I have a love-hate relationship with the electronic road pricing (ERP) system in Singapore. On one hand, I understand its purpose in easing rush hour traffic jams. On the other… I really, really hate paying for it. So much so my husband likes to tell people that when he hears the IU beep, it’s like listening to the sound of (my) heart breaking.
For the $0.50 kind – never mind, sua. But during super peak hours, some ERPs (for cars) can be as expensive as $6, which drives me nuts!
As most drivers would know, the ERP rates and charges are reviewed every quarter, and usually adjusted during the June and December periods. Here’s a guide to the ERP system in Singapore, plus the more expensive gantries to avoid.
Introduction to the ERP system
Before we get into the ERP rates, this section is for those who don’t know what ERP is. ERP is actually a toll that was implemented to ease congestion. The logic is simple: By charging a fee to drive on the roads, drivers are deterred and more incentivised to take alternative routes and/or drive during off-peak hours.
According to LTA, Singapore is “first city in the world to manage road congestion by implementing an ERP system”.
ERP rates in Singapore
How much the ERP rates are depends on what vehicle you’re driving and what time you pass the gantry. Generally, for motor cars, ERP rates in Singapore vary from $0.50 to $6. The rates are usually set in 30-minute blocks — like 7.30am to 8am — during peak hours.
As mentioned, rates are reviewed every quarter. It is adjusted to achieve an optimal speed range of 20 to 30 km/h on small roads and 45 to 65 km/h on expressways.
Reduced ERP rates for June & December holidays
Because traffic is usually lighter during the school holidays in June and December (kids don’t need to be sent to school; more families are out of town), the ERP rates are typically reduced accordingly during these periods.
Although it is reviewed very year, there are a few usual gantries that are typically affected:
- AYE, after North Buona Vista Road (towards Tuas)
- AYE, after Jurong Town Hall
- CTE, before Braddell Road
- CTE, after Braddell Road
- CTE, slip road to PIE
- CTE southbound after Serangoon Road (and PIE)
- PIE, after Adam Road and Mount Pleasant
- PIE, Bendemeer Road and Woodsville Tunnel
- ECP (city)
- KPE, after Defu Flyover
- Thomson Road
- Kallang Road
Usually, the ERP for these gantries are either reduced by $0.50 to $1 or removed entirely. For the latest updates on seasonal and quarterly ERP rate changes, check the LTA newsroom.
If you want to check for a specific gantry along your usual route(s), you can see the exhaustive list of ERP rates at One.Motoring.
Top 5 most expensive ERP gantries & operating hours
These are the 5 ERP gantries that charge above $3 at selected timings:
| Gantry | Time | ERP |
| CTE Slip Road to PIE (Changi) / Serangoon Road | 08:30 – 08:35 | $4.00 |
| 08:35 – 08:55 | $5.00 | |
| 08:55 – 09:00 | $4.00 | |
| CTE from Balestier Road | 08:00 – 08:05 | $3.50 |
| 08:05 – 08:30 | $4.00 | |
| 08:30 – 08:35 | $5.00 | |
| 08:35 – 08:55 | $6.00 | |
| 08:55 – 09:00 | $4.00 | |
| CTE Slip Road to PIE (Changi) / Serangoon Road | 08:30 – 08:35 | $4.00 |
| 08:35 – 08:55 | $5.00 | |
| 08:55 – 09:00 | $4.00 | |
| KPE Southbound after Defu Flyover | 08:05 – 08:55 | $4.00 |
| PIE into CTE | 08:00 – 08:05 | $3.50 |
| 08:05 – 08:30 | $4.00 | |
| 08:30 – 08:35 | $5.00 | |
| 08:35 – 08:55 | $6.00 | |
| 08:55 – 09:00 | $4.00 |
Note: ERP rates updated on 20 Dec 2019.
These 5 ERP gantries are the only ones that charge over $3, but only during the morning rush hours. The other gantries are between $0.50 to $3.
The most expensive gantries that charge $6 at 8.35am to 8.55am are 1) CTE from Balestier Road and 2) PIE into CTE.
But as you can see, the rates gradually increase and decrease, so the only way to fully “siam” is to either take another route or drive through it one to two hours before or after the ERP operating hours.
Generally, ERP rates are highest from 8am to 9am, because that’s when most of Singapore is driving to work. Do note that these rates are for cars only. Higher/lower rates are expected for bigger vehicles and motorcycles respectively.
ERP fines & “administrative fee” ($10 to $70)
Perhaps your cashcard ran out of money, or your IU is faulty. Whatever the case, if you drive through the ERP toll gate and money doesn’t get deducted, it is a violation of traffic rules.
Technically, failing to pay is only an offence if you fail to make payment within 2 weeks, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be penalised. After missing payment, you will receive a reminder in the mail asking you to O$P$. You will have to pay the ERP rate + $10 administrative fee. If you make payment online via the following channels, the admin fee is reduced to $8:
- LTA’s ONE.MOTORING website
- SGQR
- AXS stations
- Self-service Automated Machines (SAMs) at post offices
- vPost
- Automated teller machines (ATM)
- Internet banking services
The 2-week deadline is pretty damn strict, so make sure you don’t miss it. If you do, prepare to get slapped with a $70 fine + a Notice of Traffic Offence. If after 28 days you still don’t want to pay, the matter will be referred to court.
ERP fine appeal tips
Unlike speeding and parking offences that force drivers to come up with tragic sob stories, it seems that it’s quite easy to appeal for your ERP fine to be waived. In fact, forumers actually recommend you skip the grandfather stories — just write in to LTA and ask for a waiver.
Apparently, many drivers have appealed more than once and successfully got their fines waived multiple times. However, this seems to be the case only for the “admin fee” fine, which is reasonable. If you “tio saman” and still refuse to pay within 2 weeks, then you really deserve the $70 fine lah.
What do you think of the ERP system in Singapore? Tell us in the comments below!
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