ERP helps more S'poreans to own cars

If paying multi-million dollar salaries to our ministers is a real shock, well you should just read this article which was published in the Straits Times on 22nd October.

ERP helps more S'poreans to own cars: Minister

Responding to a question for written reply in Parliament on Monday, Transport Minister Raymond Lim said this is reflected in the growth of Singapore's car population from 680,000 in 1997 to 800,000 in 2006.

THE use of Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) has made it possible for more Singaporeans to own cars.
Responding to a question for written reply in Parliament on Monday, Transport Minister Raymond Lim said this is reflected in the growth of Singapore's car population from 680,000 in 1997 to 800,000 in 2006.

Dr Fatimah Lateef, MP for Marine Parade GRC, had asked the Minister if the ERP scheme has met the objectives that it was meant to achieve and if it has improved the traffic flow on expressways especially during peak hours.

In his reply, Mr Lim said since its implementation in 1998, 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," he added.

"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. "

The Ministers said the government will continue with a holistic and integrated approach using all the tools available to keep the roads smooth-flowing. These include building more roads, regulating vehicle growth, implementing traffic engineering solutions, managing traffic demand through ERP and promoting the use of public transport.

Source: ST

Well, if I'm not mistakened, ERP was a "solution" to alleviate the traffic jams during peak hours, and also to deal with the rapid growth of car ownership in Singapore...yet our Minister here is saying that the ERP helps to promote car ownership? I wonder whether he really knew why the ERP was there in the first place.

Gosh. I can't believe that my million-dollar minister is giving such a remark. And ERP aint helping with the traffic condition either. A case of avoiding the bullet???

Really cant believe how am I supposed to pay such a minister such a high salary. If he truly thinks that ERP can help to increase car ownership, why have COE? After all, COE was meant to reduce car ownership in the first place.

Wrong again.
COE + ERP = MORE MONEY!!!! *woohoo*

I think I can run for the minister post next time liao. So easy. Answer such questions just need to smoke out and it's alright. After all, we've the world-ranked 149th newspaper in the world too. LOL.

And just a parting shot, he's a Transport Minister...and com'on, is he doing his job to deal with the traffic problems DAILY?! No, is the answer.





I'm so disillusioned with our country's leaders at times.