Do you think it’s too expensive to drive to Sentosa with the cost of vehicle entry increased to S$7 and why?

• Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has revised its pricing strategy for vehicles entering the island in an attempt to encourage more to use public transport. This is aimed at improving traffic conditions in view of the opening of Resorts World Sentosa later this month. Private vehicles entering Sentosa from January 18 will pay a charge, which varies according to the time and day. For example, it will cost S$6 to enter the island between 7am and just before noon on weekdays. On weekends and public holidays, it will cost S$7between 7am and 7pm. Currently, each private vehicle is charged S$2 and each passenger in the vehicle must pay an additional S$2 when entering Sentosa. Do you think it’s too expensive to drive to Sentosa with the cost of vehicle entry increased to S$7 and why?

• Answer:

  I think this is a good initiative by the SDC to ease potential traffic problems and to promote greener transport practices amongst visitors. Sentosa island is only so big, and should there be a sudden influx of visitors after the IR opens, parking and congestion on the internal roads will really be a very serious problem. There are only so many private cars that Sentosa can accomodate, unless we are prepared to see multi-storeyed carparks on Sentosa, or give up more recreation land on the island for parking. Even so, there is a limit to how many cars they can accomodate. This is even more important considering that only around a third of the island is open to the public. Moreover, with the current emphasis on going green, it is better to encourage visitors to take public or carpool. Our cars not yet environmentally friendly with the petrol they burn, and coaches and the monorail transport more passengers for the same amount of carbon footprint. Also, since we are entering the island to chill and relax, what better way is there than to leave the car behind, save the hassle of driving and parking, and take the various modes of transport available? Hence, here SDC and LTA are just thinking ahead and pre-empting the potential crowds that Sentosa will draw. However, I qualify my opinion. While the intention is good, the execution is far from perfect. A look at the attached document on Sentosa's website indicates that it actually costs CHEAPER to drive into Sentosa. This is because the flat rate charged to cars covers all passengers in the car. Hence, compared to the current rate, unless there are 2 or less visitors in a car (1 driver and 1 passenger), it is actually cheaper to drive in. Such a measure will hardly serve to control the number of cars on the island. Visitors usually enter in groups, and seldom singly or in twos, and hence the revision hardly discourages them to drive (though the parking fees are a different matter). Furthermore, for those who can well afford a car, a flat fee of $7 per entry is seriously too cheap for a 'world-class' venue like Sentosa (as advertised). If SDC is serious about prohibiting cars on the island, they can consider charging cars $50 per entry instead. $7 doesn't even bring in enough revenue, so that argument does not stand. Also, the measure of relying mainly on prohibitive charges is not one that goes down well. Perhaps SDC can come up with more incentives to use public transport and actively publicise them instead of highlighting the negative aspects. Also, it can actively address the concerns of certain drivers, e.g. those with very young children or the very elderly, so they (the drivers) can enjoy the island as well. The above being said, it must be said that overall Sentosa is a very expensive island and every little thing costs there. It seems more oriented to attract foreign tourists rather than the home crowd. In their efforts to attract tourist dollars to boost the Singapore economy it seems the powers that be have ostracised local Singaporeans, placing Sentosa out of reach, unless the locals possess the same purchasing power as foreign visitors and are likewise willing to pay. In addition, the 'attractions' on the island are not really attractive. It used to be so much better about 10 years ago when there were fewer man-made 'attractions' and better beaches. Everything on the island have become so commercialised now. I have only been on the island twice in the past 5 years, only to patronise the restaurants. Each time, I was there for less than 4 hours. Hence I agree with S E Ho: So Expensive Nothing TO See Also And so, that being the case, I would say that the changes, while good, would have no real effect on most Singaporeans, because there is very little real incentive to visit Sentosa in the first place! =)