Singapore’s transport system plays a big part in daily life—whether it’s getting to school, work, or just heading out to meet friends. As the population grows and our city continues to evolve, maintaining a reliable, efficient and forward-looking transport infrastructure becomes even more crucial. Driving these efforts is LTA, the agency responsible for building and managing the systems that keep Singapore moving.

LTA plans, designs, builds and maintains Singapore’s land transport infrastructure. Guided by a vision of a greener and more inclusive public transport system, it integrates advanced technologies to continually enhance the nation’s rail and bus services.

Kimberly Han Jun Yi, a Senior Transport Planner with the Rapid Transit System Planning division at LTA, is one of the young professionals helping shape the future of Singapore’s transport landscape. Her journey is marked by technical expertise, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to public service.

A Problem-Solver at Heart

Kimberly’s foray into engineering stemmed from a natural inclination toward logical thinking. “I have always been a practical thinker and visual learner, so naturally it led me to think that engineering was a good fit for my interest and personality,” she said. “It is also a very broad and diverse field of study that encompasses many different concepts, which feeds my curiosity and keeps it interesting for me as there is always something new to learn and try.”

This curiosity led her to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore, which ultimately inspired her to apply for the LTA Local Undergraduate Scholarship.

“The nature of LTA’s work was the biggest pull factor,” she explained. “When I applied for the scholarship, I was looking for something that was relevant to my course of study so that I could apply my learnings. Another factor was also how big of an organisation LTA is, which meant there could be more opportunities and exposure to new and diverse fields.”

A Path of Progress

Receiving the scholarship marked the beginning of a fulfilling journey through various roles at LTA. “The scholarship presented the opportunity to rotate within the organisation which allowed me to push my boundaries and challenge myself to try new and different things that are outside my comfort zone,” she shared. “Trying different portfolios allowed me to better understand the challenges and considerations that various stakeholders have, both within and outside the organisation.”

She began her career in 2019 in the Asset Steward and Inventory division, where she oversaw mechanical systems across several MRT lines. From there, she moved into the role of Senior Engineer for Rolling Stock Projects, where she managed the delivery and testing of Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) trains—a role that gave her a first-hand look at the inner workings of Singapore’s cutting-edge rail assets.

In July 2024, Kimberly took on her current position as a Senior Transport Planner, stepping into the strategic realm of rail development. “My current role involves the planning of existing and potential future rail lines. We review the transport plans in conjunction with medium- and long-term land use plans to ensure that plans can serve national needs efficiently and effectively,” she highlighted.

This transition from hands-on engineering to national transport planning was a turning point. “The biggest shift would probably be the scope of consideration and the magnitude or weight of the decisions we make in transport planning,” Kimberly elaborated. “It transitioned from mostly project-level decisions from my previous role to national-level decisions in my current role.”

Her previous experience in project implementation proved invaluable. “Because of my past experiences, I could better grasp downstream impacts and considerations. This helps to provide my team with more balanced considerations and it shapes my perspectives when it comes to decision making in my current role.”

Impacting Millions Daily

Among the many highlights of her career, one stands out. “I felt a great sense of achievement when TEL Stage 4 opened. It was one of the portfolios that I was involved in for a bigger part of the journey, from the delivery of the trains all the way through to the line opening so it gave me a major sense of satisfaction to be able to see it through,” she recalled.

Even beyond specific milestones, Kimberly finds meaning in the day-to-day impact of her work. “I like that we are able to see how our work could benefit so many people and potentially even shape the country for the future.”

Looking ahead, Kimberly remains excited about the opportunities that lie within LTA. “LTA has stretched me beyond what I thought I could do by allowing me to undertake various new challenges,” she reflected. “I hope that I can continue to value add to the work we do and grow the transport network.”

She dropped a little-known fact that might surprise even regular commuters: “Did you know that Singapore’s rail network spans 270km across the island and accommodates over three million ridership daily?”

Ticket to a Meaningful Career

For anyone considering the LTA Local Undergraduate Scholarship, Kimberly offers this advice: “The scholarship presents good career development opportunities throughout the full engineering lifecycle—from Design and Build to Operation and Maintenance. I was able to work alongside experienced mentors who are committed to nurturing the next generation of transport leaders.”

With a robust support system, meaningful rotations, and opportunities to work on projects of national significance, Kimberly’s story is proof that a career with LTA is not only rewarding—it helps move Singapore forward.