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

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! =)

Most of us are tired of the same excuse that it is an effort to improve traffic conditions & such an excuse has now turned lame. Its again the same situation of the ERP - didn't think the ERP helped very much though. There are many ways to control traffic in Sentosa. Perhaps for a start widening the roads will be good as I observe that the roads are just one lane on either side & the huge buses that runs on those roads makes it look as if they are racing on an F1 course. Its a matter of time before fatal accidents happen on Sentosa & I wonder how the price hike can help in such situation when there is a heavy traffic jam, ambulance cannot get in & everyone is just jamming their horns at each other. Oh... how about an air lift which is neither economical nor environmentally friendly? Most will at least agree that after all efforts have been exhausted, to control traffic, implementing a price hike would not seem too far fetched. Problem here is there is always a lack in trying to resolve the problem & the immediate thing that comes to mind is "COLLECT MONEY" & the idea that money will solve everything is in actual fact a vicious cycle. I cannot help but think that alot of us in Singapore just spend money to resolve matters like fines for this & that. This just reinforces the idea of pay & u will be free & the lesson learnt at the end of the day is... one has to be rich - not very helpful in educating the public isn't it?

I agree with one of the users whom said "milking a cash cow" I think this is a very apt description and I totally agree.

Besides, on the lighter note of things, cars enter into Sentosa & get parked in a spot & the car does not enjoy in any way, so really it makes me wonder... LOL

Anyway, since the price hike has been set, nothing will change it! Does inviting answers (or more so "anger") from the public help to change this fact? Wonder... how much less traffic one will see in Sentosa.

From the answers given, my view is mostly are drivers. 1 answer given [So Expensive Nothing TO See Also], if think nothing to see, then dont go.

I will say the rise in cost is too LENIENT. It should cost MORE. Encouraging the use of Public Transport is a good move to REDUCE POLLUTION, at least in some ways. Some country are already practicing banning the cars with certain number not to drive on certain days. Petrol pricing are rising over the years simply because there are too many cars around, using up the natural resources need for electricity or other uses.

1 answer given is it should be FOC. For the PRIVILEGE, i would say it should be given to tourist driving in singapore. Tourist driving wont have high number unless they are very familiar with the route here.

Another point: To reduce traffic congestion cause by private cars. Coach will be bringing tourist in and out of Sentosa. With too many private cars moving together with the Coaches, waiting time will increase, causing traffic problems. Sentosa is just a small island. With so many cars entering the island, it will be more like a carpark island rather than tourist attraction.

Pricing for public transport is also REDUCED. This shows that the SDC is making the first move in encouraging visitors into using public transport rather than driving in. Drivers shouldnt have problem finding a parking lot in nearby places like Harbour Front.

Most Drivers only think for themselves rather than for others. This can be seen from our daily lives. Cars dont usually give ways to Buses and it is usually the other way round. Why? Got car very BIG ah? So, if it is FOC to enter Sentosa, i think the horning of the vehicles will become the attraction of Sentosa. Why? Cause some drivers will stop/ park at the WRONG place, causing congestion.

On the other hand, if the whole family is going into Sentosa for a family day or picnic, the fee can be maintain at $5 per vehicles with no addition cost. SHouldnt spoil the family day just because of the high price. If the vehicle only have 1 or 2 person, then should cost more. It will be more reasonable (In my views).

How bout you, Yahoo Editor? What is your point of view?

With the impending opening up of Resorts World Sentosa, it would be fair to project that there will be an increase in the vehicles attempting to visit the small island. The more pertinent question to ask is will increasing the vehicle entry price resolving the foreseeable traffic condition on the small island once the resort opens? Cost of entry is not the means to solve a problem that is related to space. To me, it seemed more like an initial weak attempt to resolve the issue....how long will it continue before it will be realized it is not the answer....or was there another reason for the price increase and the resort a weak excuse before people realized the foolery? How many cars can u really fit into Sentosa? We are a technologically advanced country, restrict the access by limiting the number of cars by time slots where advance bookings via the internet needs to be made....If I am going to visit the resort for a day of family fun with people with mobility problems, it would have been planned 1 day ahead of time. Impromptu visitors will have to park their cars on the main island and take alternative mode of transportation over to Sentosa. Else the isle of fun will become a nightmare. Vehicle access was not allowed for many years before it was open to vehicles in the last couple of years....did anybody really suffered prior to that? Besides a short walk over only makes for good exercise.

I think that the Sentosa Development Corporation should increase its cost more reasonably. As I know, the increase of entry price may lessen the number of people paying for the price. This may improve the traffic conditons, but at the same time the SDC is making its profit from this benefits. I think that the entry price should be set at around $4 to $5 to be considered reasonable. Or else, lesser Singaporeans are willing to go if the price keeps on rising.The tourists that visit Sentosa will be mostly the Westerners.

$6 only?? That's very cheap!!! What's the fuss? Any consideration to use ERP to curb the traffic flow too? In view of the IR opening, the whole island will become a congested Orchard Road by then and air pollution to the whole island.

How about the car park? Any consideration to charge more car park fee there and also increase the car park charges nationally?

After seeing so many negative comments on the price hike, it seems Singaporeans are not looking into the problems that'll arise if everyone starts to drive in after the opening of the IRs. Considering the inconsiderate and kia si/su attitude of the SGPn drivers in general, when these idiotic drivers drives in to Sentosa, they'll cause many unhappiness to other drivers and the public, and also - more complains. Not forgetting the taxi drivers too, they still don't know how to turn off their car's ignition when they park their taxis. In fact I'm thinking that the entry should be raise to SGD $20.00 or $50.00 per entry instead. I think this is reasonable as the IRs is indeed an attraction that even if the fee is high and it is worth to be there, I do not mind paying more for the convenience. It's not abt targeting the rich and despising the poor, but curbing traffic flow into the island is really necessary!

The only way to solve issues in Singapore is to increase charges. Take ERP as an example all the gantries all those charges has the traffic situation improved?

It is easy to raise charges if Sentosa are really concerned about the congestion why not supply free transport ouside of Sentosa so that car owners can park and ride on a bus into the island.

I have stopped going to Sentosa and Mount Faber as the food and exhibits are expensive.

Going into Malaysia is a better option.

Looks like Sentosa is gearing up to cater for tourists so Singaporeans Dont Go Into Sentosa

Yes, but if an increase is necessary, do a more resonable increase so that the enjoyment to get into Sentosa via Car, especially for a family with small children and old folks will not be disadvantages. This is especially true for those family that needs to drop off children at certain locations within Sentosa attraction and will have to pick up their passengers at a later time. A good possibility is to allow 1/2 grace for those that just wants to drive in and provide a dropoff or pickup. The currently $2 is already a high cost for the convinences of the little ones or the old folks.

Yes it is way too expensive.

Me and my bunch of friends visit Sentosa beach every weekend to play our beach volleyball. We have done that eversince 2002. At first the news of building a Casino on the island is cool, but now we may be losing our weekend spot forever.

We have been going to sentosa, paying all the fees needed. When Sentosa have nothing much to see or do, we are the people that gives Sentosa's beach it's life. And now that since tourists are pouring in, we are no longer needed. Sentosa will be a lost land for all singaporean. Not only things are going to be very expensive, local will not crowd around the beach.

Anyway, SDC don't need us to be there.

I have a suggestion, why not we gather all our sentosa card and make it into something we can protest.

Frankly, most local visit Sentosa just for the beach. It's really sad, but true to say, Singapore although is a island country, but there is no nice beach around. Of course, beaches at Sentosa should be consider as the "best" in Singapre. In frank, when the Government intend to build IR at Sentosa, I will expect the entrance fee will increase. Spend $7 to drive to Sentosa just for the beach is definitely too high a price. I will choose to drive to East Coast of Malaysia. Again, it's more sad now, as the "best" beach in Singapore had become too expensive. A island country without a nice beach which is free to go??? What a joke!