i've tried the new bus fare calculator.
http://publictransport.sg/publish/ptp/en/distance_based_fares.html
just going by the logic of "distance base" fares, its really a
no brainer and fares will definitely be higher. the
current system does not really measure exact distance so there is
lots leeway for cheaper charges.
on the other hand, once distance is measured, check it out --
where you used to be able to go up to bus stop A for example and
pay the minimum fare, now an earlier bus stop will be the new
minimum fare. Assuming you get off earlier to transfer, this means
for the rest of your trip, its just a longer distance to your end
point since you got off to transfer earlier.
as for saving by making more transfers, its not true that making
more transfers is going to save you some money. saving $ comes
only if you really cut short that journey by going the shortest
route and question is how much can you cut short when bus
routes are more or less still fixed to the way they
have always been.
i've done the maths on all my regular trips and can safely
say i will be paying more per journey for all
journeys. "more" means going back to the days of 25cts
rebate. the 50cts rebate was just plain misleading. i'm
disappointed that the idea behind the 50cts rebate, which was to
encourage passengers to make transfers take shorter trips, did not
carry through to the new system in terms of lower fares to be
enjoyed.
i strongly doubt 2/3 of commuters will be paying lower fares;
more likely 2/3 will be paying higher fares.
That is the way they want it , the public has no
choice. Govt monopolizing all the daily necessity
to make money. Money making is their top
priority, whatever they do to get more from the public we have no
choice, no chance to protest.