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."

The year of plenty...... increases

Can I say I'm really surprised? Can any of us say that? Justification - oil, labour, etc. prices have gone up. Isn't that the same reasons they gave every year that they want to increase the price? Compare this to - "We need to increase the pay of ____ because there have been a wage freeze for xx years", "we need this amount to attract the brightest" (no prizes for guessing who are the ones that said that).

Notice one thing, that whenever there is an increase in something (GST, salary, fares, etc.), the gahmen is always there to justify it with the "justifications" above. Those are the root of the arguments and everything else is based on it.

The only exception from this is wage increase for us peons. Whenever the argument turns to us, the reason why our pay is low is because of market forces, not skilled workforce c.p. "we need to increase the ___ salaries because they 'deserve' it" (wait, where is the market force argument?), "we need it to attract good people" (good in whose eyes? and can't we say we need to attract good people to the workforce too? hmmm...)

The online citizen has a great article about the fare hikes and it seems that for the past 6 (2000 - 2006) years, fares have increased 5 times, with a very big increase in the net profit of the various companies.

I'm not holding my breath for the outcome?

Add this to the list of increases this year


Taken from Today 01 August 2007

TICKET TO HIKE, PLEASE
----------------------
PTC urged to review fare increase proposals critically

Leong Wee Keat
weekeat@mediacorp.com.sg

Come October, a bus or train trip could cost 1 to 3 cents more on average. Both public transport operators have applied to the Public Transport Council (PTC) for a fare increase.

While no details were given of the proposals submitted yesterday, SBS Transit and SMRT must keep the hikes capped at 1.8 per cent of current fares, as dictated by the PTC's formula.

Both operators cite growing costs as the reason for asking for a fare hike (see box) - though SMRT said the maximum allowed adjustment would only partially mitigate increases in energy costs.

At the same time, the operators are proposing that children, student and concession fares remain unchanged. SMRT added, it would not hike cash fares for adult, child and senior citizens on its buses, and may extend senior citizens' travel concessions during weekday evening peak hours.

Still, the proposed fare increases were criticised by commuters Today spoke to. Auditor Lim Wen Yu said: "Besides service reliability, you need low fares to attract people to switch to public transport."

Public relations consultant Lionnel Lim wondered why fare hikes were being mooted when both operators have been posting profits. "Even a 1-cent increase would hurt the pockets of the lower income," he said.

SBS Transit said it would consider schemes to help this group offset the hike, while SMRT will extend help through the Public Transport Fund.

In the first quarter of this year, SBS Transit posted operating profits of $16.4 million and SMRT Group's bus and rail businesses recorded operating profits of $32.4 million.

While the company remains profitable, SBS Transit said: "A fare adjustment is necessary to ensure that it continues to earn sufficient money to be able to invest in its business, so as to improve its services to serve commuters better."

Mr Cedric Foo, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for transport, urged the PTC to look at the proposed adjustments "critically" - especially at both operators' returns on capital employed and productivity.

Mr Foo told Today: "It is clear that fuel and manpower costs have gone up. But have they gone up to such an extent to dilute the return on capital, as to warrant an increase at this point?"

"If they are found to be affecting returns to a great extent, then the operators would have reasonable cause (to apply for a proposed fare hike)."

Results of the PTC's deliberations may be out next month.