SINGAPORE - Singapore Press Holdings' (SPH) chief executive officer Alan Chan will succeed Mr Michael Lim Choo San as chairman of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on April 1, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) announced in a press release.
Mr Lim, who held the position for 14 years, will step down on March 31.
Under his stewardship, LTA launched the Land Transport Master Plan in 2008, which sets out Singapore's land transport strategy.
Mr Lim, who is also chairman of the Singapore Accountancy Commission and a member of the Public Service Commission, has also been instrumental in LTA's transformation into a commuter-centric organisation, MOT said in the statement.
"With his guidance and encouragement, LTA fostered greater public engagement and responsiveness towards customers by working closely with key stakeholders such as grassroots leaders and local residents to develop land transport solutions that meet diverse needs," MOT added.
Key rail projects such as the Circle Line, the Downtown Line, the Jurong East Modification Programme and the North-South Line Extension were also implemented under Mr Lim's guidance and support.
Besides championing efforts to create a more positive commuting experience through infrastructural improvements such as sheltered linkways and lifts at overhead bridges, MOT said Mr Lim was also responsible for transforming Singapore's public bus industry to the new contracting model.
He oversaw the growth of LTA from 3,600 staff when he joined in 2002 to 5,800 today, with a strong emphasis on building up a resilient engineering core.
"The Ministry of Transport and the Land Transport Authority wish to place on record our appreciation to Mr Lim for his many years of dedicated and distinguished service to the LTA," the statement added.
Mr Lim's successor, Mr Chan, has been SPH's CEO since Jan 1, 2003. He is also a member of the Public Service Commission and a Director of Business China.
His civil service record includes stints as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Principal Private Secretary to then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
MOT said: "Mr Chan's extensive leadership experience will offer LTA invaluable guidance in the future development of land transport in Singapore."
