Transport fares cut by 1.9%
According to the Straits Times news report “Bus, train fares to be cut by up to 1.9 per cent from December: Lui Tuck Yew” (Aug 3) – “Transport fares will be reduced by up to 1.9 per cent from December, said Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew on Monday (Aug 3).
He added that he would leave it to the Public Transport Council to work out the specific reductions, but expects “every commuter group” to pay lower fares.”
Reduction due to ”reduced fuel costs”, but April increase also ”reduced fuel costs”?
As to “Mr Lui, who spoke to the media at One-North MRT station, said fares were being lowered following reduced fuel costs” – don’t you find the reason of “reduced fuel costs” rather strange – when public transport fares were increased by 2.8 per cent from April 5 this year, when oil prices had dropped by almost 60 per cent?
Increase 2.8 decrease 1.9 = 0.9% increase?
So, does the 1.9 per cent reduction in December mean that the net increase for this year is in effect, still about 0.9 per cent (2.8 per cent increase in April minus the 1.9 per cent reduction in December)?
16 fare increases last 25 years?
According to the Public Transport Council’s (PTC) web site – there were 16 fare increases in the last 25 years.
Is there any country that increased public transport fares so frequently?
Unfair comparison of fares
When the April fare increase this year was announced – the fares comparison table with other cities was inappropriate because most residents in these cities (which also happen to be high-income cities, except Taipei) use monthly or annual travel passes, instead of the “per trip” comparison.
Thus, on the basis of the cost of travel passes relative to wages – we have one of the most expensive transport fares in the world.
What is even more strange is that the comparison table shows only trips above 10 km.
Also, why were we still using the existing fares (before the April increase) in the comparison? Shouldn’t we be comparing the increased fares announced instead?
Highest fare increase % is?
Also, I think there may be something wrong with the headlines that the fare increase was only 2.8 per cent, because this appears to be the overall fare increase for all commuters.
If you take the increase of five cents over the fare of $1.33 to $1.58 in the table – it was an increase of 3.2 and 3.8 per cent.
Why not also just tell us what was the highest percentage increase for commuters?
Win battles lose war
A.S.S. Contributor
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