REACH (Telegram) 37 - What are your thoughts on Singapore's transport affordability? What more can be done to ensure sufficient and affordable transport options for Singaporeans?

(SK)

30 Oct 2024 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 9:47 AM]

Dear contributors,

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REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 10:01 AM]

📢 Topic 📢

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that up to 20,000 additional certificates of entitlement (COE) will be injected across the five vehicle categories over the next few years from February 2025. 

LTA said it is able to increase the vehicle population here by about 2 per cent of current levels as travel patterns have evolved, with the total mileage clocked by vehicles coming down by around 6 per cent from 2019 to 2023.

The new satellite Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, or ERP 2.0, will also allow the authorities to better manage traffic congestion and vehicle usage by introducing new “virtual gantries”.

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore's transport affordability? What more can be done to ensure sufficient and affordable transport options for Singaporeans?

LTA said it would allocate the additional 20,000 COEs after reviewing relevant information, including traffic data and the deregistration rate across various vehicle categories.

LTA also said it will consider further injections of COEs in future as more data and tools under ERP 2.0 are made available, including the possible option of introducing distance-based charging.

LTA said the Government’s long-term vision remains centred on being “car-lite”, with walking, cycling and public transport as the predominant travel modes.

It noted that the rail network has expanded by 18 per cent from 228km in 2019 to around 270km today, with more MRT lines and extensions slated to open over the next few years.

In line with this “car-lite” vision, there will be no change to Singapore’s zero vehicle growth rate for cars and motorcycles until Jan 31, 2028.

👉🏻 [ST] https://str.sg/LrRm

👉🏻 [CNA] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/coe-additional-quota-lta-erp-2-vehicle-growth-4709586

----

G, [30/10/2024 10:58 AM]

Election coming is it?

G, [30/10/2024 10:59 AM]

Or is it a way to apologise for the multiple train breakdowns so far and to preemptively apologise for future train breakdowns? 😂

G, [30/10/2024 11:00 AM]

2019 to 2023 are anomaly covid years, so use anomalous data to drive up COEs?

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 11:03 AM]

[ Poll : Do you support the move on the injection of COEs? Please share your views in the chat. ]

- Yes

- No 

- Unsure

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 11:03 AM]

[ Poll : Does Singapore have sufficient and affordable transport options? ]

- Yes

- No

G, [30/10/2024 11:30 AM]

I think households with 3-5 children under 16 should have 50% rebate off the prevailing COE for a purchase of a car with no less than 6 seats.  the 50% rebate shall be amortised over 10 years for the period of which the household owns the car, and the residual sum shall be repaid to the government upon the sale of the car at prevailing market rates.

Households with 6 or more children shall have 100% of their COE rebated, but the amortised repayment to the government shall remain.

Households with less than 6 persons purchasing a second car shall pay an additional 25% premium on the second car's new COE purchased, and that 25% cannot be carried into the sale of the car.

This additional premium shall be 50% of the COE for the third and subsequent car.

If the household purchases a second-hand car that is already in the market, the premiums shall be applied on the prevailing road tax of these cars.

Only live businesses (not shell companies) with an annual turnover of $25,000 shall be allowed to purchase any vehicles

---

You will see some numbers in your birth rate increase while managing the number of cars on the road..

Adam, [30/10/2024 12:04 PM]

My household big big

Adam, [30/10/2024 12:04 PM]

I single

Adam, [30/10/2024 12:04 PM]

My bro single

Adam, [30/10/2024 12:04 PM]

Granny single

Adam, [30/10/2024 12:04 PM]

All live with mom and dad

Adam, [30/10/2024 12:05 PM]

Big household

Adam, [30/10/2024 12:05 PM]

Wonder why household size so big yet pop not growing

Adam, [30/10/2024 12:06 PM]

I think if i start a new family, singapore average household size and household income will drop

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 2:00 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 2:16 PM]

💬 Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore's transport affordability? What more can be done to ensure sufficient and affordable transport options for Singaporeans?

We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active! 

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 2:24 PM]

Greetings from REACH 

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Megan 😊

LCL (Danny 心), [30/10/2024 2:27 PM]

1. ERP2.0 is awarded to the consortium NCS and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2016, about 8 years ago.

2. The intent of ERP2.0 is to replace the manual ERP gantry with "virtual gantries in the air" - using GNSS - a constellation network of satellite from US, Europe, China, Japan and Russia.

3. As the purpose of ERP is to regulate traffic to prevent congestion, hence charges will be based on charging more on roads that are congested as well as the distance used (the longer distance, the higher charges)..

4. By doing so, more COE can be issued (but parking spaces must be able to accomodate the increase number of vehicles).

5. This will make more people happy, as some families will need to own a car for whatever reasons eg. need to ferry children, spouse, elderlies, buy goods, do business, sales, travel from places to places etc for work, study or leisure --- without the need to bid for exorbitant prices for a COE - as higher COE supply will lead to lower prices vis-a-vis demand.

6. 20,000 additional COEs to be allocated within a few years - to regulate squeeze COE supply in certain period - will help to prevent spike and dip - hence more predictable COE bidding prices in every bid - and hopefully, the COE price can fall below $100,000 ($50,000 more respectable .....)

7. 20,000 if spread out to 5 years is about 4,000 per year - not so much that put pressure on car park spaces, but do have some impact on COE prices ($50,000 COE is a wishful dream...) - but still able to keep car congestion in check - in view of ERP 2.0 that charge based on usage, distance based and congestion based.

8. Hence I support the injection of the 20,000 additional COE.

LCL (Danny 心), [30/10/2024 2:33 PM]

1. Having say so, owning cars are supplementary to the main public transport system - which should be the primary mode of transportation for the majority of the 6 million population.

Notably, MRT and connecting buses - should be the primary mode of affordable, convenient transport system for the huge mass of population to facilitate travel.

2. In addition to car ownership, taxi and private hire cars should also complement the transport system.

3. The up and coming new MRT lines should be good news..... at least there is a new line right in front of my doorstep to be ready by 2030 ---- no need to take a connecting bus to the nearest MRT.

LCL (Danny 心), [30/10/2024 2:36 PM]

1. However, I do have one complaint.

2. The booking of car lesson with the 3 private driving centres -- is completely inadequate for new learners..

3. Booking success rate is 1% and close to 0% ---- yet for 1/2 a year ---- no solution, cannot be solved - despite being reported in CNA news and other news.

4. Wonder when this can be solved?

LCL (Danny 心), [30/10/2024 2:39 PM]

"Singapore driving schools battle bots used by students forced to wait months to book for lessons"

 https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/singapore-driving-schools-battle-bots-021856806.html#:~:text=Singapore%20driving%20schools%20battle%20bots%20used%20by%20students%20forced%20to%20wait%20months%20to%20book%20for%20lessons

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 3:00 PM]

I think the ease of coe is good as some people heavily use their car for various transportation

Ethan, [30/10/2024 3:01 PM]

yes if  you dont have kids.

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 3:01 PM]

For bus and train you need to ensure speed connectivity and safety in order to be compatible to car

LCL (Danny 心), [30/10/2024 3:09 PM]

1. Having say so, car ownership is still a heavy investment - and its lifespan is 10 yeas. 

The depreciation per years is 10% of car purchase price.

2. Hence car ownership is not for common man in the street, that need to fork out close to 6 figures to own the car, pay monthly car park, pay road tax, pay petrol or EV charges, pay car insurance, pay car maintenance, pay ERP etc.

3. Hence having a convenient, reliable and affordable public transport system - such as MRT and connecting buses - is still the best transportation option.

LCL (Danny 心), [30/10/2024 3:28 PM]

1. So assuming, a person start work at 30 years old after University, and work for 30 years up to 60 years old.

2. Then a person must prepare to set aside $150,000 x 3 generations of cars = $450,000 (almost 1/2 a million) to own and use a car.

3. After retirement, and want to continue to own car, say live up to 80 years old (assuming 80 years old still fit to drive), then a person must fork out additional $150,000 x 2 generations of cars = $300,000.

4. So in a person's lifetime, a person must set aside $750,000 just to own and use cars.

5. If anyone find the sum mind boggling, then take MRT and buses - cheap cheap and convenient.

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 4:32 PM]

💬 Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore's transport affordability? What more can be done to ensure sufficient and affordable transport options for Singaporeans?

We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active! 

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 4:32 PM]

Adam, [30/10/2024 4:47 PM]

I think we need to rethink the coe pricing. Having a lump cost upfront causes a "use it or lose it" mentality, encouraging road usage.

 On top of that it creates a a sense of entitlement among carowners making them less empathetic to others on the road and behave more aggresively.

If the gov goes forward with this, they should also increase the cost of using the road through tax or erp, weighted based on how it wears the road and the space it takes. I still see jams at peak hours. I wonder if they should do dynamic pricing.

They should also increase the penalties roaduser face when they get into accidents. If can afford coe, do current measures deter?

I see a lot of accidents caused by lack of signalling so maybe we need to evaluate if we need to improve how our drivers are taught.

Also if we need to see if the revalidation of older drivers is sufficient for safe roads too.

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 4:48 PM]

Unpopular opinion a van is better than a car

Adam, [30/10/2024 4:50 PM]

Thats why you dont see sedans much anymore. People here all getting big cars with more space at back

Adam, [30/10/2024 4:52 PM]

If singapore design roads like japan you will start seeing quaint trucks and people treating roads as shared spaces

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 4:52 PM]

Van Coe is cheaper

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 4:53 PM]

And can easily transform into a mini house

Adam, [30/10/2024 4:54 PM]

🤔i cant buy a house, wonder if getting a van is cheaper. How do i set my address to a po box.

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 4:58 PM]

https://www.singpost.com/send-receive/receive-mail-parcel/rent-po-box

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 4:59 PM]

Only thing is need to tell police residential address

Adam, [30/10/2024 5:01 PM]

I wonder how rough sleepers on the streets tell police where they live

Adam, [30/10/2024 5:01 PM]

What is their ic like?

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 6:03 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

Joomua Tng, [30/10/2024 6:07 PM]

increasing 20,000 more COE and car lite objective does not seems to go hand in hand.

Stella Yip, [30/10/2024 6:24 PM]

Many people own cars but take public transport when commuting alone. They  drive with the family members.

LCL (Danny 心), [30/10/2024 6:26 PM]

This is the more likely scenario when a household can afford a car.

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 6:34 PM]

Maybe build a mrt along express way and lrt on every exit to make it car lite

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 6:37 PM]

The reasons that so many car users on road is other means of transport is still not as good in terms of cost benefits analysis to people

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 6:38 PM]

As there is just too many limitations on other transport

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 6:39 PM]

Furthermore people can use the car to earn as private hire car

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 6:41 PM]

But that's being said there's blue sg and get go. You can rent a car if you're not a frequent user

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 6:45 PM]

I think a bicycle lane on major road will encourage car lite also

Jun Ming, [30/10/2024 6:46 PM]

Instead of more regulations on bicycle why not increase the facility for bicycle so that they would not interfere with others road users

Ethan, [30/10/2024 6:46 PM]

Can we push for autonomous vehicle adoption more aggressively. This reduces your per trip cost, and encourage more folks to use it. 

The main motivation people get car is due to convienence. If that convienence can be achieved at a fraction of the cost now, demand for cars drop.

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 6:49 PM]

Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

REACH Singapore, [30/10/2024 7:04 PM]

Dear Contributors

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

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