Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates have been increasing in recent times, as the government tries to combat the traffic congestion issue on Singapore roads; as such, drivers are trying to get around the charges through unorthodox methods.
Unusual Sight on the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE)
A video then recently emerged online showing a number of drivers parking on the road shoulder of the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) during a peak hour, right before the ERP gantry.
What Were They Waiting For?
The drivers appeared to be waiting for the ERP gantry to turn off and for the ERP charges for that time period to stop, or for the charges to drop.
It may seem like an ingenious idea to avoid ERP charges, but the drivers are apparently running foul of the law, as cars shouldn’t stop on the road shoulders of expressways unless there are emergencies, or if their vehicles have broken down.
The Incident Caught on Camera
A video of the incident was shared on the SG Road Vigilante Facebook page on 11 Sep, at about 6.25pm according to the time displayed on the ERP gantry.
About 4 cars and another 4 motorcycles were seen in the video waiting on the road shoulder before the ERP gantry on the AYE, heading towards Clementi Road and before the exit.
They were waiting for the ERP gantry to turn off before they resumed their journey.
ERP Charges and Timing
According to One Motoring, the ERP charges for that time period of 6 pm to 6.25 pm was $1, before it drops to $0.50 from 6.25 pm to 6.30 pm.
The ERP charges then ends at 6.30 pm before the gantry turns off.
Under the Road Traffic Act, Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules; vehicles are not allowed to stop at the road shoulders of expressways except in the cases of emergencies or vehicle breakdowns.