Cars and the city

 
THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: Is a car-lite Singapore a realistic prospect?

ONE thing that we have learnt is to never say “never” in Singapore. As recent years have shown, the business and social landscape can be dramatically altered with just a few strategic legislative moves. So although it may not seem like it at the moment, I do believe that a car-lite Singapore is a realistic prospect if the authorities wish it to be so.

For a start, the writing is already on the wall, as the government has made it clear that we are moving in this direction as a nation. Public transport infrastructure is being enhanced while the availability of car parks will be reduced and parking charges will rise.

Additionally, this mandate can also be achieved by, for example, further reducing Certificate of Entitlement (COE) quotas, raising related taxes, implementing surcharges and other legislative changes.

Ronald Lee
Managing Director
PrimeStaff Management Services Pte Ltd