SBS Transit, SMRT submit applications for fare adjustment
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Originally posted by QX179R:
Netizens against transport fare hike: Yahoo! poll
The results of a recently-concluded Yahoo! Singapore poll has revealed that almost all netizens are against SBS Transit and SMRT's application to raise fares.
A total of 14,787 respondents participated in the three-day poll, which asked what they thought about SBS Transit and SMRT's application for a fare increase.
13,920 Yahoo! users, or 94 per cent of the respondents, indicated that the transport services provided by both companies has had little improvement over the years, despite increasing their fares a number of times.
Both operators submitted their applications for fare adjustment to the Public Transport Council (PTC) last Monday. The increase is calculated using the annual fare adjustment formula recommended by the Government-appointed Fare Review Mechanism Committee.
The formula takes into account the consumer price index, wage index and productivity gains.
Four per cent of of the respondents appeared more understanding of both transport companies' plight in dealing with rising costs and inflation. The remaining 2 per cent of respondents were not concerned about the potential fare hike.
SBS Transit said it is spending S$268 million to purchase 600 new buses, scheduled for delivery in 2011 and 2012.
The operator has purchased a total of 2,050 new buses since 2006 as part of its fleet renewal exercise. The buses cost about S$854 million, said SBS Transit.
For the financial year 2011, SMRT's energy cost increased 17.5 per cent to S$122.4 million due mainly to higher electricity and diesel prices, as well as the expansion of the rail network with the opening of Circle Line Phase 1 and 2, said the operator.
Its manpower costs have also increased because of a 0.5 percentage point increase in employer CPF contribution rate to 15 per cent in September 2010 and to 15.5 per cent in March 2011.
SMRT also hired more staff because of the Circle Line opening and to operate additional train and bus trips. The operator introduced 420 extra train trips from March and increased the number of bus trips by 5.4 per cent.
The application for a price increase has led to Member of Parliament, Denise Phua, to comment on her Facebook page, "I am concerned that the transport operators are asking for permission from the PTC for fare increase."
While there are good reasons like the rise in operating costs, Phua suggested that it could be time for stakeholders to "deeply study the underlying assumptions on how this industry is structured and how prices are fixed and applied".
"Yes, I have heard that public transport is best run by private operators (for efficiency and cost management) but can there be better hybrid systems which might work better than today's?" she questioned.
"Would a third-alternative system be possible to provide even more incentives especially to Singaporeans not just to relieve their cost of living; but also in applying the principle that membership (being Singaporean) has its privileges" she added.
Yahoo! Singapore understands that the PTC will study and deliberate on both operators' applications and will inform the public of the outcome once a decision is reached.
-- Yahoo!
Which goondu commuter wants to pay more for her ride?
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I didn't know we are allowed to write to the PTC.
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Originally posted by charlize:
I didn't know we are allowed to write to the PTC.
We can even write to PM, but what he decides to do with your letter is another issue altogether.
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Originally posted by βÎτά:
We can even write to PM, but what he decides to do with your letter is another issue altogether.
The PM will wipe his backside with the letter.
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raise bah, so more pp cannot afford public tpt, rush hour trains will be less crowded.
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lets say it is relli raised.
wat would u ppl do?
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Originally posted by FireIce:
lets say it is relli raised.
wat would u ppl do?
Buy more SMRT shares?
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Ministry to focus on transport service quality
TRANSPORT Minister Lui Tuck Yew has singled out the quality of service (QOS) delivered by transport operators as the issue he is paying most attention to.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, he noted that while train and bus trips have been increased, more needs to be done.
One thing his ministry is examining is how much to reduce intervals between trains during off-peak periods, he added.
Currently, trains on the North-South and East-West lines run every five to six minutes at non-peak hours.
He said that current QOS standards for buses are not stringent enough, and his ministry and the Land Transport Authority are studying how to tighten them.
Currently, operators must ensure that at least 80 per cent of bus services and 90 per cent of feeder services depart from bus interchanges and terminals no later than every 10 minutes during weekday peak periods. There are also benchmarks for reliability, bus loads and safety.
-- ST
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Originally posted by QX179R:
Ministry to focus on transport service quality
TRANSPORT Minister Lui Tuck Yew has singled out the quality of service (QOS) delivered by transport operators as the issue he is paying most attention to.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, he noted that while train and bus trips have been increased, more needs to be done.
One thing his ministry is examining is how much to reduce intervals between trains during off-peak periods, he added.
Currently, trains on the North-South and East-West lines run every five to six minutes at non-peak hours.
He said that current QOS standards for buses are not stringent enough, and his ministry and the Land Transport Authority are studying how to tighten them.
Currently, operators must ensure that at least 80 per cent of bus services and 90 per cent of feeder services depart from bus interchanges and terminals no later than every 10 minutes during weekday peak periods. There are also benchmarks for reliability, bus loads and safety.
-- ST
If he says the service quality needs to improve, then that means it is not efficient in the first place.
Already privatised for so many years but still inefficient with jams, irregular services or whatnots with so many commuter complaints.
The "privatise to be efficient" argument they are telling us is not working leh.
On a side note, as with most problems, this was caused by the massive indiscriminate influx of people into the country over the last few years.
Reducing that number will solve at least partially most of Sg's social problems.
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Only way to solve overcrowding in MRT and buses is to reduce no of foreigners. Everyday take MRT no seat until I reached my MRT station.
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Overcrowding must be solved if not hard to enjoy the ride.
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Originally posted by charlize:
That picture looked ridiculously stupid, it's like he was trying to look inconspicuous with a reporter taking his picture.
He could have done well as Maxwell Smart or Inspector Clouseau.
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'No fare hike till service improves': Tan Kin Lian
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Tan Kin Lian wants the Public Transport Council (PTC) to delay fare hikes until transport operators improve the quality of service.
He echoed public complaints about operators SBS Transit and SMRT.
Members of the public have expressed unhappiness that the two operators are seeking to raise fares with no improvement in service. They have complained about crowded buses and trains, and unreliable service.
Mr Tan wrote on his blog: 'I echo the views of the public and wish to ask the Public Transport Council to delay any fare increase until the public transport operators can provide more capacity and improve the standard of service, namely to provide a more comfortable ride with shorter waiting and travelling time.'
He also urged Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew and the Land Transport Authority 'to take urgent steps to revamp' the public transport system.
Mr Tan, a former chief executive of insurance cooperative NTUC Income, has in recent years suggested ways to improve public transport, including more regulation.
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http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/07/public-transport-feedback-from-singaporeans/
Wah, so many pictures.
These pictures are still considered okay.
During some peak periods at town MRT stations, there is worse overcrowding and traffic.
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Originally posted by charlize:
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/07/public-transport-feedback-from-singaporeans/
Wah, so many pictures.
These pictures are still considered okay.
During some peak periods at town MRT stations, there is worse overcrowding and traffic.
Small price to pay for GDP growth?
Big price to pay for inflationary growth.
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Originally posted by βÎτά:
Small price to pay for GDP growth?
Big price to pay for inflationary growth.
GDP may look impressive but if you have one quarter swinging down 10%, next quarter swinging back up 10% , net effect still zero.
Inflation will destroy the middle class and the poorer class.
The upper class will just raise their own salaries and bonuses to beat inflation.
Times are bad.
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Govt will ensure public transport fare hike, if any, is justifiable
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has weighed in on the ongoing debate concerning the public transport fare review.
He said that a review is necessary from time to time and increases cannot be helped.
Speaking at a National Day light-up ceremony at his Teck Ghee constituency on Saturday, Mr Lee however noted that the Public Transport Council (PTC) is currently doing its work and urged Singaporeans to relax.
Mr Lee said the government's interest is to ensure that the country has a good transport system that Singaporeans can afford.
But he added that transport companies would have to be allowed to break even so that they can provide a good and efficient service.
Mr Lee said that the government will also make sure, through the PTC, that when the fares are raised they are reasonable and justifiable.
- CNA/ir