Singapore’s new car registrations from 2004 to 2023 have remained almost stagnant, as most citizens rely on public transport while pedestrian spaces are dedicated to walking and cycling.
The government has long discouraged private vehicle ownership by imposing heavy costs. Buyers must even prove they have a parking space before purchasing a car. Ownership is further burdened by high taxes and the auction-based Certificate of Entitlement (CoE), which alone makes cars prohibitively expensive.
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) adds charges for using busy roads, while high registration fees and incentives to scrap old vehicles push the country towards a car-lite model. These measures aim to curb congestion and pollution while strengthening public transport.
In contrast, Indian cities follow a car-centric path. Mumbai registers nearly 2.94 lakh vehicles annually, while Delhi adds about 7.09 lakh. Despite billions invested in highways and flyovers, traffic bottlenecks persist.
India could learn from Singapore’s approach by prioritizing robust public transport, creating a cleaner, more efficient urban future.
