Increase in transport charges?
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NOL and SIA have reported recently their lower earnings due to the higher fuel costs despite turning in better performance all round. The local transport companies should also be facing the same problems but should they be allowed to increase the fares again?
Last year, they chose to increase the bus fares despite an increase in profits. This year, with the fuel prices skyrocketing and facing a loss in earnings, what are the chances of these corporations absorbing the cost? For sure, they are going to submit their application and the PTC (public transport council) will approve it.
What i am trying to say is, in times of gloom and pressures from global conditions, we understand the need to increase fares to cope and sustain the business. But they have used up the goodwill by asking citizens to pay during good times for the purpose of profitability. This is PUBLIC transport, we are talking about, not a private-run enterprise.
By the way, just do away with all the extravaganza and useless additions to cut down the operating expenses. What we need are just the basics, getting from point A to B in a timely and safe manner. The extra comforts are good if free but we never ask for it in the first place.
By the way, will the PTC readjust the fares downward if the fuel cost goes down? Sadly, i don't think so. There is only one way for prices to go and that is up, Up, UP!! -
now that the GE is history, what do you think?
besides, making obscene profits didn't stop bigass players in the world market like Exxon-Mobil to raise prices, why should it stop smaller players like the cartel-like transport companies in Singapore? -
Please dun start a topic which will become a norm every year.
Every one make noise every year but the price will still increase.
There is alway "valid" reasons or some old man will stand out and support the fare increase.
As long as you are a Singaporean, you are here to pay and pay.
The chances of discussing the issues have already pass through HOT dedate about a man not posting his forms.
As long as the policy maker dun agreed with you, you have to pay even though they dun even use the public transport in a million years. (Imagine how many times have the Transport Minister taken a MRT within his term of duty barring the election years).
That is the pathetic situation about Singapore.
A bunch of Loud Mouth Gut Less People !!!! (Excluding 33.4 % of Singaporeans) -
By the way, just do away with all the extravaganza and useless additions to cut down the operating expenses.
What do you mean by these? I don't think the air-conditioning is extravaganza and useless additions. As for the mobil Tv thinggy...that's to generate revenue for the transport companies. I don't think they add to operating costs -
How much can they save if they didn't install those advertising billboards at bus stops? But then again it can be argued they gain revenue from the advertiser. Same goes for mobiletv.
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Annual Fare Review Process
The PTC has put in place a framework to cap overall fare increases in small, regular steps. From 2005, the annual fare adjustment will be based on the new formula recommended by Government appointed Fare Review Mechanism Committee (FRMC) as follows:
Maximum Fare Adjustment = 0.5 CPI + 0.5 WI - 0.3%
Where
CPI = Change in Consumer Price Index over the preceding year
WI = Change in Average Monthly Earnings (Annual National Average) over the preceding year, adjusted to account for any change in the employer's CPF contribution rate
0.3% = The productivity extraction based on a sharing of productivity gains achieved by PTOs -
Thanks for your comment. I see the term "extravaganza and useless additions" may be too strong and have eclipsed the main thrust of my post. But you are right in saying that the mobileTV generates revenue for the bus company.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:What do you mean by these? I don't think the air-conditioning is extravaganza and useless additions. As for the mobil Tv thinggy...that's to generate revenue for the transport companies. I don't think they add to operating costs
I am more concerned with the EZLink system. When it was first implemented, SBS touted it as the state of the art technology and is supposed to weed out cheaters which were so prevalent during the era of TransitLink.
However, just in case people have forgotten, after spending the millions of dollars implementing this technology, SBS is still complaining of cheaters in the system and being drained off immense profits yearly. They have put on bus conductors to come up once in a while to check on passengers EZLink cards and told their drivers to be vigilant (but hey, isnt it going back to square one and is the same as TransitLink).
The EZLink system does not come cheap and the cost must have been passed on to passengers. Do you all think it is a successful system? Surely you all must have read of EZLink system overcharging passengers (many more did not bother to check, me included, and SBS should actually study how much more it has pocketed instead of complaining).
As for the air-conditioning, it is good but seriously, if i have to make a choice between air-con and non air-con, i would choose the latter if it can reduce the entire household transportation expense by $200-$300 (assuming non air-con is 40% cheaper). May not seem a lot but to lower income groups, the money can come in handy.
So we have to determine what is a need and a desirable. The blind pursuit of "world class, first class" will push the standard of living but our salary cannot keep up with it.
There is also the VLS system which SBS use to track its buses but has it improved the efficiency, waiting times, buses bunching together? Traffic jams, not SBS fault, but if it is not effective, why implement it?
All these things cost money and failed exercises will simply mean passengers pick up the bills as they have to recoup losses and make profits. Hence the term "extravaganza and useless additions". -
price hike is due to monopoly, not oil prices.
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The EZLINK system has probably saved the bus companies far more money than what they have spent installing the system. I am surprised that there should be cheats in the system still, but these incidents must be far fewer than the past, when practically everyone I know will press the button for the lowest fare.
Air-conditioning is a necessity in tropical Singapore as much as heating is a necessity in Britain. I rely on the bus service all my life and without air-con, I would have to take a cab so as not to arrive sweaty and bothered for work. Far more people would rather use a car or taxis if buses are not air-conditioned.
It is a fact that oil prices have risen greatly and they are unlikely to come down soon. This will eat into the profits of transport companies which are businesses after all. So either we nationalize the buses and run them as non-profit services or else we have to subsidize the bus companies in some way if they are not to raise fares.
Perhaps we should tax private car owners more and pass the revenue to public bus companies instead? -
Whatever they do, during peak periods you still end up standing all the way home.
Those shuttle buses are the worst; during peak periods, every bus is fully loaded and you can't get a seat or they simply won't stop for you to board. But during off-peak periods, I can see two buses of the same service number arriving at bus stops, and they crawl along at a snails pace. What's wrong? You tell me.
MRT is somewhat similar; off-peak periods, I notice they travel very slowly as if killing time and kind of reminds me of rides on monorail at Sentosa.
I mean, if they want or need to increase charges/fares, at least justify it by improving service in terms of timely arrivals, more frequent arrival of shuttle bus service numbers and MRTs. -
In the first place, this is PUBLIC transport. The term itself tells you that privatizing PUBLIC transport runs totally against its definition.
Still back to the same thing, people are peeved with the transport companies becoz they are profiteering from it. PUBLIC transport should be kept as affordable as possible, meaning it should be non-profiteering, so the people will understand if indeed price must increase due to higher fuel costs (and NOT decreased profits).
The govt has to be blamed 110% for this issue. PUBLIC transport should be kept govt-run, and should be run AT COST (they don't need to lose money, but they should not profit from it either), otherwise all talks of helping the poor is hum-bug!
Sadly, as usual, PAP does not listen, and continues to think of ways to earn as much money from us. The issue of insufficient transparency further irks us.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:The EZLINK system has probably saved the bus companies far more money than what they have spent installing the system. I am surprised that there should be cheats in the system still, but these incidents must be far fewer than the past, when practically everyone I know will press the button for the lowest fare.
Air-conditioning is a necessity in tropical Singapore as much as heating is a necessity in Britain. I rely on the bus service all my life and without air-con, I would have to take a cab so as not to arrive sweaty and bothered for work. Far more people would rather use a car or taxis if buses are not air-conditioned.
It is a fact that oil prices have risen greatly and they are unlikely to come down soon. This will eat into the profits of transport companies which are businesses after all. So either we nationalize the buses and run them as non-profit services or else we have to subsidize the bus companies in some way if they are not to raise fares.
Perhaps we should tax private car owners more and pass the revenue to public bus companies instead? -
[quote]Originally posted by ShutterBug:
[b]Whatever they do, during peak periods you still end up standing all the way home.
Those shuttle buses are the worst; during peak periods, every bus is fully loaded and you can't get a seat or they simply won't stop for you to board. But during off-peak periods, I can see two buses of the same service number arriving at bus stops, and they crawl along at a snails pace. What's wrong? You tell me.
and they consolidated all the routes and charge a high fare for it.
long gone were the days when feeder services are fared at 25cts. -
Oxford mushroom,
just tell me something. Are you for or against the increase in bus fares for the purpose of profitability? As i have said in the first post that because high oil prices is a global condition and if we need to raise fares, go ahead. But don't squander away the good will from us by increasing fares during the profit years. SBS is a listed company and that is where there is a conflict of interest between
looking out for the public and shareholders.
As for air-conditioning, it is a matter of preference. Some people cannot do away with it, but some people can forsake it if it means paying less. So it is up to individual if air-con is a luxury or not (twenty years ago, aircon IS a luxury but now, i don't know).
I agree with shutterbug that any increase in fares should be for a better service, in terms of waiting times and more frequent buses so we don't end up packed like sardines or not able to get on the bus during peak hours. If the service or satisfaction level remains the same, there is no cause for increase, period. -
Must support increase fare for better wages for the driver. Services also can improve after that.
I support increase fare. for the sake of the drivers. -
i think the drivers are mostly from johor.Originally posted by king108: Must support increase fare for better wages for the driver. Services also can improve after that.
I support increase fare. for the sake of the drivers. -
Does the fare increase really mean better pay for the drivers?Originally posted by king108: Must support increase fare for better wages for the driver. Services also can improve after that.
I support increase fare. for the sake of the drivers.
Or does it mean more bonuses for the management and higher dividends for shareholders? -
just tell me something. Are you for or against the increase in bus fares for the purpose of profitability? As i have said in the first post that because high oil prices is a global condition and if we need to raise fares, go ahead. But don't squander away the good will from us by increasing fares during the profit years. SBS is a listed company and that is where there is a conflict of interest between
Profitability is the goal of all commercial companies. As I said, the alternative is to nationalize it and run it as a not-for-profit organisation. If that is what you want, then you should call for nationalization of transport companies.
looking out for the public and shareholders.
As a commercial entity with a responsibility to account to shareholders who have invested in its shares, any bus company would want to increase its profits year on year, if not at least maintain it.
You cannot blame a lion for eating lambs if you want to keep lions as pets. -
If a operator has no objective be it to make profits in this case, then it's unlikely they will find cost effective measures to operate the services though there are services that needs improvement
Before saying on fare hikes, SBS has implemented a $1.90 fare cap on their basic services
1 example, if I take Sv 74 from Ang Mo Kio MRT Stn to Clementi Rd and transfer to Sv 154 till AYE and lastly transfer to Sv 97 to International Business Park, the fare is capped at $1.90
Fare breakdowns
Sv 74: $1.25
Sv 154: $1.05 - $0.25 rebate = $0.80
Like for such case, for the Sv 154 trip, the fare deducted ends up $0.55, hence that Sv 97 trip ends up free of charge -
Thanks for the info. The example you have given is correct but just to add on a bit more, take note that transfers to each bus service must be made within 45mins.Originally posted by sbst275:If a operator has no objective be it to make profits in this case, then it's unlikely they will find cost effective measures to operate the services though there are services that needs improvement
Before saying on fare hikes, SBS has implemented a $1.90 fare cap on their basic services
1 example, if I take Sv 74 from Ang Mo Kio MRT Stn to Clementi Rd and transfer to Sv 154 till AYE and lastly transfer to Sv 97 to International Business Park, the fare is capped at $1.90
Fare breakdowns
Sv 74: $1.25
Sv 154: $1.05 - $0.25 rebate = $0.80
Like for such case, for the Sv 154 trip, the fare deducted ends up $0.55, hence that Sv 97 trip ends up free of charge
Say, Sv154 has taken 30 mins journey time and the last trip Sv97 arrives within 15 mins waiting time, you are eligible for the cap. But if say Sv 154 takes 35 mins and Sv97 arrives in 20 mins, you still got to pay.
Whatever it is, i understand the fact that SBS is a listed company and should be concerned with answering to its shareholders. But it is still a PUBLIC transport.
The idea of us chipping in with the extra 0.5 cents or 1 cents for each trip so that SBS can turn in a rosy report and ANSWER to shareholders doesn't go down well with most people, esp. heartlanders.
The purpose of us making a huckus is to make known our displeasure of such an event. I do not advocate anybody staging demonstrations, boycott or putting up white elephants (PM Lee says it is ok but Home Minister say cannot). The government wants feedback and participations from Singaporeans and through forums and newspapers, i believe Singaporeans have given a lot of feedback.
Hopefully, by applying the appropriate pressure, we can have a say in some of the policies being implemented. SBS is free to look after the corporate side of things but ultimately, it has to be sensitive to the hardships of passengers. -
There is going to be a 1.7% transport hike this October liao.
Gerrand EE said. Need to increase for Good service, maybe install massage chair on bus. -
how do you know?Originally posted by Airforceone:There is going to be a 1.7% transport hike this October liao.
Gerrand EE said. Need to increase for Good service, maybe install massage chair on bus. -
Bottom line is prices will go up across the board...this is a fact of life anywhere you go...be it London, Dubai, Shanghai, Capetown...hmmm, have I covered the globe yet???
Singapore is so tiny, it cannot go on thinking that costs will remain the same throughout...So we might as well just stop quipping and start either working harder or smarter....earn more here or elsewhere, does not matter...Yes the poor have to be taken care of but to what extent??? Hmmm, I'd say as much as possible without breaking the bank -
Man...its amazing how people can talk about tiny details in life like Kopi & Teh prices when there are opportunities out there to make money....
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so you are saying because it is something inevitable we should keep quiet and just like them do what they like.Originally posted by Coquitlam:Bottom line is prices will go up across the board...this is a fact of life anywhere you go...be it London, Dubai, Shanghai, Capetown...hmmm, have I covered the globe yet???
Singapore is so tiny, it cannot go on thinking that costs will remain the same throughout...So we might as well just stop quipping and start either working harder or smarter....earn more here or elsewhere, does not matter...Yes the poor have to be taken care of but to what extent??? Hmmm, I'd say as much as possible without breaking the bank -
sorry I didn't read every topic. Yes, oil prices will rise and affect the profit of transport companies. But by how much? Here we are talking about public transport which operate within singapore. If SMRT have other businesses in other countries affected by oil price. We the workers in Singapore have to bear the cost?
Singapore is small, so how much OIL is used for the *distance we travel daily to our work place, is it justify? The low income group are already suffering & every cents counts. I can save 10 cents on coffee, tea or food, but I can't stop going to work. Public transport is not luxury.
Maybe I should buy a bicycle.