New service guidelines for bus services; fines if standards
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SINGAPORE: The Public Transport Council has revised the service guidelines for public buses to help ensure they meet specific standards, and with recent changes to the law, it will, for the first time, have the teeth to enforce compliance.
Service standards for buses have actually been in place since 1994.
The problem was they were route specific and there were no penalties if they were not complied with.
Bus commuters would identify with the main problems highlighted in a survey done by the Public Transport Council.
Waiting for buses was top on the complaint list, followed by over-crowding and long travel times to complete a bus journey.
All this changed in April this year when the PTC Act was amended, giving the council new powers to ensure compliance and impose fines if standards are not met.
The standards cover six essential aspects of service -
* Bus service reliability - for example, at least 85 percent of bus services should not deviate more than 5 minutes from the scheduled frequency
* Loading - for example, weekday peak period bus loading shouldn't exceed 95 percent
* Safety
* Provision of information
* Availability of bus services
* Integration with other modes of public transport
Designed to overcome the most common complaints, the standards will kick in once the two main bus operators - SBS Transit and SMRT - get their new bus licences in 2 months.
PTC will then monitor these standards under actual operating conditions for half a year, tweaking them if necessary, by early next year, after which fines kick in for non-compliance.
These can go up to $100,000 per contravention.
"We can certainly strive and achieve continuous improvement and if each year, we can improve by a few percentage points, then, in time to come, it should reach a level not where no one will complain, but at least the majority of commuters will be satisfied with it," said PTC Chairman Gerard Ee.
The PTC says it will audit the performance standards measures submitted by the operators.
Singapore's two biggest bus operators, SBS Transit and SMRT, who'll be affected by the new service standards, say they welcome them.
In a statement, SBS Transit said the new standards will act as a goal post, spurring not just them, but the whole industry.
To meet the standards, SBS Transit says it will be stepping up efforts it has already made in the past few years, such as increasing the fleet and number of bus services, as well as revamping their website.
Meanwhile, SMRT says they've also been continually pursuing improvements, like adjusting schedule & route to match demand, introducing new services as well as providing free services. - CNA /dt -
No more than 95% loading during Weekday peak hrs
hiak hiak hiak.... See how svs like 151 can cope
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Not much people in the public have any idea how much the employees are suffering. Lower budget, higher demands.
Sometimes I really feel like quitting from SBS Transit when I see the demands getting harsher but more abuses from the public at the public transport companies.
But inspiration to keep the tough tougher and the tough gets going when the going gets tough, I will stay on... For the sake of those who cannot leave the company and those who've never given up. -
but it justifies the fare hike u see
commuters now pay more for fares, of course they have higher expectation on service frequency -
Thank the fare hikes to the rocketing oil prices.Originally posted by Edgar_Davids:but it justifies the fare hike u see
commuters now pay more for fares, of course they have higher expectation on service frequency
Even if the demand increases, there're no need for some commuters to keep sending SBS with sacarstic feedbacks. Or unreasonable demands. Some even want us to flout the law by tampering with the door closing buzzers. Then almost all complains are said with sacarsm and links to fare hikes even though it sounds weird. -
Let's face it..we singaporeans can get a little carried away and are tad too pampered.Originally posted by MS:Thank the fare hikes to the rocketing oil prices.
Even if the demand increases, there're no need for some commuters to keep sending SBS with sacarstic feedbacks. Or unreasonable demands. Some even want us to flout the law by tampering with the door closing buzzers. Then almost all complains are said with sacarsm and links to fare hikes even though it sounds weird.
They just dont seem to get the point that the fare hike was due to the oil prices...
didnt they even watch the news??? and they even dare blame SMRT...sheesh
and when SMRT and SBS implement cameras and all technological advancements, you people complain...sheesh -
Thursday July 27, 10:17AM
PTC Chairman says timing of new service standards for buses not linked to fare issue
SINGAPORE: Public Transport Council Chairman Gerard Ee says the announcement of new service standards for buses was not meant as a precursor to any possible fare increases next month, and that the timing was merely coincidental.
"We can choose to do whichever piece of the work first but there is a certain logic to it - some will interpret it as a sweetening of the pill - but imposing standards is a priority and the question of fares will come later on," said Mr Ee.
He did add, however, that operational efficiencies, which include incidents like the recent NorthEast Line stoppage, will be taken into consideration when looking at any applications for fare increases. - CNA /dt -
They are trying hard yes... But why svs like 90, 91, 94, 151, 182, 252 the whole day has prob coping during peak hrs on top of the fact being either majority NAC or totally NAC
Wheras FAC svs buses arrive Int 10 mins bef time and nothing is done? -
Look mister, do you understand what you are saying or not? You just said 'svcs blah blah blah the whole day has prob coping during peak hours'...what talking you? is it the whole day or just peak hours? Or do you mean everyday during peak hours? Please exercise caution while typing pls, or either your English is very lousy?Originally posted by sbst275:They are trying hard yes... But why svs like 90, 91, 94, 151, 182, 252 the whole day has prob coping during peak hrs on top of the fact being either majority NAC or totally NAC
Wheras FAC svs buses arrive Int 10 mins bef time and nothing is done?
On one hand you complain that the above svcs mentioned blah blah blah have problem coping with the heavy pax loads during peak hours, then on the other hand you complain about the NAC...gee...so what do you think is accceptable to you then Lord sbst275...You are so damn hard to please...
Heavy loads...cannot? Put in NAC buses also cannot...then tell us then wat do you want sbst to do? Dun 4get, sbs transit is already stretching the capabilities of its fleet at least until all the remaining B9TLs come into svc...
Throw NACs on feeder svcs, wait also get complain...I pity SBS Transit...fancy them having commuters like you...wait a min, u aren't a commuter r you, just some bo liao nosey-parker? Why don't you give sbs transit a few million dollars for them to buy more buses then. Oh, maybe you can sponsor the upgrading of the roads at Kent Ridge or whatever to allow the seamless use of DDs or something like that
2 words to you.
Quit complaining! -
I Do Not see the Link why FAC services would arrive on time while NAC or PAC Services would arrive Late...Originally posted by sbst275:They are trying hard yes... But why svs like 90, 91, 94, 151, 182, 252 the whole day has prob coping during peak hrs on top of the fact being either majority NAC or totally NAC
Wheras FAC svs buses arrive Int 10 mins bef time and nothing is done? -
They often are the onesOriginally posted by sBs_boy:I Do Not see the Link why FAC services would arrive on time while NAC or PAC Services would arrive Late... -
Upon careful reading, I don't see any logic in your statements. The first part doesn't quite link to the 2nd part...there's no logic, no linkage and incoherent.Originally posted by sbst275:They are trying hard yes... But why svs like 90, 91, 94, 151, 182, 252 the whole day has prob coping during peak hrs on top of the fact being either majority NAC or totally NAC
Wheras FAC svs buses arrive Int 10 mins bef time and nothing is done?
Have u been listening to a certain Singapore Idol judge's comments that you too have become incoherent, or are you incoherent in the 1st place? -
If you think I'm just complaining too much, go board these overloaded NAC buses
Boarding from Macpherson Rd to NUS in a NAC bus for more than 1 hr... Or 74 from Ang Mo Kio to Clementi Rd onboard a NAC SD
When SBS is making fairly decent profits, and yet it does nothing to improve the situation, what does it show? -
Okay... So.. you are trying to say is that it is better that SBST Take away all the NAC buses and drag the freq of buses to meet the standards of SMRTB and force ppl up their already crowded buses due to the fact that they do not have enough buses to go around. On your last point made. if SBST do not raise their fares for lets say 12years. Would they be able to combat the raising Fuel price ? Would they have the money to pay the BCs ? Would they have the money to maintain their bus fleets ? unless you are telling me that they are paying BCs like what they did 12years ago. Fuel price that is 12years ago. Then i would have agree with you that they should not have raise their bus fares. Think again.. Times have change.. We are now in the year 2006. Not 1994.. Think about what i have said. Even Police used to wear Shorts..Originally posted by sbst275:If you think I'm just complaining too much, go board these overloaded NAC buses
Boarding from Macpherson Rd to NUS in a NAC bus for more than 1 hr... Or 74 from Ang Mo Kio to Clementi Rd onboard a NAC SD
When SBS is making fairly decent profits, and yet it does nothing to improve the situation, what does it show? -
I think ppl have very short memories
Service 151 used to be a Fully Aircon service -
Sv. 151 was fully aircon, so what? Lapse in service standards? I don't think so. I rather see FREQUENT NAC buses than aircon buses packed to the brim and arrive irregularly, thanks to a particular non-commuter sbst275 who seems to think the world about "commuter rights".Originally posted by sbst275:I think ppl have very short memories
Service 151 used to be a Fully Aircon service -
Your can carry on arguing, the rule is set
$100,000 fine for any service breach
In fact I'm far more happy, no more 100% loading is allowed
You think SBS is not scared??? I wrote a complain to PTC over 151 and not long later more aircon buses came in...
Covering up or defending them over such a service error is the worst kind of all cos it does no help in raising service standards in Singapore -
that 95% loading rule is stupid lah.. bus driver kind hearted stop and try to let more ppl board also get complain. wait he dun stop also get complain.Originally posted by sbst275:In fact I'm far more happy, no more 100% loading is allowed
You think SBS is not scared??? I wrote a complain to PTC over 151 and not long later more aircon buses came in...
Co
No matter, u will see buses fully loaded, even with the rules.
And since your complain letter so powerful, write to them about all those NAC services every week lah.. then u will get to see AC buses on these services. -
Why should SBS be scared of you? Who do you think you are? Don't be so self-delusional, you are a person of ZERO importance.Originally posted by sbst275:Your can carry on arguing, the rule is set
$100,000 fine for any service breach
In fact I'm far more happy, no more 100% loading is allowed
You think SBS is not scared??? I wrote a complain to PTC over 151 and not long later more aircon buses came in...
Covering up or defending them over such a service error is the worst kind of all cos it does no help in raising service standards in Singapore
Seriously, how can the driver determine whether the buses has 100% loading or 97% loading or 95% loading. Seriously, if the people want to squeeze onto the bus, what can the bus driver, ask them to get off?
And since you are so happy with the no 100% loading rule, I hope you SHUT up over the deployment of NAC buses. -
where can atleast not nore than 95% full during peak hours? Not logical lah. The current bus system are good enough.
den wad safety?
wanna put seatbelts for passengers in city buses.
That will certainly make the bus even more packed and fare hike will go up even more. The PTC should think before they make their desicions lah.
imagine ah, BC shouting at passengers "get out from this bus, i dun wanna make my the bus more than 95% full" and blah blah blah a few days later get complain.
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If you put seat belts, then no need to think about taking buses... it won't be packed since noone would be allowed to stand... More likely, the bus stops would be packed, waiting for a bus with empty seats...Originally posted by XTransbus:wanna put seatbelts for passengers in city buses.
That will certainly make the bus even more packed and fare hike will go up even more. -
Orig
ComfortDelgro got a S$200m NET profit...
They just dont seem to get the point that the fare hike was due to the oil prices...
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I thought buses are usually at most 80-90% full during peak hours...special thanks to those who think behind got ghosts? Or are they talking about only the front half of the buses 95% capacity?
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SBS Transit Welcomes New Quality Of Service (QoS) Standards
1. Increasing the number of services
2. Bigger fleet
3. Campaigns to improve service timeliness
4. Revamped website to provide better information to commuters
5. Amendments to services following feedback from commuters -
I hope waiting time will no longer be erratic.
(Sometimes still have to wait 20 mins just to get another fully packed bus, board a turtle bus when you in a hurry)
I hope the cleaniness of buses will be better.
(Can see moulds on aircon vents, greasy windows from hair cream/gel of commuters, dusty/dirty corners)
I hope buses will be better maintained.
(Rattling engines, loose axles, screeching brakes, bad aircons)
We don't need bus captains to greet us if all the above can't even be met.