Even if some of us aren’t totally on board with the idea of a “car-lite” Singapore, deep down, we all know it’s the right thing to do as far as sustainability is concerned. And while it seemed like a lofty goal when the idea was first mooted, there are plenty of signs that we’re getting there sooner than we realized.
Singapore is getting a fleet of electric taxis
Singapore’s sixth taxi operator will commence operations in September with a fleet of electric cars. According to The Straits Times, HDT Singapore Taxi will start with 10 cars built by Shenzhen-based BYD, with the fleet growing to 100 by Q1 2017. The cars have a range of 350km on a full charge and prices are expected to be “competitive and tagged to the market rate”.
You’ll have a quick and convenient way to get to Malaysia in the near future
With the high-speed rail link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur scheduled for completion in 2026 and a study underway for a potential Singapore-Johor Baru MRT extension, jams at the Causeway and Second Link might soon be a thing of the past.
Three towns will soon have an electric car sharing scheme
Jurong East, Ang Mo Kio and Punggol will be the first to see the installation of 50 EV stations and 250 charging points, which will cater to the first fleet of 125 BlueSG cars from the middle of next year. Commuters can book a BlueSG car through an app 20 minutes in advance and will be charged for the amount of time used instead of the distance travelled. There is also the option of applying for a daily or annual membership.
Foldable bicycles and personal mobility devices can soon be brought on trains and buses
A soon-to-be-launched six-month trial will allow commuters to carry their foldable bicycles and PMDs on buses and trains at any time of the day (yes, that includes peak hours as well). Cyclists and users of PMDs have been urged to be considerate and to use common sense.
A bike-sharing scheme will debut in the Jurong Lake District next year
This new scheme will provide 1,000 bicycles for use across 100 docking stations – all within walking distance from one another – which will be available all day. Starting next year, residents within the Jurong Lake District will be able to “rent” one of these bicycles from a self-service docking station near their own homes and ride it to nearby MRT stations, offices or malls, where they can “park” the bicycle at another docking station. Getting sponsors hasn’t been a straightforward process, however.
Car-free Sundays will return in October
Car-free Sundays in the city have been a hit over the past six months, and they’ll be back in October after a two-month review period. Over the past few months, we’ve seen activities such as a breakfast concert, exhibitions, performances, pop-up installations and even yoga sessions.
