Yeong Sheng sent me a podcast by Mr. Brown on ERP (Electronic Road Pricing). I find it so funny, so here is the link to it for your enjoyment. The lyrics can be found here. Beep! Beep!
BTW, some of the things that were in the lyrics are hard truths that we are struggling. To some they are perceptions, but I don't think so. Some days back on radio there was an "expert" who commented that there is only a small fraction of the drivers who encounters the ERP gantry. I wonder whether he stays in Singapore or in the digital world. I used to drive along the PIE to work. When they put up the gantry just before Stevens Road, I have to avoid it using Bukit Timah. Now, I have to avoid BKE gantry... and I thought I was wise enough - I drive along upper Bukit Timah... guess what? Yes, there is one just outside Hume Park Condo. So, there is absolutely no chance to avoid the gantries except to go to office later. But that is tough for a parent - since I drive my daughter to school. Put her on the school bus - but guess what? Ask the school bus companies how much have the jacked up the fees! And BTW, driving her to work is a good bonding opportunity between father-and-daughter. So, I guess the hard and dry answer from LTA is probably: Too bad, this is the ONLY solution that we have come up with and the one that works (with a smile, of course).
So there is some truth in the phrase:
Cos car is only luxury
Build the road for Fellari
Normal car will up lorry
Ji Pa Ban (uh!), Ichiban (uh)
No million dollars you Lan Lan
CTE is the place to be
Singapore road for VIP
In practical terms: how much improvement can the public transport achieve? I think it is already very good from a global standard. But I don't think that can address all our needs. If I were single, I think that is an ideal solution. If kids? Hmmm.... perhaps, I have to "Lan Lan" and accept whatever fast birth rate of gantries and ERP charges.
Ah, I know what? Why can't there be a law to have everybody work from home? That will solve the driving around in large numbers. Or at least have the government encouraging companies to move towards that direction and gives incentives for that?
