2,000 HDB households, 9,000 non-HDB households own at least three cars

Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow releases figures in reply to MP's query

- Esther Loi

As at Sept 30, 274,000 HDB households and 207,000 non-HDB households own at least one car, while 20,000 HDB households and 46,000 non-HDB households own at least two cars, data shows. ST FILE PHOTO

Ms Ng C.C., 52, and her family, who live in a Housing Board flat in Jurong West, have four cars registered to their name.

The regional finance director lives with her boyfriend, a dental surgeon, and they each have a car, because of their different work schedules.

Living with them are her younger brother, who has two cars, and his secondary school-going son.

They are among the 2,000 HDB households that owned at least three cars as at Sept 30. In comparison, 9,000 non-HDB households owned at least three cars.

As at Sept 30, 274,000 HDB households and 207,000 non-HDB households own at least one car, while 20,000 HDB households and 46,000 non-HDB households own at least two cars, data provided by Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow showed.

The figures were released by Mr Siow on Nov 4 in response to a question from Pioneer MP Patrick Tay, who had requested a breakdown of car ownership by household type.

Mr Tay had asked for the number of HDB and non-HDB households — such as those in landed properties and condominiums — that own at least one, two or three cars.

Ms Ng, who drives an Audi A4, said: "Having my own car is convenient, as I don't have to plan my activities around when others in the family can give me a ride."

The recent MRT breakdowns made her feel the MRT was not the most reliable means of travelling.

Her brother, a 50-year-old business owner, has two cars — an Alfa Romeo Giulia and a Toyota MR2.