Motormouth: Unaffordable COE, unreliable MRT and the LTA conundrum in between

High COE premiums are less problematic than frequent train service disruptions and therefore need less remedial action by the authorities. 

[Story by guest columnist Say Kwee Neng]

“Fifteen MRT breakdowns this year is only two more than the same period last year." 

"Isolated cases, not a systemic problem."

These statements suggest the authorities in charge of land transport are disconnected with the anger most Singaporeans have towards their lot in life when it comes to their transport situation.

When record COE prices and frequent MRT breakdowns compete to dominate news headlines, it's silly not to expect the public mood to turn volcanic.

That's because many Singaporeans feel trapped by our transport policies. 

While the COE system makes private transport more and more unaffordable, public transport is seemingly less and less reliable. 

Singaporeans are literally caught between a rock and a hard place. And no one likes being squeezed, or deprived of options.

The solution?

The most obvious one is to solve the MRT situation - fast.

For years now, the authorities have struggled to get on top of the gremlins plaguing our MRT system, despite millions being spent. 

Whilst no reasonable Singaporean expects zero breakdown, 15 disruptions a year in quick succession is already 14 too many.

And the public doesn't really care if it’s an isolated technical problem or a more systemic malaise. That's because the ultimate price is paid for by a public inconvenienced and lives disrupted. 

Adding up the wasted man-hours of all commuters affected, the final butcher’s bill of our MRT crises is far higher than that discussed in any Parliamentary sitting.

It would seem logical, then, that while the authorities figure out the MRT puzzle, they should also explore ways to reduce white-hot COE prices.

But this is where an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. 

The Government needs every dollar of the S$6 billion generated by high COE prices to keep the MRT (sort of) running. Any suggestions to cool down COE prices would probably be met with a stony "No".

It’s a very delicate balancing act. 

Force commuters to choose public transport by making private transport insanely expensive. Then try to lessen this pain by making sure that the rail and bus network is extensive and relatively affordable.

The Government therefore needs COE revenues to be kept high in order for this “Robbing Peter to pay Paul" circus act to continue. 

They do this by allowing corporate interests to dictate the bidding of COEs, who then pass on this cost to Singaporeans (whose only sin is that they need/want a car). 

With the billions in COE revenues generated, you can then afford to subsidise numerous Government initiatives, including the billions needed to keep public transport affordable and operational. 

Unfortunately, the glue holding these interconnected policies in place relies on the MRT system being relatively bulletproof. When it isn’t, it is much harder to keep all the balls in the air. 

The incongruity of our transport policies means these issues can only grow larger in time, because transport needs and revenue requirements never diminish in Singapore. 

A really devilish conundrum.

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