1. More campaigns and enforcement on giving up seats on public transport
Ministry of National Development (MND): LTA and Public Transport Council conduct a graciousness campaign every year, including asking commuters to give up their seats to those who need them more.
In LTA’s perception survey, the percentage of commuters noticing that people are giving up seats has risen from 42% in 2012 to 63% in 2014. We will continue our efforts to promote gracious behaviour, hopefully this will lead to more sustained improvements than using punishment.
2. How many engineers in Singapore are Singaporean and PRs?
Ministry of Manpower (MOM): There are 122,500 people employed as engineers, of which 6 in 10 are locals. The Ministry will develop more attractive pathways and strengthen the professional recognition and accreditation for engineers.
3. If we need more JCs and are planning for them
Ministry of Education (MOE): JC enrolment has decreased since 2014. Besides Eunoia JC which is on track, there are no plans for new JCs in the next two years.
4. Review of Additional Housing Grant
MND: The AHG is a grant to help low-income families own their first home. We have enhanced the AHG twice. Today, first-timers earning up to $5,000 a month can apply for the AHG of up to $40,000. Since the Scheme was introduced, $1.6 billion has been given out to more than 83,000 households. There are no immediate plans to further enhance the AHG Scheme.
Some of these families can also get the recently-enhanced Special CPF Housing Grant and Proximity Housing Grant, for a total of $90,000 in grants.
5. Allowing and encouraging use of electric cars
Ministry of Transport (MOT): The LTA and EDB are evaluating proposals for an electric vehicle car-sharing programme.
Two private electric cars have been registered in Singapore in past two years. We are neutral as to the type of technology cars use, but want to encourage environmental-friendliness and minimise emissions.
6. How LTA keeps abreast of changed specification for cars manufactured abroad
MOT: All imported vehicles have to be approved by LTA before they can be registered for use. As part of the approval process, the importer has to provide the full specifications of the vehicle model.
7. Why are some car exhaust systems not allowed even if they meet noise standards
MOT: Car exhaust systems must comply with both LTA’s safety regulations and the noise and emissions standards set by the National Environment Agency.
(Questions and answers have been edited for brevity. For the original text, please refer to the relevant Ministries’ websites.)