It has been said that the increase in the number of Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries and charges is to alleviate congestion and encourage people to use public transport.

If so, then why subject public buses to ERP charges? The gantry at Scotts Road, for example, charges buses $1.50 while cars are charged $1.

If the aim of the ERP charge is to ease road congestion, would it not then be logical to charge cars more than public buses?

Subjecting public-transport vehicles to ERP charges would inevitably compel public-transport companies to pass on the additional costs to commuters, hence the countless fare hikes in recent years.

These companies seem to be the scapegoats during fare hikes when, in fact, it is the policy of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) at work here. Would LTA please shed light on this?

Ms Kwok Shwu Ching

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