Contextual Research: Existing Transport

Findings

• Public Transportation
• Public Bus
• Bus interchanges generally built near MRT stations
• Peak Hour Congestion
• Daily Ridership: 3 million (2010)
• Inconsistent timings during off peak hours
• Waiting times: Up to 30 minutes
• Impractical for short distances
• Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
• Each station serves an area of about 8 km^2

• Distance between area served and MRT station: <4 km.
• Peak Hour Congestion
• Daily Ridership: 2.069 million (2010)
• Light Rapid Transit (LRT)
• Connects small residential areas to MRT
• Only exists in certain neighbourhoods
• Peak Hour Congestion
• Taxi
• High cost
• Does not escape peak hour congestion on roads
• Private Transportation
• Car
• Private Car Ownership: 497 000 (2009)
• High Cost
• Toyota Corolla Altis: S$103 388 (sgCarMart, 2011. New Toyota Corolla Altis Latest Car Price & Prices Singapore. [online] Available at: <http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_pricing.php?CarCode=10526> [Accessed 20 September 2011]
• Petrol, maintenance, other charges
• Parking, congestion
• Impractical for short distance travel
• Motorcycle/Bicycle
• Lack of safety on tight and congested roads
• Lack of safety culture among drivers of other vehicles
• Lack of supporting infrastructure
• Bicycle parking
• Bicycle lanes
• Rampant theft issue
• Restrictive laws
• Cycling only legal on roads and bicycle lanes in public parks
• Strict laws governing vehicle eligibility for public use

Implications

• Peak hour traffic and congestion lead to safety and congestion issues on roads, which are tightly constructed due to lack of space.
• Many users concerned with theft. The solution should be able to be securely parked, or be made portable.