Covid-19: No ERP charges at most gantries from April 6 as road traffic thins

SINGAPORE — There will be no Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges at most gantries in light of decreased road traffic due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a release on Tuesday (March 31) that ERP rates will be reduced at 96 per cent of gantries islandwide from April 6.

The rates at ERP gantries along expressways and arterial roads will be cut by up to S$2, with the majority becoming free of charge.

Vehicles entering the Orchard, Bugis-Marina Centre and Shenton Way-Chinatown cordons will also not have to pay any ERP charges.

The move comes as safe distancing measures have been imposed islandwide to limit the spread of Covid-19, with the Government discouraging non-essential travel.

With the increase in workers telecommuting and staggered working hours, the volume of road traffic in Singapore has fallen, said LTA, leading to the "larger than usual" reduction in ERP rates.

"This review is not intended to encourage Singaporeans to drive and travel more, and we strongly urge all Singaporeans to continue to adhere to safe distancing measures and limit non-essential travel as much as possible," the authority added. 

The quarterly review of ERP rates was scheduled to take place at the end of April but was brought forward due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

"We will also review rates more frequently as we expect traffic to reduce further should the Covid-19 situation continue," LTA said.

"We will return to the usual ERP review process when appropriate."