NO ANOMALY: Transport Minister Raymond Lim (above) explained why ERP gantries have been erected in Toa Payoh but not Ang Mo Kio.

Mr Low said he received feedback that roads in Ang Mo Kio experience congestion levels similar to those in Toa Payoh during morning peak hours.

But, he noted that ERP gantries have been erected in Toa Payoh, not in Ang Mo Kio, 'which incidentally happens to be the PM's constituency'. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC.

Mr Low wanted Mr Lim to clarify this 'anomaly'.

MR RAYMOND LIM's RESPONSE

Mr Lim said he was 'disappointed' with Mr Low's remarks.

'That's not the way we do things. You know that it's a congestion measure and if there are indeed roads in there that are congested, ERP would have been effected.'

Besides, key access roads to Ang Mo Kio GRC already have ERP gantries, he noted.

MP LEE BEE WAH (ANG MO KIO GRC)

For MRT trains, Ms Lee suggested that the practice of announcing the name of the upcoming station be made in all four official languages, instead of just English.

Doing so would benefit non-English speakers, she said.

MR LIM'S RESPONSE

Citing feedback, Mr Lim said some Singaporeans are already complaining that the current English announcements are too long.

'Can you imagine if we put in four (official languages)? By the time they finish announcing, we might have shot past the station!'

NOMINATED MP SIEW KUM HONG

Mr Siew argued that ERP is a regressive measure, as it reduces drivers' choice of road or the time he prefers to drive to 'a dollar value'.

'This effectively sends the message that some roads are, at certain times, largely for the use of whoever can afford to pay,' he said.

MR LIM'S RESPONSE

Mr Lim said it is impossible to tailor ERP to individual needs and circumstances, as this involves making a value judgment.

'For instance, a housewife who drives her children to school, is that more meritorious than her neighbour who commutes to work?

'If we say, we start looking at individual circumstances... soon you'll find that in Singapore, there are many, many meritorious drivers.'