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SINGAPORE - The first steps to transform Singapore’s land transport system over the next 10 to 15 years will be taken from next month.
Transport Minister Raymond Lim announced on Monday that a second generation In-vehicle Unit (IU) will be introduced from August, starting with motorcycles, before being rolled out in early 2009 for cars and other vehicles.
The new IU will allow motorists to use not just the current NETS CashCards but also Contactless E-Purse Application Standard (CEPAS) smart cards when they are released.
Mr Lim said that with the new IU, motorists will have more choices in the payment of ERP charges.
As for public transport users, they should also find it easier to make payments with a new e-payment system to be launched later this year.
Mr Lim said at the opening of the 9th Intelligent Transport System Asia-Pacific Forum and Exhibition that the Land Transport Authority has developed a new ticketing system that complies with CEPAS.
The Symphony for e-Payment (SeP) will offer commuters more choices as multiple card issuers can come on board to issue cards for the payment of public transport fares.
And because SeP is also compatible with second generation IUs, users may only use one common card for e-payments made for transport.
It was also announced that to help motorists better plan their trips, Singapore will be expanding the coverage of the EMAS camera system to cover major arterial roads. The first phase is to be in place by 2010.
In the meantime, the LTA is working with local company Quantum Inventions in the development of a dynamic route navigation system.
Drawing real-time information from LTA's traffic monitoring centre, the system will plot the best driving route, taking into account accidents, road works and traffic slowdowns.
It is believed that the system, now available over the web and mobile phone devices, could also be integrated into other in-vehicle systems such as GPS and map navigators at a later stage.
- CNA/sf
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