Before the ERP was introduced, the then Minister of Transport -
Mah Bow Tan - had promised that Road Tax will be brought down to
earth - as soon as the ERP is extensively implemented to regulate
the flow of traffic and the growth of the car population.
Besides the implementation of the ERP, there is also the C.O.E.
that allowed the authorities a revenue generating way of regulating
the growth in the number of new cars.
Yet with both successfully in place, the road tax had seen only a
minor adjustment of no more then 15 percent reduction, when it had
been increased by regular increments of 50% and 75% that finally
end up with a road tax that is 150% from the fees charged during
the period towards mid-1980's.
Another failed promise from the Government, similar to the
misleading statements concerning the telephone bills being lower
when home usage is calculated by the minute instead of a lump sum
monthly charge.
The minds of Singapore certainly have become dull, when their
stomach is full.