COE Prediction - June 2009 1st Bidding Exercise

The oversubscribed rate for the May 2nd bidding exercise was similar to the previous exercise at about 45% for Category A COEs and increased from 25% to 35% for Category B COEs. Now that there are more news on green shoots signaling that the downturn has bottomed out, the sentiment seems to more optimistic than at the start of the year.

Dealers are now passing the burden of higher COE quota premium back to the buyers by increasing the price. Those with unfulfilled orders are likely to bid aggressively to close the deals since the quota is fixed by LTA while the dealers are fighting to win a bigger slice of the pie - earning less profit is better than having no sale completion.

Prediction on May 27:
Category A: $11,000-12,000
Category B: $10,000-11,000

Verdict on June 3:
Category A: $11,690
Category B: $11,889

SG Carpark Wiki

Wiki is such a great tool to allow the public to make update to content and thus, I have created the SG Carpark wiki for my fellow motorists. There are a few good sources of information on carpark rates but all of them do not allow for the public to update the information immediately when any change is identified.

Here is the URL to the Wiki http://sgcarpark.wikispaces.com/. Please contribute your regular destinations to make the wiki comprehensive and useful to all. Thanks.

COE Prediction - May 2009 2nd Bidding Exercise

The oversubscribed rate for the May 1st bidding exercise was about 45% for Category A COEs and 25% for Category B COEs. It seems that the smaller car COEs demand is well-sustained and is likely to be further supported with the improving economic outlook. I have also revised upwards my prediction for Category B COEs as keen buyers are likely to move in ahead of the others.

Prediction on May 15:
Category A: $8,000-9,000
Category B: $8,000-9,000

Verdict on May 20:
Category A: $9,889
Category B: $9,180

Don't Get Busted for Blocking Buses!

LTA has just announced the Mandatory Give Way to Buses scheme to be fully implemented over the next two years after a successful pilot. The new signs will be marked on 180 bus bays starting June 2009.

So what is the penalty for not giving way to buses exiting bus bays at bus stops with the new traffic signs and markings drawn? The penalty for the new offence is a fine of $130 but no demerit point will be given.