What is the PTC for, really.

After leaving Singapore, I've decided that I have no right to write about Singapore's political system, therefore, there have been nothing to write. But this is something that is not political, per se. And it really got on my nerves.

When the proposal was submitted to the Public Transport Council (PTC) in June, it was rejected because the fare proposed ($1.30 per trip) was not appropriate for a premium bus service, usually priced between $2 to $3 per trip.

Isn't the PTC suppose to be for the people? Isn't that what it is tauted by them (not that we believe them anyway)?

What the heck, if I want to sell my service for this amount, what right has the PTC to insist that I charge a higher price?

If the PTC says that they want to make all services the same. HELLO! Isn't Singapore suppose to be about market forces? Don't we remember how SingTel (during their monopoly) stated that they cannot bring down the cost of overseas calls, mobile phone plans, etc. What happened after M1 and StarHub were given the go ahead? Prices dropped. Isn't that what a free market force is for?

So now you know Singaporeans, PTC is for the "public" (who were know are not public because obscene profits is their goal not the people) transporters and not the people. So really, why bother having them around? To ensure that prices are not raised unfairly? We know how "fair" the PTC is to the public. To ensure that transport operators remain comparative? I don't see how having 2 transport companies dealing with totally different lines can count as competition. To ensure that public transport companies keep their promises? I don't see a change in anything even though we have had price hikes for the past 5 years or so.

So what is the PTC for... really. Can anyone enlightened me?


Take from Today
26 December 2007

ANG MO KIO MP'S PUSH FOR LITTLE GREEN BUSES PAYS OFF

Nazry Bahrawi
nazry@mediacorp.com.sg

THESE little green buses are on trial providing a shuttle service from the Yio Chu Kang MRT station and bus interchange to nearby private housing estates. Despite being concerned over profitability, the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit System (SMRT) Corporation launched the route yesterday.

The new service is the result of some prodding by Ms Lee Bee Wah, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC and adviser of Nee Soon South grassroots organisations, who managed to convince the transportation company after months of discussions.

As a result, two green air-conditioned minibuses - which can seat 19 people - would now serve some 1,200 households in Springside, Hong Heng, Thong Soon Gardens and Springleaf estates, stopping at five pick-up points in these areas.

Residents there had in the past complained to Ms Lee about the lack of public transport to a nearby MRT station or bus interchange, especially useful to students and the elderly.

It has been an arduous journey. Ms Lee spent about one year trying to convince SBS Transit and SMRT of the need for such a service, but both were concerned about its feasibility.

While SBS Transit rejected the idea because it was "not viable", SMRT decided to give it a trial run after it conducted a feasibility study, said Ms Lee.

But that was not the only hurdle.

When the proposal was submitted to the Public Transport Council (PTC) in June, it was rejected because the fare proposed ($1.30 per trip) was not appropriate for a premium bus service, usually priced between $2 to $3 per trip.

"So I took another six months to talk to the PTC, Land Transport Authority and the Ministry of Transport. Eventually, I managed to get it approved last month," said Ms Lee, who added that she had even approached Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for help.

Said SMRT's deputy chief executive officer Lee Seng Kee: "We made a projection and based on the population size, we believe that the $1.30 fare is feasible."

When asked what would happen if SMRT does not break even after three months, Mr Lee said: "We are prepared to extend for another four months. At the same time, the committee will talk to residents to use the service.
If that doesn't work, we would look at the numbers again."

Mr Wilson Zhuang, chairman of Springleaf Neighbourhood Committee, said the shuttle service would cut down travel to the nearest MRT by about 10 minutes.

Before the service, residents in the areas would take about 20 minutes to travel to Ang Mo Kio MRT station, which is further away, on bus 169, he said.

But another resident, a retiree in his 50s who declined to be named, said while he appreciate the effort by Ms Lee, he believed it would make better sense if the new shuttle service travels to Chong Pang town centre and Khatib MRT.

He said: "There is no market at Yio Chu Kang MRT station. Housewives would be happier if the service goes to Khatib MRT which is not only nearer but also has grocery shopping facilities."