Public transport fare hike not justified as SMRT still profi
-
SINGAPORE : The Consumers Association of Singapore has said this is not the right time to increase public transport fares, as salaries of the lower income have not gone up.
CASE was responding to SMRT's application to the Public Transport Council to increase its fares.
SMRT has applied to increase fares on its bus, MRT and LRT services this year.
But CASE says the fare hikes are not justified, as the listed transport operator made a record net profit of S$126.9 million in the financial year which ended on March 31.
That is 42 percent higher than its profits the previous year.
Said Yeo Guat Kwang, president of CASE, "There are signs of recovery -- I think we had quite good growth last year -- but based on my understanding as a union leader, the bottom 20 percent of income earners are still having a hard time and their salaries have not been increasing. In most cases, they still suffer from pay cuts."
Most commuters were understandably resistant to paying more.
"They should not increase the fares at the moment, reason being the economy has not fully recovered," one commuter said.
"How can they increase fares when our salaries are down? It may not affect high earners but it's a burden to low income earners like us," another said.
Based on a new fare revision formula, which takes into account the Consumer Price Index and workers salaries, SMRT has said a 2.4 percent increase is possible.
This means a commuter will have to pay about two cents more for an average fare of 80 cents.
And there are some who think a slight increase is acceptable.
"No more than five cents. I think that's acceptable," said one commuter.
The decision now lies with the Public Transport Council, which will take about four weeks to review the proposal. - CNA /ct -
its a slow and easiest to disguise ways of increasing.. one bit at a time..
-
It is still better than MY right? 20% a 1 go for every 5 yrsOriginally posted by 105090:its a slow and easiest to disguise ways of increasing.. one bit at a time..
-
Similar distance, ie 15km.Originally posted by sbst275:It is still better than MY right? 20% a 1 go for every 5 yrs
The bus fare for travelling 15km in Malaysia is still cheaper than travelling the same distance in Singapore, even after the hike in MY, it is still cheaper. -
In 3 or 4 weeks, we will know the answer.
Even if the rise is approved, we also can't do anything. -
Ya... But jump very bigOriginally posted by PJ_Quek:Similar distance, ie 15km.
The bus fare for travelling 15km in Malaysia is still cheaper than travelling the same distance in Singapore, even after the hike in MY, it is still cheaper. -
But I notice the bus fare to say like to Kota Tinggi, the bus fare is higher than SG
-
They use cash to pay all their fare, can't expect them to pay 3 more sen right?Originally posted by sbst275:Ya... But jump very big
The hike is also partially related to the inflation. -
it is not about how much or how often they increase but whether it is justifiable.Originally posted by sbst275:It is still better than MY right? 20% a 1 go for every 5 yrs
if their cost is high it is the duty of their management to control cost. not past to the commuters. -
Originally posted by dragg:it is not about how much or how often they increase but whether it is justifiable.
if their cost is high it is the duty of their management to control cost. not pass to the commuters. -
You sure? So the petrol price increase, you expect petrol co to control the cost?Originally posted by dragg:it is not about how much or how often they increase but whether it is justifiable.
if their cost is high it is the duty of their management to control cost. not past to the commuters.