Press Release(Jul 2006 to Sept 2006)
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Bus, train rides may cost two cents more(Zaobao)
Public transport companies want to raise fares
But selected groups of commuters will not be affected
SBS Transit has submitted an application to the Public Transport Council to increase bus and train fares.
The company cites continuing increase in fuel costs as a reason.
SBS Transit says its application is in line with the formula recommended by the Fare Review Mechanism Committee.
The formula allows an increase of up to 1.7 percent this year.
This translates to about a one- to two-cent increase for an adult for each trip.
Children and student fares, and concession passes won't be affected by the adjustment.
The other public transport operator SMRT has already said it would apply for an increase in fares.
SMRT says it has submitted its application to raise fares to the Public Transport Council.
But the company is NOT proposing any increase for these commuters:
those who pay cash for bus rides
those who use child or student EZ Link or monthly concession passes and
those who use MRT standard or single trip tickets.
It says it's still facing cost pressures despite efforts to grow revenue, manage cost and improve productivity.
It argues that the allowable increase of 1.7 per cent in fares is small, and still lags behind rising costs.
- 938Live -
1 or 2 million? how u calculate one? daily ridership around 2 million for SBST? so how to have additional 1 or 2 million a day?Originally posted by sinicker:2 cents more per ride per passenger!
that's $1 or 2 million more a day!
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Articles from TODAY Voices, 3 Aug 2006.
Peg fare hikes to service
Penalise operators that don't meet service standards
Letter from Leong Sze Hian
I refer to the report, "Bus, train rides may cost 2 cents more" (Aug 2).
Imposing fines on transport operators may result in the additional costs of meeting the new service standards and fines being passed on to commuters. A more effective deterrent may be to peg some element of failure to meet service standards to the formula for fares adjustment.
For example, service lapses could equate to a slight drop in the 50 per cent of wage increase and inflation in the fares adjustment formula, or a reduction in the maximum 1.7-per-cent fare increase allowed.
The rising profits of the transport operators should also be taken into account.
With the recent increase in taxi fares, more people may take buses and the MRT. The revenue and profits of transport operators may rise further.
So, I suggest that time be given to assess the impact of the taxi fare increase, before the Public Transport Council (PTC) makes a decision on the fare increase application.
The main reason given for the fare increases is the rising costs of diesel fuel.
Why not consider reducing the tax on diesel? The fact that the cost price of ultra-low-sulphur diesel has fallen substantially since April should also be considered.
The fare adjustment formula is pegged to the change in average wages and inflation. I suggest that adjustments be considered to take into account the declining wages and relatively higher inflation of the lower-income group, which has little choice but to take public transport.
Instead of taking the CPI and wage increase of the entire population, more weightage should be given to reflect the CPI and wage change of those who have to use public transport.
In the final analysis, perhaps, the ultimate measure of whether the fare adjustment formula is fair is whether transport operators' profits continue to rise.
The formula enables operators to keep increasing fares and profits because rarely has there ever been a year when both average wages and inflation have declined.
Public transport operators have things their way
Letter from Lai Yew Chan
The proposed hikes have set me wondering whether the present business model of public transport is the best for us.
For one thing, the vagaries of the market are virtually non-existent for the public transport operators in the present model. This is most evident in the fact that commuters have no alternative but to absorb any fare increase thrust upon them.
Moreover, variations faced by typical businesses are kept minimal by formulaic price setting and barriers of entry.
In addition, the market dynamics for alternative modes of transport such as taxis and cars are well regulated and correspondingly predictable — a natural advantage to the public transport operators.
Even service standards are set and audited for compliance by an external regulator, a privilege not ubiquitous among mainstream businesses.
Would such a paternalistic and deterministic model make our public transport operators competitive? Could modified versions that would serve us better?
Perhaps the PTC could enlighten commuters like me. -
Article from TODAY Voices, 3 Aug 2006.
For a cleaner, spacious ride
Commuters make known their choices
Yvonne Lim
Voices & Commentary editor
AS the Public Transport Council (PTC) turned up the heat on SMRT and SBS Transit to meet defined service standards ("Getting buses shipshape", July 27), ahead of the impending fare hikes, commuters got down to dirty business.
That is to say, a fair number of readers asked for public transport operators to be taken to task also for the state of cleanliness on their buses.
As Diana Tan, who wrote in to agree with letter writer Graham McEune ("Flag down those bus bugbears", July 29), put it: "Dirty floors and windows that look like they have never been cleaned — I don't know what tourists think, especially when the rest of Singapore is so clean. As any housewife will tell you, a mop, a bucket and a wet cloth are all you need. Could someone tell SBS this?"
To be fair, the transport operator's efforts do go further than this. Referring to its previous response to similar complaints, See Leong Kit noted: "SBS Transit's reply, that buses are given a thorough cleaning and fumigation once a month, with the bus drivers doing a quick sweep daily with broom and dustpan, is unacceptable."
Harking back to perennial complaints about stuffy air-conditioning, mouldy air-con vents, cockroaches and mosquitoes, he asked if such "sloppy attention" to public hygiene could have contributed to the seasonal flu outbreak..
See suggested the PTC impose standards on maintenance and hygiene. "After the buses stop operating, bring in cleaning contractors with heavy-duty vacuum cleaners to thoroughly clean the buses daily. Areas where many hands have touched, such as grab poles and pull handles, should be wiped with disinfectant."
Other common bugbears included the advertisements pasted over bus windows and inadequate leg space.
Raymund Koh, for instance, complained to SMRT that he felt "particularly squeezed in the seat just behind the first exit door" of a "bendy bus".
He received the response that seats were fitted by the manufacturer based on the regulated 23cm of space.
"People of the current generation are generally much taller. Our public buses have very little leg room between seats, which tall passengers like myself cannot squeeze into on long journeys. We need to sit slanting," he said.
Soh Poh Huat was glad the PTC was "finally" proposing to lay down the law on bus frequencies and waiting times, among other things. But he wondered when it would extend the service standards to "buses not stopping close to bus bays to facilitate boarding/alighting", and "bus captains who fail to ensure the elderly, expectant mothers or parents carrying children are seated prior to driving off".
His suggestion: That PTC set up an automated system to which commuters can instantly SMS their feedback. The authorities could then generate monthly reports. "For example, if there are more than X number of complaints, fines can be imposed," he wrote.
Going down a somewhat tangential road, Seah Leong Khai wonders if the PTC can extend its purview to commuter behaviour as well.
"We hear complaints about passengers not giving up their seats to those who need it. Why should we, full fare-paying adults, be made to stand, while able-bodied young people on concessionary fares sit to enjoy the ride?"
What he wants: For PTC to make it compulsory for students and national servicemen to give up their seats to senior citizens, pregnant women and other adults when the bus is full. Inspectors could enforce this.
"This makes business sense. Full-fare paying passengers should have priority over those who pay discounted fares, except for senior citizens. In other businesses such as air travel, you get priority when you pay a premium," he argued. -
trips. i believe it is possible.Originally posted by lemon1974:1 or 2 million? how u calculate one? daily ridership around 2 million for SBST? so how to have additional 1 or 2 million a day?
a lot of ppl complain cos every trip 2cents, a return journey to and from work which requires a transfer means addition of 8 cents a day.
wat say u? -
SMRT Applies for Fare AdjustmentOriginally posted by ^tamago^:SBS Transit Submits Application For Minor Fare Adjustment
http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2006aug_01-1.aspx
SMRT has submitted its application for fare adjustment to the Public Transport Council (PTC) today, 1 Aug 2006. -
Temporary diversion of service 75 & 167 on Sunday, 6 August 2006
Connaught Drive will be temporarily closed the entire day on Sunday, 6 August 2006 due to the Samsung Inline Skating 2006 event. Service 75 and 167 will be diverted and will skip the bus stop along Connaught Drive, opposite Singapore Cricket Club.
Please refer to http://www.smrt.com.sg/indexn.html# for details -
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Originally posted by SMRT Buses:
Thought posted already by me on 03 Aug 2006 · 10:12am .
Temporary diversion of service 75 & 167 on Sunday, 6 August 2006
Connaught Drive will be temporarily closed the entire day on Sunday, 6 August 2006 due to the Samsung Inline Skating 2006 event. Service 75 and 167 will be diverted and will skip the bus stop along Connaught Drive, opposite Singapore Cricket Club.
Please refer to http://www.smrt.com.sg/indexn.html# for details
The website is http://www.smrt.com.sg/buses/documents/service75-167-3aug2006.pdf -
Win Weekly Prizes
Do you drive? Check out our website for the latest "Give way to buses campaign'. Simply answer 2 simple questions and you stand to win weekly prizes. So hurry..join the contest...and... spread the good news to your friends who drive too...
http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/doyouknow/GiveWay.aspx -
Found this at Shin Ming 03/08
2 SBS BC honoured for public spiritedness, by foiling an illegal immigrant's attempt to sneak into SG under an SBS bus 160's carriage...
The activity was spotted by a fellow 170 BC at JB CIQ... The 170 BC imformed his colleague when the bus reached WDL CIQ and both went to report to the ICA staff where the illegal immigrant was later arrested
This happened sometime last yr -
Two SBS Transit Bus Captains Honoured For Public SpiritednessOriginally posted by sbst275:Found this at Shin Ming 03/08
2 SBS BC honoured for public spiritedness, by foiling an illegal immigrant's attempt to sneak into SG under an SBS bus 160's carriage...
The activity was spotted by a fellow 170 BC at JB CIQ... The 170 BC imformed his colleague when the bus reached WDL CIQ and both went to report to the ICA staff where the illegal immigrant was later arrested
This happened sometime last yr -
1-2 million trips is possible. but not 1-2 million dollars additional daily.Originally posted by ^tamago^:trips. i believe it is possible.
a lot of ppl complain cos every trip 2cents, a return journey to and from work which requires a transfer means addition of 8 cents a day.
wat say u?
8 cents a day? x 30 days = S$2.40/month.
i know someone will argue that this amount mean a lot to those low income ppl. but i believe that it is still reasonable to rise the fare by 1-2 cts cos everything also rise..
i would rather they rise gradually than increase by 0.10 or 0.20 each time. that will be worst.. -
SBS Transit Football Juggling Contest
Join our Football Juggling Contest & stand to win the latest BenQ-Simens MP3 handphones worth $668. Check out our website for more details and see what other attractive prizes you can win.
More information can be obtained here. -
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Originally posted by Apex-LW'21:
Rides on 13 buses on Bus Services 10, 58, 66, 80, 143, 151, 154, 197, 243, 262, 293, 372 and 502 will be free.
[b]Free Bus Rides On 10 August 2006 Click here for more information.[/b] -
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Nicoll Highway will be closed from 10 Sep - 20 Sep
Notices from LTA are hung on lamposts along Geylang Road, Mountbatten Road.. -
generally due to the IMF/World Bank meeting to be held in SingaporeOriginally posted by SBS9889U:Nicoll Highway will be closed from 10 Sep - 20 Sep
Notices from LTA are hung on lamposts along Geylang Road, Mountbatten Road..
that closure i think is for security and safety of the IMF/WB meeting......................... -
From Sunday 10pm, 10 September to 20th September:
1. Services C2, 36, 70X, 97, 111, 133, 162X, 502, 518 and 857 will skip bus stop outside Suntec Convention Centre.
2. Services 10, 14, 16, 70, 196, 608 will skip Nicoll Highway. Alternative route not advised but likely to use Victoria St.
3. Other diversions are not known at the moment.
On Saturday, 16 September from 12 noon to 7.00pm:
3. Services 56, 57, 100, 107 and 961 will skip bus stop along Beach Road after Raffles Hotel.
4. Services 7, 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 145, 197 and 851 will skip the bus stop along North Bridge Road opposite Bras Basah Complex. -
Nicoll Highway
1. The city-bound section of Nicoll Highway will be closed from the junction of Republic Ave to the junction of Bras Basah Road.
2. The east-bound section of Nicoll Highway from the junction of Stamford Road (opposite One Raffles Link) will be closed up to Middle Road. Please enter Nicoll Highway from the Middle Road junction.
Raffles Boulevard
3. Raffles Boulevard, between Nicoll Highway and Temasek Boulevard, will be closed.
4. Raffles Boulevard between Temasek Boulevard and Temasek Avenue will be converted to a two-way scheme.
Temasek Boulevard
5. Both carriageways of Temasek Boulevard, between Raffles Boulevard and the round-about will be closed.
North Bridge Rd
6. North Bridge Rd fronting National Library and Raffles Hotel will be closed on Saturday, 16th September between 12noon and 7pm. -
Suntec City's no-drive zone plan
For 10 days next month, roads nearby will be partially or fully closed for the IMF, World Bank group annual meeting
Derrick A Paulo
[email protected]
SUNTEC City is set to become a no-drive zone of sorts for 10 days next month.
The police plan to close roads in the vicinity and the Marina Bay area during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank group annual meetings, which will be attended by 16,000 delegates.
That means taxis will be barred from the affected roads, public buses and shuttle services will be rerouted, a few bus stops and car park entrances will be closed, and parking restrictions will be strictly enforced.
At least three roads will be completely shut and eight other roads will be partially closed. So, public transport should be the way to go to and from the area, said the police in a media briefing yesterday.
To begin with, the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the main venue for the meetings, will be closed to the public from Sept 8 — three days before the meetings begin — until Sept 20, when they end.
Suntec City Mall and the office buildings will remain open.
From 10pm on Sept 10, the longest stretch of road closure will be along Nicoll Highway heading to the city, while a shorter section in the eastbound direction will be closed.
The other road closures until Sept 20 are along both carriageways of Temasek Boulevard — the main road leading to Suntec Singapore — and the short stretch of Raffles Boulevard closest to the building.
Already, motorists will be able to see bright neon signs put up along the street to inform them of the coming road closures. Two weeks before the event, there will be advisory signs to indicate alternative routes. Once the roads are closed, there will be directional signs so that drivers will know where to turn.
Said Traffic Police Commander Ng Guat Ting: "Congestion and delays are expected during this period ... We seek the public's patience and cooperation in securing everyone's safety."
For members of the public who take cabs, they can only stop at Suntec Towers 1 and 2 (outside Mango), between Suntec Towers 3 and 4 (outside Carrefour) and Marina Square (opposite Pan Pacific Hotel). Shuttle buses will stop either at Suntec Tower 2 or Carrefour.
The lanes of nine roads will also be closed at certain times during the 10-day period, due to activities hosted at other venues, such as the Esplanade.
Public transport operators have been apprised of the traffic arrangements and are ready to cater to any increased ridership to the area if people switch to public transport.
"We are going to use our spare fleet, which are usually for buses that break down. So, we'll use our entire fleet," ComfortDelGro group corporate communications officer Tammy Tan told Today.
If motorists still insist on driving, though, they will be able to pick up one of 300,000 pamphlets the police will be distributing at Shell, SPC and ExxonMobil petrol kiosks to get a detailed map of the roads affected.
Motorists like Mr Ron Awyong, 30, will probably give the Suntec area a miss, though.
"Although Suntec is popular with young parents like myself, there won't be the usual convenience of driving there," he said. "Imagine lugging a pram and baby in the human crush if I have to park further away. And for people who are used to driving, like me, public transport is a last resort."
Visit www.spf.gov.sg for more information -
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Withdrawal of Service 116 with effect from 15 Aug 2006
Low demand during office hrs but bus svc lasted more than 3 mths.
