Raymond Lim smoking on public transport fares

yapmarcus SG

In a dialogue session with MacPherson residents last Sunday reported by CNA, Transport Minister Mr Raymond Lim was asked why bus fares have not come down in tandem with dropping oil prices.

His reply was:

“This is because the public transport fare is not directly linked to the oil prices. We link it to national factors, like the inflation level in Singapore, and the wage level in the whole of Singapore.”

Mr Lim’s explanation doesn’t make any sense at all given the fact that transport operators have cited rising oil prices as a key reason for raising their fares in the past:

“In a statement on Friday, SBS Transit said it is applying to raise bus and train fares because of fuel and energy costs have ‘increased significantly in the last year”.

- Straits Times,1 August 2008

Oil prices hit a peak of US$120 per barrel in April this year before dropping drastically to less than US$70 per barrel now. Shouldn’t bus and train fares be decreased since fuel and energy costs have ‘decreased significantly’ over the past few months ?

angel7030 SG

Public transport can smoke meh??

charlize SG

These days, every minister is trying to out talk other ministers by coming up with the most illogical things they can say to the public.

At least it gives the people something to laugh about amidst all these economic problems.

Poh Ah Pak SG

More bullshit from PAP million dollar ministers.

Sad to have this type of minister, come and talk cock to us.

likedatosocan SG

I am confused by Raymond's words.

He said not directly linked.

and then he said not linked.

which is it?

Not Directly linked can mean Linked but indirectly.

not linked means simply completely not linked.

I hope to get the forummers opinions on the meaning of his words.

By impression or news reports, I have to say that it was mentioned that due to oil price hikes, transport fares needed to hike as well and that was the reason, if not one of the reasons, given.

I am worried about the way things are being handled.

dragg SG

it is directly linked only if and when a fair hike is needed.

there is no link if and when there is a request to reduce fares.

in short, directly linked or not depends on their perspective, not ours.

Medicated Oil SG

The government have used oil price hike and survival of the bus and MRT company for the price increase for the past two years.

The service improvement of the bus and MRT were also promised before the price increase.

However, the frequency of the ride did not increase and the quality of the SMRT bus did not improve after the price increase.

These are hard facts staring at the users every day.

Now, due to the lowering of the oil prices, it is only reasonable that the users can demand for price decrease so as to reduce the living expenses during these hard period of recession.

It is very disheartening to hear excuses used by a employee that is paid by the people's hard earned money.

This employee is supposed to represent the voices of the people that is paying him.

If this employee is unable to represent the people in reducing the price of the transport, this guy should be relieved of his duties as this person is deemed useless in tems of the salary that he is receiving.

freedom4ever SG

if it is link to national factor, how come now the economy is bad and the fare never come down?

likedatosocan SG

Guys,

ah Gerard Ee said the bus fare increase in 2007 was due to the following reasons:

quote:

Gerard Ee, Chairman, Public Transport Council, says: "The formula is very simple. It takes into account two very important factors - the Consumer Price Index and the average wage increase. Based on that, if you look at economic growth in Singapore, it has been on the uptrend, it has improved.

endquote.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/299127/1/.html

Consumer price index : oil price increase will definitely lead to many consumer items price increase right? so, is oil not the reason?

Ave Wage increase : did it increase this year? was there a transport fare increase this year? Now , uncle, the Wage got increase meh? Based on now the wage, and based on uncle Gerard's formula given, should the Transport Fare hike be Reveresed?

Based on the above 2 factors given by Gerard Ee, I am very worried why

transport fare goes up never came down when the factors he mentioned

do can go down.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

what is your say?

my decision is carved in stone liao. just waiting to cast.

also, the palpitation must ....

charlize SG

The minister is always right.

Really.

4sg SG

When fare increases, its is related to oil price.

When oil price decreases, fare is not related to oil price.

He should get his arsehole checked before he open his mouth.

seyKai SG

If fuel is not a direct cost of operating the buses, wondering what ramond lim use in running the buses - the buses run on lies?

reyes SG

i am not surprise the minister often twist and turn and avoid the question all together.

either he sound like an idiot or he treat us like one.

seyKai SG

yup, we r treated like idiots, even he sounds stupid. wer will treat him like an idiot wen the time comes

Aceone10 SG

He got say something meh?? Thought was his arsehole moving with shit all around

Joolead SG

no lar..he lack of money after gambling on the DBS investment.

what he trying was saying singaporean is rich .

EarlNeo SG

he is just trying to tell us that singapore is so advance that our bus dun run on oil lah....

u all duno meh?

mistyblue SG

listening to him will only become stupid.

reyes SG

tthat say so much for a multimillionaire minister! they are worth peanuts but we paid them monkey!!