By Yeo Ghim Lay 

TRANSPORT Minister Raymond Lim addressed questions about the Government's decision to raise Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges and build more gantries during a session at the Singapore Press Club yesterday. Here are some excerpts:

Q: Why not improve the public transport system first, and then increase the ERP rates?

A: (Because) in the meantime, congestion will mount at an enormous cost.

So what have we done? In preparation for the system-wide changes (in ERP charges) this year, we took steps to
increase the capacity (of public transport). In August last year, we started to roll out premium bus
services. And that's taken off quite well.

We also tightened up service standards and we tightened up bus frequencies.

So, 8,000 passenger-car trips are expected to be displaced because of the changes (to ERP rates). In anticipation of that, we ramped up capacity, adding 18,000 trips for trains and about 6,000 trips for buses (from January to June).

We're conscious that we have to make sure that there is a viable alternative.

Q: Why make fundamental changes to public transport at this time?

A: In recent months, high fuel prices have helped to persuade some motorists to try public transport. This has driven bus and rail ridership to historic highs. But this is only the 'push' factor. We need to create 'pull' factors to improve the image and experience of travelling on our buses and trains.

I think Singaporeans have a better regard for our public transport than in other countries. But we can do more.

If the commuting experience on public transport improves, commuters...will choose to stick with it, even if fuel prices fall later. We have a unique window of opportunity now to sustain a decisive shift towards public transport.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Sep 6, 2008.

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