ERP Charges to Increase by $1 at 10 Gantries

Getting your drivers’ license sounds like all fun and games. You may think that you’d be able to speed your way to anywhere in Singapore, especially when you’re running late to work or to an appointment.

Then as you whiz along the roads of Singapore, you realise that you are faced with two roadblocks – the throngs of cars choking up the roads since many drivers think the same way as you, and the slowly rocketing ERP prices aimed at curbing just that.

Well, until the day the ERP prices reach a higher price than a plate of cai png (which may also increase), it’s probably not going to stop increasing.

ERP Prices Increasing By $1

Yep, you read that right.

Some ERP gantries along three expressways will face a $1 rate increase as a result of more people returning to work, although many may still be working from home.

The charges are aimed to reduce congestion at certain locations along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Central Expressway (CTE) and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) during the peak period, where jams can get so bad no one moves for ten minutes or more.

The Land Transport Authority has announced that these changes will take place with effect from next Monday, 22 Feb.

10 Affected Gantries In Total

Firstly, those going on the AYE after Jurong Town Hall towards the city will pass three gantries along the route, and they will face a $1 charge if they are travelling between 8.30am and 9.30am.

Next, drivers travelling on the KPE (East Coast Parkway) after Defu Flyover will also have to pay $1 between 8.30am and 9.30am.

These routes are actually accessible for free currently, but that’s changing now.

While the current price is $1, drivers heading south on the CTE before Braddell Road will now have to pay $2 between 8am and 9am. They also have to fork out $1 between 9am to 9:30am, instead of doing so for free.

Four gantries along the southbound route on the CTE after Braddell Road and from the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) slip road into southbound CTE will set drivers back by $1 if travelling through them between 8am and 8.30am.

Currently, the price is $1 between 8.30am and 9.30am, but it will rise to $2 with the new increase.

Last but not least, those driving southwards on the CTE auxiliary lane to PIE (Changi)/Serangoon Road between 8am to 9.30am will need to pay $1.

Here’s the information condensed into a neat little table:

However, the prices at other unmentioned time slots for these 10 gantries will not be affected, said LTA.

Not to worry, though, for there will still be no ERP charges on other expressways and arterial roads as traffic speeds have remained optimal on most of them. Yet.

The LTA added that they will adjust ERP rates accordingly after continued close monitoring of traffic speeds and congestion levels.

So drive away and let’s enjoy our free routes while we can. Or before the ERP charges go up again; we’ll all rue the day that happens.

Feature Image: Shutterstock / EQRoy