Singapore rolls out drive to keep cars off the roads

SINGAPORE - In the battle against the car, space-starved Singapore has deployed road tolls, massive spending on public transport and a license fee that bumps the cost of an average vehicle to over $80,000.

Singapore has gone further than any other major city to avoid the heavy traffic that has blighted Asian metropolises such as Jakarta or Manila.

However, the model faces mounting criticism thanks to rush-hour jams that have frustrated commuters, surging vehicle prices after a freeze on car numbers and public transport breakdowns.