In realising the numerous initiatives under the 1996 White Paper, the following resources were mobilised.
Source of Funding
Initiatives are funded by both the Government and commuters, where Government pays for building infrastructure like MRT tunnels, viaducts, stations and the first set of operating assets. Public transport fares cover the operating cost of the transport system, including the accumulation of reserves for subsequent asset replacement.
Over the past 13 years, US$14 billion has been invested in the development of Singapore’s land transport system. In addition, US$200 million is needed annually to operate and maintain the roads. Annual total public transport revenue of US$800 million keeps the public buses and trains in quality working condition with no operating subsidy from the Government.
“The Republic of Singapore has long had a reputation for innovative approaches to transport policy. Its Area Licensing Scheme, introduced in 1975, predated by over 20 years other schemes using road pricing to reduce congestion, and its rail and bus systems are among the few to operate without government subsidy.”
- Professor Tony May, Professor of Transport Engineering of University of Leeds
Human Resource
LTA employs over 3600 staff with mixed disciplines, of which 42% are degree holders and more than half are engineering professionals.
Business objectives cannot be met without employee engagement. LTA adopts a two-pronged approach: Management Strategy and Human Resource Strategy.
Both strategies employ multi-level employee involvement, starting from individual to the strategic level, in achieving new initiatives, corporate goals and objectives, teamwork, and fostering innovation. In addressing organisational challenges, LTA focuses on retaining and building a sustainable human capital base that meet future needs of the organisation such as recruitment, training, development, retention and succession planning. Employee satisfaction with total rewards (work-life practices, work environment, welfare provisions, remuneration and other benefits) and staff partnership are also part of LTA’s strategy in capability development.
Technical Resource
To manage and deliver a wide range of technical solutions, LTA established 3 technology masterplans – the ITS masterplan, Transport e-Services masterplan and the Engineering Systems masterplan. These masterplans are instrumental in providing the roadmap for developing solutions to optimise our operational efficiency in managing private transport, road safety, traffic management, design and engineering. Improvements are incorporated to include the management of public transport, overall land transport planning and broader scope of e-services to the customer, commuter and community.
Panel of Experts
LTA has also appointed an International Advisory Panel to advise on its transport policies and strategies. A six-member panel includes eminent and internationally recognised transport experts and practitioners from Australia, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, United States and the United Kingdom.
Similarly, the Engineering Advisory Panel comprising top overseas academic experts, from United Kingdom, Paris, Japan, was formed to give specialist advice pertaining to specific technical issues such as civil, structural, geotechnical, tunnelling, temporary works, design and construction.
LTA operates a number of national mission critical systems which are highly dependent on infocomm technology. These systems are reviewed independently by a committee headed by Defence Science Organisation where the national expertise in IT Security resides.
Through these panels, LTA taps the expertise and experience of external and local advisors for a wide range of complex policies, engineering and technology issues.
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