Commuters to share train security costs

wuming78 SG

COMMUTERS will have to bear part of the costs of the increased security on the trains.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong did not say how much the price of a ride would rise, but indicated that the bill for the extra measures will not be 'unreasonable'.

The measures should cost no more than 10 per cent of what the public transport operators incur overall in running their business, he said in a TV news broadcast yesterday.

'If you look at a factory, there's a guard at the main gate, it goes into part of the cost of the product,' he said.

'The challenge is to make sure the security systems are reasonable and don't impose an unreasonable cost on the operator.'

One of the measures is to have marshals ride the rails here.

The United States screens the luggage and carry-on bags of subway commuters during high-risk periods, among other precautions.

Singapore will not carry out '100 per cent' checks on all commuters, because these would be expensive and unrealistic.

The authorities are still discussing how the security costs will be shared, the minister said.

Currently, the cost of putting marshals on Singapore Airlines flights is borne by the Government and the airline.

However, passengers departing Singapore have to pay a $6 fee because of the new security systems at the airport, more stringent baggage checks and other measures.

SMRT and ComfortDelgro, which operate the trains and buses here, said yesterday they are working very closely with the authorities to determine the security measures to be implemented. Cost is one key issue.

SMRT said: 'We'll do whatever is most effective within a reasonable cost.'

ComfortDelgro said: 'We are satisfied the cost of these added measures is likely to be manageable.'

An MP for Hong Kah GRC, Mr Ang Mong Seng, who sits on the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said the entire cost of the added security should not be automatically passed on to commuters.

Any change in fares, he added, should be based on the whole operating cost of running the business.

'If the management can cut down expenditure in other areas, commuters may not need to pay the full cost of the security measures.'

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i hope its a fair share - fair meaning the operators should bear a larger portion of the cost, especially if they are currently making significant profits.

AdAptAliS SG

It's already so expensive and they wants it to be increased further? Twisted Evil

Some day, everyone will use bicycles. Urgh.

FireIce SG

so can we ask for refund for the lack of it all these years???

tml if they plant a few trees around the MRT stations we have to pay for it?
next week they employ more aunties to mop the floor we have to pay for it?
next month they buy more pen and paper we have to pay for it?

wuming78 SG

yesterday i had the chance to take the MRT without using my stored value ezlink card. and the cost of travelling became alot more stark from buying the single trip tickets.

but again, i must say given the conditions of our transport system, the cost of transport is reasonable (vis cost of living), as compared to other major cities such as london.

however, the lower income group would definitely be at the losing end.

hence if they are going to raise the transport costs again, i urge them to provide more comprehensive and extensive transport subsidies to the lower income group.

Parka SG

Pay?

First they have to make sure that with the level of security we are paying for really works.

One of the main problem of ensuring security is, there can be no 100% security.

How will we know if we are more or less secured on the next train ride?

wuming78 SG

we have an increased sense of security.

even without seeing any improvements (or in fact, there may not be any changes at all!), all the hype and media coverage should be enuff to convince ppl and terrorists that the level of security has increased! Laughing

iamgoondu SG

Why won't the immigration office charge us for crossing the custom?

Woodland checkpoint had indeed done a 100% effective check on all people coming into Singapore, and THEY CHARGED SGD 0!!!

What an irony, a few train marshals and they start to ask for monies.

Perhaps next time, we have to pay to go into Suntec City, City Hall to shop, for we are seeing INCREASED SECURITY in those premises.

Perhaps next time, we need to pay for higher maintenance fees for our condominium.

Perhaps, SMRT can't justify for fare increase this May other than enhanced security. Disgusting.

wuming78 SG

i think in fact, security charges have been factored into the operating costs and passed to consumers - albeit rather indirectly, and layered and hence unobvious.

e.g. security charges -> increased shop rental -> slight increase in cost.

iamgoondu SG

Increased security in Woodlands Checkpoint-> Increase Tax??? Laughing

wuming78 SG

i dunno.. i cant tell. but who noes rite? Wink