ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING (ERP) SCHEME

ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING (ERP) SCHEME

3.

Dr Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Transport whether the ERP scheme has met the objectives that it was meant to achieve and if it has improved the traffic flow on our expressways especially during peak hours.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Since its implementation in 1998, Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) has been effective in maintaining average travel speeds on priced roads within the optimal speed range through regular reviews and rate adjustments. For example, average speeds on the expressways have remained at above 45km/h during peak hours.

The use of ERP to manage traffic has made it possible for more Singaporeans to own cars than we otherwise could, and our vehicle population has grown from 680,000 in 1997 to 800,000 in 2006. It has also allowed the Government to rely more on car usage charges and less on car ownership taxes to manage traffic demand, and as a result, vehicle ownership taxes have been reduced.

To keep our roads smooth-flowing, we will continue with a holistic and integrated approach using all the tools available to us, including building more roads, regulating vehicle growth, implementing traffic engineering solutions, managing traffic demand through ERP and promoting the use of public transport.

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