Isn't a decline in vehicle population a good thing?

Isn't a decline in vehicle population a good thing?

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has stated that the increase in certificates of entitlement (COEs) for the period from February to April is due to more deregistrations in the preceding period of October to December last year ("Increase in COEs due to more car deregistrations"; Jan 30).

Would it not be better if our car population keeps decreasing every quarter?

Is there a need to add more COEs whenever there is such a decrease?

The shrinking of the vehicle population is a good sign. The LTA must not keep the vehicle numbers at status quo or reduce it just infinitesimally.

Read also: First COE bidding exercise for 2017 ends predominantly higher

A decline in the registration of new vehicles means there will be fewer vehicles on our roads, there will be less congestion, and the LTA can spend its time and resources more fruitfully.

News of the two evening Electronic Road Pricing charges which will be implemented from next Monday will definitely not go down well with motorists ("Two ERP gantries to be activated"; Feb 14).

The reason cited for the charges was that the situation at that location has worsened and, hence, the evening ERP is to alleviate this congestion.

If the car population is allowed to slide continuously, this problem would not have arisen.

As it is, motorists are already taxed to the fullest - the recent increases in the price of parking coupons and in parking fees during peak periods are just two instances that motorists have to live with, no matter how unwelcome they are.


This article was first published on Feb 16, 2017.
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