2024 wrapped The biggest transport stories of the year, and what's next

From extreme flight turbulence resulting in the death of a traveller to a six-day MRT breakdown affecting millions of passengers, the transport sector in Singapore has had a rough 2024.

- Kok Yufeng

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said as much in an interview to round up his first full year on the job, which he described as challenging for all involved.

Here are five of the biggest transport developments in 2024, and what can be expected in 2025.

1 JANUARY: SIMPLYGO SAGA The year 2024 began in controversy after public transport users baulked at a move in January to phase out the use of older transit cards by June. The plan was shelved two weeks later, at the cost of an extra $40 million to maintain the status quo until at least 2030.

The authorities had underestimated the desire among some passengers to see their fare transactions and card balances at fare gates and on bus card readers - something that is not technically possible with the SimplyGo account-based ticketing system.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has since been given the task of finding ways around this technical limitation, and of improving the features and user experience of the newer payment system.

2 MAY: FLIGHT SQ321 Tragedy struck in May when a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar, leading to a 73-year-old passenger dying of a suspected heart attack and dozens more being hurt.

Those aboard Flight SQ321 on May 21 described a harrowing experience as the Boeing 777-300ER plane was thrust upwards and downwards, likely owing to rapid changes in gravitational force, during meal service.

Passengers not strapped in were reportedly flung against the cabin ceiling, leaving many with serious injuries involving the spinal cord, brain and skull.

Investigations are under way to uncover the full facts of the incident, which drew global attention to the safety risks posed by turbulence. SIA also faces a lengthy legal process to determine how much it needs to pay out to passengers in compensation.