Netizens voice disappointment as LTA persists with ‘bulky’ ERP 2.0 OBU implementation
Some motorists have expressed their disappointment towards the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for persisting with the rollout of the new Electronic Road Pricing system, ERP 2.0. Criticism has been directed at the new on-board units (OBUs) due to their bulky design and inconvenient placement of the cash card reader, such as beneath the glove compartment or in the front passenger footwell.
Many motorists have voiced concerns about whether the LTA genuinely considers user feedback, questioning the rationale behind proceeding with and defending the current design. Earlier on 28 March, the LTA announced that existing local motorcycle owners would progressively receive notifications regarding OBU installations via letter, email, or SMS starting from 1 May. Additionally, the LTA stated that all new vehicles registered from 1 May onwards will come equipped with the ERP 2.0 system’s OBU already installed, marking the next phase of installation for these two groups of motorists. The initial phase of installation commenced in November 2023, focusing on company vehicles as the first recipients of the OBU. Currently, over 13,000 vehicles have been fitted with OBUs, with approximately 75 per cent belonging to company fleets such as buses and motorcycles, according to the LTA.
Meanwhile, in a recent CNA article, several motorists have voiced frustrations regarding the difficulty in accessing their CashCard. Some motorists have expressed their disappointment towards the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for persisting with the rollout of the new Electronic Road Pricing system, ERP 2.0. Criticism has been directed at the new on-board units (OBUs) due to their bulky design and inconvenient placement of the cash card reader, such as beneath the glove compartment or in the front passenger footwell. Many motorists have voiced concerns about whether the LTA genuinely considers user feedback, questioning the rationale behind proceeding with and defending the current design.
'Too inconvenient': Motorists complain about ERP 2.0 card reader but welcome changes in installation process
The processing unit containing the payment card is installed on the driver's left side. (Photo: CNA/Hanidah Amin)
Motorists using the ERP 2.0 system have complained about the placement of the card reader, which they say makes it difficult for them to take out their CEPAS card. These motorists are early users of Singapore's new Electronic Road Pricing system, known as ERP 2.0, which will be satellite-based and can detect if a vehicle is in a congested area.
Installation started in November last year, with more than 13,000 vehicles fitted with the new on-board units (OBU) so far. About 75 per cent are company vehicles such as buses and motorcycles, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Some cars that are part of rental fleets have also had the OBU installed. The next phase of installation begins next month, when motorcycle owners will be progressively notified of their OBU installation. All new vehicles registered from May 1 will also come with the new unit.
CNA spoke to two drivers who have had the new units in their vehicles for at least a month, and a motorcyclist who had it installed last week. While the drivers complained about the card reader placement and the touchscreen display's size, they welcomed LTA's announcement last month that it would implement changes in the installation process following feedback from early adopters.
New ERP system: Motorists think 3-piece onboard unit too big and clunky
The next-generation Electronic Road Pricing system features a three-piece onboard unit, including a touchscreen and processing unit. PHOTOS: LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY
Motorists welcome the additional features of the next-generation Electronic Road Pricing system, but feel its three-piece onboard unit (OBU) is clunky, inelegant and takes up too much space. Mr Eugene Ong, 50, said: "Singaporeans love their cars, and they want to preserve their original look and feel as much as possible. "It would be good if we can streamline and have the OBU interface with the infotainment systems - which most modern cars have - so that there is no need for another touchscreen."
As for cars without an infotainment screen which can interface with the OBU, the sales director suggested options for "flexible placement" of the touchscreen. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Tuesday (Sept 8) that installation of a new OBU to replace the current in-vehicle unit will start in the latter half of next year.
In addition to providing information on ERP charging locations and rates, the OBU will also give real-time road traffic updates and locations of nearby School Zones and Silver Zones. It will have two designs - a one-piece unit for motorcycles; and for other vehicles, a three-piece unit comprising an antenna, a touchscreen display to be mounted on the windscreen and a processing unit which can be mounted beneath the dashboard.
Controversial touchscreen display for the ERP 2.0 OBU (On-Board Unit) will be optional for motorists
The compact antenna unit of the ERP 2.0 OBU (On-Board Unit) without the optional touchscreen display
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced that the installation of the touchscreen display for the ERP 2.0 OBU (on-board unit) will be optional for motorists who prefer to use their smartphone instead. They can use the LTA's official ERP 2.0 app to access key ERP 2.0 information such as road pricing alerts, ERP 2.0 payments/deductions and CEPAS card status/balance in the OBU's processing unit. Compatible third-party apps can also be used for ERP 2.0. One advantage of using the integral touchscreen display, however, is its ability to adjust the audio alert volume (e.g. for ERP 2.0 charge) from the OBU processing unit. Without the touchscreen display and with just the smartphone app, the OBU's audio alert volume has to be set at the point of installation.
The touchscreen display won't be installed if the motorist so chooses, but the antenna unit remains, along with the processing unit. The antenna unit is on the right side of the windscreen near the A-pillar (where the IU is currently located by default), while the processing unit will be mounted on the right side of the front passenger footwell. However, the car owner can have the processing unit placed elsewhere within the cabin, subject to the installer's assessment and the suitability of the alternate location. All vehicle owners will get the three-piece OBU (touchscreen, antenna unit, processing unit) at the point of installation, even if they opt to install the system without the display.
LTA will notify vehicle owners progressively, with instructions on how to schedule an installation appointment within a two-month period. LTA will also issue a list of workshops authorised and trained to install the OBUs. The device and its installation will be free for motorists who receive the notification from LTA. The OBU installation exercise is expected to take 18 to 24 months and will start in November 2023 with fleet owners (with 20 or more vehicles), including public buses, taxis and goods vehicles. Each installation in a car will take about three hours. The new OBU comes with a five-year warranty, same as today's IU.
All you need to know about ERP 2.0 & new on-board unit installation from Nov. 1, 2023
The electronic road pricing (ERP) system as we know it will very soon be replaced by a new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based ERP system. After a two-year delay, motorists in Singapore can finally expect the implementation of the new on-board unit (OBU) under the next generation ERP system.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will begin the installation of OBU in phases from November 2023, starting with fleet vehicles. To better ease you into the new system, here's all you need to know about the ERP 2.0's OBU installation. The ERP 2.0 is supported by the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology. With that, the current in-vehicle unit (IU) will be replaced with the new OBU, which provides value-added services for motorists, such as advance alerts on charging locations and traffic updates.
OBU comprises three components – a processing unit for payment transactions, an antenna that communicates with ERP, carpark gantries and GNSS, and a touchscreen display. The display notifies motorists about ERP and payment information, as well as provides other information such as locations of nearby Silver Zones, speed cameras and bus lanes. According to LTA, the display is also expected to support additional features like real-time traffic alerts and payment of roadside parking and tolls at checkpoints when all vehicles have transitioned to ERP 2.0.
Next-gen ERP on-board units to be installed from Nov; motorists can opt out of touchscreen display
The new on-board unit consists of a processing unit, an antenna and a touchscreen display mounted on the windscreen. PHOTO: LTA
On-board units for a satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system will be installed in vehicles in phases from Nov 1 this year, and the exercise is expected to be concluded by the end of 2025.
In all, nearly one million vehicles will be fitted with new on-board units (OBU), starting in November with about 20,000 fleet vehicles – those registered to a company or organisation with 20 or more vehicles. This group includes public buses, fleet motorcycles and taxis, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Monday. The devices will be installed on new vehicles from the first quarter of 2024, while all other vehicles will have their existing in-vehicle units replaced in batches, based on the vehicle’s age.
In a nod to feedback from the public that the OBU is too bulky, the LTA said motorists can opt out of installing the touchscreen display and get key information via mobile apps on their smartphones instead. The new OBU has three pieces – a processing unit located on the side of the front passenger footwell, an antenna and a touchscreen display mounted on the windscreen. Motorcycles will have a single-piece unit mounted on the handlebar. Vehicle owners will be notified by LTA when it is their turn to install the OBU, with instructions on how to book an appointment.
ERP 2.0 card reader difficult to reach, user questions OBU design
A new technology is leaving many motorists flummoxed due to its placement in cars. As part of the Electronic Road Pricing 2.0 (ERP 2.0) upgrade, the new card reader for the On-Board Unit (OBU) is located under the dashboard near the front passenger seat.
Significantly further than its previous spot on the dashboard in front of the driver, the new location is leaving users struggling to insert and remove cards. One video on TikTok aptly summed up the experience. The clip even made its way to the ROADS.sg Facebook page, where it went viral with nearly 2,000 shares in less than a day. The TikTok video posted by Ignition Labs on Saturday (27 April) showed the main problem that motorists face.
The slot for the card reader faces the passenger seat, meaning drivers would need to insert their cards at an awkward angle from the driver’s seat. Demonstrating just how challenging the manoeuvre is, a driver in the video was only able to insert his card after two attempts. On both tries, he had to reach all the way to the space in front of the passenger seat and use his left hand to insert the CashCard. ”Who’s the champion who came up with this idea?” he asked.
On-board unit for ERP 2.0 – the good, the bad and the ugly
You can complain all you want, but an on-board unit needed for Singapore’s transition to the next-generation Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system is finding its way into your car.
It consists of three parts – a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna; a display, which can either be the supplied item or through approved smartphone apps; and a processing unit.
The Straits Times had the on-board unit fitted to a 2007 Toyota MR-S without the display screen. This is a two-seater with a snug cabin. The installation, which took just over an hour, was done in early January at the Vicom Inspection Centre in Bukit Batok.
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