2003-AUG-25 Foreign Cars No Longer Require In-vehicle Units Under New ERP Scheme

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Easier ERP scheme for foreign vehicles

Page first created 25 August 2003; Last updated 26 Aug 2003

It was about time. Many long-distance motorbikers (and motorists) have been complaining about the often-confusing requirements to be met before their foreign vehicles can enter Singapore.

This is a major improvement for the casual motorist from Malaysia, or even as far as Thailand and beyond. Previously, there has been the hassle of having to rent and install an In-vehicle Unit ("IU") so as to pay for the road pricing taxes for using Singapore roads.

One less problem, but still, there is room for improvement.

Also see my other articles and features on ERP:

25 August 2003

Foreign drivers can pay $10 a day for ERP, IUs not needed

By Asha Popatlal

From next month, motorists driving foreign-registered cars into Singapore no longer have to go through the hassle of renting or installing In-Vehicle units or IUs.

Instead, motorists can just pay $10 a day to drive along major roads during ERP hours.

It's a flat fee, so it doesn't matter how many times the motorists pass through the ERP gantries.

So, foreign motorists can now pay their ERP fee, Vehicle Entry Permit and toll charges all at the same time using their Autopass Card as they leave Singapore.

The Singapore Tourism Board says this will make it easier for Malaysian businessmen and holiday-makers to drive over.

Source URL: http://app.internet.gov.sg/scripts/lta/corp_new_content.asp?start=45

Foreign Registered Car Owners: Pay A Fixed ERP Fee Daily!

Planning to drive into Singapore but you do not have an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) in your car?

With effect from 1 September 2003, you can choose not to rent or install an IU in your car even if you travel on Singapore roads under the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system.

Instead, you will just pay a fixed ERP fee of S$10 daily if you use ERP- priced roads. This means that regardless of the number of times you use ERP-priced roads, you just have to pay S$10 each day!

You will automatically be included in this scheme if you do not have an IU in your car.

The fixed ERP fee will be deducted through your Autopass Card when you depart Singapore.

If you have already installed an IU in your car, you can choose to:

Continue to pay the ERP fees by inserting your Cashcard or Autopass Card into the IU in your car. Instead of a fixed fee, you just pay the corresponding ERP fees each time you use ERP-priced roads; or

Decommission your IU at the authorised IU centres. Once that is done, you will automatically pay a fixed ERP fee of S$10 daily, regardless of the number of times you use ERP-priced roads each day.

Click here for FAQs on the fixed ERP fee scheme

Click here for information on the ERP system

Click here for information on driving into and out of Singapore

Click here for information on carparks that uses the ERP technology

For more information, please call the LTA Customer Service Line at 1800-CALL LTA (1800-2255 582).

Source URL: http://app.internet.gov.sg/scripts/lta/corp_press_content.asp?start=836

Foreign-registered Cars No Longer Require In-vehicle Units Under New ERP Scheme

Motorists can Opt to Pay fixed ERP Charges of S$10 Per Day

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) today announced that from 1 September 2003, foreign motorists driving their foreign-registered cars into Singapore will no longer require In-vehicle Units (IU) to drive on certain major roads and expressways in Singapore during the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) operational hours. Under the new scheme, they can opt to pay a fixed ERP fee of S$10 per day. This is regardless of the number of times they pass through an ERP gantry during operating hours. The normal toll charges and the Vehicle Entry Permit (S$30 per day) for foreign-registered cars still apply. Foreign motorists, however, do not need to pay the VEP or any ERP charges on weekends.

This new ERP scheme will provide an alternative option to installing and renting IUs for motorists of foreign-registered cars who need to access ERP-priced roads. At present, they have the option of installing or renting IUs to drive into the Central Business District or travel on certain ERP-priced roads and expressways during operating hours.

How It Works

The ERP system automatically detects a foreign-registered car without an IU when it drives through the ERP gantry during operating hours. A fixed ERP fee of S$10 will be registered for the day. This daily S$10 ERP fee will cover all passes through ERP gantries in the day. Motorists can then pay the ERP fee, together with the Vehicle Entry Permit and toll charges, by using the Autopass Card upon departure at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.

Foreign motorists who have already installed an IU in their cars must continue to insert the CashCard in their IU before driving through any ERP gantry. If they wish to choose the new ERP scheme, they will have to remove or de-commission their existing IUs at IU inspection centres in Singapore.

Commenting on the new ERP scheme for foreign-registered cars, Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of STB, said:

"Partnering LTA, we are pleased to be able to offer a new alternative method of paying ERP charges for foreign-registered cars. This new scheme will facilitate the process of drive-through trips and provide greater flexibility for travellers to Singapore from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Thailand. The new option is convenient and fuss-free and all one needs to do is make the payment of ERP charges upon departure at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. With this added ease of travelling on Singapore roads, we hope to see more visitors, especially from Malaysia, drive over to Singapore for leisure breaks and business trips."

To drive home the message that it is more convenient than ever to drive into Singapore for a visit, STB's Regional Office in Kuala Lumpur will also be running a print ad campaign in key Malaysian dailies.

Mr Ho Meng Kit, Chief Executive of LTA said:

"We are pleased to be able to introduce this new ERP payment scheme for foreign-registered cars. We hope to provide a more convenient and user-friendly alternative for motorists coming in from our neighbouring countries, by combining the payment modes of ERP fee, Vehicle Permit Payment and toll charges into a single step. This will also benefit motorists of foreign-registered cars who may not be familiar with the requirements of driving in and out of Singapore."

Information on the new ERP scheme for foreign-registered cars can be obtained at the immigration booths at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, STB's Kuala Lumpur office and the Singapore LTA office. Notices on the new scheme will also be distributed at the checkpoints during the initial period. Alternatively, members of the public can log on to the following websites for more information:

About the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) Scheme

Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) is an automated road pricing system designed to keep Singapore's roads smooth flowing. It is based on the principle of charging motorists when they travel on heavily used roads during peak hours. Motorists who choose not to pay ERP can opt to use alternative roads, or going into the city until before or after the ERP operational hours.

Major expressways and roads are priced during peak hours on weekdays to ensure that they are not congested and motorists drive within an optimal speed range of 45 to 65 km/h for expressways and 20 to 30 km/h for major roads. There is no ERP charge on weekends and public holidays.