At a glance: Key updates to MRT, bus network and more for 2040 master plan

SINGAPORE — The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has unveiled a wide-ranging set of plans to take Singapore’s transport system to the next level, mapping out a 20-year blueprint in its Land Transport Master Plan 2040.

The 64-page document, released on Saturday (May 25), outlines significant upgrades to rail and bus services, as well as improvements to accessibility and safety.

TODAY takes a look at the key announcements of the master plan.

MRT EXPANSION

Two new stations in the northwest, Brickland and Sungei Kadut stations, will be added to the North-South Line by mid-2030.

Sungei Kadut station will be an interchange connecting to the Downtown Line, which will be extended beyond Bukit Panjang station.

The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will be extended beyond the upcoming Sungei Bedok station to Changi Airport and will serve the future Terminal 5. The stretch of stations from Tanah Merah to Changi Airport on the East-West Line will be converted to the TEL.

A feasibility study will be conducted to assess whether a new rail line should be built to supplement transport options in the north and north-east regions and connect these regions to the south.

BUS NETWORK

New “transit priority corridors” are aimed at improving bus speeds, with features beyond today’s bus lanes. These possibly include bus-only roads and smarter traffic light systems. Ten areas are now under study, including the upcoming North-South Corridor to open in 2026.

More integrated transport hubs are set to open, taking the total number to 21. Besides the existing nine hubs, five others are already under construction and seven more are being planned.

Complete bus fleets will run on cleaner energy by 2040, comprising alternatives such as electric or hybrid vehicles.

IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSPORT ACCESSIBILITY

There will be a pilot run for priority cabins on MRT trains which will be meant for seniors, expectant mothers, wheelchair users and parents with young children in strollers. The pilot will be on one yet-to-be-announced MRT line.

Priority queues will also be a feature at all MRT stations by the end of this year and all bus interchanges by 2021.

LTA will work with taxis, private-hire car companies to increase affordability and the number of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

More lifts and ramps will be built to make public transport “barrier-free”.

Display screens will be installed on all buses to inform passengers of upcoming stops. Audio announcements for the next stop will also be made.

IMPROVEMENTS TO SAFETY

To improve safety for vulnerable pedestrians, selected “silver zones” will undergo a trial to have the speed limit reduced from 40km/h to 30km/h.

Red-amber-green arrows will be installed at 1,000 traffic junctions by 2023.

LED traffic-light strips at pedestrian crossings and “three-dimensional traffic calming markings”, designed to slow traffic, are now on trial. They will be reviewed and implemented at more places if found to be effective.

CYCLING PATHS

Cycling path network will be expanded to over 1,000km by 2040. This builds on the 700km that LTA previously committed to paving by 2030.