Transportation reforms in Singapore

Following a rash of announcements by the Transport Ministry regarding changes to transportation in Singapore, current congested transportation links looks set to be improved even as the government aims to increase the population from current 4.5 million to 6.5 million.

The changes are comprehensive and on all fronts as the rail lines, bus transport industry, road taxes and road infrastructure are all affected by one way or the other. 40 billion earmarked for improving rail capacity and rail density, bus industry being deregulated, decrease in road taxes as more ERP gantries are being set up and 14billion to build more expressways are pretty radical changes all announced back-to-back within a two weeks.

With all these construction in the works, what does it mean for the average Singaporean?

First, the effectiveness of the increase in capacity in transport may be blunt by increase in permanent population in Singapore as the government try to attract more permanent residents and the projected rise of tourism-related activities. So the onus is on the Transport Ministry to coordinate with all the transport agencies to ensure the supply meets the demand.

Secondly, the Singapore economy will be boosted by huge government construction funds and therefore remain robust for the next ten years. Tourism will also be a major contributor to the economy.

Last but not least, it seems strange that all these anouncements are being made in the middle of bank crises around the world. Whether these changes are designed to detract criticism of aggressive Singapore foreign investments or to assure locals are taken care of in spite of heavy foreign investment during a time of inflation is hard to determine.

All in, the average Singaporean can expect to enjoy the fruits of prosperity in the near future and have a rocking good time.