As usual, they only focused on ther own conveniences. As such,
businesses suffers along with the daily lives of public.
Why couldn't they have chosen Singapore Expo - isn't it a
convention HUB? With so many BMW 7 series I'm sure the travels
between Singapore Expo and town area is a breeze!
================================================
Motorists face extra ERP charge if they head to Suntec
By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 12 September 2006
2141 hrs
Motorists face extra ERP charge if they head to Suntec
SINGAPORE: The road closures in and around Suntec Singapore are
making some motorists see red.
Besides the inconvenience of taking an alternative route, those
already in the Restricted Zone have to pay for an additional
Electronic Road Pricing or ERP charge to drive into Suntec.
Before the road closures - motorists could stay within the
Restricted Zone and easily drive to the Suntec area.
With Nicoll Highway, Raffles Boulevard and Temasek Boulevard closed
due to the IMF-World Bank meetings, motorists have to use
alternative routes - like the ECP and Rochor Road, Republic Avenue
and Republic Boulevard from Crawford Street, as well as from Beach
Road via the Ophir flyover into Republic Boulevard.
But this means they have to drive out of the Restricted Zone -
incurring an additional ERP charge.
Motorists are feeling the pinch.
The Land Transport Authority says the diversions are for security
and safety reasons - for both delegates and the public.
While it considered lifting ERP charges at these gantries, doing so
would create a by-pass route for motorists heading to other parts
of the Central Business District.
This would then cause traffic bottlenecks.
LTA added this is a temporary inconvenience till the roads re-open
after 20th September, when the meetings end.
LTA says motorists can choose to park outside the Suntec area and
walk over, or take public transport instead - all to avoid the
double ERP charge while staying within the Restricted Zone. - CNA
/dt
