<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Another scam. *shake head*
Fare changes: Some concerns
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Distance-based system good but do not penalise those making direct trips, say MPs </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Yeo Ghim Lay
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When the distance-based system kicks in, commuters who make transfers and those on direct services will pay the same fare. -- ST PHOTO: ALAN LIM
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->MEMBERS of Parliament voiced concerns yesterday over a system that bases public transport fares on distance, regardless of the number of transfers, with many hoping it will not spell higher fares for commuters taking direct services.
This came as Parliament approved changes to the Public Transport Council Act, which paves the way for the new system and gives the council powers to initiate fare changes, among other things.
The distance-based system will cut transport bills for four in 10 commuters who make transfers on their journeys now. They pay more than those who take a direct service to the same destination.
Commuters whose trips involve transfers pay starting fares of around 60 cents each time they switch between buses or between buses and rail services.
Although they get a 25-cent rebate every time they switch, this is not enough to offset the cost of the starting fare.
But by the end of next year, commuters who make transfers and those on direct services will pay the same fare.
While MPs welcome this, they remain concerned that commuters who take direct services might end up paying more.
Mr Ong Kian Min (Tampines GRC), one of seven MPs who spoke, was glad that distance-based fares will cut costs for four in 10 commuters.
But the likelihood of operators making up for this loss of revenue by raising fares on direct trips 'provoked public outcry'.
'The premise that fares for direct trips be immediately increased to meet the costs of restructuring is untenable,' the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport's deputy chairman said.
It was not clear that operators would lose revenue or what the amount of any possible loss might be, he said. In fact, they may gain if ridership increased.
Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Marine Parade GRC) said the authorities should ensure that any loss was absorbed by operators and not be passed on to commuters.
Responding during the debate, Transport Minister Raymond Lim explained that commuters and operators should both bear some of the cost as both would benefit under the new fare system.
Commuters will have a fairer fare structure and more travel options, while operators will likely see higher ridership.
He also cited comments by PTC chairman Gerard Ee last month that any increase will be low. Mr Ee reckoned fares might rise by no more than 1 per cent.
'I'd like to assure the House that he (Mr Ee) understands the current difficult economic conditions and that his council will endeavour to make sure the majority of commuters will benefit,' said Mr Lim.
He also agreed with a point made by GPC chairman Cedric Foo (West Coast GRC) that distance-based fares potentially should benefit more people than just those who make transfers daily.
Mr Lim said there could well be commuters who made transfers twice or three times a week. Travel patterns could change, such as when commuters move to a new home or workplace. Such commuters then have the option of choosing the best way to get to their destinations.
As to how the hub-and-spoke transport system was being improved, he noted that the rail network was being doubled, with a new line or extension every other year. Integrated public transport information is available to the public and the Land Transport Authority takes over centralised planning of bus services next year to further optimise the network. [email protected]
Fare changes: Some concerns
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Distance-based system good but do not penalise those making direct trips, say MPs </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Yeo Ghim Lay
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
When the distance-based system kicks in, commuters who make transfers and those on direct services will pay the same fare. -- ST PHOTO: ALAN LIM
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->MEMBERS of Parliament voiced concerns yesterday over a system that bases public transport fares on distance, regardless of the number of transfers, with many hoping it will not spell higher fares for commuters taking direct services.
This came as Parliament approved changes to the Public Transport Council Act, which paves the way for the new system and gives the council powers to initiate fare changes, among other things.
The distance-based system will cut transport bills for four in 10 commuters who make transfers on their journeys now. They pay more than those who take a direct service to the same destination.
Commuters whose trips involve transfers pay starting fares of around 60 cents each time they switch between buses or between buses and rail services.
Although they get a 25-cent rebate every time they switch, this is not enough to offset the cost of the starting fare.
But by the end of next year, commuters who make transfers and those on direct services will pay the same fare.
While MPs welcome this, they remain concerned that commuters who take direct services might end up paying more.
Mr Ong Kian Min (Tampines GRC), one of seven MPs who spoke, was glad that distance-based fares will cut costs for four in 10 commuters.
But the likelihood of operators making up for this loss of revenue by raising fares on direct trips 'provoked public outcry'.
'The premise that fares for direct trips be immediately increased to meet the costs of restructuring is untenable,' the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport's deputy chairman said.
It was not clear that operators would lose revenue or what the amount of any possible loss might be, he said. In fact, they may gain if ridership increased.
Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Marine Parade GRC) said the authorities should ensure that any loss was absorbed by operators and not be passed on to commuters.
Responding during the debate, Transport Minister Raymond Lim explained that commuters and operators should both bear some of the cost as both would benefit under the new fare system.
Commuters will have a fairer fare structure and more travel options, while operators will likely see higher ridership.
He also cited comments by PTC chairman Gerard Ee last month that any increase will be low. Mr Ee reckoned fares might rise by no more than 1 per cent.
'I'd like to assure the House that he (Mr Ee) understands the current difficult economic conditions and that his council will endeavour to make sure the majority of commuters will benefit,' said Mr Lim.
He also agreed with a point made by GPC chairman Cedric Foo (West Coast GRC) that distance-based fares potentially should benefit more people than just those who make transfers daily.
Mr Lim said there could well be commuters who made transfers twice or three times a week. Travel patterns could change, such as when commuters move to a new home or workplace. Such commuters then have the option of choosing the best way to get to their destinations.
As to how the hub-and-spoke transport system was being improved, he noted that the rail network was being doubled, with a new line or extension every other year. Integrated public transport information is available to the public and the Land Transport Authority takes over centralised planning of bus services next year to further optimise the network. [email protected]
