Introduction

A viral video posted by a Singaporean student has ignited a heated debate about the costs associated with owning a car in the island nation. The content creator, who shares insights on beauty, fashion, food, and lifestyle, calculated her daily expenses of driving to school, which amounted to a staggering S$20.59 (approximately USD 15.10)—and that’s without factoring in fuel or electricity costs.

Breakdown of Costs

In the video, she begins by breaking down her expenses, highlighting the charges from the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, which is designed to manage traffic congestion in Singapore. 'You wanna know how expensive it is to own a car in Singapore?' she asked, as she walked through a parking facility. She noted that her morning commute included two ERP charges—S$5 and S$3—totaling S$8 right off the bat.

Later, she revealed the cost of parking her vehicle at school for a few hours, which amounted to an eye-watering S$12.59. Altogether, she calculated that her total expenses for a single day of driving to school hit S$20.59, leading her to humorously conclude, 'The moral of the story is don’t go to school. Just stay at home.'

Public Reactions

But is there a deeper message hidden in her video? With rising living costs and the exorbitantly high expenses of car ownership in Singapore, many viewers quickly advised her to consider alternative transportation methods. Comments flooded in, advocating for public transport options, which are often far cheaper and more convenient in a city known for its efficient bus and MRT systems. 'The moral of the story is to take public transport,' one user suggested. Another emphasized, 'Please take a bus or MRT if you are still a student.'

The Cost of Car Ownership

The cost of owning a car in Singapore has long been a contentious topic. With the high prices of vehicular permits, insurance, maintenance, and parking fees, many experts argue that owning a car is more of a financial burden than an asset, especially for young individuals. 'If you’re not making S$20 to 30K a month, I see no reason to own a car,' observed one user, echoing the sentiments of many who advocate for a more sustainable lifestyle that prioritizes less costly transportation options.

Conclusion

As this video continues to circulate on social media, it serves as a wake-up call for students and young professionals in Singapore to rethink their commuting strategies and consider the financial implications of their choices. In an era where financial literacy is paramount, this student’s experience opens up discussions not just about costs, but about the broader implications of car ownership in one of the most expensive cities in the world. The question remains: is it time to ditch the car keys and embrace public transport altogether? With the growing cost of living, many Singaporeans might soon find themselves asking the same thing.