Channel NewsAsia - Wednesday, June
18
SINGAPORE: With more ERP gantries within the CBD and the
increased ERP rates next month, Taxi
Operators’ Associations (TOA) are concerned operating costs will go
up, especially since this comes on the back of rising fuel
prices.
The TOA will discuss with taxi
companies ways to help cab drivers cope with the rising
costs.
Businesses in Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Chinatown are also
bracing themselves for tough times.
Some also predict that more office workers will end up staying
even later at work and leave only after 8pm to avoid paying the
higher ERP charges.
Five new gantries, forming a cordon along the Singapore River
Line, will be activated on July 7.
Those at Fullerton Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and
South Bridge Road will operate on weekdays from 6pm to 8pm.
Motorists will pay S$2.00 from 6pm to 7.30pm and S$1.00 from 7.30pm
to 8pm.
Gantries at Fullerton Road and Eu Tong Sen will also operate
from 12.30pm to 8pm on Saturdays and motorists will have to pay
S$2.00.
Also from July 7, ERP rates for 32 of 65 gantries island will
increase by between 50 cents and S$2.00. The gantries are primarily
in the Central Business District (CBD) and Orchard Road.
Cab companies ComfortDelGro,
Trans—Cab and Smart Automobile have already introduced rebates to
counter the previous increases in ERP expenses.
The Taxi Operators’ Associations
are urging the Land Transport Authority and taxi companies to
explore more options to help cabbies.
However, some taxi drivers feel
the higher ERP rates will be worth it.
"It (traffic) is easier flowing,
the traffic is less, so we can give better service to our
customers," said a taxi driver.
But some commuters say they will give up on taking cabs in the
CBD area.
"By bus... by MRT — that’s all. Definitely, no more cab for me,"
said a commuter.
Businesses in the affected areas are not happy with the
additional ERP gantries.
Shopowners, ferrying their goods in and out of the city, will
incur more business costs, said Charles Ho Nai Chuen, vice—chairman
for Chinatown Business Association.
"It’s difficult for our customers to come into the city, because
they need to pay a hefty sum of ERP charges," he added.
Some businesses are banking on their regular customers.
"Our dinner clientele is usually bosses, managers, or families.
So the evening ERP charges don’t really bother them," said
restaurant owner Tan Siew Cheng. — CNA/ir
