Sze Li reports clean air and clean transportation advancements in Singapore for Chasing Clean Air.
In this report, we will learn how Singapore deals with traffic congestion and what we can learn to ease our own.
Thank you, Sze Li!
Sustainability: ERP Grouses
I would like to thank Donna for giving me the opportunity to share with her readers on how Singapore’s government is improving our environment. I am writing in the capacity as a Singaporean. I will share with you how government policies have impacted my life.
Singapore is the smallest country in the Southeast Asia with only a land area of 707.1 km², after land reclamation. It is a cosmopolitan city with four main races. In this small island, there are about four million people residing in Singapore. As in all developed world, it is the aspiration of many to own a car, but alas, if all were to own a car, there would be traffic jam.
To reduce traffic congestion, the Land Transport Authority that oversees land transport in Singapore implemented the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) which is an electronic system of road pricing based on a pay-as-you-use principle in September 1998. ERP evolved from the manual system known as the Area Licensing Scheme which was first implemented in 1975 in the restricted zone. Motorists are charged whenever they use the road with the ERP gantries during peak hours. Using a radio communication system, the ERP system deducts ERP charges from CashCards which are inserted in the In-vehicle Units (IUs) of vehicles before each journey. This scheme is effective in reducing road congestion. Looking at the success of ERP, London had also implemented road congestion charges in 2003.
I would like to share the recent news that sent many drivers in Singapore driving mad but which is effective in curbing traffic congestion. The recent increase in ERP rates and activation of five new Electronics Road Pricing (ERP) gantries along Singapore River and on 7 July 2008, the central districts of Singapore annoyed many drivers. With the rising oil prices and now the increase in ERP road gantries, many drivers are flaring their hands up in exasperation and complaining the high cost involved for owning a car. Many car owners have decided to use public transport during the peak hours to avoid paying ERP charges. In addition, some people decided to put off buying their own cars and decided to use the efficient public transport instead.
Commuters are also lamenting the increasing crowd in public transport such as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains during the peak hours after the activation of five new ERP gantries. Business owners whose shops are located near the ERP gantries are complaining of the poor business taking after the activation of ERP gantries. Indeed there are pros and cons in activating the new gantries. However, the new gantries have reduced traffic congestion and have successfully encouraged many people to use the public transport.
Indeed it is not cheap to own a car in Singapore. Besides
ERP, there is also the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) which could cost up to S$16,000.00 depending on the motor vehicle and the bidding price. Owning a car in Singapore is a privilege for the upper middle-class and the rich.
There are a total of 65 gantries around Singapore which charge the motorists for using the road during the peak hours.
Sometimes, policies might not be popular with the voters, but it is effective in achieving a better environment for all.
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