(I) Lower ERP Rates for CBD

1.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has completed its review of traffic conditions on Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries in the CBD and along the Singapore River Line.

2.     LTA's monitoring of traffic conditions in the city has shown marked improvements in traffic conditions in the Shenton Way-Chinatown cordon in the evening since the Singapore River Line ERP gantries were implemented and ERP rates in the CBD revised in July 2008. In particular, traffic speeds in the Shenton Way-Chinatown cordon of the CBD are now significantly better than in the Bugis-Marina Centre cordon.

3. Therefore, LTA will be reducing the weekday evening ERP rates at the following gantries (Please refer to Annex A for the locations of the cordon and gantries):

* ERP rates per Passenger Car Unit (PCU)

4.     The revised rates will apply from Monday, 29 September 2008. The rates for the other CBD gantries will remain unchanged.

5.     "Traffic monitoring over the last three months have shown that traffic conditions have improved significantly in the Shenton Way-Chinatown cordon. This enables LTA to reduce ERP rates in parts of the CBD without compromising the overall CBD traffic situation," said LTA Chief Executive, Mr Yam Ah Mee.

(II) Implementation of One of Six ERP Gantries Announced for November 2008

7.     Apart from the city centre, the LTA has also observed improved traffic conditions at four locations - Commonwealth Avenue, Jalan Bukit Merah, Alexandra Road and AYE (westbound). These were previously identified for ERP implementation in November 2008.

8.     Based on LTA's traffic monitoring, traffic speeds at these four locations have risen to within the optimum range in recent months. Therefore LTA will not implement the ERP gantries at these four locations in Novembations in November 2008, as previously announced.

9.     LTA will also not implement the ERP gantry along Serangoon Road in November 2008 as previously announced although traffic speeds have remained below the optimal speed threshold. This is because the LTA is working with other agencies to study improvements to the physical environment in the Little India Area, which could affect the traffic situation along Serangoon Road. LTA will review if there is a need to implement ERP on Serangoon Road when traffic patterns have stabilised.

10.     Only the gantry along PIE (westbound) near Eunos will be implemented in November 2008 as announced because traffic conditions there remain below the optimal speed threshold during the morning peak hours. The charging periods and starting rates will be determined closer to the date of implementation on 3 November 2008 to take into consideration the prevailing traffic conditions.