According to a report on The Straits Times, Singapore motorists can soon expect to replace their vehicles’ Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) readers.
This initiative is set to take place “progressively from next year”, and is in preparation for the roll-out of the next generation ERP system.
The first replacement is “likely” to be conducted at vehicle inspection centres and appointed workshops, and would be free of charge.
In response to queries by The Straits Times, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) shared that the new on-board units (OBUs) will be larger than the current in-vehicle units (IUs).
It will also display more information such as charges that a motorist will incur for a journey.
With the implementation of a new islandwide distance-based charging system which will use satellites and on-street equipment to track vehicles, motorists will pay according to the distance they cover on congested roads.
Currently, motorists are charged based on a fixed-location system.
LTA clarified that during the “transition period”, which is likely to take more than a year, both ERP systems “will co-exist”.
Could These Be How The New OBUs Look Like?
Several photos of the alleged new OBUs and their displays have been floating around via Whatsapp messages, and while we can’t confirm their authenticity, here’s a peek at what motorists could expect to see come 2020.
It’s uncertain how close to the final product these concept photos are, but I guess we’ll soon find out.
What do you think of the new ERP system? Let us know!
