By Samuel Ee

This is one of the four core principles that has guided the Republic's transport planners, according to Yam Ah Mee, chief executive of the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

He was speaking yesterday at a plenary forum on the topic: 'Developing a sustainable, people-centred land transport system in Singapore - Principles of Governance'.

The other three principles are that a world-class transport system needs to be founded on sound, market-oriented economic solutions; constant innovation in anticipation of and in response to changing solutions; and the need to engage and consult all the people involved.

Mr Yam gave his speech during the inaugural World Urban Transport Leaders Summit, which opened yesterday.

More than 100 senior government officials, professionals and academics from 30 countries are attending the three-day summit to discuss and exchange views on urban transport policies and strategies.

The summit's theme is 'Transforming Urban Transport for Liveability and Sustainability'.

A UN commission once defined the concept of sustainability as an approach which meets the needs of the current generation without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

In his speech, Mr Yam touched on the need to protect the environment for future generations. 'Land transport has a significant role to play in contributing to a high-quality and sustainable living environment, given its impact on air quality, energy consumption, noise pollution and the urban landscape,' he said.

The transport sector is a major contributor of carbon dioxide in the environment, accounting for 19 per cent of Singapore's carbon dioxide emissions in 2005.

In that same year, the manufacturing sector was the biggest generator of carbon dioxide at 54%, while buildings and households contributed 16% and 11% respectively. 'Hence, we must consciously gear our land transport practices and policies towards supporting environmental objectives,' he said.

'This will contribute to a quality living environment for our people.'

As Singapore has limited land space - 12% is allocated for roads compared with 15% for housing - Mr Yam said the increase in travel demand must be met largely by public transport and the system has to cater to the diverse needs of the population.

'Transport is a basic need and we must ensure that everyone has access to it - the low-income groups, the elderly, wheelchair users, families with young children and pedestrians,' he said.

At the same time, public transport is the most efficient means of transport and the LTA will endeavour to make it a choice mode.

'A single-deck bus can carry about 80 passengers at any one time, whereas the average occupancy of our cars is about 1.5 persons per car,' said Mr Yam.

'Therefore, we need to encourage more people to use public transport to meet the 60% increase in travel demand between now and 2020.' he added.

This will be done with central bus network planning for seamless journeys starting next year, the doubling of the rapid train system from the current 138 km of rail network to 278 km by 2020, and managing road usage through the vehicle quota system and electronic road pricing.

And although land is scarce, Mr Yam said that road-building will continue to cater to the heavy demand of new employment at residential centres and to enhance the connectivity of existing roads.

He said: 'A comprehensive road network is essential to sustain economic activities.'