SINGAPORE: A Recent Revelation

A recent TikTok video by a savvy Singaporean student has taken the internet by storm as she unveils the staggering costs associated with driving a car to school. The content creator, known for her beauty, fashion, and lifestyle insights, calculated that it costs her a jaw-dropping S$20.59 (around USD 15) just to reach her educational institution, and that’s not even factoring in fuel or electricity!

Breaking Down the Costs

In the video, the student candidly shares her expenses, starting with the notorious ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) fees. 'You wanna know how expensive it is to own a car in Singapore?' she asks, as she walks through a car park. 'In the morning, I pay S$5 for the first ERP and S$3 for the second. So that’s already S$8 right there!'

With the ERP fees set in stone, she builds suspense for the audience, revealing that her parking costs would follow after a few hours at school. 'I park for about four or five hours, so let’s see how much I’ll owe when I exit the car park,' she entices her viewers. When she reaches the payment point, she gasps, 'S$12.59 for just a few hours! That’s crazy!' Adding it all up, she concludes, 'So S$12 plus this morning’s S$8… in total, I paid 20 bucks just to get to school—excluding fuel!'

Social Media Reaction and Discussion

But the kicker? She lightheartedly concludes her video with, 'The moral of the story is don’t go to school. Just stay at home!' This remark left many viewers chuckling but also sparked a serious conversation about the costs of vehicle ownership in Singapore.

In response to her revelation, countless viewers urged her to consider more economical alternatives like public transportation. Comments like, 'The real moral of the story is to take public transport,' and 'If you’re still a student, consider using the bus or MRT,' flooded in.

Others expressed outrage at the high costs of car ownership in Singapore, a country notoriously recognized for its sky-high vehicle prices and stringent regulations. One viewer poignantly noted, 'Owning a car will forever be more of a liability than an asset,' leading to an insightful discussion on effective budgeting. Another user opined, 'If you’re not making S$20 to 30K a month, transport shouldn’t take up more than 10 percent of your pay.'

A Potential Shift in Perspective?

Could this viral revelation usher in a new wave of students opting for alternatives to driving? With the financial burden of car ownership looming large, the real question remains: is it time for students (and their families) to rethink the true value of owning a car in one of the world’s most expensive cities?