Allow delayed payment of ERP charges (Forum letter)

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http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/allow-delayed-payment-erp-charges-20131206

In the past few months, there have been several times when I forgot to slot a CashCard into my car's in-vehicle unit.

Each time this happens and I drive past an Electronic Road Pricing gantry, an administrative charge of $10 is levied on top of the ERP charge.

Under the Electronic Day Licence scheme for off-peak cars, motorists have up till midnight the next day after they drive to buy the licence.

Can the Land Transport Authority implement a similar model for ERP charges - that is, allow motorists up till midnight the next day to pay the relevant charges?

This is much more efficient as it cuts down administrative work and reduces the motorist's angst.

Take, for example, my most recent offence. The incident happened on Nov 22 but the LTA's letter was dated Nov 29, and I have up till Dec 13 to pay the ERP charge of $1, together with an administrative charge of $10.

The whole process, stretching over three weeks, is inefficient - and all because of $1 in unpaid ERP charges.

Lee Kim Loong