From the evolution of MRT lines to buses, wider cycling paths and committing to being “car-lite”, our veteran transport reporter tells all. 

Synopsis: The Straits Times offers expert insights if you are in the market for a new vehicle or are tracking transportation trends.

In the second part of the conversation, COE Watch host Lee Nian Tjoe hosts long-time senior transport correspondent at The Straits Times - Christopher Tan - to talk about how he got into journalism, and what has been driving him all these years.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:00 On how Chris Tan once found out how much it cost to build the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway

5:30 Chris recalls when he first raised the idea of the bus contracting model way before it was started, to help raise service levels 

7:00 Debates on building a new MRT line: Why the Rail Financing Framework is good for the overall network

9:00 “Build ‘em and they will come”; positive knock-on effects

14:00 Why it is fair for Singaporeans to expect more from the public transport system

17:37 Christopher Tan retiring from full-time work end-July 2024; his plans

Listen to Pt 1 of Lee Nian Tjoe's conversation with Chris Tan here: https://omny.fm/shows/coe-watch/fixing-the-coe-system-and-why-newsmakers-do-not-te

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

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

Read Christopher Tan's articles: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/christopher-tan

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

Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hana Chen and Teo Tong Kai

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqW2

Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

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ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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