The number of peak hour travels made by private vehicles has been dropping over the last seven years, from 31 per cent to 28 per cent.

According to Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, the peak-period Walk-Cycle-Ride (WCR) mode share is about 72 per cent today, an increase from 69 per cent in 2012.

Walk-Cycle-Ride refers to walking, cycling, and rides on public transport, and point-to-point transport using taxis and private hire cars.

While buses and trains are the backbone of Singapore's public transport, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is working to make walking and cycling commuters' first- and last-mile solutions so that Singaporeans can eventually be weaned off cars.

Khaw shared these figures in response to a parliamentary question by Member of Parliament Liang Eng Hwa, who asked for the latest mode share of public transport, the shifts in this over the last five years, and for ways to increase Singapore's overall public transport ridership.

Referring to the LTA's latest Land Transport Master Plan, Khaw said the government is aiming to achieve 90 per cent peak period Walk-Cycle-Ride mode share by 2040. 

One of the goals of the Land Transport Master Plan 2040 is to create a well-connected transport system so that all commuters can travel to their nearest neighbourhood centre within 20 minutes and spend no more than 45 minutes on peak-period journeys.

According to the minster, this will be done in four ways:

"To meet this target, we will first, enhance our public transport network and improve bus speeds through more Transit Priority Corridors. Second, we will further expand rail connectivity. Third, we will expand the active mobility network and triple the cycling network, especially at the first-and-last mile level. Fourth, we will enhance safety for users through public education and effective enforcement against irresponsible users and retailers."

Personal mobility devices (PMDs) play a part in LTA's Walk-Cycle-Ride plan as a first and last mile solution.

However, the use of PMDs has been polarising, with non-users finding it hard to coexist with them on regular footpaths, especially in the wake of several high-profile injuries caused by PMDs.

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Top image by Joshua Lee.