Fares and "Huge deficit" under GCM "clearly not sustainable"

last SG · 2017-03-09T00:59:57+00:00

Anyway, my point is, let’s hope that the opposition raise whatever we discussed here to the parliament.

sgbuses SG

Something has got to give when every bus trip carries a minimum $0.55 subsidy (including feeder transfers). $4.10 card fare, here we come...

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/need-to-strike-balance-in-transport-cost-burden-khaw-boon-wan/3577594.html

The Government is also topping up a “huge deficit” under the new Bus Contracting Model, which states that it is now responsible for buying and replacing buses.

“We pay bus operators a fee to run the bus services. Although fare revenue goes to the Government, it is not enough to cover operating costs,” Mr Khaw said.

...

As costs rise over the years, Mr Khaw said fares have not kept up and taxpayers have had to subsidise more and more of these operating costs.

“This is clearly not sustainable,” he said. “We must ensure that the fiscal burden does not become too excessive for taxpayers.”

...

But “the PTC cannot always bring good news”, Mr Khaw cautioned, adding that there is also a possibility for an upward fare adjustment.

“If they do, I hope commuters will be understanding."

carbikebus SG

This Minister if open mouth only talk about $ $ $ nothing else..

Sbs6750E SG

This minister just do not care about the commuters lah. MRT breakdown he in his office looking at the sky only.

TPS Timothy Mok SG

The bus fare can increase, like it or not. but for the convenience of people, it must be the 4th or 5th lowest in the world.

We will still have to keep up with London's trend.

TIB868X SG

Hard truth. Money will not come out of thin air now that the government has chosen to bear the financial risk. Standards will be raised, but someone must pay for it, and it won't be 100% gahmen. Minimum $3 fares sounds about right, to be coupled with optimized concession schemes.

It is unfair and irresponsible to have a long wish list while not accepting the costs of such things.

sgbuses SG

It is unfair and irresponsible to have a long wish list while not accepting the costs of such things.

Who caused this financial mess in the first place?

And they are still queuing to badger LTA with their Christmas wish list...Look no further than next door.

gekpohboy SG

Case study: London bus fare.

Single trip - S$2.58

Daily cap - S$7.74

Weekly cap - S$36.45

dupdup77 SG

Who caused this financial mess in the first place?

And they are still queuing to badger LTA with their Christmas wish list...Look no further than next door.

Hi mr sgbuses, nobody asked them to convert to GCM in the first place.

Since it was their decision to use GCM and now that it is in place, will they still award the seletar bus package tender to other companies who are bidding so much more than Sbs transit? If the govt really does so, means they have no right to increase bus fares as the govt has the money to do so.

When people badger LTA for Christmas wish list of new bus services, LTA did not really give in. It was mainly the new estates and new roads without any services or less services which got the new bus services. This was again part of the BSEP announced by govt after the 2011 election. Initially is to have 40 new bus services then increase to 80. What the MP at various estates could do was just to fight for the allocation for their residents. That's all. They are not badgering LTA for anything extra. They are only asking for their fair share of the 80 services. Cheers. Thanks.

gekpohboy SG

Currently,

Maximum bus fare - S$2.67

Maximum per day - S$5.34

Maximum per week - S$37.38

That's if you take express bus all the time.

As you can see, it's about the same as the fares at London.

So, maybe a simple solution is to charge express fares for all bus services.

Problem solved.

gekpohboy SG

30% increase in bus fare, anyone?

As long as ours is not the most expensive in the world, for the same distance travelled, I'm okay.

gekpohboy SG

Hi mr sgbuses, nobody asked them to convert to GCM in the first place.

70% voted for this.

TIB868X SG

Hi mr sgbuses, nobody asked them to convert to GCM in the first place.

No need to overthink. I am sure you will agree the previous model was even more unsustainable. Higher standards = higher costs = higher fares. You cannot have your cake and eat it. Hard truths.

And perhaps the additional costs in awarding to a tender that is not the lowest may be offset by the fact that bidder will likely be less problematic in the future. Look no further than what has happened.

gekpohboy SG

More buses, higher fares.

sgbuses SG

They do, they had to ask the right people. Even then, the bus network is still largely a patchwork of new routes. A network revamp (and rationalization) is long overdue to achieve greater efficiency, but that clearly hasn't happened (and isn't happening).

And it is not limited to bus routes:

http://sgforums.com/forums/1279/topics/493613#post_11217822

http://sgforums.com/forums/1279/topics/486449?page=68#post_11215946

gekpohboy SG

Otherwise, another solution is to cut cost, by removing bus routes.

or make them run during peak hours only.

sgbuses SG

No need to overthink. I am sure you will agree the previous model was even more unsustainable. Higher standards = higher costs = higher fares. You cannot have your cake and eat it. Hard truths.

Someone in the industry once told me this: "Singaporeans pay 60 cent bus fare, but expect to receive SIA first class Solitaire PPS service. How?"

I know it might score bonus points for an operator bidding for the next tender, but I am not willing to pay 10 cents extra per trip so as to smell some designer aroma on the bus. This is public transport.

gekpohboy SG

Or introduce dynamic fares. Then those cannot afford one, take during after hours lor…

sgbuses SG

Or introduce dynamic fares. Then those cannot afford one, take during after hours lor…

This is one change I am fully expecting. Peak and non-peak travel mode is already programmed into the card readers. It's already done by TT Sydney.

dupdup77 SG

70% voted for this.

Hi mr gekpohboy, please grow up. It is good to argue but let's do it with some sort of reasons. Cheers. Thanks.

dupdup77 SG

Or introduce dynamic fares. Then those cannot afford one, take during after hours lor…

Hi mr gekpohboy, this seems a possible way but then for me, I will not advocate such a reason. We need to think for the poor in Singapore. Buses is a form of transport that you see all sorts of people take. We cannot ostracize and divide time slots into those who can afford it and those who cannot. Cheers. Thanks.