SINGAPORE - Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew gave a speech in Parliament today that discussed the various measures the Ministry of Transport is taking to ensure the growth and use of private transport is managed. "Our intent is to take a calibrated approach in managing the growth and use of private transport," said Mr Lui, who added that the Ministry will adjust their policies and pace of implementation "where necessary". COE SYSTEM UNDER STUDY Mr Lui acknowledged that with using engine capacity "as the criterion for COE categorisation may no longer be valid" due to "technological changes", and will be re-examined. He added that while there were many calls to give priority in COE bidding based on needs, it was a "difficult undertaking" for the Government to decide fairly. Mr Lui also admitted that while the COE system is not perfect, it is still "preferable to a balloting system" such as that used in Beijing, where over one million people ballot for 20,000 licence plates each month, also adding that no major changes will be made to the COE system in the near-term. "There have recently been changes that affect vehicle ownership, I think it is best that we let them take time to settle," he said, adding that the first COE bidding exercise after the recent changes has not yet completed. ERP TO REMAIN ON SATURDAYS AND EVENINGS The Transport Minister also said that the current ERP system will remain on Saturdays and evenings as heavier traffic flow has been observed in areas where ERP rates were cuts. "It is clear that ERP is still needed to manage traffic congestion," he said. CAR SHARING To help reduce the dependency on car ownership, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will explore if the Private Car Rental Scheme can be further liberalised, said Mr Lui. Memberships of car-sharing organisations now stands at 8,000, he added, a 33 per cent increase compared to last year. TAXI WAITING TIMES The issue of taxi services was also raised in Parliament, where Mr Lui said that taxi waiting times have improved over the last year, partly due to the fare revision in December 2011. "The average waiting time in the city from 5pm to 11pm fell from about six minutes in 2011 to about three minutes in 2012," he said. MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS Mr Lui also highlighted the progress mad on major road projects. Firstly, he said that Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) is currently on track to be opened by the end of the year. He also added that the LTA is currently studying the feasibility of a "reversible flow" system on expressways, and the Kranji Expressway-Pan Island Expressway has been identified as a possible corridor for the "reversible flow" scheme.