Will higher charges change... Everyone's Route Preference?
Not necessarily. But you can beat the ERP by changing your travel priorities Switch to public transport
That's what the Government hopes you'll do.
Transport Minister Raymond Lim said: "The only way to move large numbers of people efficiently in our densely populated city is by public transport...
"Increasingly, given the more pervasive congestion today, the emphasis must be on encouraging motorists to shift to public transport, rather than drive on alternative roads to their destination."
So, the Government is spending billions of dollars to improve the bus and train systems - to encourage people to keep using public transport and perhaps persuade car owners to give up their wheels.
Among other things, the Land Transport Authority has promised shorter waiting times, less crowded buses and trains, more comfortable rides and more seamless transfers.
Buses plying routes affected by the impending ERP expansion will come more frequently, and there will be more premium bus services along these routes as well.
Get your boss to let you work flexi-hours
About 10 years ago, companies began staggering their working hours to allow their employees to beat the rush-hour crowd, MrGerard Ee, former president of the Automobile Association of Singapore, pointed out.
In view of the growing city congestion and impending ERP increases, can employers bend the hours further?
Mr Paul Heng, founder of NeXT Career Consulting said it does not make business sense to do so just to accommodate the lifestyle preferences of employees.
Human resources expert Victor Lai said: "You can't ask the company to compensate for everything - inflation, taxi fares, GST hike, now ERP (increases)."
Mr Kenny Yap, executive chairman of fish breeder Qian Hu, said whether flexi-hours should be allowed depends on the nature of the job.
"If (employers) could, they would have done so already," he explained.
At most, Mr Heng suggested, employees who need to use cars for their jobs can get higher transport allowances.
Carpooling
Carpooling, common in the 1970s, is making a comeback as more such websites and online forums sprout up.
Each trip costs between $2 and $8 from one end of Singapore to the other, reported The Straits Times last month.
Carpooling is a very feasible alternative, especially in condominium precincts, to paying less ERP, Mr Ee said.
"All it takes is to know your neighbours."
But Mr Lai is sceptical about carpooling taking off further.
"Singaporeans generally don't like to share things, unless you have very nice neighbours who happen to work near you," he said.
"Even then, if you ask me to sit in someone else's car just to save on a little ERP, I wouldn't."
But if you're interested, here are a few carpooling websites:
The scheme lets motorists park their vehicles at designated HDB/URA carparks, and then use the train or bus to travel to other parts of the city.
For longer-term use, you can buy a Park & Ride set ($40 ez-link card and a $30 season parking ticket) from TransitLink ticket offices.
For ad-hoc use, you can display a $3 coupon daily to park in any park & ride carpark during the park & ride operating hours (7am-9pm on weekdays, 7am-3pm on Saturdays).
While the scheme has potential for growth, Mr Ee said it needs to entail more cost savings and the locations have to be made more convenient.
