The Moley Prophet

To the Straits Times Forum, Public Transport Council and Ministry of Education: 

I refer to the article, “SMRT, SBS apply tp raise bus, train fares”. I am currently a student pursuing my degree at Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). It is reported that “there is good news for students, children and those holding concession passes, such as the elderly: Fares for them will remain unchanged”. However, I would like to point out that we, at SIM are not entitled to any concession. While my peers (at 18) who chose to go through the polytechnics or JC route pay 45 cents for a bus ride or buy concession passes, I pay the standard adult fare. And almost every half a year, the fare increases, which adds to my burden for transport fares. 

Although both transport operators have also said that they will use their profits to beef up their fleets, they have not done so everytime they increase the fares. Sometimes, the “Air-Conditioned” buses are even hotter than those which are not, and we have to pay more for them. Also, if the transport operators have not realized this, teenagers at my age are quite tall compared to before. Therefore, we need more leg room, which are not available on the buses. The only seats which I can fit in, are those which are reserved for the elderly. I simply could not enter the others. Bus frequencies are also very bad. Even at peak hours ( 6.00-6.30PM), I have to wait for about 15-20 minutes for bus 52. At the bus stop outside SIM, there is always a bus parked on the side of the road for reasons which are unknown.

For the many reasons listed above, I urge the PTC to not approve of the fare increase or the Ministry of Education to provide concession to SIM students.

The PTC’s reply:

I refer to your email on 2 Aug 06.

Allow us to explain the fare adjustment mechanism adopted by the PTC since 2005. Last year’s fare increase was approved based on the new fare review framework as recommended by the GPC (Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport)-led Fare Review Mechanism Committee (FRMC). The factors and rationale considered by PTC in approving last year’s fare adjustment are consistent with the FRMC’s recommendations. The same mechanism will be adopted for this year. Any fare adjustment approved by the PTC is subject to a cap as determined by the formula: Price Index - 0.3%. Within the fare cap, the PTC could moderate the quantum under extenuating circumstances such as adverse economic conditions and deterioration in affordability. This means that the fare adjustment is not determined by service improvement per se. If you wish to know more about the recommendations of the FRMC, you may refer to the FRMC Report posted on Ministry of Transport’s website at www.mot.gov.sg/policy-land.htm.

Public transport operators are expected to continually improve their services to meet the needs and expectations of their customers. It would be helpful if you could provide specific information to the bus operators directly on bus services that have poor air-conditioning. This way, the operators can attend to them immediately. As for Service 52, we will ask SBS Transit to investigate and reply to you directly. SBS Transit has to ensure that Service 52 complies with the new standards set for basic bus services.
 
On concession fares for SIM students, the public transport operators (PTOs) are allowed to charge any fares lower than the maximum amounts approved by PTC, based on their commercial and social considerations. Given that concession fares are lower than the maximum fares approved by PTC, decisions with regards to concessions, eligibility and pricing structures are made by the PTOs. Hence, matters on concession schemes will have to be dealt with and addressed by the PTOs or Transit Link on their behalf. We will, by copy of this e-mail, ask Transit Link to look into your request on behalf on the PTOs, and to respond to you directly. Thank you for your feedback.

Eddy Goh
for Secretary
Public Transport Council

cc     SBS Transit - please look into the feedback and suggestions given by Mr Leong and reply to him directly. In your reply, please extend a copy to PTC. Thank you.
        Transit Link - please look into the feedback and give a reply to Mr Leong directly. Thank you.

And to follow up:

In your reply dated 3 August 2006, you requested that I inform the Public Transport Operators about the poor air-conditioning on the buses.

However, I believe that the PTC should look into the case as the transport operators are charging fares for air-conditioned buses but providing buses which are not in the state. Since I take service 52 rather often, I did notice that not only the air-conditioners in the buses poor, the doors have a problem closing properly. This leads to foul gases from the roads wafting into the buses especially after a rainy day.

Also, in my previous email, I mentioned that the seats are too cramped for people exceeding 1.77 meters in height. Since my secondary school days, it has remain in its current state. I have not seen any improvements or changes to it except for the MRT styled seats (seats facing each other on both sides of the bus) which causes backaches due to excessive braking and jerking during the journey. Therefore I do not agree that the Public Transport Operators have met the expectations of continuously improving their services to meet the needs and expectations of general public.