"The only way to move large numbers of people efficiently in our densely populated city is by public transport. It is therefore critical that we make public transport much more attractive to the vast majority of Singaporeans, including those who have access to cars. Second, the trade-offs that we are faced with have become much sharper. The more cars Singaporeans own, the more extensive ERP coverage and the higher the charges would have to be. This is the key trade-off we have to make, to maintain smooth flowing roads.
If the main aim of the government is to reduce the number of cars and number of car trips made by increasing the number of ERP gantries and the ERP charges (by up to 100%), it would mean that the reduction in the number of car trips made would either have to be made using public transport or be not be made at all. Before I talk about the consequences of these outcomes, I would like to first consider the probability of people switching their mode of transport.
Given that it costs more to travel by car, people would switch to alternative modes of transport, which would most inevitably be public transport. However, this is based on the assumption that the public transport can handle the increase in commuters without affecting the comfort nor the quality of service provided. Unfortunately, that isn't the case in Singapore, even if it is not during peak hours. Buses are infrequent and even take up to half an hour to arrive at times, buses and trains arrive at the stops packed to the brim, taxi companies charging commuters exorbitant prices... The list goes on, but this is not forgetting all the breakdowns and technical glitches that occur. The ez-link card reader on buses are breaking down too often! In a short span of a few months, I have already encountered four such cases where the card readers fail to function (and I mean all the readers on board the bus). In such cases, the bus "captains" never fails to frustrate the commuters by stopping at a bus stop for an unreasonably long time, driving at walking speed, being very indecisive, not informing the commuters about the problem and worst of all, not signalling to the driver of the same service who has caught up to stop to allow the passengers to transfer buses. With a public transport service of such standard, it is highly doubtful that a significant number of drivers would switch to public transport. Furthermore, the inconvenience of using public transport such as the longer travelling time and walking distance have not yet been taken into account, not to even consider whether the already crowded buses and trains can cope with the increase in passengers.
To forgo the trips made by car entirely isn't a practical solution to the increase in ERP charges if it were for work-related purposes unless companies allow their staff (enough people to make a difference to the volume of car trips) to work from home (which may bring about a whole load of problems pertaining to security and confidentiality). However, people may cut down on shopping, entertainment and visiting (since there will be gantries in Kallang Bahru, Geylang Bahru and Toa Payoh). The decrease in spending may lead to other problems like lower profits or even a slowdown in the economy (that's a bit too extreme). Hence, it is unlikely that people forgo trips.
This will lead us to the conclusion that the number of car trips will not be significantly reduced to ease the congestion on the roads unless the public transport system is greatly improved such that using public transport to travel does not come at a price and inconvenience greater than it takes to drive. I don't think the public transport system will ever come to a point where a commuter will not need to spend more than five minutes waiting for a bus to arrive.
Anyway, it has already been made known that the "improvements" to the public transport will only implemented slowly over the next few years but the ERP hike to take place this year, and possibly a rule to give way to buses (as though they were ambulances). Isn't all these very unfair to drivers who pay for a Certificate of Entitlement, road tax and fuel? Tough there is a 15 percent decrease in road tax, I believe that the revenue generated by the additional ERP gantries will more than cover the loss in revenue from the reduction in road tax given that the planners are smart enough to know that having more ERP gantries will not significantly reduce the volume of traffic with the current standard of public transport.
I guess this is all I can say about the changes. I have come to a conclusion that most of the changes made where the bulk of the people who are affected have no say (or a say but whether or not their opinions are heard or not will not make a difference), the changes are for the worse and not the benefit of those affected.
