Forum: Consider deferring ERP rate increases until petrol prices stabilise

I am writing to express my concern regarding the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) decision to raise Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates at four locations from March 23 (ERP rates to increase by $1 at 4 locations from March 23; LTA monitoring Orchard Road area traffic, March 12).

While I appreciate that such adjustments are typically communicated to the public in advance, the timing of this increase reflects a lack of sensitivity to the current economic climate.

Over the past two weeks alone, surging petrol prices have become a sharp and sudden burden that some Singaporean motorists are struggling to absorb. Implementing an ERP hike on top of this compounds the financial pressure on ordinary households and small businesses that depend on road travel.

I urge LTA to reconsider this increase, or defer it until petrol prices stabilise and the broader economic outlook improves. Transport policy should be responsive to Singaporeans’ lived realities, instead of moving in lockstep with bureaucratic schedules regardless of context.

I also recognise that the authorities must balance long-term infrastructure needs with short-term public concerns. I would therefore welcome greater transparency from LTA on the criteria used to trigger ERP rate changes, and encourage a broader public dialogue on how such decisions can better account for economic conditions on the ground.

This would ensure that policies remain effective and fair to all road users.

Lim Wah Fong