Too few will benefit from WP's proposed needs-based COE system: Minister

A needs-based certificate of entitlement (COE) system sounds attractive, but in practice will be subjective, divisive and benefit too few, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow.

- Lee Nian Tjoe

He was responding to Associate Professor Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC), who proposed giving COE discounts to groups with a greater need for private car ownership in a speech at the close of the Sept 22 Parliament sitting.

Mr Siow said that while he does not doubt that some families, such as those with young children, will benefit from owning a car, the Government is focusing its efforts on mass public transport and not car ownership, as it delivers "the greatest good for the greatest number".

COE revenue, which amounts to $4 billion to $6 billion a year, is used to subsidise a high-quality public transport system that is affordable, as well as other expenditures such as healthcare, education and defence, he noted.

Mr Siow said he has received many appeals for COE subsidies or discounts for families with young children or caregivers of elderly parents who need to go for medical appointments.

He acknowledged it is still not easy to navigate the public transport system with young children or seniors who use wheelchairs, though the situation is much better now with barrier-free access.

However, he said it is difficult to make the case for targeted COE subsidies.