Extending ERP operational hours not enough to deter traffic jams
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 23 August 2007 2108 hrs

	Photos  of
	Related News • LTA announces new ERP gantries, operational hours

SINGAPORE : Extending ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) charging hours and setting up more gantries will not solve traffic jams in the long run, said a transport analyst.

He said the latest road pricing schemes may be aggressive but it's not enough to deter most drivers.

Most drivers said they will try to beat the peak hours or use alternative routes, especially during morning rush hour.

"I will come out earlier. It's now 7am right? So maybe I'll come out at 6am," said one motorist.

"Sometimes we really need to use the road, we have no choice, we still have to go through that road. But if you plan well, you can try to avoid it," said another.

A third motorist said: "It's the shortest way to town, so I'll still pay."

Most drivers are reluctant to let go of the wheel and take public transport simply because they've grown accustomed to the comfort and convenience of driving around in their own cars.

So even though it's going to be a more expensive ride ahead, they said they are willing to pay the price.

Dr Lee Der-Horng, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at National University of Singapore said: "Pricing can be effective, so no matter how much you charge, some people may be affected. But I think the motorists or the general public are looking at whether we have a more comprehensive, integrated and overall solution.

"It will be too naive to expect that once you increase the price at this particular (area), the overall traffic congestion there will come down. For the car owners, we cannot just naively expect them to give up driving and switch to public transportation."

One solution offered is a public transport so good that even drivers are willing to give up their wheels.

The other is to charge more till motorists feel the pinch, like what London plans to do.

"People in London, they're paying five pounds... Personally, I think when the situation becomes necessary, the government may take the action to charge a very high ERP rate," said Dr Lee.

New York also has plans to charge motorists about US$10 when the city implements a similar road pricing system soon. - CNA /ls