Ever-increasing Road Pricing (ERP) And Time To Stop Buying Cars
The latest announcement on future developments of the public transport system in Singapore, in particular the public bus transport system, actually bodes well for public transport as a whole and commuters. Unfortunately, it also spells increasing costs for private transport owners and could mean difficult times ahead for car owners as the economy threatens to get worse despite assurances from the Singapore government and local economic analysts. I am already feeling the pinch as I travel to work each morning with the additional ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) gantries set up along the BKE and/or Bukit Timah Road at the junction of Hume Avenue. Now with impending increased ERP prices as warned by Land Transport Minister Raymond Lim yesterday, that will add further stress to my transport expenses. If, true to my expectations, additional gantries are set up along Hillview Avenue, it would make private car ownership too expensive in Singapore for most Singaporeans.
Perhaps it is best to re-look at our spending in these pessimistic times and be more frugal. Switching to public transport could help to save more in the long run, even if it is more inconvenient with the longer travel time, although to be honest, driving a car in peak hour traffic do not always guarantee getting to your destinations faster. Public transport in Singapore is quite convenient to say the least and still cheap relative to those of in other countries, even if the operators seek to increase fare prices every year. I have heard increasing complaints from locals and also expatriates who find the long travel times a pain but when I press further, they are finding things to pick at with average travel times of 30 to 45 minutes per trip. If you can wake up half an hour earlier, it can result in possible savings of a few dollars so why not do that.
Back to the upcoming shake-up of the Singapore public transport system. In future, bus routes will be open for bidding in order to promote better route operation and to the most efficient operator. However, I am not entirely convinced that this would promise lower fares as operators might transfer the cost to commuters. Even so, I believe the Singapore government will do its best to ensure commuters are not taxed too heavily otherwise they will face even more complaints.
If you think about it, taking public transport in Singapore, while providing cost savings for your living budget, might actually increase the quality of your life. You do not have to deal with driving in a traffic jam yourself and the accompanying stress. You do not have to wait in the office for anticipated traffic jams to dissipate (yes, I know colleagues and people who do that), so you get home relatively earlier and spend more quality time with yourself or family. I guess it is all to do with how positively you take the changes and work them to your advantage.
I guess it’s all about choices…. and those that matters makes you really feel good although oftentimes at the cost of inconveniencing yourself or if you want to pass it to others which does not help the environment.
Too often we chase momentary pleasure but not enough consciousness to consider other alternatives or the consequences of our choices.