Changes to Singapore’s vehicle population and COE system: What’s the long-term vision?

AFTER earlier reluctance, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) is now open to reviewing two ideas with major implications for drivers: a one-off increase in the vehicle population alongside higher usage-based charges, and a separate Certificate of Entitlement (COE) category for private-hire cars (PHCs).

Both ideas have been raised repeatedly by Members of Parliament in the name of lowering COE prices to make cars more affordable.

But without more details, it is far from obvious how these changes might pan out.

In both issues, MOT has stressed the need to carefully study the trade-offs. These will need to be spelled out, along with an explanation of how measures fit into a larger policy strategy.

Such…