Fare adjustments 6 April 2014
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SINGAPORE: The Fare Review Mechanism Committee (FRMC) has attempted to suggest how limited resources can be spread to meet the needs of the different segments of people who rely on public transport.
In a blog post, Chairman of FRMC Richard Magnus said the committee had tried to gather as many views as possible through the focus group discussions held.
The FRMC had polled some 4,600 households on their thoughts about the implementation of various possible concession schemes.
The FRMC had sought the public's views on which schemes should be prioritised, and on how the burden of paying for the costs of more concession schemes should be shared.
The FRMC will be sharing the report and its findings with the public on Tuesday.
Mr Magnus said together with the household survey findings, the many different views presented to the FRMC have helped shape the committee's thinking and recommendations.
He added that most of the views gathered have been incorporated in the report.
He said the difficult task is in balancing the needs of various stakeholders, including the public transport operators and different commuter groups.
Mr Magnus said putting forth a framework for concessionary fares will remain a work-in-progress.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has received the report.
In a statement from MOT, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew thanked the Mr Magnus and committee members for the thoughtful and comprehensive report to review the adjustment mechanism and the concession schemes.
MOT will study the FRMC report in detail and will give a response next week.
The FRMC was appointed by the government last year to review the framework for public transport fare adjustments.
The committee was scheduled to present its recommendations early this year but the submission of its findings was delayed. The FRMC had said it needed time to gather quantitative feedback.
- CNA/xq
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can start predicting increase how much............
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Up to one million commuters could benefit from new and enhanced concession schemes proposed by a committee reviewing public transport fares.
In a 85-page report released Tuesday, the Fare Review Mechanism Committee recommended new concession schemes for low income workers and people with disabilities. If approved, the two new schemes would add about 500,000 people to the 1.2 million commuters currently receiving some form of public transport concessions - a 40 per cent increase. The committee suggested the Government fund these schemes.
The 14-member panel also proposed a myriad of enhancements to existing concessions could benefit up to 500,000 commuters already enjoying discounts. Committee chair Richard Magnus said his team had received a strong sense from various feedback that the concessions framework had to be enhanced.
It has also called for children aged below seven to be given free travel. Currently, those below seven but taller than 0.9m have to pay primary school student fares. A cap for heavy transport users and concessions for senior citizens was also proposed, and a discount on hybrid passes for all users.
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Continued affordability of public transport is key: Lui Tuck Yew
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said he is grateful that the Fare Review Mechanism Committee's recommendations have focused on ensuring public transport remains affordable to all commuters.
In a Facebook post Tuesday he said: "We must do this while recognising the need to keep the public transport system in Singapore financially viable. In this regard, we should use the next fare exercise to enhance existing as well as implement new concession schemes for various groups of commuters, with special attention to the disadvantaged groups."
He added that he is generally in favour of the suggestion that the Government fund the proposed new concession schemes for disadvantaged groups while enhancements to existing schemes are cross-subsidised by commuters.
He noted that the last fare exercise was in 2011 and said: "No fare exercise is ever popular, but periodic fare adjustments are necessary, especially in the face of rising wage and fuel costs... My own view is that any fare increase should be below the average national-level wage increase for that year."
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below the average wage increases? every year?
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Cheaper, the better
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Originally posted by All the Best!:
Cheaper, the better
Quote first.
Laugh later.
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If accepted, the new fare formula will apply between this year and 2017
which means, after elections then increase price
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The fare increase formula has been announced.
The fare increase will come soon and those passengers who do not benefit from the concessions will have to bear the burden of the fare increase.
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Govt to respond to fare review proposals on Monday
SINGAPORE — Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew has said he will respond to the Fare Review Mechanism Committee’s recommendations when Parliament sits on Monday (Nov 11).
In post on his Facebook page today, Mr Lui also said several Members of Parliament have filed questions related to public transport affordability, and that he would respond on Monday.
He will also address questions on when the fare concessions will be implemented, whether and when there will be a fare increase, as well as what will happen to the 2012 fare review which was suspended pending the committee’s report.
Mr Lui said he was encouraged that many Singaporeans are supportive of the fare review recommendations, particularly those on fare concessions. CHANNEL NEWSASIA
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Up to 1 million will gain from the fare revision, the other 5.9 million will need to pay more...
More good years ahead, Tuck Yew~~~
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You can earn UP to one million dollars a year if you work hard.
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Lui Tuck Yew: Any public transport fare increase only in first half of next year
Any change to public transport fares is set to take place only in the first half of next year, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said on Monday.
The Public Transport Council (PTC) will need time to implement changes to existing commuter concessions recommended last week by the Fare Review Mechanism Committee (FRMC), on top of applying a new fare formula, he told Parliament.
The council will consider the 2012 fare cap, based on the old formula which was suspended pending the FRMC review, and the 2013 fare cap based on the new fare formula.
"Should the PTC, after careful study, decide not to effect both fare caps in one go, it may allow for part of this to be rolled over, as provided for under the new fare mechanism framework," Mr Lui said.
The minister also urged the PTC to consider not granting any fare increase that exceeds the average national wage increase this year.
"This will avoid an outcome where fares suddenly become less affordable for the average commuter," he said.
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y u so happy
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whether I cry or laugh, fares will still increase.
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In time to come will Lui Tuck Yew be in the same plight as Raymond Lim?
Hope to see him no more in 2016 parliament talk.
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It is a fact many here dont like to face:
These fare hikes are long long overdue.
I think anybody who has seen the operating costs would know what I am talking about.
The only reason why the public operators have survived so far despite all the fuel price hikes and manpower costs is because:
1. Overseas ventures making money aka cross-subsidize. (CDG)
2. You guys have been "subsidizing" the operations anyway courtesy of Temasek Holdings (SMRT).
***
Bottomline: I wont make a judgement and say the fare hikes are justified.
I would simply say given the circumstances, I can understand to an extent.
All I ask is that they increase the reliability, because that has been less than acceptable.
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that is why we still need oppositions.
when was the last adjustments? seems like only months ago. now still go up one.
car evey transport ex, cab also they raise until the fare also have to up, pubic transport the same. conjestion still there.
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Originally posted by SJS6638:
In time to come will Lui Tuck Yew be in the same plight as Raymond Lim?
Hope to see him no more in 2016 parliament talk.
agree
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