Traffic speeds along the stretch of Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) between the Tampines Expressway and Airport Road have persistently[1] fallen below the optimal speed range of 45km/h to 65km/h for expressways during the morning peak hours on weekdays. This has led to significant and persistent traffic congestion. To mitigate the congestion, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is evaluating whether to introduce Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) by activating the existing ERP gantry situated just before the KPE tunnel entrance after the Tampines Road entry slip road. Please refer to the Annex for a map of the location of the gantry.

Alternative transport options

LTA has been improving public transport options to cater to the growing population in the north-east area of Singapore and encourage public transport usage. For example, residents in Punggol are currently served by City Direct Service 666, which brings them directly to and from the Central Business District (CBD) during morning and evening peak periods. Two new City Direct bus services, under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme, will also be introduced from the fourth quarter of 2016 to serve those living in Buangkok, Sengkang and Hougang. In addition, 15 new trains have been recently added to the North East Line. This will help to reduce crowding and shorten wait times, especially during peak periods. In the longer term, residents can also look forward to the North East Line extension to Punggol North, and the Cross Island Line (CRL) which will provide more direct connections across the eastern and western parts of Singapore, as well as and significantly reduce shorten journey times to other parts of the island.