Public-private partnerships in urban mobility

CITIES like Singapore need efficient transportation systems to physically connect people, goods and places. The development of transport systems is ever dynamic, influenced by evolving demand, new technologies and upcoming trends. Key trends include a heightened focus on sustainability and greater use of digital technologies. In recent years, more public-private partnerships (PPPs) have begun to shape the development and provision of smart urban mobility solutions in our cities. These are collaborations between the government and industry players that enhance the provision of transport services, offering greater convenience and comfort for everyone, and enabling new service models to achieve commercial viability.

Given rapid developments in the transport sector, there is a need for nimbleness and for all stakeholders to work together. Let us explore public-private partnerships with a few examples.

The rise of shared mobility

The private sector has led the development of shared mobility services including point-to-point mobility, such as ride-hailing, vehicle sharing and bicycle sharing. These are supported by the government to help create an increasingly diverse urban transport landscape. Besides providing more options for consumers, the rise in shared mobility options also helps to reduce private car ownership, and consequently, discourage private car use. In this way supporting the growth of shared mobility helps to reduce the environmental impact of road transport. In Singapore, BlueSG, an electric car-sharing service, has worked with government agencies in securing suitable parking lots for their fleet, such as in HDB car parks, which helps to increase convenience and accessibility to service users.