ERP RATE REVISIONS

ERP RATE REVISIONS: The following Question stood in the name of Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong –

15. To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the justification for the rate increase at 23 Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries; (b) whether traffic flow is constantly monitored in these areas; (c) how effective has the ERP system been in easing traffic congestion during peak hours on expressways, especially the CTE; and (d) what other measures are being taken to alleviate traffic congestion, besides raising ERP rates.

16.

Mdm Cynthia Phua:

Mdm Cynthia Phua asked the Minister for Transport in introducing the recent revision of ERP charges (a) what are the criteria used to determine the optimal speed range for the roads; (b) whether the Ministry takes into account that between 2007 and 2010 the population has risen by at least 500,000 people and 45,000 more vehicles which will invariably affect the optimal speed range; and (c) whether the Ministry will review the optimal speed range to reflect

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the higher movement of traffic in line with the population growth.

Mdm Cynthia Phua : Question No. 15, Sir.

The Minister for Transport (Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, may I take Question Nos. 15 and 16 together as they are related?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Sir, our ERP system helps to ensure smooth-flowing traffic on our roads by managing the demand for driving. As the demand for driving changes over time, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) reviews the ERP rates on a quarterly basis in February, May, August and November as well as for the two major school holidays in June and December. ERP rates are adjusted up or down, when necessary, to maintain traffic speeds within the optimal speed ranges. The optimal speed ranges of 45 kph to 65 kph for expressways and 20 kph to 30 kph for other roads, were determined taking into account the physical capacity of the roads. They are calibrated to allow the optimal number of vehicles on the roads while ensuring that traffic flow does not degenerate into start-stop situations.

In the recent fourth quarter review where ERP rates were raised for some half hour timeslots, LTA had carried out traffic speed measurements of the relevant roads over a two-week period in October, and from these data, determined that traffic speeds had fallen below the optimal range.

The regular reviews of ERP rates provide a self-adjusting mechanism, based on prevailing traffic conditions, to ensure that ERP continues to be effective in

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maintaining smooth traffic flow on our roads. To answer Ms Irene Ng, traffic speeds on the CTE have been consistently maintained within the optimal range of 45 kph to 65 kph during the ERP operating hours. If we look across nationwide, we have been able to keep at least 95% of our road network within that optimal range during the morning peak hours.

Mdm Cynthia Phua asked whether we should review the optimal speed range to reflect the higher traffic due to population growth. This is not prudent as the optimal speed ranges are determined based on the physical capacity of the roads. Allowing a lower speed threshold because of population growth will simply lead to poorer service levels on our roads and more widespread congestion, as the physical capacity of the roads remain unchanged.

We do not, however, rely solely on ERP. We adopt a holistic approach to meet the needs of a rising population and increased economic activities, with ERP being considered only as a last resort. Existing roads are widened or new roads are built wherever possible. However, given our land constraints, relying on public transport which is the more efficient way to cater to our growing transport needs has to be the way forward. And that is why the Government is spending $60 billion to double our rail network in the next 10 to 15 years. We are also putting in more priority measures on the roads to speed up bus travel such as extending bus lanes and the Mandatory Give Way to Buses scheme to more locations. At the same time, we recognise that vehicle population growth has to be managed. Therefore, we have also lowered vehicle population growth rate from 3% to 1.5% per annum.

Sir, there is no silver bullet here to ensure smooth-flowing traffic. Instead, all these measures are necessary to ensure that Singaporeans continue to enjoy a

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high quality living environment in one of the most densely populated city states in the world.

Mdm Cynthia Phua: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Minister said the ERP charges are based on the physical capacity of the roads. I fully support the Minister's point that we should go on public transport. But with the widening of the CTE and because the ERP charges are increasing at a very fast rate, will the residents in the Northeast corridor have some relief in terms of lower ERP charges, in view of the bigger capacity of the CTE roads?

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: The Member is right in that we are doing some widening works on the CTE. If that leads to significant traffic improvement, it would be reflected when we conduct our quarterly review and the ERP rates will be adjusted accordingly.

Er Lee Bee Wah: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to ask if the Minister would consider a waiver of the evening ERP rates along the CTE.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: The evening ERP rates along the CTE are again to ensure smooth traffic flow during the evening. If we were to waive them, it does not mean the congestion will disappear. The congestion will still be there.