EVALUATE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF MASS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM IN SINGAPORE: FROM SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the sustainability in the Mass Transit System in Singapore. There are many city researches that have been done regarding the sustainability in urban forms and transportation. However, there is lack of local researches in exploring this area, especially in the field of public transportation. As Singapore has been extending MRT lines since 1980s and its ridership increased by more than 4 times as compared to a decade ago, it is necessary to study and evaluate its overall sustainability. In this research, the objective was analyzed from social, economic and environmental perspectives. It is statistically significant to conclude that there is a positive relationship between life satisfaction and distance to MRT stations, as people reside nearer to MRT stations tend to have a higher quality of life. A positive relationship is observed for property value and extension of MRT lines, that the opening of DTL2 increases the property value in both residential and commercial sectors. Furthermore, it is environmental feasible for the extension of MRT lines as the LTA does environmental evaluation assessment before site work and aim to mitigate and minimize potential harm to the environment. Moreover, the trains adopted have energy saving features which make them sustainable. As such, this research meets its objective and is able to conclude that the MRT system is sustainable in Singapore, be it in social, economic and environmental perspectives.