Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Singapore Says No More Cars

That’s enough! Photo: Sean Gerrity/Flickr
That’s enough! Photo: Sean Gerrity/Flickr

The island city-state of Singapore is capping the number of cars on its streets.

To own a car in Singapore, you need a permit. And beginning in February, the Singapore government will cease to issue additional permits. Currently, permit growth is capped at about 0.25 percent annually.

Space is just too limited to accommodate more motor vehicles. "In view of land constraints and competing needs, there is limited scope for further expansion of the road network," the Singapore government said in its announcement of the car cap.

At 277 square miles, Singapore is about the size of Lexington, Kentucky. About 12 percent of its land area is consumed by roads. Geographic constraints help explain why Singapore is a global innovator in traffic management, first introducing downtown congestion pricing back in 1975.

While Singapore is unique in some respects, it's also responding to the same pressures that face any urbanized area of sufficient size. Cars don't fit, so Singapore is investing in transit.

The country has expanded the length of its rail network 30 percent in the past six years, according to the government's announcement, and is planning to invest US$14 billion on rail expansion and $3 billion on additional bus service over the next five years.

Singapore says it will reevaluate the hard cap on cars in 2020.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Friday’s Headlines

More on the Governor's budget, More on Bike Day, More on Olympics, and more....

May 16, 2025

First Reviews of the Governor’s Revised Budget Are In

It's a split decision, but when it comes to transportation reformers the reviews are mostly negative.

May 15, 2025

‘Bike to Wherever Day’ Rallies on Both Sides of the Bay

Advocates celebrate progress—and call bullsh*t on a few things...

May 15, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Running to Work

Bridge engineer Daniel Baxter on his almost daily running commute in Minneapolis.

May 15, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines

Happy Budget to Work Day...errr Bike to Anywhere Day!

May 15, 2025
See all posts