Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)Singapore (VNA) – Singapore’s budget allocated for public transport will increase sharply in 2016, according to Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport Sitoh Yih Pin.
He highlighted that the budget will be used for public transport extension projects, including the construction of an additional 30 metro stations and major renewal works for the North-South and East-West lines which are expected to be completed by 2018.
In addition, upgrades will be made to two expressways together with installing cycling and walking paths on the North-South Corridor.
This is a significant move in the Government’s master plan to improve passenger transport capacity and ease the transport burden, Sitoh added.
Other big transport projects are also underway, involving Changi International Airport’s Terminal 4 and Project Jewel Changi Airport in Terminal 5 set to be accomplished in the second half of 2020, improving the airport’s shopping and entertainment services.
Regarding the seaport system, the third and fourth phases of the Pasir Panjang Terminal expansion project, which costs 2.6 billion USD, are set for completion by the end of 2017. Once operational, the expanded port capacity will increase the country’s container throughput by more than 40 percent.
By 2040, Singapore will increase its port handling capacity to 65 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), doubling the figure in 2014.
Last year, the Singaporean Ministry of Transport received 7.9 billion USD from the Government’s budget; ranking fourth behind defence, education and national development ministries.-VNA
