COVERED LINKWAYS ALONG HOUGANG AVENUES AND UPPER SERANGOON ROAD

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Communications whether the Land Transport Authority has plans to build covered linkways along Hougang Avenues 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and Upper Serangoon Road to link the bus stops to the nearest building.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has no immediate plans to build covered linkways at the locations mentioned. LTA is concentrating its efforts and resources to build linkways around MRT stations, like Bishan, Outram and Aljunied, as this will benefit the most number of commuters.

As for the Upper Serangoon area, many of the bus shelters will be reconstructed and linked to the nearest building in tandem with the construction of the North-East MRT line.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Would the Minister give an estimated schedule of when such works will commence and confirm whether the LTA will link the bus stops to the nearest building, as stated in the White Paper on "A World Class Land Transport System"?

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Mr Speaker, Sir, the works I mentioned have commenced. For example, in areas like Outram Park and Bishan, they are under construction. Works in several other areas will go on until June 1997.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the LTA does not provide linkways between HDB blocks and bus shelters. In general, this is done by Town Councils, and in cases where the linkways fall beyond the boundaries of the Town Councils, the Town Councils are able to apply for Community Improvement Project Committee (CIPC) grants from the Government.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Clarification, Sir. Is the Minister saying that what is stated in the White Paper, that LTA will construct linkways from the bus stop to the nearest building, does not refer to HDB blocks? What building does it refer to?

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Mr Speaker, Sir, HDB blocks are under the management of the Town Council and Town Councils all over Singapore have already been constructing such linkways. In high traffic areas, which are high priority areas, LTA will begin to construct linkways between bus stops and buildings.