Should SMRT and SBS Transit merge?

last SG · 2014-01-04T11:30:55+00:00

Otherwise, what else can be done to ensure low fares and affordability of Public Transport?Are you sure you want the Operators' trains and buses divisions to...

SBS9067A SG

It's a well-known fact: SMRT runs their trains far better than their buses, and SBS Transit runs their buses far better than their trains. If both of these companies merge, there would be no competition and buses and trains would run much more smoothly (not sure about SMRT Taxis though). What do you guys think?

At the Bed SG

Hmmm... Been wondering this. But if they merge, bus services freq may not be too frequent coz they're a company and when they're not merge, they can have a competition and freq for bus svc will be better.

SBS7777Y SG

maybe both companies should be

SBS9067A SG

True, but frequency is the least of our worries because the quality for bus services will be higher (especially for prior-SMRT services) with a higher (albeit only slightly) margin of maintenance on trains and buses alike as a company. They'll probably wait till the people complain again to improve frequencies which is possible with a larger fleet at their disposal. Or not.

SBS9067A SG

maybe both companies should be

Your head 3 years ago was like

*insert picture above*

At the Bed SG

maybe both companies should be

U don't seem to be a new user in sgf. What's ur previous account ID?

PS: We don't need anything Off Topic pictures, for any OT pics, please post it at Chatbox

but MAKE SURE THAT THE CONTENT IS NOT VIOLENT, OR ELSE PLEASE TAKE DOWN THE PICTURE

At the Bed SG

I don't think merging will be a great idea though :/.

SBS9067A SG

I don't think merging will be a great idea though :/.

True, there will be cons attached, but if you recall November 1973 when SBS was formed, it made things a whole lot better as far as we can see.

At the Bed SG

O. I'm from the young generation, so um... At least having a competition between SMRT and SBST shld be better le bah

SBS9067A SG

O. I'm from the young generation, so um... At least having a competition between SMRT and SBST shld be better le bah

I'm from the younger generation as well (born in 2000).

So how would having competition with SMRT and SBST be better?

sgbuses SG

Your head 3 years ago was like

*insert picture above*

You knew that and you all still decided to feed the troll. And then wonder why it keeps returning and craves for more attention.

Told you not to feed the troll.

At the Bed SG

It's kinda hard to explain it, but I will try my best.

It will have the kind of feeling like competing, and both operators try their best to achieve the best. And erm, fleet will be different, example DD from SBST, and powerful buses/comfortable from SMRT. SMRT chose to provide us with the comfortable fleet, making us "happy" sort of, while SBST chose to buy buses which are enough for containing us.

SBS9067A SG

It's kinda hard to explain it, but I will try my best.

That seems like a legit explaination, though now the fleet for SMRT is becoming more similar to SBST's, since they are purchasing DDs and as of now, they have Citaros similar to SBST.

SBS7777Y SG

You knew that and you all still decided to feed the troll. And then wonder why it keeps returning and craves for more attention.

Told you not to feed the troll.

sgbuses SG

That is what the government wants you to believe.

Do you think commuters in Choa Chu Kang, Sembawang and Pasir Ris really have a choice?

If there is real competition, Transdev or Arriva would be operating in Singapore already.

SBS7777Y SG

That is what the government wants you to believe.

Do you think commuters in Choa Chu Kang, Sembawang and Pasir Ris really have a choice?

If there is real competition, Transdev or Arriva would be operating in Singapore already.

Real competition is this

carbikebus SG

Competition but with same owner indirectly..Whatever profitable companies in Singapore sure got links with Temasek Holdings or other Govt related companies

Pervertedboy SG

This is an old topic. Was mentioned before during GE, mainly by the Workers' Party.

Workers' Party proposal on Transport during GE 2006:

{Nationalised transport system has its downsides: Minister Lui (since I cannot quote the entire article, or else posts will be edited and shortened, I shall list down summarised points)}

OMSI123 SG

That is what the government wants you to believe.

Do you think commuters in Choa Chu Kang, Sembawang and Pasir Ris really have a choice?

If there is real competition, Transdev or Arriva would be operating in Singapore already.

Exactly! SBST and SMRT competition isn't like how London's transport competition is.
And yes, I'm a commuter in CCK. We actually don't have a choice... Bus freq is still not very good. Downroute buses... heh.. boliao

AnythingGoesLa SG

Even if SMRT and SBST were to merge, can you be certain that their profit-centric behaviours are going to disappear and behave like proper PTOs?! Absolutely not!

The problem as id see it is getting corporations to provide public goods like public transit (which require subsidy and arent as profit making as expected). Pervertedboy has stated the econs case against nationalising the transport system, but to swing to the other extreme (as is the case now) isnt beneficial as our PTOs can and may cut corners to keep their books in the black (which is as, or even more impt than having the buses and trains run ontime).

For profit-centric organizations to grasp the social implications and dimensions of their provision isnt something i want to touch on, but is something that the LTA and PTOs need to appreciate because using taxpayers dollars to bail out profit-centric PTOs (as was the case with BSEP) isnt the best way to use public funds, nor the best way to improve bus services because the govt has to absorb losses from non-profiting BSEP routes while the PTOs are just tasked to provide the buses at the prescribed frequencies. I would go as far to suggest that the PTOs take the lead to improve bus services because they know their fleet and pax better than LTA does, and to have LTA initiate all the improvement in services... hell the PTOs are getting away too easily.