Engaging the
public
Public consultation was the cornerstone of the Land Transport
Review, with six focus group discussions organised. There were
tours to the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway tunnel as well. And
since April, there's been an e-game on the LTA website that lets
you play at being Transport Minister.
Straits Times, The
(Singapore)
Insight
December 15, 2007
Author: Goh Chin Lian
Many avenues to have your say
EVERY other week, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would gather
about 50 people for a two-hour powwow. Their goal: to help find
ways to improve Singapore's transport system.
In all, six such focus group discussions were held over three
months to let a cross-section of the travelling public have their
say.
It was one of two modes of communication LTA transport planners
chose to get the pulse of the ground for the Land Transport
Review.
The other was the Internet. A website portal was set up for four
months to let commuters give their ideas and wish list via
e-mail.
By end-June, the LTA received 225 e-mail messages.
Most centred on public transport. Ideas ranged from letting even
individuals run feeder services to introducing a taxi service using
electric cars on rails. Others included ways to curb the car
population, like giving a tax rebate to those who switch from cars
to buses and trains.
These views were in addition to those from 300 people who took part
in the focus groups that dwelt on three topics: making public
transport the preferred choice of people, managing road use and
meeting people's diverse needs.
Holding forth at these sessions were commuters, motorists, people
with disabilities, interest groups representing cyclists and the
elderly as well as representatives of public transport operators
and cabby associations.
They suggested, among others, cutting back on parking lots in the
city and offering cheaper parking at MRT stations so people can
park and ride.
Such efforts to engage people are pivotal in Singapore's approach
towards handling its transport issues and policies, says Transport
Minister Raymond Lim in an interview.
'You need to get them involved because transport impacts on their
lives every day.
'By engaging them, you give the public a better understanding of
the wider issues involved, which go beyond their personal
interest.
'At the same time, it allows the policymakers to have a better
understanding of their concerns. So you create a two-way
process.'
Besides lending them an ear, the LTA also believes in giving people
a first-hand experience. For instance, residents were invited to
visit nearby worksites of infrastructure projects like the
Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE).
Also, its engineers went door to door to get feedback on, say, dust
and noise levels.
Beyond these targeted measures, the LTA also has two ongoing
efforts.
One is an online role-playing game, and the other a programme that
deploys LTA officers to work with MPs and grassroots leaders on
problems raised by residents.
In April, the online game was launched to let a person play the
role of the Transport Minister, so that person could get a grasp of
the trade-offs involved in each policy decision.
More than 3,000 people have taken on the role, and most said they
went away with a better understanding of the complex nature of
Singapore's land transport policies.
As for the LTA's liaison officers, MPs such as Mr Michael Palmer
find them a big help.
The MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC recalls a resident complaining
that a side road was too narrow for school buses to make a U-turn
safely.
The LTA officer took over the case and dealt directly with the
resident. The authorities later expanded the turning radius for the
buses.
Mr Palmer believes these officers make a difference.
'Singaporeans know you can't solve every problem.
'Still, they raise it and appreciate it when the ministries have
someone who will listen and give an explanation.
'It's better than sending an e-mail and not getting a reply, or to
receive a reply saying, 'Thank you very much for your feedback' and
that's it.'
[email protected]
Copyright, 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited
