<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Oct 28, 2009
LTA TRANSPORTATION SURVEY
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Will pay more for fast rides <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Time is valued as much here as in US and British cities, study finds </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Maria Almenoar
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The survey revealed that commuters are willing to pay up to double the price for a faster and smoother ride. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->HOW much would a motorist be willing to pay to avoid congestion on the roads? Or, if you prefer public transport, how high would you go for a seat on that bus or train to work?
Just about double whatever it takes now to get a smooth ride, it seems, according to a new survey commissioned by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
LTA economist Raymond Toh presented the findings at the ongoing World Roads Conference, although he made clear that these values had no direct link to bus or train fares or road tolls.
The survey of 4,000 respondents - 40 per cent were motorists and the rest public transport commuters - was meant to help transport planners gauge what motorists and commuters are willing to pay to save time.
'Ultimately, it gives us a better gauge of passenger behaviour in different scenarios to better plan future projects,' said Mr Toh.
The findings also showed that commuters and motorists here valued their time as much as their counterparts in cities in Britain and the United States, where similar surveys were carried out.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times
[email protected]
LTA TRANSPORTATION SURVEY
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Will pay more for fast rides <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Time is valued as much here as in US and British cities, study finds </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Maria Almenoar
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
The survey revealed that commuters are willing to pay up to double the price for a faster and smoother ride. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->HOW much would a motorist be willing to pay to avoid congestion on the roads? Or, if you prefer public transport, how high would you go for a seat on that bus or train to work?
Just about double whatever it takes now to get a smooth ride, it seems, according to a new survey commissioned by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
LTA economist Raymond Toh presented the findings at the ongoing World Roads Conference, although he made clear that these values had no direct link to bus or train fares or road tolls.
The survey of 4,000 respondents - 40 per cent were motorists and the rest public transport commuters - was meant to help transport planners gauge what motorists and commuters are willing to pay to save time.
'Ultimately, it gives us a better gauge of passenger behaviour in different scenarios to better plan future projects,' said Mr Toh.
The findings also showed that commuters and motorists here valued their time as much as their counterparts in cities in Britain and the United States, where similar surveys were carried out.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times
[email protected]
