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New ERP system’s flexibility must enhance traffic management

I refer to the report “New ERP system ‘will offer flexibility in charging’” (Feb 26). To justify its cost of S$556 million, the satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system must allow for faster changes in ERP charges.

I refer to the report “New ERP system ‘will offer flexibility in charging’” (Feb 26). To justify its cost of S$556 million, the satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system must allow for faster changes in ERP charges.

When frequent drivers are affected by traffic jams, they would surely want the charges raised to discourage the huge number of motorists passing through that particular road during that time slot.

But many motorists are still unconvinced that our Certificate of Entitlement and ERP systems are necessary to keep our tiny island free of gridlock.

They must remember that our CBD is at the southern edge, and there is a large catchment area in the middle of our island.

These fixed, unique features of our landscape affect the flow of traffic from one end of the island to the other.

Other Singaporeans want the Government to control the vehicle population further, thus depriving many who need a vehicle from owing one.

Let us not forget that overuse of vehicles, not vehicle ownership, contributes to congestion.

Our traffic management should be enhanced with the aim of ending public scepticism about the ERP system as a revenue-generating tool for the Government rather than for managing traffic. The satellite system should make this happen.

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