The latest commoner's woe: ERP

That's right! After the recent hike in food prices and oil prices, and the 7% GST last year, the emotionless Transport ministry had to join in the fray and pile more misery at this gloomy time on the people by activating more channels of income - activating 5 more ERP gantries and raising the ERP charges. Hey Transport minister, Thank you very much! *sarcastic tone included*

I think this is ill time to be doing this, and no doubt do many Singaporeans think the same. Even while many people question the motive and are really doubtful of the claim by the LTA (Land Transport Authority) that car speeds in particular roads are really slow, they inputs are ignored. Well, first of all, the include waiting times at traffic lights into the calculations, and in this country where we can claim to be Numero Uno in the most number of traffic lights per mile of road, this would definitely be so! Come on, use your brain!

Then in the papers, there was a guy who worked in the clarke quay area who did his own recording of car speeds in the area, and took pictures of the roads at peak hours, and his study showed that it was completely unnecessary to raise the ERP charges at that area. Even his submission of his study to the LTA was unable to retract LTA's decision. "Disappointing! " I say. "Elitism!" Others claim.

Then what about the business of surrounding areas? This decision definitely would affect them, Big Time! At a time of rising inflation and stuttering economy, this ERP decision will put off people into travelling downtown, and hence reduce the business of the shops in the area. In the long run, these business will go Kaput! All that will be left are food stalls, and maybe only the popular ones, and perhaps some other shops which are a necessity. Shops that sell stuff that can be found somewhere else, well I think it's time to say goodbye! In this sense, retail will suffer, and hence tourism too.

In so many years as a Singaporean, this is the first time that I feel that many big & bad decisions have arise in such a short period, particularly pertaining to transport. The people feel irked by these things, and it is not hard to hear criticisms from the news to the coffeeshop. I think Mr transport minister should come out to explain these decisions, from the hike of public transport fees, the erecting of gantries as and where, and the raise in ERP charges. We need a proper and reasonable explanation.

"Disappointed & Upset!" I say, falling short of calling for his replacement