1 The Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) and International Association of Public Transport (UITP) inked a Memorandum of Understanding today to establish and develop in Singapore the UITP Centre for Transport Excellence for the Asia Pacific region.

2 Housed in the LTA Academy at Hampshire Road, the Centre aims to be a one-stop land transport knowledge and research hub with focus on public transport and sustainable mobility, and to provide training and support to land transport administrations and practitioners, in the region.

3 Cities in this age are challenged to meet the travel needs of their growing populations with public transport increasingly a major contributor to the cities' mobility and livability. The UITP Centre for Transport Excellence in Singapore is set up against this backdrop to facilitate knowledge exchange among the land transport communities in the region through conferences, seminars, training programmes, exhibitions, study visits, etc.

4 UITP has chosen Singapore to anchor its training, research and knowledge activities for the Asia Pacific region because Singapore has demonstrated excellent public transport development with continued innovation, and of LTA Academy's role in capacity building, research and knowledge development synergising with UITP's activities in the region.

1st LTA-UITP SITC

5 One of the Centre's first initiatives is to organise the inaugural LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress (SITC) in October 2013. The biennial SITC will congregate eminent international speakers to share insights on urban transport issues, and solutions that improve the quality and effectiveness of land transport systems. SITC will enable participants such as policy makers and industry players, to exchange knowledge and experience on urban transport planning, development, operation and management.

6 Mr Hans Rat, UITP's Secretary General, said at this afternoon's Memorandum of Understanding ceremony, "Ever evolving societies, changing commuters' behaviors and escalating expectations make managing transportation in a city a 'work in progress' always. LTA and UITP joined forces today to facilitate a worldwide smooth exchange of knowledge and experiences with the establishment of one of the first centres for transport excellence and through SITC, making Singapore a one-stop shop for transport for the region's public transport practitioners."

7 Mr Chew Hock Yong, LTA's Chief Executive said, "LTA is honoured to partner UITP in setting up the Centre for Transport Excellence and co-hosting the SITC. Through collaborating with renowned organisations such as UITP, we can acquire cutting edge knowledge, which helps to meet our vision to deliver a land transport system that meets the diverse needs of an inclusive society and one that provides for a liveable and vibrant global city."

About Singapore LTA (lta.gov.sg)

The Singapore LTA is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport that spearheads land transport developments in Singapore.

LTA plans the long-term transport needs of Singapore, taking care of those who drive as well as those who take public transport. The ultimate goal - a smooth and seamless journey for all.

About LTA Academy (ltaacademy.gov.sg )

LTA Academy was established by LTA to serve as a one-stop focal point for governments, organisations and professionals around the world to tap Singapore's know-how and exchange best practices in land transport management and development.

About UITP (uitp.org)

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) is the international network of public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry. It is a platform for worldwide cooperation, business development and the sharing of know-how between its 3,400 members from 92 countries. UITP is the global advocate of public transport and sustainable mobility, and the promoter of innovations in the sector.