SMRT plans to apply for an increase in fares;
cites rising operating costs
Published on Nov 19, 2013
2:05 PM
Public transport operator SMRT said it plans to apply next week for a fare revision, citing rising operating costs and lower
profits. -- ST FILE PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Public transport operator SMRT said it plans to apply next week for a fare revision, citing rising operating
costs and lower profits. Said an SMRT spokesman on Monday: "We seek a better alignment between fares
and operating costs, and will be submitting our application for a fare review in the coming weeks."
The other public transport operator, SBS Transit, is likely to do the same.
Applications for fare adjustments are now open and public transport operators must apply by Dec 19, said
the Public Transport Council said on Tuesday.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament last week that the Government would accept the
recommendations of the Fare Review Mechanism Committee which had been tasked to review public
transport fares.
The recommendations included providing more concessions and subsidies for vulnerable groups and
students. Full-paying adult commuter will face the sharpest rises in their fares to help pay for some
subsidies. Mr Lui said that any increase should not exceed this year's average wage rise. That number is
not out yet, but economists predicted it could be up to 5 per cent.
URA Draft Master Plan 2013: Nearly
everyone in Singapore will live within 400m
of a park
Published on Nov 20, 2013
3:00 AM
Cyclists and pedestrians sharing a path at a park. New eco-spaces are in the works for wildlife in Singapore, and there are
ambitious plans to have almost everyone in Singapore living within 400m of a park. -- PHOTO: URA
By Grace Chua
New eco-spaces are in the works for wildlife in Singapore, and there are ambitious plans to have almost
everyone in Singapore living within 400m of a park.
The go-green plans in the URA Draft Masterplan 2013 call for recreational spaces to be more integrated
with nature.
Toa Payoh Town Park, for example, will get a new regional library and sports facilities, while Holland
Village will get a new community park.
The success of PUB’s ABC (“active, beautiful and clean”) Waters projects at Siglap and Alexandra Canals
indicates other waterways could be covered with decks that serve as plazas and seating areas.
More will have easy access to green spaces too.
The National Development Ministry’s land use plan released in January laid out a target of having 85 per
cent of residents live within 400m of a park. This was raised to 90 per cent in Wednesday's draft master
plan.
In the longer term, a new eco-corridor will be built through the future Tengah town – now a military
training ground – allowing wildlife to pass between the catchment areas.
The corridor will connect the Western Water Catchment to the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature
Reserves.
URA Draft Master Plan 2013: More housing
in Holland Village, Kampong Bugis and new
Marina South district
Published on Nov 20, 2013
3:00 AM

An artist's impression of the aerial view of the Holland Village Extension. A makeover of Holland Village is the more
immediate and tangible change over the next five years in the latest blueprint of Singapore's land use for the future. -PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
By Dennis Chan
Holland Village will get a makeover and 1,500 new housing units will be added to this popular enclave
near the city.
Kampong Bugis will be further developed and could have about 4,000 private homes, with developers
encouraged to explore car- and bicycle-sharing facilities.
A new district will be developed next to Marina Bay called Marina South housing mixed developments,
including about 9,000 private homes.
And in the longer term, the Great Southern Waterfront project will take shape in coastal land freed up once
the ports move from Pasir Panjang and Tanjong Pagar to Tuas by 2027.
These are among the plans in the latest blueprint of Singapore’s land use for the future.
The aim of the Draft Master Plan 2013, unveiled by the Urban Redevelopment Authority early Wednesday
morning, is to build a closer community.
The Master Plan guides Singapore’s land use over the next 10 to 15 years and is revised every five years.
More homes will come up in new housing areas at Bidadari, Tampines North and Punggol Matilda as well
as older estates such as Sembawang, Yishun, Hougang and Choa Chu Kang. In total, enough land has been
earmarked for 500,000 new homes – mostly public housing.
Fastest to take shape will be the changes to Holland Village.
It will be extended to incorporate housing within mixed-use developments and have pedestrian-oriented
streets, a new underground carpark and access road to divert vehicular traffic away from the centre of
activities.
New public spaces such as urban plazas and an exciting community park will also be built.
URA is expected to launch for sale by 2015 a mixed-use site incorporating private housing in Holland
Village.
After 2016, there will also be new housing in Kampong Bugis, as well as Marina South, that will
incorporate fewer carpark spaces and fenceless developments. This will allow unfettered public enjoyment
of the waterfront.
Kampong Bugis will pilot an eco-friendly, car reduced concept. Commuters will be encouraged to use the
MRT, public buses and a future water taxi service as modes of transport.
Given its location at the convergence of two major waterways - Rochor Canal and Kallang River Kampong Bugis has also been identified as a pilot project for a high density, water sustainable precinct,
incorporating stormwater management system, bio-retention basins and detention ponds.
Marina South is envisioned as a lively mixed-use residential district in which green modes of transport will
be a key feature.
It will be people friendly, with an 800-metre long pedestrianised street and an underground mall spanning
two Thomson Line stations at Marina South and Gardens by the Bay.
An elevated landscaped walkway will let people move seamlessly between Bay South Gardens and the
seafront.
An underground network of car parks in this district is also being explored to allow people to have a more
pleasant environment for walking and cycling at the ground level.
Marina South will have buildings that are 30 per cent more energy efficient by introducing eco-features.
Singaporeans can also expect a more vibrant city beyond 2027 after the PSA container terminals are
relocated to Tuas, freeing up 1,000ha of land for development.
Preliminary conceptual plans for the new area, known as Greater Southern Waterfront, include creating a
continuous waterfront promenade from Labrador Park in the west to Gardens by the Bay in the east and
damming up a new reservoir from the sea between Tanjong Pagar and Pulau Brani.
The Draft Master Plan 2013 aims to make Singapore a better home for the people through:
* Providing a quality living environment with a variety of housing options;
* Bringing quality jobs closer to home and growing the financial and business hub in the city;
* Expanding green and recreational spaces for all;
* Building an endearing home;
* Enhancing transport connectivity and accessibility; and
* Enlivening public spaces.
An exhibition of the plan is being held at The URA Centre, 45 Maxwell Road, from Nov 20 to Dec 19.
Key highlights are also available for viewing athttp://www.ura.gov.sg/MS/DMP2013.
The public has until Dec 19 to provide feedback on the plan and proposals for new cycling routes and the
Greater Southern Waterfront through the website.