Mr Lee said: 'When ERP was increased, we also reduced road tax and improved public transport. As a result, many more Singaporeans can now own cars. With more cars on the road, we need to increase ERP to keep traffic flowing.' -- NG SOR LUAN/ THE STRAITS TIMES
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong last night urged motorists and critics of the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) policy to look at the 'overall picture' and understand why it is needed to keep Singapore roads free-flowing.
Addressing the public feedback on last month's increase in ERP rates and more ERP gantries that were put up at a time when people were burdened by rising living costs, Mr Lee said motorists have not been worse off because of the ERP policy.
He said the ERP was a Cabinet decision and not one made by the Transport Ministry. He said that since 2000, the Government has been making it easier for many more Singaporeans to own cars.
Vehicle-related taxes have been progressively reduced and more Certificates of Entitlement (COEs), which one must have before purchasing a car, have been released.
He said: 'When ERP was increased, we also reduced road tax and improved public transport. As a result, many more Singaporeans can now own cars. With more cars on the road, we need to increase ERP to keep traffic flowing.'
Not only has the ERP system generated a lot of debate, Mr Lee noted that it is also featured in the new Jack Neo movie, Money No Enough 2, which shows mobs of angry Singaporeans attacking the ERP gantries at the start.
In dramatic scenes enhanced with computer graphics, some in the crowd then throw the gantries into the sea, eliciting delighted cheers from the others.
Responding to this, Mr Lee said: 'Jack Neo is quick to make use of topical issues. The Government may not be as fast, but is certainly 'I Not Stupid', and had taken steps to mitigate the impact of the increase. Jack Neo did not mention the overall picture, nor the steps by Government to help Singaporeans.'
Mr Lee said that he would elaborate on the measures in his English speech, to be telecast on Monday at 8 pm.
ERP charges were raised by as much as $2 at gantries in the central business district last month and five new gantries went up around the Singapore River area.
The changes were made to speed up traffic flow in the city centre, especially during the evening peak hours.
But road tax was cut by 15 per cent from this month, a reduction that will cost the Government $110 million a year in revenue foregone against the $70 million more it is projected to collect from higher ERP charges.
