Two years ago a ERP gantry was erected at the T-junction of Hume Avenue and Upp Bukit Timah Road, ostensibly to ease traffic congestion in the direction of the city, and not, according to LTA, a revenue-based decision. If this is to be believed, why did LTA not install the gantry before the traffic light junction. In setting up the gantry after the junction, all vehicles heading down Hume Avenue way are subject to the morning ERP toll on certain hours.
Today a new ERP gantry is being erected some 60 metres further down the road, clearly to replace the existing one as soon as it is completed and commissioned. This project raises more than just the eye-brows of many people. Serious questions as well. Surely tax payers' money are involved as it costs money no matter how proficient LTA has become in such efforts. Ease more congestion in the area? Absolutely not! Suddenly the true reason for the new gantry hits home: targeting the people living in the Hillside condo!
Presently vehicles exiting from Hillside condo and heading for the city make U-turn at a point inside the ERP gantry and so escape the morning toll. Once the new gantry is up and running, same vehicles making the U-turn will have to pass through it! A decision that is not revenue based? Ask LTA!
In the past we live in a land of fines. Today we live in a land of gantries. Bravo to Jack Neo for making a political statement about the ERPs and their long reaching arms in one of his block buster movies.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
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