1.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) met this morning with the Chinatown Business Association to review concerns raised recently by the group in connection with the Singapore River Line ERP implementation. The productive exchange between LTA and the various business association leaders included discussion of business conditions in general and the role ERP plays.

2.     The session was part of LTA's ongoing engagement with stakeholders affected by ERP implementation, to listen to feedback, concerns and suggestions. Prior to the Singapore River ERP implementation in July 08, LTA had met with business representatives in the area on 2 and 16 May 08 to address issues relating to the implementation

3.     The business representatives gathered today supported the overall rationale for ERP to curb excessive congestion in their business area. They also expressed recognition of the fact that the economic climate over the last six months has affected not just travel patterns, but consumer purchases and businesses as well. Thus, concerns and subsequent discussion revolved around ERP operating hours on weekdays, misconceptions that they would be charged for entering Chinatown on Saturdays; and the anxiety that, it would be difficult to woo patrons, who are creatures of habit, back to Chinatown once they have found alternatives, in light of the ERP charges or other considerations.

4.     Senior Minster of State for Transport and Finance Mrs Lim Hwee Hua revealed that LTA would be moving its ERP review of the River Line gantries to October in light of recent feedback. The review for the Singapore River gantries was originally intended to take place in November 08, to coincide with the usual quarterly review of all ERP rates. The three months from the time ERP was implemented in July 08 would however be sufficient for LTA's typical 3-month review period for monitoring purposes and for motorists' driving patterns to stabilise.

5.     If traffic conditions warrant it, LTA will announce the review results in the later part of September and adjust the ERP rates from early October onwards.

6.     Mrs Lim added that, though the Government had reduced road taxes to help offset increases in ERP, the public does not link the two, and often overlooks the objective of the reduction. LTA will keep in view the issues raised to see how the situation might be improved.

7.     Among those considerations would be the need to further publicise the fact that Saturday charging does not affect Chinatown at all. The Bugis-Marina Centre Cordon, which operates only on Saturdays from 12.30pm to 8pm, consists of only the gantries at Eu Tong Sen Street and Fullerton Road (towards Suntec City), and the existing CBD gantries north of the Singapore River Line.

8.     The Bugis-Marina Centre Cordon helps to manage traffic congestion in the Bugis and Marina Centre area, which had travel speeds that were below optimum before implementation in July. As the speeds for roads within the Chinatown area are within optimum levels on Saturdays, ERP charging will not apply to Chinatown on Saturdays.

9.     The gantries along the Singapore River are intended to discourage excessive through traffic within the city area for outbound trips in the evening. By keeping traffic free flowing and preventing congestion that would otherwise build up, goods and people can continue to get to their destinations efficiently and in a timely manner. This is essential for businesses to remain accessible and stay competitive. However, the Government recognises that ERP charges may have some short term impact on businesses. The session with the Chinatown Business Association is therefore important for LTA to understand the issues affecting this group of stakeholders even as it monitors the traffic situation for the purpose of its ongoing review.