High Bus Fares for Polytechnic students Online Petition
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I dont understand why are u guys keep asking for "More" govt subsidise more when the fares are not subsidise by the govt in the 1st place ?
I guess we could just charge Poly students 45c. Then we can charge more from the adult side. I guess it would be more "fair" since the adults are working..
Shall see who is making more noise in the end ?
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Originally posted by gorby107:
I have to agree his points as there are quite a huge number of poly students and this may cause the bus company to earn less but looking from the report for the year 2007, SBS Transit and SMRT made a profit of $50 million and $135.8 million, respectively after taxes which I think is quite a huge sum of money. If they are willing to do that, they can focus on other areas to earn more $$ like what is SMRT doing, building shops at MRT station but still not compromising on serving bus commuters and service standards.
I think it is impossible for the both companies to be nationalised by the government. Even though this may mean that with under the government control, they may improve greatly on the management of public transport. Fixing on prices, which may adverse effect on what is happening to country like Malaysia now. This may cause to be more dependent on the government. So balanced is needed.If the bus companies are being nationalised, we could only expect the company to perform even worst than what we are experiencing now. They will not have the motivation to strive to work harder to serve the communters. We have very good examples from US and Aust.
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Originally posted by sBs_boy:
If the bus companies are being nationalised, we could only expect the company to perform even worst than what we are experiencing now. They will not have the motivation to strive to work harder to serve the communters. We have very good examples from US and Aust.
I did not think of that while I was typing out, but I agree with you on that point. This remind me of what happened to the former Soviet Union -
Originally posted by sBs_boy:
I dont understand why are u guys keep asking for "More" govt subsidise more when the fares are not subsidise by the govt in the 1st place ?
I guess we could just charge Poly students 45c. Then we can charge more from the adult side. I guess it would be more "fair" since the adults are working..
Shall see who is making more noise in the end ?
Yes, I find it unfair. As a poly students, we pay quite a sum to school every semester. But for a JC students, their school fees are cheaper and transport fees are cheaper. Does that mean poly students are made used to make money? It is not very fair if the answer is YES. -
i know what the reply will be from the Public Transport Council.
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxthen follow by
Tertiary students enjoy concession rates.
End of story.
every year people complain then they just refer back to the template they made only god knows how many years ago, make some changes then follow by tertiary students enjoy concession rates.
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Sorry for not signing.....i am planning to get into JC
No offence
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Originally posted by tintinspartan:
What's more, entering a JC is more cheaper than entering a Poly. This really scares off students from poorer, low income families to go into Poly. This 'unfair fare system' for Poly Students is really an additional 'headache' to them. It's time the Polytechnics do something for the justice of their students.
Please use ur pea brain to think before you post...
1) Entering JC =/= cheaper than poly, some JCs do charge approximately same rate as some polys
2) There is something called financial aid. Unless you are so rich(with your branded accessories) not to know about what is going on..
3) The decision is with PTC and the govt, there isnt really much the polys could do..
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Originally posted by n4l:
they are charging adult already what o.o"
only got concession pass only - that's the diff.
I'm a former ITE student. Bus fare for ITE student cost $0.45. Same price as JCs.
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Originally posted by SBS n SMRT:
Sorry for not signing.....i am planning to get into JC
No offence
I hope you plan in getting into JC because of your ability and not because of cheaper bus fares.A few more points to add on after some of your replied.
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One of you said cheaper concession fares. MAY be feasible but I believe $52 and $45 bucks arrived after some calculations by the price fixers.
Just look at these few students:
An SP student living in Pasir Ris
An NP student living at Upp East Coast
An NYP student living at Jurong West St 92
A TP student living in Choa Chu Kang
An RP student living at Holland Villageyes i'm taking the extremes of each poly vs residential area.
A sane person (less bus enthusiasts of course) would buy the $45 TCP. Some may buy $52 depending on whether they have a direct bus to school. Since poly students pay adult fares, use that as the benchmark. Assuming 22 weekdays in a month, no going out on weekends and elsewhere before/after school, you would see that the 45/52 bucks is justified. Its even more justified to buy concession when transport fares are rising.
Dont believe me do some calculations yourself. For those currently in poly, calculate your costs and see if your concession is justified.
I do understand that JC students are at the better end of this because some of them would go lengths to get into the JC they want - say living at Woodlands and studying at VJC. Their 45 cents is worth the money. However, consider this, many parents send them to school. Costing wise here is rather vague.
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Another one of you said its not easy to work and study at the same time. I agree. Working part time and studying full time is better than working full time and studying part time. All it takes here is time management.
I do have friends who work regularly every weekend (less exam period) during their poly days. During holidays they request to work on weekdays subject to manpower requirements. A handful of them work during the computer shows every quarter. Though its a 4 day hectic job but the commission you made from that seems worth (or maybe not worth) it.
The bottom line is simply time management and self discipline. There are more girls who work part time than guys. There seems to be a trend for this.
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I think we debate so much also no use.. let's just adopt a wait-and-see approach for now... Currently, the petition is still ongoing...Those who are signing can carry on. We don't know what the outcome might be. There's 50-50 chance that the petition might be successful. If it succeeds, let's close this case. If it fails, it's not too late to come up with some solid suggestions.
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Originally posted by SBS n SMRT:
Sorry for not signing.....i am planning to get into JC
No offence
Then good luck to you.
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Originally posted by lianamaster:
Well... I want you to know that in my argument, I am not saying that the poly cannot have the same fares as JC students. If the petition were to be successful, I will be very happy as well. Who don't want cheaper fares?
But, in my opinion, I feel that the govt might not take the petition too seriously, especially in the current financial crisis, because asking for at least 50% reduction of fares at once for the entire cohort of poly students might be too bitter a pill for them to swallow. Hence, they might need a lot of time to consider this plan. Hence, I suggested that while the relevant authorities debate on this issue, why not set up a "cheaper concession pass scheme" catered just for poly students at the moment so that poly students can enjoy? The drop might not be big.... but hey.... since when do adult fares dropped?
The govt may have lots of funds now, as we all know, but I suppose they are taking a very cautious approach to spending them. Hence, I am not against the petition. We can all try and hope for the best... but just be prepared for the worst case scenario...
As for the comparison analogy, I understand your rebuttal. But, that'd based on observations that I know of. People who can afford high-end products doesn't neccesarily have to accept higher fares but reality checks show that while they might complain about increments in simple fare like books, meals and fares, such sales expensive branded stuff still remain strong and most of the sales are attributed to an increasing number of youngsters nowadays. It isn't uncommon that outsiders, like me, might link those "fruits" together.
Hence, I am trying to be impartial and if the petiton works out fine.. that's good. If not, perhaps my suggestion is worth some seconds of attention? Hehe...
fair enough.
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Originally posted by sinicker:
funds? govt funds? what govt funds?
it's all cross-subsidising.
that adult fare you paid.....
it helped that small boy take the bus to go to school 3 bus stops away for $0.45.we're talking about public transportation, afterall.
anyway its a matter of whether they wanna get it done or not.
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Originally posted by turbo_drift:
I'm a former ITE student. Bus fare for ITE student cost $0.45. Same price as JCs.
I didn't know. Sorry. Then why are poly students charged adult fares..this is absurd. Unless ITE is under MOE?
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yes concession defintely justified.
but what if you do not require the concession? that will be a burn on the ez-link card.
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Originally posted by Y_Shun:
yes concession defintely justified.
but what if you do not require the concession? that will be a burn on the ez-link card.
Preferable do your sums first....then decide which is the cheaper of the 2. That's what would I do when I'm schooling...
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By simply passing on the costs of further concessions to adult fare paying passengers is likely to hit them extra hard esp those low income earners whose income are not considered low enough for transport vouchers; which i believe form a large bulk. Public transport fares ought to be affordable even to lower income full fare paying passengers, and it doesn't mean that full fare paying passengers coz they are working are rich enough to further absorb concessions through higher fares.
Average salaries for oridinary citizens have in fact fallen across various sectors due to greater competition for limited jobs with foreigners willing to take lower pay and greater job demands. Look at price of HDB flats as compared over the years vs salaries! And why are we reminded by our govt again and again gone are those days we can happily look forward to retirement at age 55. Now policy is to work as long as you live!
Working adults have their problems too and i believe many full fare paying commuters earning barely to sustain their daily needs. Salaries goes to monthly repayment of significant amt of HDB home & renovation loans, S&C charges, phone, elec, water bills, household items, food, cash allowances for ageing parents (worse still parents who are ill and need medical attention), etc etc.
Taxing car owners to help keep public transport affordable, though not a popular idea, is still a suggestion not to be dismissed. Cars are contributing to environmental pollution, occupying much of constrained road and parking space esp during peak hours. If car owners are feeling the pinch of taxes to help subsidise public transport, it may be an effective solution to encourage car owners give up on their cars for public transport.
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Originally posted by SBS3688Y:
By simply passing on the costs of further concessions to adult fare paying passengers is likely to hit them extra hard esp those low income earners whose income are not considered low enough for transport vouchers; which i believe form a large bulk. Public transport fares ought to be affordable even to lower income full fare paying passengers, and it doesn't mean that full fare paying passengers coz they are working are rich enough to further absorb concessions through higher fares.
Average salaries for oridinary citizens have in fact fallen across various sectors due to greater competition for limited jobs with foreigners willing to take lower pay and greater job demands. Look at price of HDB flats as compared over the years vs salaries! And why are we reminded by our govt again and again gone are those days we can happily look forward to retirement at age 55. Now policy is to work as long as you live!
Working adults have their problems too and i believe many full fare paying commuters earning barely to sustain their daily needs. Salaries goes to monthly repayment of significant amt of HDB home & renovation loans, S&C charges, phone, elec, water bills, household items, food, cash allowances for ageing parents (worse still parents who are ill and need medical attention), etc etc.
Taxing car owners to help keep public transport affordable, though not a popular idea, is still a suggestion not to be dismissed. Cars are contributing to environmental pollution, occupying much of constrained road and parking space esp during peak hours. If car owners are feeling the pinch of taxes to help subsidise public transport, it may be an effective solution to encourage car owners give up on their cars for public transport.
+ Inflation is eroding the real value of salaries, people have less to enjoy even though our economic growth last year was quite good. Thanks to baseless hikes in electricity, ERP, housing prices.
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Originally posted by gorby107:
Those who wish to endorse/support it, to make it the same as those in JC
Here is the link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/polybus/petition.html
The only best time for poly students to earn money is during school holidays which only last 7 weeks (differ for different poly) plus another 2 weeks break during the 5 months duration for one semester. How long can it last? If they need to cover up their other own expenses like food and etc.
For me, parents pay for my transport fees
but they still need to feed/support the family on other expenses...
This is what I feel...i am the 24492nd lol. my friends behind by 2-3.
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Originally posted by lianamaster:
Are u a uni student as well?
I don't see what this has to do with anything, but no. I am working.
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Originally posted by First Five-Eights:
I don't see what this has to do with anything, but no. I am working.
Here's what you wrote:
"While I understand that the poly students want lower fares (who doesn't want to pay less? It's a no brainer), then by the same logic, we should give uni students the same low fares. Do you think uni students have the chance to earn a lot (if any) more than poly students? "
U are the one who suggested about giving uni students concession rates so I thought u're a uni student.....
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Originally posted by sBs_boy:
I dont understand why are u guys keep asking for "More" govt subsidise more when the fares are not subsidise by the govt in the 1st place ?
I guess we could just charge Poly students 45c. Then we can charge more from the adult side. I guess it would be more "fair" since the adults are working..
Shall see who is making more noise in the end ?
for e same age, end up e fare can be 3x or 4x more than e 45c farein fact all these are social responsibilites issue... if you run a public tpt co with only profits, in no time its lots of unhappiness
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Originally posted by sbst275:
for e same age, end up e fare can be 3x or 4x more than e 45c farein fact all these are social responsibilites issue... if you run a public tpt co with only profits, in no time its lots of unhappiness
Dont expect them to give 45c ride to Poly/Uni students when they are being controlled by the shareholders and not the govt..
Ask urself, which will always comes first ?
Profit or Social Responsible ?This is something which is very impt as they need to find somewhere to strike a balance.. Afterall, they are being sandwhich in the middle..
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Originally posted by sBs_boy:
Dont expect them to give 45c ride to Poly/Uni students when they are being controlled by the shareholders and not the govt..
Ask urself, which will always comes first ?
Profit or Social Responsible ?This is something which is very impt as they need to find somewhere to strike a balance.. Afterall, they are being sandwhich in the middle..
Profit of course since i monopolise the market. i up to $3 per trip you also boh bian have to take.
if you notice, when the fares increase last time, it is actually cheaper to take taxi with 4 persons sharing. (e.g feeder bus to interchange & 4 persons sharing a taxi to the same location)
so when they start to increase the taxi fares to prevent you from using the above method, you find that it is actually cheaper to own a car.
then here come the ERP gantries and the charges. you find that take back public transports is cheaper. and this cycle continue.
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Originally posted by freedom4ever:
Profit of course since i monopolise the market. i up to $3 per trip you also boh bian have to take.
if you notice, when the fares increase last time, it is actually cheaper to take taxi with 4 persons sharing. (e.g feeder bus to interchange & 4 persons sharing a taxi to the same location)
so when they start to increase the taxi fares to prevent you from using the above method, you find that it is actually cheaper to own a car.
then here come the ERP gantries and the charges. you find that take back public transports is cheaper. and this cycle continue.
See how are you going to charge $3 with the government having anti monopoly laws, which includes measures to curb monopoly pricing.