yeah....Things will only get better

While the signs are there, this has taken me off guard completely. It seems to me that in recent years, every application to increase the public transport fees will be approved manner. And to think that it has always been maintained that the reason why private vehicles are priced so exhorbitantly is because we have limited land and therefore there's a need to control the number of vehicles on the road.

Now if private vehicles are beyond the reach of many Singaporeans, then what sense does it make to increase the fares of public transport? That Singaporeans are at the mercy of the relevant authorities? We have no choice but to tighten our belt?

I can do away with a movie less now that it's more expensive to catch a show at most cinemas. However, we still need to travel and that's something we cannot do away with.

I simply cannot understand the logic.



SINGAPORE: The Public Transport Council (PTC) has approved fare increases for trains and buses from July 1.

Child fares, student and NSmen concession passes will not be affected by the hikes.

But senior citizens will have to face the increases.

The hikes, however, will generally be lower if commuters pay by using the ez-link card.

Train fares will go up by between one and three cents if paid by the card.

For buses, these will go up by between one and two cents.

But, if commuters pay cash, the fares will go up by 10 cents across the board.

About five percent of the 3.4 million rides made daily are made using cash.

Explaining the changes, the PTC said the operators had initially asked for more.

But they were granted increases of 2.4 percent under a later, revised proposal - the maximum allowed under the new formula.

"In our view, it is more equitable than either of their proposals," said Eric Gwee, PTC chairman.

Meanwhile, Mr Ong Kian Min, the chairman of the Fare Review Mechanism Committee which put the new formula in place, said he was quite surprised the PTC had awarded the full 2.4 percent amount.

This was considering the feedback from the commuting public in the last few weeks.

He was relieved, though, because if the old formula had been used, fares would have risen by up to 3.2 percent.

What considerations the PTC took into account in making their decision?

Firstly, the economic situation, which the PTC felt was "not adverse".

Secondly, the profit levels of the public transport companies - one brought up by many commuters.

The PTC felt that while the profit levels were "healthy", they were "not excessive" compared to other companies with a similar industry structure.

The PTC says the fare hikes may mean $13m to $14m in extra revenue for each of the two transport operators.

But, in reality, both companies will make less than this.

SBS Transit says it will spend $3.3 million to mitigate the impact of the increase, such as extending concessionary hours for senior citizens and capping the maximum fare at $1.90, regardless of the number of transfers.

SMRT says it is reviewing its fare structure.

Both operators will also contribute $1m each to the Public Transport Fund which was set up to help needy families adjust to the fare hikes.

Most commuters Channel NewsAsia spoke to took the fare hikes in their stride.

"A slight increase is acceptable - one to three cents is ok," said one commuter.

"I've been to so many places overseas, it's a bit expensive. But I think in Singapore, it is quite ok, it's quite reasonable," said another.

Yet others hope to plan their trips better to save some money on train and bus rides.

"I'm the sole breadwinner, so a little savings a day will add up to a lot," said a commuter.

"Travel less often, stay at home more, walk more," said another.

Other commuters like Madam Lim Soh Keng spend up to a hundred dollars on transport each month.

So, she is glad that fares remain the same for her two children.

Even for now, she walks a few bus stops to pick the children up from school, to save some money. - CNA/ir

I received a call from a friend who is currently undergoing reservist. Thank God I'm not having reservist now.

" This kind of weather hor... #*$&!*@#$....."

Yes. I made a trip out of office. And to put it mildly, it was scorching. For all those sun tan freaks, this is defintely the best time to get your dosage of Vitamin D.

Ok... this is what I've been having for drinks... hmm.. not too bad taste.. though I wouldn't want to be drinking this often. Really felt better after drinking it... placebo effect???