Amy Khor on distance-based charging under satellite-based ERP system

There are no immediate plans by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for distance-based charging, with the arrival of the new on-board unit (OBU), said Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor. Replying to MPs’ questions in Parliament on Monday (Nov 6), she said distance-based charging is a different approach for congestion management and any plans to implement it must take many factors into consideration. Dr Khor also gave updates on the transition to ERP 2.0, under which charging will be carried out through the Global Navigation Satellite Systems as the physical gantries are progressively de-commissioned. She said there will be signages which demarcate the points at which ERP will be charged. The OBU will provide an alert when the vehicle approaches the ERP charging location and indicate the relevant charges. For motorists who choose not to install the OBU, this information will be made available through compatible mobile applications on smartphones. Information on ERP charge locations and ERP rates will be announced and made available publicly on the OneMotoring website, which is similar to the current practice. Dr Khor said the OBU is designed to work with existing systems, including ERP and electronic parking system carparks. Motorists can continue to pay using buyer-valid CEPAS cards but not cash cards as these are being phased out. For all eligible existing Singapore-registered vehicles, the OBU will be installed free of charge if completed within the two-month period stated in the LTA’s notification and comes with a five-year warranty. All new vehicles purchased from the first quarter of next year will be fitted with the new OBUs. The cost of the new OBU is being finalised and will be announced in due course, said Ms Khor.