Location Transport - What do you think of the changes to the public transport fares? Were you expecting more savings?

What do you think of the changes to the public transport fares? Were you expecting more savings?

Public transport fares will be reduced by 2.5 per cent from July 3 when the Public Transport Council (PTC) introduces a new distance-based fare system. According to the PTC, the fares will be based on the actual distance travelled regardless of whether it is made on a direct trip or the number of transfers made. How will the changes in public transport fares benefit you from July 3? Share your views with us.

Public Comments

I personally feel that there should be an overall discount on top of the present transport fare system. Yes, I was expecting more service in terms of the bus frequency and their speeds. the present waiting time is too long and the speed of the buses are too low.
It's a good thing. It will help integrate the MRT with the bus service. My wish is that the govt will review the transport service so it will not take more than 2 buses and/or MRT ride to get to one's destination.
YES!
Really? They are going to reduce the fair? Elections must be nearing indeed. But seriously, what is 2.5% In New York, you pay a flat rate in the city and the transport system there though older is more efficient. (and still cheaper to get to work from all the boroughs) Honestly I think we are seriously being over charged in the first place. If you were paying a dollar, after 3rd July u pay 97.5cents, not much of a difference to the commuter. If you really want to make a difference at least a 10cent drop would be noticed. Preferably at least 30cents for the long haul trips.
Election coming, try to please people lah. Only reduced by 2.5% not 25% what's the big deal. I take only take 15min bus ride to reach my work site, makes no different to me. I go out mostly during week end and public holiday one month save may not enough for me to buy a cup of coffee with milk. home to City area [$1.57+$0.19*2=$3.52 -2.5% save 0.088] a week * 8 to 10 times a month, will above $0.70 selom more than $0.90
So will this mean it will be beneficial to the student concession fare? Since for concession it's $0.44 per trip. If they change it to regardless whether it's direct or transfer, then will it remain $0.44 still? Or will it be calculated based on distance too and be bad to the concession price?
I don't expect any saving. No CEO of a company would plan to reduce revenue for his company. If he did, he will be sexed by the board of directors
I don't really think that benefit us a significantly enough when it comes to 2.5 percent reduction in the public transport fares. For example, if you have taken 2 rides with $1.50 each per day, each day you will spent $3. Therefore, (2.5/100) * $3 = $0.075 per day. In one month, $0.075 * 30 = $2.25 only. Even if you take 4 rides per day, you will save up to about $4.50 per month. With the reduction of transport fares also comes with a price: 1) Elimaination of long bus routes which results more limitation in the choice of taking which public transport (bus or MRT) that you want to take. In the future, you may only take MRT for travelling long distances. In addition not all the people who lives in HDB that are close to the MRT and for some areas like Bukit Panjang, buses are more convenient to the residents there. 2) MRT is already very crowded with people nowdays. So the new distance-based system by PTC will further encourage people to take MRT, which in turn results even more and more crowd in the MRT. 3) Will the PTC raise the transport fare in the future again? That is the question that we need to seriously think about it because PTC may give excuses for raising the transport fares again. Who Knows?
It is impossible that any changes will result in the commuters saving money. On the surface, it will look like the public will save some money. But at the end of the day, it is the Public Transport Company that make a few more million $ from their fare collection.
Oh dear, would this cause a even bigger squeeze on MRTs during peak hours? Not the most ideal or comfortable situation I reckon.. I believe public transport prices should continue to decline especially if COEs and whatever $$ that could charge to a private vehicle owner continue to rise, to encourage more public transport users and ease some traffic congestion... The new system certainly helps long distance travelers but we really could do we more frequencies of trains and buses!
The so called reduction is negligible. The so called services they're providing were never important to commuting or demanded for by the public in the first place. I'm talking about TVmobile and what nots. I remember they used that as justification for hiking the fees a few years ago but nobody actually wanted it. It didn't improve my travelling experience or speed and now its not even being provided! Please please please PTC, stop playing this nonsensical game and just make public transport affordable for the public. All I want is no frills busses and trains. Get rid of TV screens and those ridiculous blinking lights to indicate the next stop for trains. Increase frequency of services and reduce fees by at least 25%. Thank you.
Year in year out, its all about fares - dollar n cents to the money grubbers. What do commuters want. Its like playing the record again and again. Better service - shorter waiting time, reliability, more comfortable/less crowded rides. Here again, the bus companies and of course with the support from the PTC, chooses to blur the direction and come up with a new fare system. I doubt they want to reduce commuters costs. Just to take more money from them while they are confused.
More important is how is this new distance-based fare sytem works. We might end up paying more instead of saving 2.5 per cent. I also feel that PTC should introduces full day concession for elder citizen, since the government is encouraging older people to work and most of them are in the lower wage group.
Well, I supposed this is definitely a good news for low income travellers who has to frequently change public transport to a work place. Whatever changes that need to take place be it in a form of fares or others, it's high time. I'm so happy!
I don't think it fair. Unlike taxi, bus don't travel according to the shortest route to our destination.
Of course it will be more expensive, because buses don't go in a straight line from point A to point B.
Aren't they already using the distance-based fare system already? The distance-based fare system was long ago introduced to make the ez-link system more meaningful. They can do any reduction. But nevertheless, will be cheap.
no! no! no! no! no saving pay more per direct trip waste time to tranfers to save few cents pls lower yr fare majority are using direct bus for the poor and under paid worker. Number ONE country not wasting time. PTC pls,pls pls pls pls my child is paying more and more and my wage is less less less pls open up yr EAR BIG EAR
This is so creative marketing to use the word "savings". Charging the short trip commuters more to compensate those longer trip commuters isn't savings at all. Clearly, commuters may also end up paying more if they make short trips, as the starting fare for both buses and trains will go up under the new calculation. On buses, the fare will go up 2 cents to 71 cents, and increase 3 cents to either 71 cents or 76 cents on trains.
According to the report, 2 out of 3 public transport users will benefit from this. Sad to say, I am one of the 33% that will end up paying more, again. I have been taking bus to work everyday (without transfer and is within a distance that need to pay only the minimum fare). The latest adjustment resulting my fare increasing from 69 cents to 71 cents. While government giving 'discount' to those travelling longer distance and those that need to transfer from bus to bus or MRT, it just keep me wondering why must I, together with the other 33% commuters been punished for not travelling longer distance or transfer? Why can't the savings be designed in such a way that everyone enjoy some savings?
just like d c.o.e OH U C I GIVE U DISCOUNT ONE AH, BUT NOW I CHARGED BY DISTANCE OK. SO U END UP PAYING MORE HAHAHAH IDOIT AH U SINGAPOREAN. BUT WAT TO DO FOLLOW LO.
They cut fares by 2.5%, but they increase starting fares by 2 cents. what's the point. Since they always say that most people travel short distance rather than long distance (when they want to cut down long distance bus route). Overall, its still an increase. Try to smoke us... The only thing that wont increase in Singapore is salary. Everything also increase. Pay and pay!
Another half-baked scheme. Seriously, doing so would even further congest the already crowded bus services. In fact more may take the longer route in order to have a 'fleeting chance' for a seat on the bus. If the public transport commission is really sincere about improving the transport system, why not increase the number of frequency of buses. Even with the inherent advantage of a bus lane, the public transport can't even waive the waiting time. Then what is the point of saving a few cents? I am sure the masses would appreciate more if the waiting time for public transport is waived. And if the public transport commission is really sincere in providing a more affordable transport system, then i feel that a lump sum rebate of 10-30 cents would be even better.
I think they should look into how fast the train and buses will be during the peak hours. So that we do not have to be jammed packed in one train or buses.
I suspect I'm going to have to pay more $$$. Due to my inconvenient location, I will usually need to take a Bus + MRT + Bus to reach my destination. The distance travelled is longer than the actual distance from my home to my end destination. For e.g. If the distance from my home to Science Park is 11.8km by taxi, after the tedious journey of Bus + MRT + Bus perhaps the distance travelled is 14km. So I might be paying more money isn't it?
What nonsense is this. The bus companies are always well protected. When they did not meet schedule they were fined $100. This is less than an executive lunch. When an individual commits a traffic offence he is fined more than that. People kept quiet but they are not stupid. Now, what is this trying to win votes with 2.5% This on the max fare of say $1.60 is 4 cents. Wow, even beggars throw away 5 cent coins
Time = money But it depends. For my area, i have a direct bus to suntec (70). The NE line with Circle line is like the route bus 70. A direct bus might be cheaper than transferring on the SMRT. but lose out on time. Overall, it MIGHT be on the route you take to consider cheaper :)
yahoo - your article like those of official mouthpieces miss out the important facts - bus fares will go up 2 cents, MRT by 3 cents. instead of 2,4 km bus increments it will be 1 km fare increments. So overall it is a misleading slanted article. Most of us take short trips and do not transfer multiple times - so there will be higher fares for us. The millions that SBS or SMRT will supposedly lose is hypothetical and a smoke screen only. PLease don't take Sporeans for fools.
right now im paying them without seat,late coming bus and no air con and stuffy..like 190 very late and no seat and 36 they toke me wating time from 20 to 30 min.i thing they should do something about this matter.
I am not sure how many of the public will understand the perception of this new distance-based system could a "Fair" system to all. PTC should advise the public how these distances are measured & which are then used as benchmark distances for both direct trips and tranfers' trips?. Take an example of Service 21 coming down from the east. It suppose to turn into Balestier Road(from Moulmein Road) and terminate the journey at St Michael estate. But instead the route will bypass Moulmein Road and move along a longer route to Thomson Road & Jalan Novena then turn from the other end of Balestier Road into St Michael estate. So is this a "fair measured service" or a good productivity service?
It should have been done long time ago. It has long past due as such fare is way above many countries in Asia. When I take a bus in China, it cost me S$0.30 ( non aircon) to S$0.60 (aircon) and that was for the last 15 years. The fare for Singapore has gone up many fold since I graduated. No wonder Singapore is known for Most expensive City in Asia. I use to take bus and taxi and now adays I rather walk where possible. Well done and keep it lower still.
dont be too happy, you will know what is going to happen after the election!History alway repeats. Before election, a bit of honey for everyone, after election, evey charges will be up, up and up! We are old and sensitive enough to see the trend!!
Hi everyone here, It is good that the fares is reduce to 2.5 per cent,but i got a suggestions about the fares..Why not try to reduce about 30cent or 3.5 cent for those people r travel a long distance..like that is more better de..so i hope that the SBS transit company will think about it for reduce 30 cent or 3.5cent the most
This is bull. They just amended the fare system not long ago and now they're implementing another change? It's like the taxi companies, when they hiked the rental fees for taxi drivers and raised the fares when the fare control was deregulated. The ones who benefit are the corporate employees, not the drivers or commuters. The ones who suffer in the end are the commuters, as without the transfer rebates, changing from bus to train or vice-versa will be more expensive. The way I see it, the rate at which the fare structure keeps changing will only serve to increase the cost us commuters have to spend on public transport. And I thought public transport was supposed to offer the public a cheaper alternative to private vehicles, not squeeze extra dollars out of us to line the coffers of these transport companies. Honestly, if public transport is for the public, then why the hell are these transport companies posting such high profit margins? Why do they need to turn such a high profit? To pay off their CEOs and shareholders/stakeholders? SBS's standards doesn't even justify the fare increases. One reason is the driver's speed, varies from bus service; some drivers go alone at a crawl, while some are freaking speed maniacs on the road. And SBS's excuse is that they need to be justifiable to the people who use their buses as an Advertising avenue. That's hogwash, because most of the services I use rarely have ads on them. With such lousy service standards, you expect to increase fares for your commuters? Lastly, I thought the government was supposed to help the people, not suck our money dry. With the rich-poor income gap increasing, why are the fares being pegged to commuter usage and monthly profits, which are compared to previous years' earnings? Can the PTO answer that? Why not just standardize the fare structure and not keep changing it every few months, and furthermore, why not keep the rebate structure? The way I see the big picture, it's the transport companies who're going to earn, regardless of the ruling, because people have no choice: it's either use the publice transport service, or buy a car. It's ludacris in such uncertain financial times to keep implementing fare changes that benefit not the consumer in the long run, but the transport companies.
We has middle class people will be very happy if we have a pass on monthly basis so we are sure of a fixed expense on our travel. Now what is available currently only for SBS should be extended to MRT and SMRT buses. I wish LTA will do something. I spend only 2 $ to 3$ to travel per day. But I will be ready to pay for a pass 120$
This is good news! However, they shouldn't be "carrying balls" just because elections maybe coming. It doesn't work for everyone.
Frankly that is not even a drop in the ocean. The savings from this exercise on paper reflects a projection of 32Mil in savings for who? the public so the news goes .... but at the end of the year there will be three times this amount that goes into the coffers of the authority .... who are the losers? the commuters of course. The reduction does not make much or any difference to the commuters at all especially one who travels extensively using the public transport. One only have to accept this fact. This news about fare revision to benefit the public seems to be an exercise to put the government in good positive image as election is nearing ..... But the people have not forgotten that there are more FTs here that takes away jobs and these FTs will take the public transport as well thus increasing the ridership capacity. The people will not forget how when you are above certain age group you are being discriminated against when applying for jobs as these were reserved for the FTs who are Cheaper Better Foreigners -- the mantra of the tripartite and labour minister. The people have not forgotten that the sacrifices made in the past with CPF cuts still remain an issue that has yet to be revised in full. When the economy suffers, the workers suffers one fell swop in cuts but come to restoration -- this exercise were taken at worst than snail pace. so what now .... the increases in all things across the board far more that the increase in wages. While the workers were told to bring down job expectations in time of worsening economy, the prices of all commodities remain high and never did come down. The prices of food items have all increased but the salaries remain at a level or even below the level many experience. What is the government doing about this? Bring down the transport fare by a pittance 2.5 percent .. What a laughing stock the people were made to be and this is worst than begging in the street.
Nobody in a right mind will prefer to make transfer unless the time save is significant. We have to consider the waiting time when making a transfer. Personally, i will only make a transfer if there isnt a direct trip. I believe majority of the people think the same way. Fares based on the actual distance travelled do not benefit most of us.
2.5% is really too little to make an impact for each individual but if you take that the daily income for the operators is a very very very small amount of $1mil, they would be making $25k less a day. Take that amount and multiply by 365 days, get it? However, I think more can actually be done to make public transport more attractive to the public especially the buses and the crowd for mrts during the peak hours. Any suggestions on that? My brain too congested to come up with creative and effective ideas for now....
A old man fed his pet monkey 20 bananas once every morning. But his pet monkey was unhappy, complaining that it was fed only once a day. One day, the old man had an idea. He decided to feed the pet monkey twice a day - 10 bananas in the morning, 10 bananas in the evening. Like a real monkey, this great plan delighted the pet monkey, who could now have his bananas, twice a day. Thank you PTC.
There are several ways to look at measuring. 1) Anything that are subjected to human intervention will not be permanent. So if it goes down now, it will go up later when the right reasons come along. 2) It should be a fixed fare for MRT rides. One Fixed fare for each of the colored lanes. Use the link provided below to view the illustration. 3) There should not be so many adjustments to the fares at all. Inflation, fuel costs and running costs should all be factored into the fares. 4) It will be expensive to take a MRT ride of course, but it will give a choice to the passengers. 5) Looking for a long term solution is better than making frequent changes because we have to face it, with resources running thin, costs will be going up and never down. 6) Example: Taking if it cost SGD1 per color lane you travel on. If i want to go to Orchard Road from Boon Lay. Green lane cost SGD 1, Red Lane Cost SGD 1 Total: SGD2. If its cost SGD1.2 per color lane then its SGD2.4 for the total ride. It should be a price that can withstand all moving costs no matter what happens. Only can be reviewed every 5 yrs. Perhaps this way is solving the problem on a longer term basis.
what's the point of reducing by 2.5% when they'll start the travelling rate at 2 to 3 cents higher?? furthermore the distance-base fare system is gonna work against the commuters. public transport should be made affordable to the public and not for these companies to enjoy a large profitable amount. this is another tactic adopted by the PAP to win the vote of s'poreans prior to election just like they dangled the carrot in front of us in the last election with the offer of the ERS..if i'm not wrong SBS and SMRT are under the Temasek Holdings which of course belongs to you-know-who.. i hope the opposition can bring up this matter during the upcoming rally and come up with a better solution which will benefit the public..i'm looking forward to what the opposition can bring to the table and what's their manifesto for this upcoming election.. anyway,just to sidetrack, Mr Chiam See Tong brought up the issue regarding the classroom size in which he suggest the number of students to be decreased in parliament many years ago, however his idea was put off by the the governing body..fast forward a few years later, a member of the PAP then brought up this issue again in parliament and was passed off as their own..
Great if the fares are cheaper but please remember that the word is 'public' transportation.... It must be made most affordable for the public, of which for the majority of the lesser affluent, this is the only source of transportation they can afford... Please do not make MRT, SBS, TIBS etc into a profit orientated organisation without keeping our poorer counterparts in Singapore in mind....
Its just another election gimmick, once elected! Everything starts to increase and increase again then terms up, give discount and everything starts again..idea! Will I vote ? Well, I voted opposition on my first election polls, and most likely I will vote opposition again till as long as I lived.
NO ...what saving? Do your calculation properly!
LOL! election coming trying to please the public only -.- come on lah... now a days we people are educated and we can think and do our math, in the long run, this new fare system thingy ain't gonna benefit majority of us. COEs for cars n stuff all increase, siao liao lah! dunnid buy car already. happy~ -.- concession rates remain the same arr? hais... maybe sometimes people just think about making money.
no
It is just another smoked-out. Ultimate lose-lose situation for the commuters... This kind of 'beggar-ish' savings isn't a saving at all... It only saves a minority of the commuters but sucks out more from the rest. And this kind of savings plan comes out because election is near... After the election, things will go reverse in multiple times... Its like giving you peanuts, taking a drumstick from you(after a while). This is the trend... After the election, pockets burnt even larger holes... Sometimes I wish there isn't any election to keep things stagnant... Look at the previous fare increases, are there any improvements in service or likewise after every increment... NO... In fact, it got worse, the drivers seem doing lots of sudden and harsh breaks like they are going to hit something THROUGHOUT the whole journey. The TV mobile, is a total SCAM. We had already paid for that a few years back for that lousy and unwanted add-on irritant, and now it has stopped its service, further to that, the TVs are now there 'staring' at us like telling us, I'm still here as you have paid for... Arrggghhhh... The EZlink card, the new card, a total sucker scheme to tell people its free to change before blah blah blah date... This is just telling commuters that if you don't change the approved card, you will be sucked like the one before... Remember the $3 non-refundable for the old card, it is gone, I wonder who 'makan' the money... The MRTs, more and more errors, and when we opt to change the mean of transport, placing our EZlink cards means a minimum charge of don't know how much without traveling. This happens to me in this year's Chinese New Year. There's something wrong with NEL(Chinatown) and I decided to take bus, and I was charged just for waiting in the station. One fine day... This will happen: Taxi fare = Bus fare... Be ready to be a taxi-driver, it will become a highly paid job...
Despite what everyone is saying, the Singapore government is truly efficient. You see, (I believe) their long term master plan is to scrap/ divert the long-route buses over time with distance-based fare system (aka buses that ply major highways) to ease up highway congessions and encourage car ownership. Taxes (ERP, Fines, etc) from car owners naturally come up more than revenues from public transport companies. I guess it's a "you win some, you loss some" approach. It basically means good news for the drivers but bad news for the average commuter like me. The MRT is going to cramp up big time in the next 2 years.
Don't think i will be benefiting because basically, i am not making any transfers from my home to office and back home....