Many find transport companies emphasize on profit/loss.
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In a findings broadcasted on news, many of those interviewed hoped to have wheelchair and handicapped friendly facilities on buses and trains.
However, not many are willing to pay higher fares if the facilities are implemented.
The issue has been brought to the government, hoping that the government can bear all costs of modification, using money collect through ERP for example.
It is also noted by many that the transport companies emphasize alot on their profits and losses. They feel that transport companies should have more rebates and concessions for children and senior citizens. -
For JC students who have just graduated (studying from 2002-2003) like me, the student concession card is programmed to become an adult EZ-Link card with effect from 1 Jan 2004. Transitlink says there are no more concessions because we are no longer students but I think it's still pretty unfair on us since we pay student fares at 11.59pm on 31 Dec 2003 and then when the clock striked 12am on 1 Jan 2004, we're suddenly paying adult fares. I mean when the student farecard was still being used, I'm sure we would still be allowed to use it as it is. For heavy travellers like me, the bus fares are taking a heavy toll on my wallet and I'm not working, so even if I want to buy concession (which I have always been buying all along), I'm not entitled to do so since I would have to be an SBS Transit or TIBS shareholder. That effectively rules us out of having the adult concession and it's strange that university students and NSMen can buy concession while we effectively don't have any concession to buy to offset high travel costs. I just hope SBS Transit can do something about this...
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Refer your case to Transitlink hotline at 1800 - 767 4333.Originally posted by foxtrot1985:For JC students who have just graduated (studying from 2002-2003) like me, the student concession card is programmed to become an adult EZ-Link card with effect from 1 Jan 2004. Transitlink says there are no more concessions because we are no longer students but I think it's still pretty unfair on us since we pay student fares at 11.59pm on 31 Dec 2003 and then when the clock striked 12am on 1 Jan 2004, we're suddenly paying adult fares. I mean when the student farecard was still being used, I'm sure we would still be allowed to use it as it is. For heavy travellers like me, the bus fares are taking a heavy toll on my wallet and I'm not working, so even if I want to buy concession (which I have always been buying all along), I'm not entitled to do so since I would have to be an SBS Transit or TIBS shareholder. That effectively rules us out of having the adult concession and it's strange that university students and NSMen can buy concession while we effectively don't have any concession to buy to offset high travel costs. I just hope SBS Transit can do something about this...
Or go down to Buona Vista MRT Station for your enquiry.
Alternatively, u go to your school's general office to ask for a form.
That's what I did today.
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Did you take the "A" Levels at the end of 2003? If so, what did they do? Give you student concession rates? Anyway, according to this http://www.transitlink.com.sg/news.php?menu=news_menu.html&no=1, only Pri 6 repeat students and Secondary 4 and 5 students who took their GCE 'O' Level examination in Year 2003 get to extend their concession but not JC2 students who took their GCE "A" Level examination in Year 2003.
Anyway, here's their response to my enquiry in November (I enquired through their website), which is utter crap:
We refer to your feedback to EZ-Link Pte Ltd on the above-mentioned
subject. The matter was subsequently forwarded to TransitLink as the
administration of the Student Concession Card and monthly concession
passes come under our purview.
Please allow us to introduce ourselves. TransitLink is a service
company set up by Singapore's three major public transport operators
- SBS Transit Ltd (SBS Transit), Singapore MRT Ltd (SMRT) and
Trans-Island Bus Services Ltd (Tibs) to provide an integrated public
transport system by bringing the MRT, LRT and buses together as one
single, comprehensive network. We have also been appointed by
EZ-Link Pte Ltd, the Ez-link Card Manager, as the managing agent for
sale, revaluation, replacement and refund of the ez-link Card.
We would like to share with you that upon graduation or withdrawal
from school, the concession eligibility of the Student Concession
Card will expire. Thereafter, students have a grace period of 6
months to continue the use of the Student Concession Card after the
end of their course duration. During this grace period, students
cannot purchase monthly concessions passes since they are no longer
students but they are able to top up their card and use it like an
Adult ez-link Card. This also gives the card holder time to arrange
to refund their card's remaining value at any TransitLink Ticket
Office before the card becomes invalid.
Students may check the expiry date of their ez-link Card at any Add
Value Machine (AVM) or General Ticketing Machine (GTM).
If your concession eligibility is expiring soon, you can still
purchase a monthly concession pass. The unused portion of the
monthly concession pass will be refunded to you on a pro-rated basis.
Thereafter, you can purchase an Adult ez-link Card from the Ticket
Office for $15 ($7 Stored Value, $3 Refundable Travel Deposit and $5
Non-refundable Card Cost).
To help commuters in the transition from the magnetic fare card to
the ez-link card over the last 19 months, EZ-Link has given all
commuters the opportunity to have their first adult ez-link card at
no cost. For subsequent cards purchased, a fully refundable card fee
of $2 for adult ez-link cards was imposed. Hence, these cards are
essentially issued for use at no cost. For eligible students, they
have the opportunity to enjoy concession fares through their
concession cards.
EZ-Link has considered different alternatives to stem the wastage of
cards before implementing the new card policy. With over 5.3 million
cards in circulation and almost, if not all commuters already have a
card, there is no longer the need for EZ-Link to continue subsidising
the cards. The new card policy is the most equitable as it means
that only those who require additional cards pay for them.
We would also like to share that with the new card policy, commuters
will still get their faulty or damaged ez-link cards replaced at no
cost, if the fault or damage is incurred through normal usage.
We hope that our reply has helped clarify the situation and we
appreciate your gracious understanding on the matter. For more
information on Student Concession Card, please visit our website at
www.transitlink.com.sg.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely -
I'm in this grace period now. But luckily SBST introduced a fare cap. Otherwise, I need to pay like crazy!Originally posted by foxtrot1985:We would like to share with you that upon graduation or withdrawal from school, the concession eligibility of the Student Concession Card will expire. Thereafter, students have a grace period of 6 months to continue the use of the Student Concession Card after the end of their course duration. During this grace period, students cannot purchase monthly concessions passes since they are no longer students but they are able to top up their card and use it like an Adult ez-link Card. This also gives the card holder time to arrange to refund their card's remaining value at any TransitLink Ticket Office before the card becomes invalid.
Students may check the expiry date of their ez-link Card at any Add
Value Machine (AVM) or General Ticketing Machine (GTM).
If your concession eligibility is expiring soon, you can still
purchase a monthly concession pass. The unused portion of the
monthly concession pass will be refunded to you on a pro-rated basis.
My December BCP is one example. It started on 3rd and ended on 31st. This cost me $25.70 instead of the usual $27.50. -
Oh...
Then how come you still ask me to refer my case to Transitlink when it's the same case as yours? And which did you do and did it work? -
1. Refer your case to Transitlink hotline at 1800 - 767 4333.
2. Or go down to Buona Vista MRT Station for your enquiry.
3. Alternatively, u go to your school's general office to ask for a form. ? -
I've asked before. They will ask you to pay adult fare until you registered and start your academic year in the institution/school.Originally posted by service_238:Refer your case to Transitlink hotline at 1800 - 767 4333.
Or go down to Buona Vista MRT Station for your enquiry.
Alternatively, u go to your school's general office to ask for a form.
That's what I did today. -
Correct, they will ream you of your money first.Originally posted by off_service:I've asked before. They will ask you to pay adult fare until you registered and start your academic year in the institution/school. -
At least JC students can pay student/child fare for their 2 years of studies. Many Poly year 1 students (same age as JC1 students) pay adult fares after they graduated from secondary school or after the JC 3 months course. So now tell me, who is more unfair? JC students at least benefitted from 2 more years than poly students,Originally posted by foxtrot1985:Did you take the "A" Levels at the end of 2003? If so, what did they do? Give you student concession rates? Anyway, according to this http://www.transitlink.com.sg/news.php?menu=news_menu.html&no=1, only Pri 6 repeat students and Secondary 4 and 5 students who took their GCE 'O' Level examination in Year 2003 get to extend their concession but not JC2 students who took their GCE "A" Level examination in Year 2003.
Poly students pay adult fares for MRT and buses (w/o concession).
JC students pay student fares for MRT and buses (w/o concession).
BCP for Poly students: $52
BCP for JC students: $27.50
I feel that the government or the relavant authorities should re-look into the concessions and fares for Poly students. They totally forgot about the existence of poly students aged between 17 to 19, which is the similar as JC students from age 17 to 18. -
Yes, there is a very obvious double standard applied here. And the authorities give no reason or explanation for this situation.Originally posted by off_service:At least JC students can pay student/child fare for their 2 years of studies. Many Poly year 1 students (same age as JC1 students) pay adult fares after they graduated from secondary school or after the JC 3 months course. So now tell me, who is more unfair? JC students at least benefitted from 2 more years than poly students,
Poly students pay adult fares for MRT and buses (w/o concession).
JC students pay student fares for MRT and buses (w/o concession).
BCP for Poly students: $52
BCP for JC students: $27.50
I feel that the government or the relavant authorities should re-look into the concessions and fares for Poly students. They totally forgot about the existence of poly students aged between 17 to 19, which is the similar as JC students from age 17 to 18. -
I think, if I am not wrong, the child / student fares only applied to MOE schools. Tertiary institutions are not directly under MOE.Originally posted by SBS9818A:Yes, there is a very obvious double standard applied here. And the authorities give no reason or explanation for this situation. -
hmm I agree with foxtrot... it's quite ridiculous to make us pay the adult fares when we are no income-earners... and the difference in concession prices between the JC students and poly students is insane.. why discriminate?
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I called Transitlink on 2nd Jan. I gave my name, contact no, NRIC no, Ezlink Card No., Secondary Sch and JC/CI. They said they'll look into it or settle it i think.Originally posted by foxtrot1985:Oh... Then how come you still ask me to refer my case to Transitlink when it's the same case as yours? And which did you do and did it work? -
1. Refer your case to Transitlink hotline at 1800 - 767 4333.
2. Or go down to Buona Vista MRT Station for your enquiry.
3. Alternatively, u go to your school's general office to ask for a form. ?
On the same day later, I went to my JC's Office to obtain a form called 'Application For the extension of Concession Validity of School Smart Card'. Fill it up and submit to them. The office will also need a copy of your ezlink card.
As for now, the adult fare has cost me about $7 + since Jan 1st. I'm now left with $1.44
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Hmm... I see... Tell me if it really works in the end okay... Cos I thought the extension of concession validity was only for the J1s. Anyway, there's a way to underpay and I will say it's not exactly illegal, more like exploiting a loophole in the system. I've done this on 4 rides already... Just show your EZ-Link student pass and pay $0.45 in coins for non-aircon bus ride and $0.55 for air-con bus ride. I think even if the inspector checks, just show your ticket and student pass and things should be okay.Originally posted by service_238:I called Transitlink on 2nd Jan. I gave my name, contact no, NRIC no, Ezlink Card No., Secondary Sch and JC/CI. They said they'll look into it or settle it i think.
On the same day later, I went to my JC's Office to obtain a form called 'Application For the extension of Concession Validity of School Smart Card'. Fill it up and submit to them. The office will also need a copy of your ezlink card.
As for now, the adult fare has cost me about $7 + since Jan 1st. I'm now left with $1.44 -
My friends has told me that. But there's also an alternative - tap at the front and back doors straightaway after boarding. One loophole on the cash system is that there is no transfer rebate. By using the alternative i mentioned earlier, you can enjoy transfer rebates of $0.25.Originally posted by foxtrot1985:Hmm... I see... Tell me if it really works in the end okay... Cos I thought the extension of concession validity was only for the J1s. Anyway, there's a way to underpay and I will say it's not exactly illegal, more like exploiting a loophole in the system. I've done this on 4 rides already... Just show your EZ-Link student pass and pay $0.45 in coins for non-aircon bus ride and $0.55 for air-con bus ride. I think even if the inspector checks, just show your ticket and student pass and things should be okay. -
Yes I know... You have to calculate it out 1st... The cash method best works when you're taking a single bus direct to your destination. For the tap twice on the card reader, some guai lan bus drivers might spot it and ask u to retap on the entrance readers again... And if inspector comes up the bus, you have to devise ways to dodge it. And if the Vehicle Location System is enabled, then you will not be able to tap it on the exit reader until the exit doors are open again at the next stop. This will not work when for example, you take 23 outside Siemens building and the bus travels by the expressway to Bedok Reservoir Rd. You'll end up paying more than 63 cents in this case.
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foxtrot1985: i have an update for you.
Transitlink has called me and told me to do the following Go down to Buona Vista MRT Station Tell them that the card is unset + concession validity not extended Bring Passport sized photo in school uniform They will replace the ezlink card for you -
As in make a new ez-link or recode it? The former would be a waste of time and resources.Originally posted by service_238:foxtrot1985: i have an update for you.
Transitlink has called me and told me to do the following Go down to Buona Vista MRT Station Tell them that the card is unset + concession validity not extended Bring Passport sized photo in school uniform They will replace the ezlink card for you -
New ezlink probably.. the person on the phone told me to bring one photo and also said the word "replacement".
Personally I'd rather go down because I'm paying adult fare EVERYDAY!
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There is a phrase to describe Singapore's Transport. "It's all about the money".
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I thought Transitlink's policy is that you have to be studying in school CURRENTLY in order to enjoy the concession privilege. By doing so, is this like cheating in a way (e.g. lying that you are J2 repeat student)? And what if Transitlink checks up with the school? Lastly, what do you mean by "the card is unset"?Originally posted by service_238:foxtrot1985: i have an update for you.
Transitlink has called me and told me to do the following Go down to Buona Vista MRT Station Tell them that the card is unset + concession validity not extended Bring Passport sized photo in school uniform They will replace the ezlink card for you -
I got my concession back! I applied at PSR which is near my college. The people there initially asked me to call up the Transitlink Hotline. However, after I told them about it, they checked with the Buona Vista HQ. Everything's fine. Now i'm under Stage 2 of the extension
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OK, that's good. So I may have to go through the same process again next year to get my concession.Originally posted by service_238:I got my concession back! I applied at PSR which is near my college. The people there initially asked me to call up the Transitlink Hotline. However, after I told them about it, they checked with the Buona Vista HQ. Everything's fine. Now i'm under Stage 2 of the extension -
Yes I think you will too.. If you have any problems regarding this, u can refer back here or ask me personally..
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what is PSR?Originally posted by service_238:I got my concession back! I applied at PSR which is near my college. The people there initially asked me to call up the Transitlink Hotline. However, after I told them about it, they checked with the Buona Vista HQ. Everything's fine. Now i'm under Stage 2 of the extension