Land Transport Authority

Land Transport Authority
Logo of LTA
Agency overview
Formed	September 1, 1995
Preceding agencies	Registry of Vehicles Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Roads & Transportation Division (Public Works Department of Singapore) Land Transport Division (Ministry of Communications)
Jurisdiction	Government of Singapore
Headquarters	1 Hampshire Road Singapore 219428
Agency executives	Michael LIM Choo San, Chairman Chew Hock Yong, CEO
Parent agency	Ministry of Transport (Singapore)
Website
http://www.lta.gov.sg

The Land Transport Authority's headquarters at the former Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital.

The LTA Gallery is located at the LTA office at Hampshire Road

The Land Transport Authority (Abbreviation: LTA; Chinese: 陆路交通管理局 (shortform: 陆交局); Malay: Penguasa Pengangkutan Darat; Tamil: நிலப் போக்குவரத்து வாரியம்) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of the Singapore Government.

History

It was founded in 1 September 1995, by merging four agencies, namely, Registry of Vehicles, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Roads & Transportation Division of the Public Works Department of Singapore and Land Transport Division of the then-Ministry of Communications. LTA spearheads land transport development in Singapore.

Mission

The mission of LTA is to provide an efficient, cost-effective and people-centred land transport system for different needs and its vision is a people-centred land transport system. The three objectives of LTA are:

• To deliver a land transport network that is integrated, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable to meet the nation's needs.

• To plan, develop and manage Singapore's land transport system to support a quality environment while making optimal use of our transport measures and safeguarding the well-being of the travelling public.

• To develop and implement policies to encourage commuters to choose the most appropriate transportation mode.

Blueprint for the Future

In March 2008, LTA released its Land Transport Masterplan report, which outlines the strategic thrusts to make the land transport system work for both the people and the city. The three strategic thrusts are to:

• Make Public Transport a Choice Mode

• Manage Road Use

• Meet the Diverse Needs of Our People

The Land Transport Masterplan report is a comprehensive and forward-looking document describing the vision, strategy and plans for a people-centered land transport system. The Masterplan report is developed from the perspective of commuters and their travel needs, following extensive consultations with the public and stakeholders.

The Land Transport Masterplan will revamp during Lui Tuck Yew's administration.

Making Public Transport a Choice Mode

Providing the people with a safe, efficient and comfortable public transportation network has been the cornerstone of LTA's land transport strategy. It is the Government's vision to make the rail network the backbone of Singapore's public transport system.

Rail

LTA is responsible for the development of the rapid transit system and the expansion of the rail network. It aims to double the rail network by 2020.

DTL

The Downtown Line (DTL) will be built in three stages, with Stage 1 to be completed in 2013, Stage 2 to be completed in 2015 and Stage 3 in 2017. When fully completed, the DTL will enhance the connectivity of the Rapid Transit System network and facilitates direct travel from the northwestern and eastern areas of the island to the Central Business District and the Marina Bay. The DTL is projected to see a daily ridership of more than half a million passengers when in full operation.

When completed in 2013, DTL1 will provide a strategic transport link to serve workers, residents and visitors in the Marina Bay area and upcoming developments such as the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resorts and the Marina Bay Financial Centre. DTL1 will run through some of the busiest and most vibrant corridors in the city such as Bugis and Chinatown and ease congestion at major interchanges like Dhoby Ghaut, City Hall and Raffles Place Interchange.

CCL

The Circle Line (CCL) cuts travelling time and allow commuters to bypass busy interchanges like City Hall and Raffles Place. Costing $6.7 billion, the CCL is a fully underground orbital line linking all radial lines leading to the city. The line interchanges with the North-South Line, East-West Line and North East Line. The CCL is 33.3 km long with 31 stations. Starting from Dhoby Ghaut station, it runs through some of the busiest corridors in the city and end at HarbourFront station on the North East Line.

To enhance the accessibility of the Marina Bay area to the rest of the island, LTA will also build and open the Marina Bay station as part of the CCL extension beyond Bayfront station to be opened in 2012.

Bus

LTA took on the role of central bus network planner which is from 2009 to 2011 in order to shift the focus of placing the commuter at the centre and taking a holistic approach in planning the bus network, taking into consideration development in the Rapid Transit System (RTS) network and other transport infrastructure.

In addition, to further improve the reliability and speed of bus services, buses will be given greater priority on the roads over other vehicles. This will help to shorten bus journey time and make them a more viable competitor to cars.

Managing Road Use

The latest major project to be completed was the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE). Stretching from the East Coast Parkway (ECP) to Tampines Expressway (TPE), the full 12 km KPE opened to traffic on 20 September 2008. The KPE serves the growing residential, commercial and industrial needs of the northeastern corridor and is expected to reduce journey time in the northeast corridor by up to 25%. This benefits motorists travelling between the northeast sector and the city and improves connectivity between the ECP, PIE and TPE.

The KPE enhances Singapore’s transportation infrastructure and serves the growing residential, commercial and industrial needs of the Northeast. The completion of Southeast Asia's longest underground expressway also illustrates the Government's commitment to build roads to support Singapore's growth.

Motorist safety was a primary design objective of the KPE. With this in mind, a series of clear and simple guidelines cover both day-to-day driving, as well as any emergency. Major investments for the future will continue, with such projects as the Marina Coastal Expressway. The dual, five-lane, 5 km long underground MCE will run between the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE), the East Coast Parkway (ECP) and the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), with direct connections to the Marina South and Straits View areas, and is expected to be completed by 2013.

Road upgrading and expansion includes such projects as widening segments of a key artery, the Central Expressway, which runs from the north to the south of the island. By end 2009, the segment of the CTE between Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 and Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 will be expanded from the current three lanes to four. Central Expressway have also widened other stretches, only north of Bukit Timah Road because of the problems with tunnel all the way to Yio Chu Kang Road, will be expanded from current three lanes to four.

LTA is also a critical partner in major national initiatives such as the Singapore F1 race held in September 2008.

Investment in road projects ensures that the economy will be ably supported with a strong and ever-improving transport infrastructure and coordinated system to help motorists to enjoy a safer and more pleasant journey.

Meeting Diverse Needs

The transport system must be accessible to all and LTA aims to achieve greater ownership of transport issues at the community level. Ensuring physical accessibility for all, including the elderly and the less mobile is one such goal.

LTA adopts international best practices in improving the accessibility of the public transport network, roads and commuter facilities. To ensure the barrier-free initiatives are sustainable and well-tailored to the needs of users, LTA works closely with relevant organizations such as the Handicaps Welfare Association and the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped to identify the barrier-free road facilities required.

In addition, LTA is looking to facilitate cycling by providing more and better bicycle parking facilities around MRT stations and bus interchanges from 2009. It will leverage on National Parks Board (NParks) nationwide network of Park connectors to provide cyclists with enhanced connectivity to transport nodes such as bus interchanges and MRT stations.

Education

LTA Academy

The LTA Academy is a division of LTA that serves as a one-stop focal point for governments, organizations and professionals around the world to tap Singapore’s land transport know-how and to exchange best practices in land transport management and development. The Academy was launched on 27 September 2007 by Mr. Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Land Transport Gallery

The LTA Gallery is located at the LTA office at Hampshire Road

The LTA Gallery, located at the main LTA Hampshire Office, offers a learning experience about the evolution of Singapore’s land transport system in a fun and interactive environment.

With a simulated train station, a 40-seater theatre, and multimedia stations amongst other innovative gadgets, the Land Transport Gallery is an interesting learning journey for all ages.

External links

• Land Transport Authority Official website
• ONE.MOTORING - information portal for Singapore motorists
• Pay ERP charges via credit card
• Singapore Public Transport portal
• Official KPE website
• LTA latest press releases