I AM puzzled by the recent announcements on the impending Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rate changes, with effect from July7.

I vividly remember reading a Straits Times article in March or April this year on a Land Transport Authority (LTA) report on the benefits of introducing ERP in Orchard Road.

The report stated that before ERP was introduced, retailers were worried the measures would drive away customers.

Now, on June 17, the LTA announced that car speeds in Orchard have fallen considerably, ERP charges will go up from $1 to $2 and operating hours on Saturdays will be from 11.30am to 8pm.

My question is, who validates and verifies that cars are moving at optimum speed? Who checks these reports? Who decides that, three months ago, the speed was optimum, but now it is no longer so?

One possible reason is that there are more cars on the road now. Cars are cheaper, application for car loans is easier, COE prices have dropped considerably, and rebates are given to motorists who switch to CNG cars.

The LTA controls the number of COEs issued, and although it says it will control the number of COEs issued because of highly congested roads, many policies are implemented to make car ownership easier.

So why does the LTA continue to issue COEs, even though it stated in a report last year that COEs issued are way above the stipulated quota - 9 per cent instead of 3 per cent?

And after issuing so many COEs, the LTA introduces ERP gantries everywhere with higher prices and longer operating hours to discourage vehicle use. Why not control the issuing of COEs in the first place?

I hope the LTA can shed some light on these apparently contradictory policies.

Jennifer Wong (Ms)

NOT FAMILY-FRIENDLY

'I suspect this does not go very far to help family life.'

MR BRENDAN TAN, commenting on a recent remark by Land Transport Authority chief executive Yam Ah Mee that 'congestion also adversely impacts family life as people spend more time on the roads'. Mr Tan felt the statement 'does not reconcile with the fact that people now have to stay in their offices till later to avoid ERP charges'.

'The other intention of ERP is to drive people to public transport. However, with the high congestion levels on buses and trains during evening peak hour, I doubt many will reach home in good time and good composure to enjoy family life in the evening.'

NOT ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY

'Those who drive environment-friendly cars with lower cc get nothing in the end.'

MR WILSON CHOO, on the reduction in road tax across the board from next month. He says this means those driving big cars will enjoy more savings and can afford to drive through more gantries because the offset in road tax is higher.