The Definitive Guide To New ERP System, ERP Rates and Cashcard

If you are a motorist in Singapore, you definitely is no stranger to the mention of the ERP system, with the particular interest in the current ERP rates.

ERP stands for Electronic Road Pricing. Despite the frequent mention of ERP, it does not stand for “Every Road Pay” an acronym coined by Jack Neo in the movie “Money No Enough 2”, but rather Electronic Road Pricing.

This guide takes a look at all of the essential information you need to know about ERP so that you can stay prepared while driving on Singapore’s roads.

Understanding Singapore ERP system

ERP stands for Electronic Road Pricing which is a system of managing road congestion in Singapore. It was introduced by the Land Transport Authority in 1998 to manage vehicle usage during peak traffic hours.

This toll collection system also serves as a form of usage-based taxation that complements the Certificate of Entitlement system, putting a fee on vehicles entering certain roads.

With the implementation of this system, motorists have to pay a calculated fee based on the consumption of road space and their use of certain public roads during peak hours.

To avoid incurring ERP charges, motorists can choose alternative routes, travel outside the operational hours or use public transport instead.

Generally, ERP charges are set in half-hour periods. and the ERP rates are reviewed and adjusted every quarter, during June and December school holidays depending on the traffic conditions at the time.

Did you know?

The amount you have to pay for ERP charges varies depending on the type of vehicle you are driving and the time at which you enter the ERP gantry. Larger vehicles tend to incur higher fees, and during peak hours, the fees can fluctuate every half hour in an effort to spread out traffic more evenly.

Land Transport Authority (LTA)

It good to know that ERP charges are not applicable on Sundays and public holidays. Additionally, ERP operations cease at 1 pm on the eve of major holidays, including New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali and Christmas Day.

How many ERP gantries are there in Singapore?

In total, Singapore has 78 Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries located across the island for road congestions management. Here is a list of their locations.

Latest ERP rates updates in 2023

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced that from 13 February 2023, Monday, ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) charges will be increased by S$1 at certain locations and times in an effort to ease traffic congestion during peak hours.

ERP rate is affected by the type of your vehicle. Bigger vehicle types pay more.

LTA

How to pay for ERP charges

All Singapore vehicles must have an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) installed and working properly. The IU communicates with gantry to deduct the ERP charge upon passing through it. Failure to have a functioning IU will incur a penalty of $70.00.

Modes of payment for ERP

When you drive through an ERP gantry, your ERP charge can be paid for in two ways.

When driving through an ERP gantry, there are two modes of payment accepted for ERP charges. The first is to insert a stored-value card, such as NETS CashCard or CEPAS Card, into your in-vehicle unit (IU).

• NETS CashCard
• EZ-Link CEPAS Card
• NETS FlashPay Card

However, this immediate deduction of the ERP fee can be inconvenient if you don’t have enough value on your card.

To avoid this problem, you can register to a backend payment service online and make it more convenient:

• Virtual CashCard
• EZ-Link Motoring Service

Once you have registered with the required service providers, you will be notified of successful activation.

Where to buy cashcard?

NETS CashCard

NETS CashCards are stored value cards that enable you to make payment at car parks and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries. Before buying, please check if your card is compatible with your In-vehicle Unit (IU) so your payments will be deducted automatically.

It’s important to note that the NETS CashCard is set to be phased out and replaced by the NETS Motoring Card. You can buy them either at the NETS Customer Service Centre or petrol stations islandwide, but availability may vary from station to station.

EZ-Link card

An EZ-Link card can be purchased at MRT stations, bus interchanges, convenience stores and vending machines located across Singapore.

You can use the card to make payments for public transport, parking, ERP, private buses, taxis and many other outlets like restaurants, entertainment venues and community clubs.

NETS Motoring Card

You can find purchase the NETS Motoring Card at convenient locations around Singapore such as the NETS Customer Service Centre, 7-Eleven, Cheers, FairPrice Xpress, Buzz, Vicom outlets and petrol stations.

This one card gives you access to all car parks in Singapore and is also compatible with both current dual-mode IU device and the upcoming on-board unit (OBU).

What to do if my IU is not working?

For IU that are still within their 5-year warranty period, you may take it to an IU inspection centre to be inspected and repaired for free.

However, for IU outside the warranty or with unreadable or missing labels, you will need to replace or remove it. Removal of the IU unit is subject to a service fee of S$15 at each service centre.

Where can I find my IU number?

It’s easily distinguishable by its 10-digit count and can be found either on a sticker on your in-vehicle unit or in your vehicle’s log card – just like how every car has a unique license plate!

Can I transfer my IU unit to another vehicle?

The answer is yes. You can transfer a deregistered IU as long as it is in working condition and presented within 6 months of the deregistration date. But keep in mind that you can only transfer the IU among vehicles in the same class and a service fee will be charged.

ERP Fine and Violation

If you failed to pay your ERP charge due to either a malfunctioning in-vehicle unit, an expired or wrongly inserted stored-value card, or because the value in your card was insufficient, you will be notified of this violation within a few days.

You can also check your notification status online.

If you pay your ERP violations via digital channels, you can benefit from a $2 administrative fee discount.

• Online 
• AXS stations/AXS e-Station/AXS m-Station
• SAM Kiosk/Singpost Mobile App/Online
• Electronic banking facilities such as ATM, mobile and internet banking 

How to avoid ERP fines?

To avoid incurring fines due to ERP violations, it is recommended to use a backend payment service for your stored-value card.

This ensures that you are kept up to date on expiration dates and have enough value stored in the card. It also reduces the risks of improper insertion into the system so that no errors arise during payment.

How does a foreign-registered vehicle pay for ERP in Singapore?

Foreign passenger cars have the option of either paying a daily flat fee of $5 that will be deducted from their Autopass card upon departure, or installing an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) rented on a temporary basis and topping it up with sufficient value to drive through ERP gantries.

For foreign-registered motorcycles, they must install an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) or rent a Temporary Detachable IU and insert a stored value card with enough value to pay for the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP).

For foreign-registered goods vehicles, taxis and buses, they must install an In-vehicle Unit (IU) and add sufficient stored value on the IU’s card when passing through an ERP gantry.

What is the new Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) on-board units (OBUs)?

The new Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) On-Board Unit (OBU), which will be used when Singapore shifts to the next-generation ERP system based on the Global Navigation Satellite System in mid-2023, will replace the existing gantry system.

The ERP system will not change, however the new On-Board Unit ( OBU ) to be replaced the existing IU will have bigger screens and provide more information for drivers.

This includes a wider variety of maps and traffic data, safety alerts, ERP charging point locations and rates, as well as real-time road traffic updates and the nearby locations of school zones and silver zones.

The new ERP system offers islandwide coverage, allowing users to charge based on distance travelled. It can also offer coupon-less street parking and automatic charging for off-peak car usage.

When will the new ERP system be ready?

The new ERP system is set to switch on in mid-2023, however distance charging will not be rolled out yet till further notice. Charged areas will also remain unchanged during this time.

Will I have to pay to have the on-board unit (OBU) installed?

Installation of the first OBU unit for existing Singapore registered vehicles will start in the second half of 2023 and is free of cost.

What are the payment modes for the new Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) on-board units (OBU)?

The OBU have a slot for Cepas cards, and users can also opt for Giro or to be billed through their credit or debit cards.

With the absence of ERP gantries, how can motorists be informed about their arrival to a charging road and the associated costs?

The new onboard unit installed in the vehicle will provide advance warning when you are approaching a charging road and give you information about the expected payment required.

With the absence of ERP gantries, how will enforcement be done?

The answer lies in the utilisation of cameras. These cameras will be installed on lamp posts and overhead bridges, potentially with even more cameras employed than we currently have.

Will parking coupons be a thing of the past then?

Yes, in the near future. The onboard unit will be able to tell you the cost of parking and take payment for it, making physical coupons a thing of the past.

Will the new onboard unit be a bigger drain on my vehicle battery?

No, they will not draw more power than the current in-vehicle unit (IU).

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