SBS Transit, SMRT ask to raise bus and train fares

[Silence Sky]

Why privatise a goose that lays golden eggs?
I think it is more of a case where letting the goose roams freely to instill a false sense of fair competition.
Behind the scene, there is an invisible hand keeping a tight grip on the golden goose, controlling its steps and directions. So far I can see the barrier to entry for the transport industry is set so high that it literally kills off any serious competitors. Do we still remember the breakfast van? They are only allowed to operate in certain car parks and certain hours which in turn have effectively wipe them off scene.

Justifications for price increase are so superficial that it treats Singaporeans like a fool.
When we ask for a glass of water to quench our thirst, some gurus will add lemons slice into it and charge you 50cetns per glass of water. Then comes the A Star scholar, up market the glass of water by poking a color umbrella onto the slice of lemon and serve the drink in a designer glass. The glass of water costs $1.50 with all the values added to it, we are now serving world class drink, aren’t we?

 

[vince123123]

Just because you can't do anything does not mean that we cannot discuss the topic.

What is the point of arguing? We know we can't do anything; Just follow what's being handed down. :nono:

That's how foreigners see Singaporeans, a group that just follow instructions!:bsmilie: Couldn't think outside of the box, do things according to rules & regulations but will be fully confused if there is no rule to limit his creativity; can't make U-turn if there is no sign post! :bigeyes:

That is the environment we are brought up in; IN A BOX! It's different culture & mindset. It's uniquely Singapore. :sweatsm:

 

[Silence Sky]

BTW, does anyone realise that one can only view ¾ of the LCD screen in the North-East trains when sitting down and ½ of the screen when you are standing? And you wouldn’t be able to see the screen at all when the train is crowded.

Value for money:thumbsup:

 

[Reno]

BTW, does anyone realise that one can only view ¾ of the LCD screen in the North-East trains when sitting down and ½ of the screen when you are standing? And you wouldn’t be able to see the screen at all when the train is crowded.

Value for money:thumbsup:

Do you know that the bus roof leaks whenever there is a big rain..... :bsmilie:

 

[hazmee]

I think it has become a norm for Singapore government owned companies to raise the prices/costs before making the necessary pathetic improvements.

 

[Static]

Do you know that the bus roof leaks whenever there is a big rain..... :bsmilie:

:
didnt know that !

Tot they said fare increase last time was to improve level of service as well as to deal with the oil prices fluctuations ???

Guess tis thread is open till now to let singaporeans let off some steam and embrace themselves for the inevitable reality

Let's celebrate NDP with more good years ahead for SBS and SMRT !!! :vhappy:

I guess taxi companies will not sit around quietly and suck thumb if A$$ bee A$$ and A$$mrt request for price hike is approved

This is what we call "Moving ahead, staying together !!!" :bsmilie:

 

[Silence Sky]

The profit debate has been ongoing for public services over many countries for ages. Ultimately, while it sucks that our transport system is not perfect and all, it may be worst. Allowing it to be privately owned gives the owners incentive to maximize profit and cut cost, hence lowering fares in the long run. Now, being a duopoly, the government has to stop rampant fare increases and profit taking by imposing price ceilings and service levels to adhere to.

Privatising public transport does not bring on competition because the capital outlay needed out front is so high that creates a natural barrier to entry. With no competition around, it makes no business sense to cut cost at all.
We will not see another operator building a second MRT line to compete for the same group of consumers and gives more elasticity to the demand curve that will benefits the consumers . The entrance of SBS Transit is to serve an entirely difference set of consumers, there is totally no competition or conflicts of interest between SBS Transit and SMRT at all.
Have two giants serving in the same industry, means higher operation and labour costs.
They now needs two sets of management teams, accountants, maintenance teams..ect
These costs formed a big portion of the operation costs, which will be passed on to the consumers eventually. Do we still remember the media industry? They break off to create competition but later to merge again.

No reasons for State to determine a ceiling price for the operators, because these two companies are public listed. Both have to answer to their respective stalk holders, where profit is the bottom line. If the State intervenes in theirs means to generate profit, and that will be equivalence to market manipulation.

 

[Silence Sky]

Do you know that the bus roof leaks whenever there is a big rain..... :bsmilie:

I am not suprise at that..
It means we have not pay enough bus fare for the maintainance.
Another valid reason for fare hike.:thumbsup:

 

[airforce1]

Every company want to make profits. GST increase is another opportunity to make another round of increase citing examples as raw materials increase. At the end of all this increase the citizens is the sacker. We have to pay and pay.

 

[datan]

so many posts yet still no one wants to address the issue of increasing costs (energy + wages)

 

[reachme2003]

next election, you know what to do. life of pay and pay will be over?

Every company want to make profits. GST increase is another opportunity to make another round of increase citing examples as raw materials increase. At the end of all this increase the citizens is the sacker. We have to pay and pay.

 

[reachme2003]

that's why sporean are being 'seduced' into the materials things promised. salute those in potong pasir constituency for not being seduced.

I don't know what to do. It is more likely to be a walk over.
If I don't vote for the ruling party, I will become 2nd class citizen.
I will be the last on the list to get any upgrading.

 

[reachme2003]

mercenary minded?

Hahaha:bsmilie:

You can only count on the leaders and those residents in Potong Pasir and Huogang to defend our land.

For me, I will let the enemy come in if they promise me a better upgrading package. I will also carry their GPMG if they pay me better than SAF did:thumbsup:
Don't you think I learnt well from my leaders. You need to pay me well enough to keep me around and uphold my integrity.

 

[sORe-EyEz]

hey ppl, let's not veer off topic eh, wait kenna lock-up! :nono:

 

[Silence Sky]

hey ppl, let's not veer off topic eh, wait kenna lock-up! :nono:

Yes Sir.... I will delete it.

 

[sORe-EyEz]

Yes Sir.... I will delete it.

doh i not a mod but i think d Mod will b glad we make life a little more pleasant ard here. hav a wonderful weekend.

 

[Silence Sky]

doh i not a mod but i think d Mod will b glad we make life a little more pleasant ard here. hav a wonderful weekend.

Thanks... You know I always kana lock up one.

 

[Static]

so many posts yet still no one wants to address the issue of increasing costs (energy + wages)

The elites has no solutions for us ? !
So I guess letting singaporeans pay and pay is the only method ??
More good years ahead :sweat:

As countered by so many ppl already. It was quite a questionable move by the authorities to privatise the one and only transporation in singaporean. With privatization, one would expect better level of service, looking at the statistics of profit reported annually.
However, field reports.. or complaints from consumers made you conclude that there is still much to be done to resolve over packed buses and MRT during peak hours and average waiting time.
Do you know on non-profitable routes, frequency of buses is low and it's damn packed with ppl even on non-peak hour.

Do you feel justified to keep paying and paying to maintain their fat profit while remaining problems remains unresolved. Show us some improvements before asking for more money.

 

[Will03]

:
didnt know that !

Tot they said fare increase last time was to improve level of service as well as to deal with the oil prices fluctuations ???

Guess tis thread is open till now to let singaporeans let off some steam and embrace themselves for the inevitable reality

Let's celebrate NDP with more good years ahead for SBS and SMRT !!! :vhappy:

I guess taxi companies will not sit around quietly and suck thumb if A$$ bee A$$ and A$$mrt request for price hike is approved

This is what we call "Moving ahead, staying together !!!" :bsmilie:

yup.. quite sure taxi companies will start to increase fares once the approval is given for the increased bus and train fares.

cos they will always say.. taxis are luxury products.. they have to be priced much higher
than that of buses and trains.

 

[sORe-EyEz]

mayb our "fine" country can help them up their standards?

there's fines for littering, smoking at selected places, etc. :think: