ROAD PRICING SCHEME AT CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Goh Choon Kang asked the Minister for Communications whether the latest road pricing scheme introduced at the Central Expressway has worsened the jams at other roads.

The Minister of State for Communications (Dr John Chen Seow Phun) (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the objective of Road Pricing Scheme (RPS) on our expressways is to keep our main transport arteries free-flowing. These expressways are also our economic arteries. They are designed to move people and goods quickly and efficiently, and save them time and money. The recent modification of RPS on CTE has achieved this objective. Average speed on the CTE has improved from 25 kph to above 60 kph. Volume of traffic using the CTE during peak hours has dropped by 20%.

The changes have resulted in some traffic moving to alternative routes around the CTE. Traffic surveys show that traffic volume on these roads has increased by about 3% during the RPS operation hours. While there are localised congestion at some stretches, the average speed of vehicles on these roads is about 20 kph. This is comparable to travel speeds prior to the amendment of RPS on CTE on 1st July. LTA expects traffic conditions along these routes to stabilise in due course as motorists adjust their travel patterns.

Motorists who do not wish to pay for a licence to use the CTE and who do not wish to add to the congestion along the alternative routes should seriously consider several other options. They can adjust their travel pattern by staggering their travel times, or they can shift to public transport or they can car-pool with a friend.

Mr Goh Choon Kang (Marine Parade): Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Ministry consider taking certain measures to alleviate the jams along the alternative routes?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, where possible, LTA will adjust traffic lights and carry out localised road improvements along the affected roads to remove any bottlenecks and facilitate smoother traffic flows. However, motorists must realise that the objective of the RPS is to ease the congestion along our expressways and to provide them with a choice of fast transit. So motorists must also consider these other options that I have mentioned, such as taking public transport, park-and-ride, car pooling or changing their time of travel.

I am pleased to inform Members that the public response to the four new express bus services introduced in conjunction with the extended RPS scheme since 5th May 1997 has been encouraging. Due to commuters' requests, I am informed that SBS would be revising the schedules of its express buses to improve their frequency and capacity provision.

Mr Goh Choon Kang: Would the bus companies be encouraged to provide more such express services?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, currently, there are four express bus services - one from the North, two from the North-east, and one from the East - and these are designed to address the congestion problem that the Member has mentioned. SBS will review from time to time not just its frequency and capacity but also other bus service possibilities.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Sir, could the Minister of State consider taking away one gantry point near Toa Payoh at the Central Expressway (CTE) so as not to make things difficult for residents who want to use the PIE to go to Changi Airport in the morning?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, the two gantry points are complementary. In our analysis, we discovered that there are motorists who make use of that stretch of the expressway between the two gantry points to go to the PIE. But that contributed to congestion and caused kickbacks as far back as the first gantry point and further up north. On the whole, we prefer to have the two gantry points so as to provide an effective solution.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman: Sir, could the Minister of State then consider allowing traffic that goes towards Changi Airport in the morning to use the CTE and PIE without payment because it does not cause congestion in the morning?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, as I explained, they use that stretch of the expressway and therefore they are contributing congestion. The only way to reduce congestion is to ensure that those who use that stretch of the expressway also have to pay. If they value faster transit they should use the CTE.