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Parliament: COE, road tax and other costs will continue to apply to private cars, says Khaw Boon Wan


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Parliament: COE, road tax and other costs will continue to apply to private cars, says Khaw Boon Wan

source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/parliament-coe-road-tax-and-other-costs-will-continue-to-apply-to-private-cars?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=STFB&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0QtgIRetgfnmZqhIKANAaYw7HrQNZS7AaQGH62T7PWULgPW34vta9qku4#Echobox=1588691487

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SINGAPORE - Private car owners will have to continue paying for Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) and their road tax plus vehicle licensing fees during the circuit breaker period, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Tuesday (May 5),

The reason is they can still drive on the road for essential work or personal activities like buying groceries, he pointed out.

He said in a written parliamentary reply to Nominated MP Walter Theseira that his ministry has received requests to extend the validity period of COE, road tax and other relevant motor vehicle licences.

Associate Professor Theseira had raised the issue too when he asked whether such relief could be given to mitigate motor vehicle depreciation costs in view of the impact of Covid-19 measures on motor vehicle usage.

But, Mr Khaw noted, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has already made adjustments to land transport services and charges.

He pointed to the LTA extending the inspection deadline for private car owners who were originally scheduled to have their cars inspected during the circuit breaker period.

It also extended the deadline for vocational drivers to submit their medical reports when renewing their vocational licenses.

"In both cases, the motorists can continue using their vehicles as long as they have valid insurance coverage and road tax," he said.

In a separate written parliamentary reply, Mr Khaw said that post-pandemic, the current financing model for public transport would have to be updated should the impact of Covid-19 be "drastic".

But as it is too early to determine the post-pandemic world, it would be "premature to assess its long-term impact to public transport financials", he added.

"Suffice to say that the pandemic will reshape our economy, our way of life and how we move about."

The minister was replying to Prof Theseira, an economist with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who had asked how social distancing measures had affected demand for public transport services, among other things.

Mr Khaw said public transport companies are racking up additional costs as they clean and protect their vehicles and drivers, and house Malaysian bus drivers.

These Malaysian drivers are affected by their country's Movement Control Order that requires them to be quarantined for 14 days when they cross the border into Johore.

"These costs would eventually have to be borne by operators and taxpayers, as they are not adequately covered by current fares.

"Our transport operators are therefore under significant financial stress, especially as their rail operations were already making losses prior to Covid-19," he added.

Current ridership has plummeted by 75 per cent for buses and 84 per cent for trains compared with pre-Covid-19 levels. At the same time, fare revenues have plunged by about 80 per cent.

For now, the impact on the operators is "partly cushioned" by relief measures such as the Job Support Scheme, property tax rebates, waiver of the foreign worker levy and temporary suspension of Electronic Road Pricing, he noted.

Operating costs could have declined further if public transport supply was reduced to match the dwindling demand, but operators have largely preserved service capacity to ensure commuters could maintain social distancing, Mr Khaw said.

"Post-pandemic, we will see how public transport evolves," he added.

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Okay, well. At least we tried. 😆

 

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Supersonic

They will tell you they are very good to stop all ERP operation during the CB period liao. You all still want more? [rolleyes]

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Supersonic
(edited)
3 minutes ago, Mockngbrd said:

Then how come COE bidding stop? scared drop ah?

no one bidding ... $1 COE? muahahahaha ....

Edited by Wt_know
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Turbocharged

1) Halt COE bidding 

2) Freeze PQP at pre-CB price

3) ???

4) Profit!

GG. They gonna wipe out all the small PI/2ndhand dealer

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Supercharged

< "Our transport operators are therefore under significant financial stress, especially as their rail operations were already making losses prior to Covid-19," he added.

Current ridership has plummeted by 75 per cent for buses and 84 per cent for trains compared with pre-Covid-19 levels. At the same time, fare revenues have plunged by about 80 per cent.

For now, the impact on the operators is "partly cushioned" by relief measures such as the Job Support Scheme, property tax rebates, waiver of the foreign worker levy and temporary suspension of Electronic Road Pricing, he noted. >

 

Transport operators don't have reserves? Pau tan business. Other businesses can chup lup but not public transport operators?

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Twincharged
57 minutes ago, 13177 said:

They will tell you they are very good to stop all ERP operation during the CB period liao. You all still want more? [rolleyes]

they also increase the grace period to 20 mins for parking

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Supercharged
1 hour ago, Ysc3 said:

Really CCB. 

Ya lor. At the least, give us road tax rebate.

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Twincharged
14 minutes ago, yishunite said:

1) Halt COE bidding 

2) Freeze PQP at pre-CB price

3) ???

4) Profit!

GG. They gonna wipe out all the small PI/2ndhand dealer

dont worry, there is a strong MIW Woman MP that normally fights for second-hand car dealers

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The UK, for example, granted 6months free road tax as encouragement not to drive.

Various insurance companies in UK and US are giving money back, or the same additional 6months free cover. From watching MSNBC in the US, I see my own insurance company here is, there, giving 6months free. Just not here.

Government advice to the public seems to be "can drive" and not "we don't want you to drive."

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Turbocharged

Other countries like UK new car registrations drop by over 90% since Covid outbreak...

So now gahmen/cardealers need to convince goondu customers that these insane COE prices is a good deal to renew/buy car... either the dealer get wipe out or the customer make foolish buying decision

Dealer/customer lose-lose  ... only one winner 

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