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Cost isn’t just to the wallet Letter from Loke Yue Chong Govt can build more ‘multi-level’ expressways

Letter from James Teo

I am somewhat disappointed that despite the resources available to the Government to conduct in-depth studies on traffic problems over many years, it seems the only “solution” is still higher ERP charges, extended ERP hours and more gantries.

Besides the burden of the ever-increasing cost of motoring, there are two other less obvious, but worrying, consequences.

First, some gantries will be operational from 7am. This would force many people to set off for work earlier. With many already working longer hours, one wonders whether this would deprive more of sufficient rest.

What is the long-term impact of reduced rest on the health of the working population?

Will there be a higher risk of road accidents, if many of the drivers are not fully rested?

Second, with more people starting earlier and returning home later, they will have less time to spend with family. They may be more tired and less likely to be in the best frame of mind for quality family time.

I was puzzled to hear the Government’s planned course of action to ease traffic congestion — raise ERP charges and build more gantries. These measures seem to place the burden of tackling these traffic congestion woes on road users.

How was the decision to hike ERP charges made? It would have been helpful if the Government had shed more light on its research that was conducted before this decision was made.

This would enable everyone to better understand the problems at stake and possibly chip in to offer solutions to ease the bottlenecks on our roads.

I believe that there are some options we can still explore, before we decide to build more gantries and increase ERP charges. Here’s my take on how we can help to ease congestion on the roads:

First, explore the idea of building more multi-level tiers on our existing expressways, similar to those we see in the United States. I imagine having an overhead expressway above the CTE, from Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 to Yishun, would alleviate congestion. Vehicles exiting the CTE from Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, 3 and 5 may benefit from this.

Second, train Singaporeans to be better drivers. Many of the bottlenecks on the roads actually stem from drivers who excessively reduce their speeds in their overzealous attempts to observe the speed limit!

The Government and road users have a mutual obligation to work out a solution together. I am confident that citizens would not mind paying the additional ERP charges, if the decision-making process had been more transparent.

Cost isn’t just to the wallet Letter from Loke Yue Chong Govt can build more ‘multi-level’ expressways

The most unfortunate problem now is that the government had to resort to hiking the ERP and building more gantry to curb “traffic” congestion which is totally absurb. The only way to curb traffic jams is to encourage more flexible working hours and the total elimination of the term “PEAK Hours”. If Work from home offices can be implemented with incentives corporate tax cuts for companies that allow employees to work from home (% of worker who work from home x total corporate tax) and pay carbon credits to the companies according to the Kyoto Protocol.

Win win idea, save the environment and cut traffic jams!

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