Public Transport Fares
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There's talk by some members of the opposition that we might see yet another increase in public transport fares... after the election's over.
Do you think this will happen? What are your thoughts on this issue? What improvements do you think ought to be made to our current public transport system? Are you happy with the current level of service? -
Thank goodness I don't take the MRT often, because I feel that the waiting time for the train during off-peak periods are now longer than it used to be.
Not just that, the MRT is also often crowded these days, even during off-peak hours.
I guess the situation might be improved with a higher frequency of train arrivals in the stations. However, I guess it's part of their cost-cutting measures to prolong the interval period between trains.
I've also noticed that during off-peak hours, the waiting time for buses has gone up too. Worse, for some bus services, the waiting time can be long even during peak hours!
If we're going to have fare hikes imposed on us, they'd jolly well look into improving the services provided to justify the hike! -
Of course they're going to raise the fares. Why else was the deadline pushed till after the elections?
Its justs nuts having to wait close to 10 minutes for the MRT during the so called off peak hours. This just leads to overcrowding and commuter stress. Try getting off at your station when you're packed like a fucking sardine far away from the fucking entrance!
Why the need to raise fares regularly? Well, to satisfy the fucking shareholders of course! And the bitch that took over SMRT. SMRT is the only company on this planet to keep raising fares despite posting record profits year after year. Its like they do not even allow for a fall in profits, much less losses. Fare hikes is the answer to all their problems. And the consumers are forced to bend over and just take it up the ass, assisted by the gahmen's rubber stamp unit, the PTC.
How to improve? Well, the gahmen already threw out the baby with the bathwater by "privatising" our public transport. Now profit is the one and only thing on their minds, since there is no viable alternative for those of us who do not drive. Both SBS and SMRT have zero incentive to improve services to the commuters. All they have to do is to cut costs and raise prices.
And that idiot we have for a transport minister whatshisname, he commented in a recent interview that things were "ok" and that he took a ride occasionally to see for himself.
Well, try taking crowded trains and buses twice a day for a year or two and see if you still think its ok you overpaid buffooon! -
There are some particular times to take MRT without being packed off like sardines.
There are also particular times to take buses without all the people.
The NS line towards Marina Bay is always crowded no matter what. Because TTSH is located there, HDB Hub is located there, popular shopping destinations are there.
If you are taking NS line from Marina Bay, take the ones towards Yishun during peak hours. Lesser people. Taking from Jurong East wait for the next train.
The best bus is 74. In just 15 minutes, I see more than 10 74 buses passing by.
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Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:There are some particular times to take MRT without being packed off like sardines.
There are also particular times to take buses without all the people.
The NS line towards Marina Bay is always crowded no matter what. Because TTSH is located there, HDB Hub is located there, popular shopping destinations are there.
If you are taking NS line from Marina Bay, take the ones towards Yishun during peak hours. Lesser people. Taking from Jurong East wait for the next train.
The best bus is 74. In just 15 minutes, I see more than 10 74 buses passing by.
I think there are also particular times whereby the majority of the working population have to take public transport to report to work at particular times too!
Otherwise, who would want to get caught in the peak hour rush and squeeze?
And I think I've seen certain bus services in town with very high frequencies too! Crazy!
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And none of these times coincide with most people's working hours. How?Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:There are some particular times to take MRT without being packed off like sardines.
There are also particular times to take buses without all the people. -
Ya, but I always take a particular train at this specific time during peak hours. The train is always empty at this time, and surprisingly, not many people because they aren't patient enough to wait for this train. This train sometimes goes all the way to Pasir Ris, so it saves you the hassle of changing trains during peak hours also.Originally posted by Rhonda:I think there are also particular times whereby the majority of the working population have to take public transport to report to work at particular times too!
Otherwise, who would want to get caught in the peak hour rush and squeeze?
This train comes a few minutes after 7am in the morning. Taking from AMK. -
Yes. If you know how to catch them. Buses are harder to catch, out of so many times I take, only 2 or 3 times I succeeded.Originally posted by av98m:And none of these times coincide with most people's working hours. How?
MRT super easy. The pattern is there.
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haiz...take public transport...they hike up the fees, making public transport more n more expensive...one day can easily hit $4~$5....geez....
Buy car...have to buy COE...nvm...fuel prices also hike up....sux...
like that how to boost the b|oody economy n living a better lifestyle.....
Cost of living (Inclusive of transport, petrol, GST, etc) keep increasing, but never see my salary hike up to that level..... -
Hanor! Hanor!!Originally posted by dcx:haiz...take public transport...they hike up the fees, making public transport more n more expensive...one day can easily hit $4~$5....geez....
Buy car...have to buy COE...nvm...fuel prices also hike up....sux...
like that how to boost the b|oody economy n living a better lifestyle.....
Cost of living (Inclusive of transport, petrol, GST, etc) keep increasing, but never see my salary hike up to that level..... 
Year after year, we see our disposable incomes remain almost the same (hopefully not shrink!) but the prices of everyday consumer goods are increasing, slowly but surely.
The purchasing power of our disposable income falls as a result of the higher costs of living. -
after election everything gonna increase ... heard rumour ..
GST gg to increase also .. haiz hopefully not truth -
Originally posted by meltz:after election everything gonna increase ... heard rumour ..
GST gg to increase also .. haiz hopefully not truth
They'd better not increase the GST!! -
Add to the bad news, 1 US dollar is about $1.47 Singapore dollars.Originally posted by Rhonda:Hanor! Hanor!!
Year after year, we see our disposable incomes remain almost the same (hopefully not shrink!) but the prices of everyday consumer goods are increasing, slowly but surely. The purchasing power of our disposable income falls as a result of the higher costs of living.
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Not rumour lah. They every time also like that one.Originally posted by meltz:after election everything gonna increase ... heard rumour ..
GST gg to increase also .. haiz hopefully not truth
But GST is unconfirmed rumour....
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What's so bad news about that?Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:Add to the bad news, 1 US dollar is about $1.47 Singapore dollars. 
A few years back, when I went to Baltimore, it was an unfavourable rate of US$1 = S$1.85!! -
Hmm... when GST was first imposed, didn't the govt say that in a few years' time, they'll review the rate?Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:Not rumour lah. They every time also like that one.
But GST is unconfirmed rumour....
And then didn't they postpone increasing the GST a few years back because Singaporeans weren't happy about it?
Sorry, my memory's not so sharp these days.
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Things are really expensive.Originally posted by Rhonda:What's so bad news about that?
A few years back, when I went to Baltimore, it was an unfavourable rate of US$1 = S$1.85!!
And you said liao, US$1 is about S$1.85
The rates very different. -
Noooo... that was a few years back. So now, our currency has grown a tad stronger compared to that time. Therefore, it's good news... unless it makes us less competitive compared to our neighbours cause it would mean that the Americans would now find our goods and services a tad more expensive than before.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:Things are really expensive.
And you said liao, US$1 is about S$1.85
The rates very different. -
I think they're plotting to eventually increase it until we're on par with UK's VAT, which is a whopping 17%Originally posted by Rhonda:Hmm... when GST was first imposed, didn't the govt say that in a few years' time, they'll review the rate?
And then didn't they postpone increasing the GST a few years back because Singaporeans weren't happy about it?
Sorry, my memory's not so sharp these days. -
Originally posted by av98m:I think they're plotting to eventually increase it until we're on par with UK's VAT, which is a whopping 17%
Can't be, bah!! Do the higher-up's even realise the hardship that some of us are facing or will face if they were to do that?!
OK, wait, the question shouldn't be "Do they realise..." but "Do they care..."! -
obviously they don't as long as they are still in powerOriginally posted by Rhonda:
Can't be, bah!! Do the higher-up's even realise the hardship that some of us are facing or will face if they were to do that?!
OK, wait, the question shouldn't be "Do they realise..." but "Do they care..."! -
Most in power wouldn't care... cause they don't take public transport like we have to.Originally posted by hisoka:obviously they don't as long as they are still in power
Besides, cost increases ultimately ends up as a revenue increase for them so of course, they'll be peachy about it! -
not only bus n train fares will go up, almost all charges will go up also..
remember, ur progress package is not free $$, u will have to pay back!! -
they only care about making $$$$ ... who care u earn enough to survive anot
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This I doubt so. UK has high taxes is partly because of their free healthcare system. When you have this free, that free, something has to cover it. Their GST covers it. Singapore everything not free, yet taxes so high, will force people away.Originally posted by av98m:I think they're plotting to eventually increase it until we're on par with UK's VAT, which is a whopping 17%