Increase in transport charges?
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dont they hedge on oil?
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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.
What do you understand by that? Are the operating costs paid by the government and thus through tax payers?
Once again the question: are you advocating nationalization of transport companies and the government to run the services instead? -
I didn't say that you can't speak up. Go make all teh noise you can but will the gahment listen? Probably their hands are tied...
You don't get my point do you
We can also choose to strive harder and earn more to cover any increase in prices.
Or would you rather make all the noise you can to Int' organizations like OPEC, Arab League, all the major oil companies??
I salute you kekeke
Meantime, I doing $US2/gallon...
kekeke -
Enjoy!!!!
SUMMER IS COMING...longer daylight hours!! Yippee!!! -
Dun come and create unecessary unhappinessOriginally posted by sgheartland: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.
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.
Be it within 45 mins or whatever, SBS has the fare cap $1.90 regardless of travelling time
I can take Sv 154 to Macpherson Rd from Clementi and transfer to Sv 23 at Jln Kolam Ayer to Tampines, the 154 fare is $1.35 and Sv 23's fare is $1.00 (Aft rebate)... But instead of deducting $1.00, SBS just deducts $0.55
That 45 mins time period is no more, aft ez-link card was implemented which can track the exact time you alighted the bus, you are given 30 mins to transfer with rebates from the time you alight.. Meaning if I alight from 154 and transfer to 97, I'm given another 30 mins -
the increase is only 1.7%, less than less year's 2.4%.
ONLY?
so are we supposed to celebrate?
a small increase here and there adds up to a big amount. -
Today;s Straits Times, HOME section front page, entitled :
"Smaller hikes this year, if any".
"HERE WE GO AGAIN !!!."; should be a more appropriate title.
The dust kicked up by the election storm has hardly settled and here we are talking of an impending rise for commuters.
Among many lame excuses these two statements made me jump
1. "....And that may not be fair to transport operators, whose shareholders are not necessarily wealthy"
2. "....If commuters want lower fare, they may have to manage their expectations - meaning they will have to make do with lower standards of service."
My take on point 1. Rubbish. Who are the majority shareholders who own millions of shares? Do they care about the poor chaps who dont own any shares but depend very much on public transport ? Are we not "robbing" the poor to feed the rich???
My take on point 2. Blackmail. This stupid statement is always repeated whenever they want to raise the fare. What service are we talking about when we take a bus or MRT ?? We are quite happy now. Are they saying they will make it worse if the price does not go up ?
It is time the PAP MPs come out and speak for us.
Quote Ms Irene Ng, ST 13 May
“PAP MPs will continue to speak up boldly on behalf of our residents, address their needs and help refine government policies so as to achieve a better life and a better future” -
Originally posted by dragg:i think the drivers are mostly from johor.
We are leaving our life to citizen of any other nation? No even 1st World Standard Country Better buy more insurance.. -
More than 1/2 of our bus drivers are Malaysians
SMRT is 80%, SBS is 50%
Which young Singaporeans wants to drive a double deck? -
Originally posted by av98m:Does the fare increase really mean better pay for the drivers?
Or does it mean more bonuses for the management and higher dividends for shareholders? Sorry for replying so late..
Companies must make money right? else how to pay the drivers..Drivers also don't feel like working for such companies when they cannot see tomorrow.
As investor (shareholders) definitely wanted to see return from investments else better put inside the piggy bank.
Unless, all of us combined as a consortium and become the biggest shareholder on their board, then we talk to the management. After shareholders taken their handsome dividends, the rest can be paid to them as performance wages instead of current monthly wages.
They may get more if they perform, wouldn't it be better.
Why ask for less, when you can get more. -
Increasing the fee each year is the easy way to resolve the oil hike.
In the end, the transport company earns big profit and rewards the CEO and Board of Directors with BIG bonus.
This will cause the company to be lazy in cutting unnecessary cost. (Note: Most of the MobileTV are spoilt and left to rot without repair)
Signs of "good" service is already evident with long waiting time.
White Elephant Machine will be set up that tell u to wait long long.
MRT and Bus alway packed and late.
Time for the PTC to wake up whether the Transport Company have honoured their previous promise of providing better service to the consumers or the shareholders.
Start by using the Public transport themselves to experience the issue personnally instead of relying useless survey results to justify the service improvement.
If there is a service improvement, why is there so many unhappy customers ???
Do the real role of the Public Transport Committee or else disband the PTC and save the tax payers money. -
How many times must ppl say?
SBS in fact gets rental revenue from MediaCorp for the TV Mobile, unlike KMB that owns the TV on their buses in HK -
Originally posted by oxford mushroom:
Unfortunately, the Singapore transport system IS ALREADY NATIONALISED when all the Eleven PLUS One Privately Operated Bus Companies were asked to shut down.
What do you understand by that? Are the operating costs paid by the government and thus through tax payers?
Once again the question: are you advocating nationalization of transport companies and the government to run the services instead?
These included : Singapore Traction Co, Tay Koh Yat Bus Co., Green Bus, Blue Bus, Yellow Bus, Hock Lee Bus, Almagamated Bus Service, United Bus Company, Paya Lebar Bus Co, Bedok Bus Co, Changi Bus Co, Jurong Bus Co. - which made up of 11 Chinese owned, and one British-owned bus companies.
When these private bus companies asked the government for fare increases, the Government will insist that investments have to be made on new buses before any fare increases can be approved.
This cause a 'chicken and egg situation, as to which should come first', which is a far cry from the present arrangements that seems to have LTA 'controlling' all transport fares increases.
Without the assurance of fare increases, and being cash strapped, most private bus companies were soon required to close down; allowing for the Singapore Bus Services (SBS) to come into being, and subsequently followed by CCS, and TIBS.
The present bus companies are all Government Linked, with their initial capital paid-up being made available from public funds, but under the guise of private or public corporations - some of which are public listed. -
speaking of tv mobile...seems like is kinda "white elephant" project to me......
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how did you get to know all this?Originally posted by sbst275:More than 1/2 of our bus drivers are Malaysians
SMRT is 80%, SBS is 50%
Which young Singaporeans wants to drive a double deck? -
Those who are intent on criticizing the government for everything offer no viable alterantives and refuse to accept the facts.Originally posted by sbst275:How many times must ppl say?
SBS in fact gets rental revenue from MediaCorp for the TV Mobile, unlike KMB that owns the TV on their buses in HK -
And can one imagine the cost of transportation with 11 bus companies? No one can provide an island-wide, comprehensive service and commuters will have to pay full fare each time they switch buses. The impact of an increase in oil prices will affect them more severely.Originally posted by Atobe:Unfortunately, the Singapore transport system IS ALREADY NATIONALISED when all the Eleven PLUS One Privately Operated Bus Companies were asked to shut down.
These included : Singapore Traction Co, Tay Koh Yat Bus Co., Green Bus, Blue Bus, Yellow Bus, Hock Lee Bus, Almagamated Bus Service, United Bus Company, Paya Lebar Bus Co, Bedok Bus Co, Changi Bus Co, Jurong Bus Co. - which made up of 11 Chinese owned, and one British-owned bus companies.
We have government-linked transport companies, but that is not nationalization as I unfderstand it. The objection some people have with the profits that shareholders demand can only be removed if we nationalize our transport system and run it as a not-for-profit service under the LTA. -
As someone who uses public transport, I do not want bus fares to rise too. However, it is true that our bus and train fares are very low compared to those in the west, whilst the level of comfort we enjoy is as good as, if not better, than those in western nations.
Assuming that the requested fare hike falls within the formula used by the government, the only alternative to a rise in fares is to tax car owners more to subsidize public transport. I have no objection with that, especially if that can reduce the car population and the amount of air pollution. -
I wonder, what happes if everybody go on strike;
everyone don't go to work or out to anywhere until they agree to improve service standards of public transport.
if all collectively don't turn up for work, can you imagine the impact on the economy is for just one day???
I bet you it will bring about some results! -
Originally posted by sbst275:
Cool down, my friend. If you want, i can treat you to a cup of coffee. Why get emotional?
[b]
Dun come and create unecessary unhappiness
Be it within 45 mins or whatever, SBS has the fare cap $1.90 regardless of travelling time
This is a speaker's corner and i would prefer to engage in cool-headed discussions.
I have said most of what i want to say and in turn spoken for, if not majority of the people, then a segment of the people. Enough is enough. If i win the argument or my view prevails, does it change my life for the better?
Nah, so i won't be making any more posts here. Maybe it is better for the forum that your view prevails.
Cheers. -
If not there's wun be a ST commendatory on MP Ong Ah Heng's push for higher wages for bus driversOriginally posted by dragg:how did you get to know all this?
For connectivity, one operator is better... -
Originally posted by sbst275:More than 1/2 of our bus drivers are Malaysians
SMRT is 80%, SBS is 50%
Which young Singaporeans wants to drive a double deck? Just wondered whether Malaysia's accident rate is high or no? If all their 1st Class Top End drivers are with us, maybe that the reason why lorry also can landed on the railway in KL. -
has everyone been brainwashed since young to compare apple to durian and not apple to apple??Originally posted by oxford mushroom:As someone who uses public transport, I do not want bus fares to rise too. However, it is true that our bus and train fares are very low compared to those in the west, whilst the level of comfort we enjoy is as good as, if not better, than those in western nations.
pls..in terms of dollars and cents ....yes we are cheaper but thats only because of PAPER value!
why dont u take their other living cost and wages and compare too...
if im earning same as what the western countries earn then fine...
but in reality?? NO!!
the western earn 1000 euro and pay 2 euro for transport
but we?
we earn $1000 but pay $4 for transport! -
Originally posted by oxford mushroom:
With the same technology that we have today, which allow us to cross between various bus and subway companies (SMRT, SBS, MRT, TIBS), those 11 privately operated bus companies could probably have also provided the same level of service.
And can one imagine the cost of transportation with 11 bus companies? No one can provide an island-wide, comprehensive service and commuters will have to pay full fare each time they switch buses. The impact of an increase in oil prices will affect them more severely.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the POWER OF ONE realised the viability of private enterprises that provide public services, and the enormous wealth that can be accumulated - as was seen by the financial support that was given to all kinds of political activists during that period in Singapore and in the respective homelands of the various ethnic groups.
The POWER OF ONE was afraid of the wealth that was accumulated in the hands of the private families that operate these companies, and have the independent ability to support alternative political parties that were thriving in Singapore during the 1950s and 1960s.
To ensure their own supremacy, all possible sources of political funding for opposition parties will need to be obliterated, neutralised or taken over.
Nationalization can take many forms, whether as a FULLY CONTROLLED entity, or one disguise as a Private Corporation, the end result is still the same - controlled by the Government.
We have government-linked transport companies, but that is not nationalization as I unfderstand it. The objection some people have with the profits that shareholders demand can only be removed if we nationalize our transport system and run it as a not-for-profit service under the LTA.
To have these companies disguised and operating as PRIVATE ENTERPRISES will absolve the government of any demand for price increases for the essential services being provided - even as much as it is controlled by the government - as it will be a demand justified by commercial necessity.
It is up to the POWER OF ONE to decide if the entity is to be operated as a FULLY CONTROLLED entity, or as a PRIVATISE CORPORATION, and if the entity is to be operated as a NON-PROFIT service. -
Basically, the issue is one of control.
The ability to control prices to directly affect profits, the ability to control market forces to influence the economy etc etc.
The difference between having private companies running a bus service is that it introduces choices to a consumer: if the price goes up or the service is bad, consumers can simply choose another service and boycott the bad apple. Again this is contingent on a rival company offering better service or running a parallel route.
Can anyone imagine 'boycotting' SBSTransit or SMRT?
There is no other alternative apart from 'private' shuttle buses or taxis, both of which again are GLCs.
The main issue that irks Singaporeans is probably the LACK of CHOICE rather than the actual price increase, as having choices would have circumvented the situation. Incidently, that was the slogan of the Workers Party during their campaign efforts.
Anyway, elections are over. Does anyone doubt for a moment that this is the only price hike?
