Leepee 1st Gear December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 Off-peak car scheme needs fine-tuning Wed, Dec 10, 2008 The Straits Times MANY things have changed since the introduction of the off-peak car scheme in 1994. These have made it necessary and important to fine-tune the system to cater to today's real needs. For a start, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) should consider lifting the restricted hours on off-peak cars on Saturdays from 7am to 3pm. With an increasing number of companies practising a five-day work week, the restricted hours on Saturdays have essentially become less 'peak' than 14 years ago. For those who drive an off-peak car, removing such restrictions could also mean more family time on a non-working day. This would tie in well with the Government's call for more pro-family efforts by Singaporeans. In addition, the LTA should consider allowing off-peak cars on the road in non-Central Business District, 'off-peak' areas, such as the neighbourhoods, during 'peak' weekday hours. In my view, this will not severely affect smooth traffic flow neither in the neighbourhoods nor on the arterial roads during these hours, when most people are at work. Also, this will give drivers of off-peak cars more freedom to run personal or family errands, as well as spend quality time with their families on days they are not working. Goh Wee Chuan ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula Turbocharged December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 The previous LTA reply was always if tweak the hours ( ie Sat can drive earlier or even no restriction ) then the $17K rebate and the road tax discount will be reduced correspondingly, no mention about the the $20 license though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djanggo Neutral Newbie December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 I believe when u bought an OPC, u already know and fully understand the restriction else get a normal car. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
En0203 2nd Gear December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 want cheap want good? i think he can wait long long Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leepee 1st Gear December 10, 2008 Author Share December 10, 2008 Have all these OPC owners wanting changes consider that if gov were to allow Saturday morning driving....then MAYBE the rebate will not be $17k anymore? Maybe it will be $10k rebate, or the road tax will be higher, etc? Existing owners will have to pay the $7k(or any amount) difference somehow. Upfront pay back or greatly reduced Parf % value...nothing is FREE. Since the low COE price is here to stay(some say), it may be wise for the gov to fine-tune(aka lower) the rebate value to 'earn' more! So don't wish for something that you are not prepared for! I suggest a new "NON-ERP" car scheme. Good for those who wants to sent children to neighbourhood schools and go NTUC buy food only (sorry for those studying in ERP zone). It can be driven at all times, BUT cannot go past any ERP gantry while active! A per entry charge of $500 will be billed to the car owner, if such cars were to be driven past ERP Gantry(in emergency cases perhaps). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
En0203 2nd Gear December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 yea, ppl should not just jump to OPC thinking that it's cheap without considering the restriction Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spurman Supercharged December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 Quote Off-peak car scheme needs fine-tuning Wed, Dec 10, 2008 The Straits Times MANY things have changed since the introduction of the off-peak car scheme in 1994. These have made it necessary and important to fine-tune the system to cater to today's real needs. For a start, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) should consider lifting the restricted hours on off-peak cars on Saturdays from 7am to 3pm. With an increasing number of companies practising a five-day work week, the restricted hours on Saturdays have essentially become less 'peak' than 14 years ago. For those who drive an off-peak car, removing such restrictions could also mean more family time on a non-working day. This would tie in well with the Government's call for more pro-family efforts by Singaporeans. In addition, the LTA should consider allowing off-peak cars on the road in non-Central Business District, 'off-peak' areas, such as the neighbourhoods, during 'peak' weekday hours. In my view, this will not severely affect smooth traffic flow neither in the neighbourhoods nor on the arterial roads during these hours, when most people are at work. Also, this will give drivers of off-peak cars more freedom to run personal or family errands, as well as spend quality time with their families on days they are not working. Goh Wee Chuan Err, Mr Goh, have u woke up.. Been sleeping too much during your off-peak days liao issit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macrosszero Turbocharged December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 Who wants to bet that he owns an OPC? I believe the OPC rebate and reduced road tax already takes into account the amount of time that the off peak car spends on the road annually. If LTA does expand the operating hours and zones of the off peak cars, are the existing OPC owners willing to pay back the rebate, pay more road tax, in line with getting to use their car more often? No? I thought so. If yes, please use your $20 coupon. Don't be so cheapskate to commit to a OPC for the shortsighted savings and later try to wheedle your way out of it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arah Neutral Newbie December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 Quote The previous LTA reply was always if tweak the hours ( ie Sat can drive earlier or even no restriction ) then the $17K rebate and the road tax discount will be reduced correspondingly, no mention about the the $20 license though. Maybe this is a prep, to implement an increase in the $20 coupon. But i doubt this will happen during this hard times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perrier 1st Gear December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 As an OPC driver now, it would be heavenly to drive on Saturday. Unfortunately, I would oppose such a proposal because I paid less road tax and gotten the 17K rebate. It is simply not fair to the current owners of normal plate. Afterall, I got the red plate well aware of its limitations. However, I would be equally grateful if they can introduce a half-day coupon, say $12, that I can use for either morning (7am-1pm) or afternoon (1pm-7pm) period. I believe ppl would be more willing to use such coupon and not cheat as often. Also, more OPC owner will have to stock up such coupons which is indirectly another cashcow for LTA. I definitely believe on the need to fine-tune the system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arah Neutral Newbie December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 Good idea about the 1/2 day coupon but i dont think LTA will welcome the enforcement headache. They are already TL with not being able to really enforce the $20 coupon. It more feaseble for them to intro pay as you use scheme for off peak car, it a matter of how they are going to do it only. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunkidz Neutral Newbie December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 i think mr goh has got too much soap suds in his head. if he wants more driving hours, he should just pay for it and stop family time as a shield. in any case, if 20 bucks can buy me a whole day of family time, its money well spent! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamburger Hypersonic December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 aft so many yrs, still nagging e same old thing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djanggo Neutral Newbie December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 I also dun think u can have much family time inside the car. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwchan 1st Gear December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 If based on Mr Goh theory, then the weekdays OPC hour should delay to 8pm because all the ERP gantry in town area still operating which means it is still "peak" hour. Why not delay to 10pm as well since CTE ERP is still operating too. With less OPC on the road, there will be less jam and less ERP to pay Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigershark1976 Turbocharged December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 I support your statement... but instead of 8pmcan extend to 10pm? cos CTE is charging till 10pm... so, b4 10pm, it is still peak hours Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klinz Neutral Newbie December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 Exactly...Even asking to allow OPC at non-CBD area in peak hours...In no time the carparks near CBD area will be flooded with OPC...It's quite difficult to implement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kungming 1st Gear December 10, 2008 Share December 10, 2008 dream on manz, how about those who paid a high COE years ago? Let them have a big rebate as well? ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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