INCREASE IN ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING RATES AT THE CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY

INCREASE IN ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING RATES AT THE CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY

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(Percentage of reduction in vehicular traffic): **

35.

Er Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport with the latest increase in Electronic Road Pricing charges at the Central Expressway (CTE) (a) what is the percentage of reduction in vehicular traffic that the Ministry hopes to achieve; and (b) does the Ministry expect an increase in traffic on the CTE during the year-end school holidays.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges on the southbound Central Expressway (CTE) were last raised during the ERP rate review exercise in November 2007 as average traffic speeds had fallen below the threshold speed of 45 kph. The increase in ERP rates on the CTE has brought about a reduction in traffic volume of about 3% to 5%, and improved traffic speeds on the CTE during the ERP hours.

During the recent year-end school holidays, traffic volumes on the roads were generally lower, and consequently travel speeds are also better. LTA had reviewed and lowered the ERP rates on the roads where traffic conditions were expected to improve significantly. However, in the case of the CTE, there was no adjustment downwards for ERP rates as LTA did not expect a significant improvement in traffic conditions during the year-end holidays.

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