MASS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR SINGAPORE (Feasibility study)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Communications what progress has been made in the consideration given to the need for a mass rapid transit system for Singapore.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin): Mr Speaker, Sir, in February last year, at the request of the Ministry of Finance, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, otherwise known as the World Bank, sent an evaluation mission to review the studies conducted by the State and City Planning Office for an urban mass rapid transit system in Singapore. It concluded that more detailed studies were required especially to consider, firstly, the consequences of having or not having a mass rapid transit system; and secondly, the selection of a favoured system after considering the various alternatives available. The World Bank Mission further recommended that we seek technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme to finance the cost of the proposed study.

With the concurrence of the Ministries of Communications, Finance and National Development, the terms of references for the study were finalised and an application for assistance submitted to the United Nations Development Programme in January this year. The matter is now under consideration by them and should the assistance requested for be granted, the study is expected to commence as from January next year.

The Member for Katong may recall that the Minister for Finance, in his budget statement made in this House on 8th March, in referring to Development proposals under the Ministry of Communications, stated as follows --see Hansard, cols. 582-3:

The new Mass Transit Planning Unit to be set up for further investigation into the feasibility of a mass rapid transit system for Singapore, requires a sum of $500,000. The study will be carried out with U.N.D.P. (United Nations Development Programme) assistance.'

Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong): Should the study commence in January next year, can the Minister inform the House how long it will take before the study is completed?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Sir, it was indicated by the World Bank Mission that it may take anything from 15 to 18 months.