I was just thinking
about traffic congestion
in Swingabore.
As much as we love to think
we are better
than other 3rd world countries,
whenever I'm stuck
in a traffic jam,
it reminds me
of Bangkok
or Jakarta.
Well done, Swingabore government.
After charging hefty COEs
silly ERPs
you achieved
no better
than the Thais
and the Indonesians.
COEs don't work.
Because people want
to buy cars anyway.
Cars are important
in our social status seeking society.
I admit, cars are crucial
when you have kids.
Cars are useful
when you carry heavy groceries.
But for most people,
we do not need cars
to go to work,
or send children to school.
Cars do not pollute the environment,
nor cause congestion.
Driving cars pollute the environment
and cause congestion.
Forget the COEs
forget the ERPs.
Let people buy cars
let people drive into the CBD zone.
I suggest putting a microchip
in each car
which is linked to a global positioning system.
Charge the driver,
only when he uses his car.
Charge him a premium,
at certain busy times
of the day,
charge him lesser
on weekends or evenings.
But charge him only
when he is on the road,
not when his car is parked.
Refund all COEs.
Let people buy cars.
Dismantle the silly looking
ERP ganteries.
ERPs do not work
because when you need to go
into the CBD,
there are hardly any other
alternative the government
provides anyway.
COEs don't work
because people want
to own a car.
Charging a COE
is like having a cover charge
to a buffer dinner.
Once a person pays
his cover charge
if he does not care
about his figure,
he will gorge himself
who can blame him?
Afterall, he has paid
the upfront cover charge,
like COE.
But if a diner
have to pay
for every single piece of food
he picks up,
you will see a different behaviour.
Just observe people
at hawker centre economy rice stalls.
Once he has to pay for every food,
you see him ordering at most 2 meats
and 2 vegetables.
I believe that is
the order of nature.
Making drivers pay
everytime they use
the road
instead of an upfront cover charge
will make drivers think twice.
And of course,
the alternative modes of transport
must be viable too,
namely increasing
the frequency of MRT trains,
which I find disgraceful
for a so called
world class transport system.
Lastly, how much to charge
per usuage of the roads?
I reckon about 50% to 100% higher
than taxi fares.
So unless absolutely necessary,
a driver will probably take a taxi
than add another car
on the road
