Train oeprators to snatch businesses from buses?

off_service SG

As the opening of NEL is near, scheme B bus operators are receiving letters that some services will be withdrawn. As a result, their livelihood is affected. Also, a “Sembawang – Changi Airport” MRT line is proposed, if in reality, a direct compeition to service 858. I really think that in the next 30 to 50 years, bus operators will only have feeder services to operate on, while other routes will be covered up by rail.

the Bear SG

if anyone thinks that TIBS and SBST are not in cahoots to bring about a cartel with the blessing of the PTC, i have some used cars i can show them Smile

tranquilice SG

Yes, since the MRT started operation in 1987, more and more bus services that duplicate the line got withdrawn or diverted.

tranquilice SG

I think they have fewer feeder services to operate, since more towns are getting LRT.

SBS9818A SG

Bus services will exist, the railway can’t cover every single part of Singapore, can’t it?

the Bear SG

since when did the word "service" get in the way of profits when the players work as a cartel?

the Bear SG

should we vote this piece of crap back in?

(from straits times)
Separately yesterday, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong spoke to reporters about commuters' worries about fare increases:

He said: 'As the rest of the MRT fares go up, we will try to ensure that the North-East Line fares do not change very much, so over time, the rest of the MRT fares should catch up with the NEL.'

TIB1186Z SG

Not only 858 will be affected, I think all the other services using TPE will be affected, eg. 969,965,161,168. But however, the two players will still not lose out in the end, with TIBS and SMRT together and SBS Transit operating both rail and bus services.

I do not take scheme B bus services, but although they can be crowded during the peak hours, they do not run according to timetable and do go around in loops to get enough pax. Sometimes, they do not even run as the bus drivers would rather take on the profitable charter business. If I'm not wrong, the Punggol services are run by an association of bus drivers, not an organized company like Comfort.

I believe that the withdrawal is a positive measure taken by the government, as it would force the remaining operators to buck up their lousy service, reduce the fares ( currently it is $1.50-$2.20 ), and cut the travelling time in order to compete with the NEL. It is not a question of taking away the driver's livelihood, but it is my opinion that companies have to adapt to challenges to survive and to improve.

TIB1186Z SG

Originally posted by the Bear:
should we vote this piece of crap back in?

(from straits times)
[b]Separately yesterday, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong spoke to reporters about commuters' worries about fare increases:

He said: 'As the rest of the MRT fares go up, we will try to ensure that the North-East Line fares do not change very much, so over time, the rest of the MRT fares should catch up with the NEL.'
[/b]

So much for promising to freeze the fares for the time being.

off_service SG

I agree with what one man said on TV show, "MRT is not to make money out of Singaporeans".

Airbus330Captain SG

I will still think that the bus services of coarse will be affected but there will still be demands for some of the services . I am pretty sure not all singaporeans will choose the mrt for quick transport . We have to see the next 2 weeks how bus services which are similar to the ne line routes affected .

off_service SG

I read an article in the Chinese newspaper in the forum. A reader had written in to express his/her views on the opening of NEL. Well, I agree with one of the points stated.

It was said that with the opening of NEL, Scheme B services will be gradually withdrawn. The reader said that this move is to "force" passengers to take NEL by taking away the cheaper alternatives. This is the same for public bus services.

tranquilice SG

The same will happen for the Circle line, I expect that services that duplicates most of the line may be withdrawn after it opens in around 2008.

TIB1186Z SG

Cheaper?! Some of the Scheme B services take hours to get to the city and charge more than what I pay for 502 from Sengkang to Boon Lay!

SBS9818A SG

Really? It costs about $2 per ride or something like that, regardless of distance travelled, isn't it?

oliver_yuen87 SG

Sometimes, complaints Mad might work.. For example, Tibs or don't know who wanted to withdraw services 180, 184 and even 190 prior to LRT's opening. Many people complained and all these 3 services were not withdrawn Mr. Green

tranquilice SG

But service 5 was withdrawn anyway.

off_service SG

Service 970 was introduced to replace service 5.

SBS9818A SG

Service 5 was from Bukit Panjang to Geylang Lor 1 wasn’t it? Sv. 970 covers most of Sv. 5 route(Sixth Ave, etc) however it goes to Shenton Way instead.

TIB1186Z SG

Please, in Singapore system, they stress something that goes along the following lines (......strongly encourage feedback from the masses......Independent committee to review feedback............make improvements.........BUT only if it is pragmatic................( blah blah blah and another 2 nice pages of explaining the pragmatic policy, which in fact, are denials for throwing complaints etc. down the drain.)) Taken from the Sec. 4 SS Txtbk. on Govt.

So, complaints will rarely work, they normally , in this case, TIBS, give a barrage of reasons not to look into it and shut off the topic. Try looking at svc 806, introduced for so damn long as 804A, gone through a renumbering exercise at TIBS discretion, 2 yrs of campaigning + MP rallying to force TIBS to make 806 run full day for some days in 2000, and though residents complain like siao + the population density so high with mentions in the forum, TIBS still did NOTHING except to provide the standard phrase "......low passenger demand....not economical....." for every complain about 806.