Land transport must be improved in sustainable way: Lui

Joy Fang Today Online 18 Apr 14;

SINGAPORE — A healthy breakfast for employees who arrive in the office before 8am on the last Friday of every month, new bicycle lots, staggered work hours and telecommuting — these are some initiatives BP Singapore has rolled out at its workplace, aimed at shifting travel patterns and promoting sustainable transport modes.

Last night, the oil giant was among three organisations to receive the inaugural Best Green Transport Partner Award at the fourth biennial Land Transport Excellence Awards. The other two winners were IBM Singapore, which promotes early commute on public transport, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, which introduced a Work-Away-From-Office scheme to encourage staff to work from home on selected days.

Speaking at the event, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said it was important to improve the land transport system in a sustainable manner to meet Singapore’s long-term needs, while work is under way to resolve current problems in land transport. “I recognise that there are many shortcomings today, and I empathise with the frustrations of commuters who have to contend with crowded buses, trains and stations, and whose schedules are sometimes disrupted when trains break down,” he said.

Mr Lui said commuters should see more improvements in the rail network starting this year as new trains arrive, even though the authorities cannot promise zero defects and breakdowns, but are sparing no effort to minimise them.

“We are moving in the right direction — indeed train breakdowns have come down in overall numbers since 2012 — but we know that we must and we can do better. We aim to have our trains perform even better this year, and make further improvements in the years to come,” he added.

For the land transport system to be sustainable, the public must be encouraged to shift from private to public transport and to other sustainable modes of travel such as cycling and walking, Mr Lui said.

To support those who cycle to the office, BP said it has worked with its landlord to install 10 bicycle lots near the car park for employees to park their bikes. In-house shower facilities are also provided. Ms Rosie Danyluk, Communications and Executive Office Manager of BP Singapore, said the firm believes flexible working arrangements raise productivity and contribute to a climate of trust and empowerment at the workplace.

Twenty-seven individuals and organisations received awards in 16 categories yesterday. In his speech, Mr Lui also paid tribute to Public Transport Council (PTC) Chairman Gerard Ee, who won the Transport Thought Leader award.

Mr Lui pointed out that under Mr Ee’s stewardship, the PTC has established a robust framework to regulate bus and train fares, and keep fares affordable for general commuters.

Mr Lui, who noted that Mr Ee is known for his charitable efforts, said, “I am therefore particularly appreciative that Gerard has been intimately involved in the transport sector for many years, as he brings a softer, a warmer, more compassionate and gentler touch to the sector.”