S2E5: Who needs a car when there is a driverless bus at 2am?

Mar 18, 2025

45:48

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Forget “car-lite”, go for “car-free”, an SUTD prof makes the case for drivers to hang up their keys.

Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.

It turned out that capping fares for seniors can be a way to urge older Singaporeans to not only stay mobile, but also ditch their cars for public transport. Dr Samuel Chng, research assistant professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, believes that Singapore has the potential to be “car-free”.

Also head of SUTD's Urban Psychology Lab in the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Dr Chng sees a future where autonomous vehicles can fill in the gaps left by existing public transport modes.

Highlights (click/tap above):

7:42 Journey from fewer cars towards car-free

12:50 The shock of not being on public transport in decades

20:33 The opportune time to intervene and form new transport habits

24:34 The role of walk, cycle and ride in the overall transport system

28:59 Driverless technology as a solution for late-night hunger pangs

Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G

Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ

Read more COE articles: https://str.sg/iGKC

Host: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg)

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim and Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong