Does that surprise you much given how our 2 PTOs have
under-performed in service standards, especially SMRT? The QoS and
the fines are really lenient in reality when you consider that our
buses are still a major fail-point in the hub-spoke system
(comparatively slow and not too reliable)
The govt's rhetoric is and will still be "free market".
But you can expect them to also meddle more and more in the
workings of the PTOs. They can't be expected to "back-pedal" after
talking so much about privatisation. But you can see that LTA is
taking increasing steps to reign in many aspects of bus service
provision. The most visible examples have been the central bus
planning, competitive tendering of bus routes. And now, assets will
be leased as well.
If you guys are curious enough, it seems that the govt is
studying the "London bus model" and the "Scandinavian bus model"
very intensively. Go read that up....these models hold the keys to
potential improvements for our buses.
In the long term, building depot for SMRT/SBST will be
better.
For the simple reason that when the lease terms come up and SMRT
under-performs again, no more fine. They will just get the
boot.
Also, the new Citydirect route from Jurong is unique. Fare
revenue is collected by govt and the operator gets a fixed
fare.
How is this "free market"?
Nope. If you guys bother to read the trends carefully it is
clear: Govt is stepping away from privatising bus
services.
I would have no qualms over the provision of depots if the G
really moves toward the London model and if required, show the
incumbents (esp. SMRT) the door when they fail to perform. The
problem is, is the G willing to 大義滅親?
This piece of news was announced so matter-of-factly as if it is
natural and this is what is the most unnerving.
