Chitchat Real reason for reduction of bus and train fares

[dr.wailing]

Sinkies have been told by the state-controlled media that beginning December 30, 2016 both bus and train fares will be reduced by 4.2%.

The Sinkie gabrament didn't provide the real reason for doing so. What is it and why?

**************************************

by Adrian Lim

Public transport fares will have their deepest cut in years from Dec 30, even as the system for calculating them is radically simplified.

Fares will be levelled down so commuters pay the same amount for the same distance, regardless of whether they thop on a train line that is underground or above-ground.

They will also be charged onthe basis of the shortest route between boarding point and destination. Till now, fares have been based on the fastest travel path, not the shortest.

As a result of last year's falling oil prices, and calculated through the new system, bus and train commuters will enjoy an overall fare cut of 4.2 per cent from Dec 30, the Public Transport Council (PTC) announced yesterday. It is the biggest reduction in recent years, after 2009's fare cut of 4.6 per cent.

Source: The Straits Times, front page, "Bus, train fares to go down 4.2% as system is simplified", October 28, 2016

 

[yangtzejiang]

Sinkies have been told by the state-controlled media that beginning December 30, 2016 both bus and train fares will be reduced by 4.2%.

The Sinkie gabrament didn't provide the real reason for doing so. What is it and why?

**************************************

by Adrian Lim

Public transport fares will have their deepest cut in years from Dec 30, even as the system for calculating them is radically simplified.

Fares will be levelled down so commuters pay the same amount for the same distance, regardless of whether they thop on a train line that is underground or above-ground.

They will also be charged onthe basis of the shortest route between boarding point and destination. Till now, fares have been based on the fastest travel path, not the shortest.

As a result of last year's falling oil prices, and calculated through the new system, bus and train commuters will enjoy an overall fare cut of 4.2 per cent from Dec 30, the Public Transport Council (PTC) announced yesterday. It is the biggest reduction in recent years, after 2009's fare cut of 4.6 per cent.

Source: The Straits Times, front page, "Bus, train fares to go down 4.2% as system is simplified", October 28, 2016

It is a pivot back to our socialist roots.

 

[mojito]

Wait, now they want to use my money to subsidize foreigners working here? Absolutely preposterous!

 

[dr.wailing]

The real reason is: the Sinkie economy is in recession, more PMET are jobless. The last time bus and train fares were reduced was in 2009.

 

[red amoeba]

it will be interesting to see the bonus doughed out to Desmond. if it will be more than last year.
if yes, it shows the fat that SMRT has.

 

[johnny333]

The real reason is: the Sinkie economy is in recession, more PMET are jobless. The last time bus and train fares were reduced was in 2009.

The fares were really NOT reduced when the price of oil dropped to less than $50. The fare reductions that were announced back then were just a token fare reduction.

Now with the economy in trouble, even GLCs are retrenching. So the PAP gov't has to appear to be helping the unemployed, otherwise there would be more anger out there. However I doubt that it will be enough because many people still have bills to pay: mortgages, utility, credit card bills, ...