• Motorists had asked if they could use their smartphones instead of standard-issue units for new ERP system
• Dr Amy Khor said there are security and operational issues if smartphones were used
• She also said the unit's design cannot be changed because it could incur costs  
• However, the Government is still open to public feedback on the design 

SINGAPORE — The next-generation Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system cannot be replaced with third-party applications due to data security issues. It also cannot undergo significant design changes without incurring costs, because the Government is contractually bound to the current design.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Transport, said this on Monday (Oct 5) in Parliament in response to questions from several Members of Parliament (MPs), including Radin Mas MP Melvin Yong, East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) MP Cheryl Chan and Sengkang GRC MP He Ting Ru.

Last month, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) released details about the new satellite-based ERP system. The present in-vehicle units (IUs) or payment card reader that deducts fees from motorists is going to be replaced by an on-board unit (OBUs), which resembles a smartphone and has a touchscreen display that can provide more features such as real-time road traffic updates.

When it first announced plans in 2014 to switch to the new ERP system, LTA had said that this would allow the Government to implement distance-based pricing that will charge motorists proportionate to the distance travelled. 

However, in 2016 and again in June last year, the authorities indicated that there were no plans to immediately revise the road pricing framework once the new satellite-based system is launched and that there will be a transition period instead.

Responding on Monday to a supplementary question by East Coast GRC MP Cheryl Chan on why third-party apps cannot be used, Ms Khor said: “We do not allow third-party apps or mobile phones to do the core charging function because there may be a compromise on data leakage, as well as the fact that there could be a hacking or spoofing of the location, and then you can have a fraudulent charging."

Dr Khor added that LTA has consulted an inter-agency committee including the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, which advised that the units have been “designed to uphold the necessary protection for such purpose, and the security features are superior to that of a mobile phone”. 

Dr Khor’s response comes after motorists asked if they could simply use their own smartphones instead of the standard-issue units. 

She added that there are also “operational issues” when it comes to replacing the unit with a phone. 

For example, motorists need to remember to have their smartphones with them, ensure that it is sufficiently charged and is connected to the cellular network, and that the ERP payment app is launched throughout the journey. 

“There will bound to be numerous unintended failed transactions and inconveniences caused,” she said. “Hence, LTA concluded that it is better to process payments through a dedicated and integrated OBU, similar to today’s in-vehicle unit.” 

CRITICISM OVER NEW DESIGN

Radin Mas MP Melvin Yong asked whether the authorities had done any public consultations on the design of the units and if there would be contractual costs incurred in changing the design. 

Motorists had also criticised the new system for its perceived bulkiness, with some also asking why the public had not been consulted on the design of the units. 

Dr Khor pointed out that the new units and the displays are only slightly bigger than before. 

The OBU, together with an antenna, will be mounted on the windscreen near where the IUs are now installed. A separate processing unit will be installed beneath the dashboard.

Given that this is a “first-of-its-kind” project, LTA had sought proposals for the new system through an international tender, Dr Khor said, and after awarding this tender, it was contractually bound. 

“LTA could have specified that the winning tenderer has to conduct a major public consultation exercise, and make significant changes to the design to take in public feedback,” she said, but that will add significant uncertainty, which will delay the project and push up the tender prices.

“So, any significant changes to the design of the OBU will, of course, incur cost and the cost is actually subject to negotiation. 

“But, having said that, we are open to taking feedback from the public, which we have done and we are going to do,” she added. 

Ms He, a Workers' Party MP, asked if future tenders and future calls for tender will allow for greater flexibility given that “technology moves really quickly”.

Dr Khor said that there will “always be certain specifications that have to be put out”.

“You need to give contractors or tenderers some amount of certainty. But within those limits, I understand that there is some room for consultation,” she said, adding that LTA had taken time to look through various proposals for the ERP system and consulted stakeholders before awarding the tender in 2016.

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED

There has also not yet been any consultations with motorists on the design of the new units because the authorities need time to first consult with various stakeholders such as motor vehicle agents. 

Dr Khor said that LTA has started consulting vehicle workshops as well as authorised vehicle agents to look at the installation and how best to take into account public feedback. 

For instance, this feedback will be on matters such as whether the screen blocks the view of the motorist, or if the OBU is too bulky. 

“We need time to work this out with the (stakeholders), simply because there are so many different designs or make or models of motor vehicles,” Dr Khor said. 

“Once we have done this, we will share more details on our public consultation with respect to the installation of the display unit.” 

The replacement of the card-reading units will be free for existing Singapore-registered vehicles and will take place over 18 months starting from the second half of next year.