Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan using a dedicated cycling path at the launch of the revitalised Bencoolen Street.
Commuters will be able to continue taking their foldable bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) with them on buses and trains all day, after a trial ends this month.
The six-month trial by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and public transport operators showed most commuters were accepting of such practices, LTA’s deputy chief executive for public transport Jeremy Yap said yesterday.
“While we saw more commuters carrying these devices into train stations during the trial, the majority were responsible and observed the stipulated rules and guidelines,” he said. “Many also expressed support for the initiative as it provided passengers another option for their first- and last-mile commute.”
This development ties in with the Government’s vision of a car-lite Singapore. The LTA and Urban Redevelopment Authority announced yesterday plans for cycling routes in the central area that will be linked to the heartland.
Mr Francis Chu, co-founder of cycling group Love Cycling SG, said allowing such devices on board public transport is a practical move.
He said: “Singapore has a good rail network, but it cannot always reach people’s doorsteps. People who live a longer distance away from train stations can use bicycles for the first and last mile of their journey. It will encourage more people to use bicycles as a mode of transport.”
The LTA had said in March that based on checks at some MRT stations during weekday peak-hour travel, an average of about 15 to 20 commuters boarded trains with their PMDs at each station.
Most of the devices taken on board were PMDs such as e-scooters, the LTA had said.
They were more often seen at interchange stations such as Jurong East, Bishan and Serangoon.
With more than 100 stations islandwide, there could be as many as 2000 commuters benefiting from the pilot. Over two million commuters ride the MRT and LRT daily.
Posters highlighting the rules involved will be put up at train stations and bus interchanges islandwide. For example, bicycles and PMDs must be folded at all times and motorised PMDs switched off when taken on board trains and buses.
The foldable bicycles and PMDS have to meet the following dimensions as well – a length of up to 120cm, a height of 70cm and a width of 40cm.
Those who do not comply with the rules will be denied entry into the train station or bus, and can be fined up to $500 for each offence.
Rules and guidelines
RULES
• Foldable bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) must not exceed 120cm by 70cm by 40cm when folded.
• Foldable bicycles and PMDs must be folded at all times in MRT and LRT stations, bus interchanges and terminals, and on trains and buses.
• Motorised PMDs must be switched off when taken on board trains and buses.
• Commuters must not ride their foldable bicycles and PMDs in MRT and LRT stations, and bus interchanges and terminals. Commuters should instead push or carry their folded devices.
• Wheels of foldable bicycles and PMDs must be wrapped up if they are dirty or wet.
• Protruding parts – such as handle bars and bicycle pedals – likely to cause injury or damage property must be covered up or retracted.
• Only one foldable bicycle or PMD is allowed on a bus at any one time, in general.
• Foldable bicycles and PMDs are not allowed on the upper deck of a bus or on the staircase leading to the upper deck.
GUIDELINES
• Commuters should be responsible for the safe carriage of their foldable bicycles and PMDs, and should hold or carry their foldable bicycles and PMDs.
• Foldable bicycles and PMDs should not block the aisles and doors or impede commuters’ movement at any time.
• When travelling by train, commuters with foldable bicycles and PMDs should use the first or last car, which is usually less crowded.
• Commuters with foldable bicycles and PMDs should use the wide fare gates at MRT and LRT stations where they are available.
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