Lui Tuck Yew, Transport

Budget 2013: Plans to make it easier to access a car without owning one

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is looking at ways to make it easier for commuters who do not own a car to have access to one on occasion.

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said in Parliament on Wednesday that this will help Singaporeans who like having convenient door-to-door options to get around for family outings, shopping and ferrying elderly parents to medical appointments among other things.

LTA is working with the Housing Board to make car-sharing more accessible in the heartlands. There are currently 8,000 commuters who are members of car-sharing schemes. This is a 33 per cent increase compared to a year ago, said Mr Lui. Car-sharing schemes run by private companies who park their car-sharing vehicles at HDB multi-storey car parks among other car parks.

Mr Lui also added that the Ministry would study if it is possible to liberalise the private car rental scheme which currently allows car owners to rent out their cars on weekends and public holidays.

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