Gerald Giam - Planning failures led to bus commuters’ woes

[Confuseous]

Now despite all the official justifications for the BSEP, there is no running away from two facts: One, that bus service standards are not up to the mark and, two, the government is stepping in to the tune of $1.1 billion to subsidise the service recovery.

What higher efficiencies has the profit-oriented model brought us? We have not seen an improvement of service quality, but a deterioration, especially over the past 5 years. We have seen fares increase but yet the government still needs to pour in billion dollar operational subsidies. We have seen trains breakdown due to underinvestment in maintenance, yet these companies are reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in profits each year. Since 2003, SMRT and SBS Transit have paid over $1 billion in dividends to their shareholders.

Public transport is an essential public good just like education, healthcare and public housing. The returns from this public good benefit more than just the commuters themselves. When commuters are able to get to work quickly, conveniently and in comfort, their companies benefit from their more productive work. By allowing them to reach home on time after work and with less frustration, they can build better relationships with their families, and perhaps even help to raise our nation’s total fertility rate.

- http://geraldgiam.sg/2012/07/planning-failures-led-to-bus-commuters-woes/

 

[Cruxx]

Public transport is an essential public good just like education, healthcare and public housing.

But what if I drive? What if I prefer to work than study? What if I'm healthy? What if I want to live in a condo? The problem with state provision is that you eventually have to rob Peter to pay Paul, so to speak.

 

[jw5]

But what if I drive? What if I prefer to work than study? What if I'm healthy? What if I want to live in a condo? The problem with state provision is that you eventually have to rob Peter to pay Paul, so to speak.

Boss, public good doesn't mean ALL the public have to use it.
If you don't use it or prefer not to use it but still have to pay for it, so be it. Tough luck.