nice day.

the one about rise in ERP charges and inconsiderate driving

Today's journey home was long and dreary. Traffic flow is usually bad. But today really sucked. Literally jammed all the way from Yio Chu Kang to Hougang to Eunos to Paya Lebar. And it's a stretch with many, many traffic lights.

Don't know why there were so many cars on the road today. And all traffic lights were mostly red. It was kinda terrible. Start stop start stop. And I took one and a half hours to reach home. Like I have much of a choice. The other route home would be to travel CTE then PIE all the way to Guillemard. But that would mean extra charges which would easily total up to 4 dollars. And I just passed by 2 gantries. I can't afford to do that. It's too wasteful on a daily basis.

And like it was any better. Well at least if I could travel consistently at 60kph, I wouldn't mind paying to get home earlier and if significantly less starts and stops would mean I save the cash on the fuel, then perhaps the 4 bucks would be worth it. But no, there'll still be jams.

And the government has decided to raise the charges at 5 gantries. For what you may ask? Actually I also don't know how that's going to help. If someone has to travel the highway to get to work, he would pay no matter what, so as to reach his work on time. Take the alternative route filled with traffic junctions and you'll be worse off in the jams and waiting time that people will rather give up the cash rather than the convenience.

There's always a balance to be struck between efficiency in travelling and the charges it racks up. As if drivers love to travel under gantries for the thrill in hearing the IU beep. I'm not saying the ERP system sucks. In fact, it may be even shittier without it. I'm just questioning the effectiveness of this rise in price. Like it will deter someone who takes the CTE everyday because it's simply the most convenient way to work.

Will there be a time in the near future where drivers would have to pay 10 dollars in a single trip over the CTE..? Like that I guarantee the highways would have smooth traffic flow already. Can afford good lor, cannot then sorry you can just join everyone else that would be crawling on the normal roads. I'm not exaggerating, it might just happen in this country where every problem will be met up with a solution which either involves more laws or collecting more money. Ok like duh.

Anyways, enough of the ERP business. Me shall not interfere with the measures taken to sustain an effective and non-corrupt government. Afterall, a towkay always has to live up to his words if he promises his employees a bonus. Just as long he brings in higher revenue for his buisness. :)

I hate bad drivers who wouldn't give a damn about signalling and just cut your lane. Same goes to inconsiderate bastards who wouldn't give 2 hoots about using a moblie phone while driving. Ok, guess I've ranted rather much today.

Hmm..things coming up..probably going for pool on Friday night with some vogs people, Saturday one of my friends celebrating his bday at Minds Cafe..and yay, prolly watching Spiderman that night. Oh..next week have to send car for servicing already..

posted by weihao @ 4:34 PM