SINGAPORE - Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates at gantries in eight locations where traffic speeds have fallen below the optimal range will be raised in stages for 19 time periods from May 30.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA), in a statement on Friday (May 20), said: "Based on LTA's monitoring of traffic conditions in April and May 2022, traffic has built up at various stretches of expressways with the phased easing of workplace restrictions from March 29."

For six time periods at three locations, the ERP rate increases will kick in from June 27, after the end of the June school holidays.

These include the gantry on the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) after North Buona Vista towards Tuas, where it will cost $2 between 6pm and 6.30pm, up from the current $1.

At seven locations where LTA expects traffic speeds to continue to be low during the June holiday period, ERP rates will be raised by $1 from May 30.

On the Central Expressway heading towards the city before Braddell Road, for example, the new ERP rates for 8.30am to 9.30am will be $3.

However, for 14 time periods at five locations, the ERP rate will be reduced from May 30 to June 26.

From May 30, the $1 charge at the three gantries on the AYE after Jurong Town Hall towards the city will be lifted between 8am and 8.30am. 

There will also not be any charges at the gantry on the AYE after North Buona Vista towards Tuas between 6.30pm and 7pm from May 30.

The general increase in road traffic in recent months reflects the easing of workplace restrictions. 

On March 29, up to 75 per cent of employees who are able to work from home were allowed to return to the office. This was up from 50 per cent. 

Since April 26, all employees have been allowed to return to the office. 

LTA said it will "continue to monitor traffic speeds and congestion levels closely and assess if ERP rates need to be further adjusted".