Search the Community

SINGAPORE - The Traffic Police (TP) is plugging into Singapore’s green drive, with a tender to replace its fleet of highway patrol cars with electric models.According to tender documents obtained by The Straits Times, TP is looking to buy 19 cars to replace ageing highway patrol vehicles in its fleet, which include BMW, Subaru and Volvo models. The tender has an option for additional vehicles, as well as a lifetime service and maintenance programme. As previously, the cars will have to accommodate a suite of police equipment and paraphernalia. Among the long list of required specifications stated in the documents is that the new car should be able to accelerate from zero to 100kmh within eight seconds – which most electric cars can easily do.Because traffic can get quite backed up, you will see drivers trying to jump queue one way or the other, which can cause even more log jam. For electric models, they should have at least 170kW (or 228hp), and a battery size of at least 60kWh..Other consumers are worried about the security of their personal information and the potential for fraud with a digital system.Although the documents start off by stating that internal combustion engine and hybrid models are also eligible, one section of the tender says TP will prioritise “clean energy” vehicles, with electric models being evaluated first.Hence, The Straits Times understands that all bids submitted are with electric models, including Sweden’s Polestar 2 (from Polestar agent Wearnes Automotive), South Korea’s Hyundai Ioniq 5 (jointly submitted by Hyundai agent Komoco and Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore), China’s BYD Seal and Germany’s BMW i4 and iX1 (all from Malaysian motor group Sime Darby).Sources said the Ioniq 5 may have an advantage as it is assembled here. Responding to queries, a police spokesman would only say that the exercise was part of a periodic “vehicle replacement programme”. “TP called for a tender on Oct 28, 2022, for the procurement of TP’s expressway patrol cars,” the spokesman said.“This is to replace the current expressway patrol cars to support TP’s operational requirements.Even if they are tech-savvy, many elders may still prefer the traditional, tangible nature of physical documents.” The tender closed on Jan 31.This is the first time TP is looking to add electric vehicles to its fleet.Previous highway patrol cars include the diesel BMW 325d, and petrol-powered Subaru WRX, Volvo S40 and Volvo S80. TP’s move is seen as part of Singapore’s initiative to move towards cleaner energy vehicles in a bid to reduce emissions.The Government aims to ban the registration of new pure combustion engine cars from 2030, and to have all vehicles here running on cleaner energy by 2040, although it is unclear what precisely “cleaner energy” entails.Sources said other police departments are also shopping for EVs, including all-wheel-drive seven-seaters – a rarity in the electric segment.This can be done through publicity videos, ambassadors or store assistants.A number of law enforcement agencies in other countries have already included EVs in their fleet.In 2019, the Australian state of Victoria bought a Tesla Model X for highway patrol duties, reported EV news portal Driven. Several jurisdictions in the US have added EVs to their fleet, including New York City, which ordered 184 Ford Mustang Mach-Es, according to Automotive News.With many brands now having their own individual apps, our phones are cluttered with multiple little icons across multiple screens.And London is trying out a fleet of Tesla Model 3s, reported The Guardian in 2021. Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/traffic-police-to-add-evs-to-highway-patrol-fleet-first-tender-of-its-kind-draws-all-ev-bidders

LTA has contracted six traffic wardens from a private company at $34,000 a year to take down the licence platenumber, make and colour of vehicles that intrude into bus lanes at peak hours. (They are incognito with camera in hands......so don't expect to see a TP, etc) Note you can get fined $130 for dropping someone off at or near the bus stop. LTA has intensified their operations at the following areas: 1) Eunos Link 2) Hougang Ave 3 3) Jurong Town Hall Rd 4) Lorong Chuan 5) Orchard Rd 6) Upper Serangoon Rd 7) Upper Thomson Rd 8) Yishun Ave 2 Additional spots where speed traps were seen, 1) PIE towards airport near Toa Payoh exit, tripod mounted speed camera at the pedestrain overhead bridge. 90km/h 2) PIE towards jurong near adam road exit, tripod mounted speed camera over at Adam Road flyover. 90km/h 3) Braddell Road after Bishan Junction towards CTE, tripod mounted speed camera at the pedestrain overhead bridge. 60/kmh 4) Queensway towards Bukit Merah, tripod mounted speed camera under tree before Ridout McDonalds. 60km/h 5) Spot along Upper Bukit Timah Rd towards Woodlands Rd, tripod mounted speed camera under tree after a curve turn - 60km/h. Fine imposed is $170 and 8 demerit points