SINGAPORE: A S$24.7m contract to build Singapore's new budget air terminal has just been awarded.
The government also plans to increase the ports' handling capacity by more than 60 percent by adding 16 berths to Pasir Panjang Terminal's current 26.
These berths will be able to accommodate mega-vessels.
Meanwhile, a transport network is being developed for the New Downtown at Marina Bay.
The Ministry of Transport outlined these plans in its Addendum to the President's Address in parliament charting the future direction for Singapore.
The ministry also said the 3 percent cap on vehicle population will be looked at as part of an overall review.
But that cap has not been reached in the last seven years, and with COE prices falling, dealers and analysts don't expect major changes.
The contract to build the budget air terminal at the Changi airport was awarded to Sanchoon Builders.
Building will start this quarter with the terminal expected to be ready within a year.
It will be able to handle 2.7 million passengers for a start and will be able to expand if the need arises.
The Departure and Arrival buildings for the budget air terminal will be side by side and connected by linkways.
Departing passengers will clear immigration and security and head to one of six boarding areas.
And they'll walk - rain or shine - about 20 metres to the aircraft.
Arriving passengers will also walk back to the Arrival building which will have money changers, food stalls and duty-free shopping.
There will be no skytrain.
Instead, a shuttle bus service will ferry passengers to existing terminals.
With associated building works like taxi-ways and aircraft parking stands, the total price tag for the budget terminal will come up to S$45m.
Commenting on the review of the 3% limit on vehicle population, Gerard Ee, president of the Automobile Association, said: "A review does not necessarily mean any adjustment. The current car market is so weak and demand pretty low as indicated by falling COE prices, there's no compelling need to increase."
The ultimate aim of the government, of course, is to reduce upfront vehicle costs and shift more to usage costs.
So, the ERP cordon is expected to be increased and at different times.
But, analysts caution that this is a delicate balancing game - price it too high and Singapore's expensive roads will be under-utilised. - CNA
Read the Ministry of Transport's Addendum to the President's Address
They are reclaiming more land for PPT
Election coming!!!!
Then why the Budget Terminal coming early next year instead of End of 2006... And why reclaim more land to make PSA PPT into 42 berths instead of 26 (21 berths KIV)
Anyway, the add 16 berths would enclose the Pasir Panjang Wharves