ERP rates at two PIE gantries set to increase
The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates of two gantries on the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) will be raised on 1 August, while the rate at a Central Expressway (CTE) gantry will be brought down.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the changes in a statement on Monday following a quarterly review of traffic conditions along ERP-priced roads and expressways.
Passenger car drivers passing gantries at Adam Road and Mount Pleasant on the PIE from 7.30 am to 8.00 am will need to pay $1.00 instead of the current rate of 50 cents.
On the other hand, car drivers crossing the Braddel Road gantry at the CTE from 7:30am to 8:00am will pay $1.00, down from $2.00, while from 8:00am to 8:30am, they will pay $2.00, or 50 cents less than the present $2.50 charge.
The rates for the other gantries will remain unchanged, and the next ERP review will take place in November 2011.
The increase in the ERP rates on the PIE are being questioned by some drivers.
"I'm not surprised that ERP charges are going up, but it is really worrying -- the rates are going up, but the traffic congestion remains the same. So how is this helping us?" said Ismail Said, 57, who drives along Adam Road every morning to deliever goods.
Meanwhile, in a separate announcement, LTA said that heavy lorries transporting workers on the cargo deck must now be fitted with higher railings and canopies to ensure workers' safety while travelling on the vehicles.
The LTA consulted with The Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) on the safety measures.
The executive director of MWC, Edwin Pang said, "These measures have contributed to the safety and welfare of the migrant workers who are transported on the back of lorries."
Current efforts by the LTA to increase passenger safety on lorries include requiring the driver to fill up the passenger compartment first, increasing enforcement activities and introducing stiffer penalties for non-compliance.
"Enforcement activities will continue to be stepped up to deter any non-compliance of the regulations," said Colin Lim, LTA's group director for vehicle and transit licensing group
