The recent increase in Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates along the Central Expressway and East Coast Parkway is a result of a "routine adjustment" in response to traffic conditions.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament on Thursday this would not lead to a reduction in road tax.
He explained ERP rates are adjusted generally by a dollar when traffic speeds fall outside the optimal range of 45 to 65 kilometres per hour.
ERP was raised on the soundbound CTE after Braddell Road (from 7.30am to 8am) and the westbound ECP (from 8.30am to 9am) as traffic speeds were below optimal.
MP for Nee Soon GRC Lee Bee Wah asked if the increase in ERP would mean a reduction in road tax, as the ministry has maintained that ERP is meant to manage congestion, not raise revenue.
Mr Lui pointed out that there has been more ERP decreases over the past two years than increases, and the ERP rate along CTE between 7.30am to 9.30am has actually gone down, overall.
Ms Lee asked if there were any plans to scrap the evening ERP along CTE.
Mr Lui said: "I hear your call to scrap the evening ERP altogether but we want to also make sure that we provide options to people who would like to have a smoother travelling experience in the evening. And if you look at what has happened over the past year since the changes to the ERP, during the period before 8pm, you actually had an increase in traffic speed, northbound along the CTE and after 8pm particularly from 9pm onwards, you actually had the speeds coming down. And so I think shortening the hours preserves the option that for those who want to have a smoother ride home, they can pay the dollar, use it before 8pm. For others who choose not to do so, they can ride after 8pm."
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament on Thursday this would not lead to a reduction in road tax.
He explained ERP rates are adjusted generally by a dollar when traffic speeds fall outside the optimal range of 45 to 65 kilometres per hour.
ERP was raised on the soundbound CTE after Braddell Road (from 7.30am to 8am) and the westbound ECP (from 8.30am to 9am) as traffic speeds were below optimal.
MP for Nee Soon GRC Lee Bee Wah asked if the increase in ERP would mean a reduction in road tax, as the ministry has maintained that ERP is meant to manage congestion, not raise revenue.
Mr Lui pointed out that there has been more ERP decreases over the past two years than increases, and the ERP rate along CTE between 7.30am to 9.30am has actually gone down, overall.
Ms Lee asked if there were any plans to scrap the evening ERP along CTE.
Mr Lui said: "I hear your call to scrap the evening ERP altogether but we want to also make sure that we provide options to people who would like to have a smoother travelling experience in the evening. And if you look at what has happened over the past year since the changes to the ERP, during the period before 8pm, you actually had an increase in traffic speed, northbound along the CTE and after 8pm particularly from 9pm onwards, you actually had the speeds coming down. And so I think shortening the hours preserves the option that for those who want to have a smoother ride home, they can pay the dollar, use it before 8pm. For others who choose not to do so, they can ride after 8pm."
