Wednesday 13 February 2008

The End of Cheap Driving

When I read today’s Brunei Times, 2 things came to my mind. One, suddenly Bruneians are creative in their policy-makings and two, could this be the end of cheap car driving in Brunei?

First, it was the reduction in the fuel subsidy and now it’s the (possible) introduction of some sort of congestion charge. Although the 2 policies will affect the usage of cars, the way I see it however, they are not related to one another (which again show the lack of coordination among ministries). The objective of the first is more or less to reduce government expenditure while the second is simply to reduce congestion. While I agree with the former policy, I am quite unsure about the latter.

Well, firstly I think the timing is not quite right. I wouldn’t be surprised if people in Brunei would react negatively if the 2 policies were to be implemented at the same time. Secondly, I question whether congestion fee really is the most effective way to alleviate the congestion problem. Why? Well for one thing the traffic is only worse at certain time of the day, which is when schools end. So, why not introduce an effective school transportation? A subsidised privatised service if you will. It will not only help reduce congestion during the peak hours but also help increase employment and will surely push up the transportation industry.

By levying some congestion fee, to me does more harm than good. First, the fee doesn’t care who you are and what you do in the area. This may have negative effects not only on the business activities in the area, the local environment but also on the income distributional factor (i.e. whether you are rich or poor, you will be charged equally!). Secondly, I think the implementation and the enforcement of the system will be quite costly and complex and that leads to the question, is it worth it to devote our limited resources into checking cars which do not pay the congestion fee just because the drivers (parents) are collecting the children from school?

Now, because Brunei is quite unique (read ‘rich’) where the ratio of car to people is 2:1 then why not simply introduce some sort of progressive tax. For example, you tax each additional car a person buys (the first car would be tax free of course). This I believe, would also have a distributional effect. Richer people (who buy lots of cars) will be taxed more. The revenue can then be used to improve the roads and the road system.

Oh well, I don’t know. What I can say for now is that I am not keen with the proposed congestion charge. I personally think, it is not the right time. I also implore, please… let there be some sort of coordination among the ministries and departments. Get the same objectives with more synchronised policies.

Salaam.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I quote:

"Now, because Brunei is quite unique (read ‘rich’) where the ratio of car to people is 2:1 then why not simply introduce some sort of progressive tax. For example, you tax each additional car a person buys (the first car would be tax free of course). This I believe, would also have a distributional effect. Richer people (who buy lots of cars) will be taxed more. The revenue can then be used to improve the roads and the road system.

Oh well, I don’t know. What I can say for now is that I am not keen with the proposed congestion charge. I personally think, it is not the right time. I also implore, please… let there be some sort of coordination among the ministries and departments. Get the same objectives with more synchronised policies."

...and I am with you on this! :)

baz said...

yes, parents like me will be hardest hit with all these socalled congestion fee... mayb these policy makers use govt cars to send and fetch their kids to school... crazy

Anonymous said...

It seems a trend to qoute big cities such as Singapore and London as an example for certain issues but the other successful things are left out.

From the BT article, I'm interested to know what the ministry's vision is. Why not copy Singapore's success in their bus system and later on MRT system? Their MRT is already 20 years old and we're still struggling with the bus system.

G-`FerRo said...

.. before concluding into any decision..... have other options been considered?

.. e.g. .. instead of imposing congestion charges (which is the "easiest" way out) ... have the road system been improved ... i.e. ... more flyovers instead of traffic junctions? ... or additional lanes ...and such ...

how about .. lengthening the exit lane and the entry lane .... how about closing the u-turns (esp. where it is actually dangerous to do so) .. and allowing u-turns at traffic light (as it is the safest) ...

(.. well don't let me talk about the road .. it could take a whole post ..!)


.. how about improving the transport system ...??

if our public transport system is on par with Singapore ... only then perhaps ... i don't mind not having a car .... and when that time comes ... if congestion still persist ... then may be ... congestion charges can be introduce ... ...

Anonymous said...

interesting views from all of your comments... my views goes:

advantages of congestion charge:
1. effective way to reduce congestion
2. ''fairness'' - those who entered the busy city is equally charged, whilst those do not enter simply didnt have to pay a penny (unlike taxes as proposed by anonymous - where everyone who has 2 cars has to pay even if they didnt enter the busy area i.e. gadong)

disadvantages:
1. equity issue: unfair to those lower income who pays a higher proportion of their income to pay the congestion charge as opposed to those with higher income earners.
2. implementation costs: it'll be costly to monitor the cars entering and exiting the congestion area.
3.poor public transport system - left the public without choice by entering the congested area forcing them to pay as there are no other means of getting into the area


but then again, policy makers would argue that improving the public transport system DOES NOT mean public will start using public transport and avoid using their cars, selling their cars, move about to city or office with public transport (buses & MRT).

even if buses are efficient and effective and arrive at the bus-spot on time, how many of the public who has already lots of cars at homes are willing to abandon their habits and use public transport as their transport just because its effective and efficient?

two problems therefore need to be address:

1. to reduce the purchasing power to buy cars (hence reducing congestion, reducing dependencies to oil,reduce air pollution, reducing car accidents [theoretically])
2. to reduce congestion

that's my views anyway...

p/s: baba, i understand ur issues of being the hardest hit (as my point stated above). However, i think u dont have to start accusing policy makers (or any officers/staffs)of taking advantages of govt cars etc... we would like to have a positive criticism not accusing or labelling any officers... (lets have a discussion n not like those in brudirect which is pathetatic, lets here two sides of the story)

pps: and again thats my point of view :)

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Just wanted to know your views on this. Have you read the 5 part series on the reduction of the oil subsidy on Brunei Times recently.

When I read it I was very emotional and I'm not even an economist. He laid out the bigger picture of what will become of us. He laid out what had happened before with the increase in oil price 3 times over the past decades. I always believe in the saying, 'History repeats itself' and we should learn from the past in order for us to be able to avoid or at least survive with what happened in the past.

When I think about it, I'm close to 30 now but when my kids grow up to become 30 and if by then the oil runs out, what will become of them and their children. Its a sad reality. The article pointed out what happened in Texas when the oil dried up that jobs were lost and it became a dead town. Imagine what will happen to KB town. What will happen to those working there? Used to having bigger paychecks. The big companies will all leave and find a bigger pond to fish because they can. Imagine what will become of us? Its a sad reality.

Nevertheless, the article laid out a variety of solutions and aspect that made me realise how true, thats why its called SOLUTIONS with an S. There are many ways to tackle it.

I like the way he pointed out how we are INSULATED by the govt subsidy from the financial tremor. Other people all over the world are feeling these tremors yet we complain about a reduction in oil subsidy.

He listed all the govt subsidies that was given to us. Seriously its a lot and I am truly grateful to our govt of Brunei. As I was discussing this with a friend while counting with our fingers the number of subsidies given imagine all govt subsidies were taken out. How will we all survive?

Jangan tah banyak. Imagine if education, medical and old age pension saja kana ambil. I can't imagine how scary our lives will become. So a reduction in oil subsidy is actually not that bad.

While others in other parts of the world have to pay medical bills that runs in hundreds of thousands, education pun mesti pay and on top of that they have taxes and yet they can survive. Why can't we with the reduction of oil subsidy?

Its true what he says we should capitalise on our intellectual capital. We can compete intellectually with the world. And I know that Bruneian are talented people there many talented IT Bruneians, designers, websites designers, photo/video editors and so much more.

I'd like to say more but my friend said I might as well write a post! Hahaha just wanted to know your views on this.

ROGUE ECONOMIST said...

Hello Wecanmakeadifference,

I'm quite interested to read the articles you mentioned. Could you give me the link?

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I'm not sure of the link cos I read it in the papers. Yesterday was the last part.

Maybe you can search on Brunei times.
Very interesting!

Anonymous said...

hi, here's the links to the articles for your convenience:

part 1 - http://www.bt.com.bn/en/opinion/2008/02/16/bruneians_must_shed_oil_complacency

part 2 - http://www.bt.com.bn/en/opinion/2008/02/18/awake_from_idyllic_slumber

part 3 - http://www.bt.com.bn/en/opinion/2008/02/19/just_legacy_for_our_children

part 4 - http://www.bt.com.bn/en/opinion/2008/02/20/shell_in_bsp_must_also_help_govt_and_people_create_legacy

part 5 - http://www.bt.com.bn/en/opinion/2008/02/21/brunei_folk_could_buy_oil_shares_to_counter_price_hike

FlyBoy said...

Bruneians need to grow up and face the fact that Daddy can't feed us anymore.

We're stuck in a bubble while the rest of the world is moving along.