make the switch in Singapore is when public transportation coverage is good, when cars are not more convenient and parking charges are prohibitively high, like in London.

Perhaps that will be the trigger point.

However, left on their own, transport companies will like to tap only trunk routes for their commuter payload. They will not have a finer capillary network which offers the public greater access, but which may not be profitable. Here, I detect in the current government initiatives a re-balancing of the free market versus central planning philosophy given the recent woes highlighted.

The supposedly seamless travel from walking to bus or train to another bus or train then walking to reach your destination is believable if you are not in a hurry or if it's not raining or very hot.

The attraction of door-to-door travel via private car is still far too attractive at the present moment. Each segment and each transfer in the supposedly seamless route may have to be looked at in greater detail - from the viewpoint of the commuter.

My wish is that the current transportation initiatives be implemented more quickly. I know there is a lead-time to execute such things. I fear that the impetus may not be strong enough. After all, public transportation takes up more public expenditure and recovery is limited as fares cannot be set too high. With roads, there is the insidious equation of more taxes collected with more cars registered and roads built.

Left on our own, drivers will be hoping somebody else will give up his car and take public transport. It's not easy to give up the car; it's a status symbol and offers personal space and convenience.

So unless public transport becomes very attractive, or car ownership and usage prohibitive, I don't see hordes of car owners renouncing their prized possessions.

Eric Hoh
Vice-President
Symantec, Asia South

THIS comprehensive and multi-faceted plan will kickstart the transformation of Singapore's public transport system. However, it will take more than that to convince Singapore's car lovers to make the switch. There is a significant segment of the population that can afford to own a car as a lifestyle choice. Some of them see a car as a status symbol while others, such as parents with young children and pet owners, drive out of necessity.

We should not try to convince car owners to switch but appeal to them to use the roads less often and to go green. One suggestion is to explore incentives to carpool. Another solution could be to move away from a model that taxes ownership via the COE, to a pure usage-based model that levies charges based on road usage. The premise is that stationary cars in parking lots do not cause congestion, and it is the ones that use the roads that add to the traffic.

Teng Yeow Heng, Michael
Managing Director
TR Formac Pte Ltd

WHILE Singapore is reputed to have good public transport, the authorities could consider improving both bus and rail services to encourage people to switch from private cars.

While taxi fares are generally cheaper than in major Western cities, the recent price hike means it is no longer as cheap as before to use taxis. Therefore, it is only right that commuters should expect a higher level of service. The quality of call bookings should be further improved so that taxis are available when commuters call for one. Bookings should have one common call number and be answered within a minute. The quality of service should be overseen by the Land Transport Authority.

One mode of transport that is neglected in Singapore is bicycles. Cycling is cheap and convenient, does not pollute nor add to traffic congestion. It is also healthy for commuters as they get to exercise. More bicycle stands need to be constructed at bus and MRT stations. Cyclists should be allowed to use pedestrian footpaths while dedicated cycling tracks should be built. Foldable bicycles should be allowed on board our trains and buses too.

Sam Yap S G
Group Executive Chairman
Cherie Hearts Group Int'l Pte Ltd

THE public is getting mixed messages. Cars in Singapore are becoming more affordable and car usage is more attractive than it has ever been. It is almost as if we are encouraged to buy a car and then are scolded for using it. Car ownership is addictive - once you start driving, it's hard to return to public transport. More and better buses and trains is a must but at the same time, car ownership has to be discouraged. Road pricing could help wean drivers from their cars.

The new transport initiatives are welcome. Indeed, by coming up with these bold moves, the government is killing two birds with one stone: curbing carbon emission and alleviating Singapore's traffic problems.

However, it must be recognised that a significant number of car owners will be reluctant to make the switch, especially those who live in private estates, which are not well-served by public transport. Active steps should be taken to enable the public transport network to penetrate these private estates.

Ross Wilson
Managing Director Consumer Products and Services, APac Region
Trend Micro (Singapore) Pte Ltd

THE desire for car ownership is only partly driven by the need to get from A to B. If the "I need to show people how successful I am by buying the most expensive car I can" mindset isn't changed, then any amount of tweaking of the infrastructure is in vain. Singapore already has a first-class public transport system (which I use every day). All that is needed is for it to be extended to those regions not already adequately serviced.

Dhirendra Shantilal
Senior Vice-President, Asia Pacific
Kelly Services

WITH fuel prices up, we might see a temporary shift to public transportation. But most car owners are so used to the freedom of moving around in their own vehicles that they are unlikely to make the switch, unless their transport budget becomes quite unmanageable.

Car owners drive because it saves time, it's convenient and it's a lot more comfortable than public transport. To entice car owners to take public transport, try developing large parking lots at train stations so car owners can ‘park and ride'. Have more childcare centres set up closer to the workplace, so parents don't need to commute to drop off and pick up their kids.

Charles Reed
CEO
interTouch

FINALLY, the recognition that competition for bus routes is good for commuters! The new initiatives signal a positive move towards enhancing Singapore's public transport system. I particularly welcome the fact that the Transport Ministry is investing not only in capacity but also in consumer-centric quality. As more bus routes open up, waiting times are reduced and the hub-and-spoke system streamlined, commuters will enjoy shorter travelling times.

The introduction of real-time travel information is also an excellent move. The restructuring of fare pricing will enable commuters to choose among travel routes. For this to be meaningful, real options have to be made available that would provide the travelling public with the choice of more than one bus service or one mode of transport from point A to point B.

In addition, introducing more public transport options around the clock will cater to those who have to travel during off-peak hours.

Ultimately, a service-oriented and high-tech public transport system will augment Singapore's status as an efficient business hub and improve the basic quality of life.

To further encourage car owners to make the switch to public transport, transport planners can integrate features into the system that would address specific concerns of drivers. For instance, buses and trains can consider implementing pro-family features such as special fare packages, to attract drivers with large families who drive not only for convenience but also for cost efficiency.

Lim Soon Hock
Managing Director
Plan-B ICAG Pte Ltd

THE major initiatives are a step in the right direction, and will increase greater use of public transport.

For public transport to be widely used, it must have the key attributes of being convenient, comfortable, fast and inexpensive. All the touch points in the system must contribute to making the travel experience pleasant and hassle-free.

However, to ensure that it will evolve to become the preferred mode of travel, a fundamental change may be needed.

Given that Singapore is a small country and public transport is an essential service, I believe we have a compelling case for the government to have a stronger hand in ensuring that car owners make the switch: The government should take over the ownership of the public transport system and manage it on a cost recovery basis.

As the single largest employer, the government should also take the lead in encouraging more civil servants at all levels to use our public transport and consider reducing the pool of official cars.

Leaving our public transport system in the hands of the private sector, especially public listed companies, may not fully serve the interests of the public, given that the business objectives are to maximise profit. When the new changes are implemented, it may also be timely to transition to a country-wide implementation of the ERP and do away with road taxes altogether.

R Theyvendran
Chairman/Managing Director
Stamford Media International Group

HOW did a metropolis like London persuade most of its population to travel by MRT? There, cars are mostly used when travelling long distances or during weekends. The answer is the MRT - which must provide ease of travel, comfort and convenience.

Shorter times and easier travel is essential for all commuters. However, car owners can be convinced to make the switch to public transport if they are persuaded that their travel time is also quality time.

The current 'park and ride' scheme should be implemented efficiently, with more multi-storey carparks next to MRT stations. More importantly, the mindset that cars are status symbols must be gradually changed.

So, besides travelling in a public vehicle that is spick and span and punctual, commuters should be able to enjoy current news on television, listen to soothing music, read or work on their laptop.

Brenton Smith
Managing Director and Area Manager, Asia South
CA

THE government's slew of measures to make public transport a desirable alternative to private car ownership is comprehensive and coherent. I think instead of coming up with more initiatives, our focus now should be on executing the above initiatives well. One key way is to better harness technology. Some examples: With more commuters tapping into the Internet for real-time information on bus arrivals, solutions that can stabilise and speed up Web applications will be crucial.

It will be a matter of time before public transport operators move to let commuters top up their fare cards online. When that happens, good identity and access management software will be needed to secure the transactions. In the longer term, operators have to offer more diverse services to a growing pool of commuters, and the need to simplify and unify their IT infrastructures to ease management will increase.

Berthold Trenkel
Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT)

LTA's new plan to improve Singapore's public transport system contains many elements that have proven successful in other countries. However, one item is not emphasised enough that really helps to make the breakthrough: Dedicated bus lanes during peak hours, that is, a discriminatory system that provides speed to those who use the public buses, and reduces the street capacity for cars.

The currently targeted reduction in service differential whereby the use of the public transport system takes 1.5 times that of driving by car is not enough. The municipal government of Seoul made the move with tremendous success. It is never too late to copy a good idea.

Dora Hoan
Group CEO
Best World International Ltd

THE public transport system here needs a radical change in the face of an exponentially growing population. It is commendable that there will be a massive infusion of funding into our public transport system to get people out of their cars and into buses and trains.

However, despite the benefits of switching to public transport - such as reducing air pollution and easing traffic jams - it is not all that easy to do. The fact remains that anyone who can afford a car will own one for the convenience, as well as the status.

It will take some radical changes to encourage people to make the switch. As such, the intervention by way of centralised bus planning by LTA is a sound move.

Important things to consider are connectivity, better service through competition and more choices so that the commuter's journey is as easy as possible.

Derek Goh
Executive Chairman/Group CEO
Serial System Ltd

THE public transport system is a major milestone in the economic transformation of Singapore. It will address the land transport needs for the next 20-30 years as well as spread the economic benefits to the whole island.

The Transport Ministry must work closely with the National Development, Environment and Water Resources, and Trade and Industry ministries to coordinate planning and development of infrastructure for economic activities.

The master plan unveiled by Transport Minister Raymond Lim is quite comprehensive. Let market forces determine the level of car ownership, usage and replacement. Public campaigns are important but at the end of the day it is about the economics of car ownership.