Advisory panel set up to look into family-friendly transport system

FAMILIES, who own cars currently because of the need to ferry children or elderly parents, will not need to do so any more in the future.

That is the aspiration of Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min, who revealed on his Facebook page on Thursday morning that the Family-Friendly Transport Advisory Panel will be set up to look into its plausibility.

Dr Lam, who is also the Senior Minister of State for Health, wrote: "A family-friendly public transport system lies at the heart of a family-friendly nation."

"I am grateful that Mr Richard Magnus, chairman of the Public Transport Council and Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, have agreed to co-chair a new advisory panel to make recommendations on how we can make our transport system more family-friendly," he said.

Dr Lam revealed that the panel will comprise representatives from diverse backgrounds, and they will also consult widely.

In a separate statement to the press, Mr Sitoh said: "As chairman of the Transport GPC, I am encouraged by the formation of this panel, as it will allow us to take a deeper look at how we can create a transport system that is more inclusive for all commuters. Currently, I am working closely with Mr Richard Magnus to set up this panel and we will be happy to share more in due course."

Adding, Mr Magnus said: "This will allow us to pay closer attention to the needs of our commuters, especially parents who travel with young children or elderly dependents. This is in line with PTC's existing advisory role to the Transport Minister on transport matters, as we continue to look at ways to make our public transport system more inclusive."