Look at the statistics and you’ll know why.

http://www.smrt.com.sg/investors/Shareholding_statistics.asp

http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/generalinfo/financial.aspx?year=2007
(click Summary Report 2007, pdf page 31 of 40)

I urge all to support the ‘public’ transport companies.
Paying more is good for their bonus.
We should help ensure they get fatter bonus year on year.
If not, I wolly they say money no enough and then you kenna ler.
So, if they hike, happily pay and pay.
that is they way
that you are gonna enjoy more 1st world transport system.
So far, you have cooperated perfectly people.
Keep it up.
If hike, embrace it with gratitiude.
Without these ‘public’ transport operators, you walk to work ah.
More and More like never before number of ERP is great.
Parking fees is great.
Bus lanes dedicated is great.
I wonder every future years, how transport operators gonna gro and gro without annual or biannual fare hikes.
Their talents work so hard for the public.
Their talent need to show growth year after year.
I hope everyone doont grumber so many and just pay and pay.
1 trick I have for you to be happy:
1. forget about hikes. Think they never occur. u feel better. it takes up precious memory space.
2. think that you are great as you are helping the operators profit.
3. Pay more whenever you need to pay more. For example, new hike announced, embrace it with gratitude that its not as expensive as London yet.
4. Think about the sacrifice of the men and women of the transport operators. They work so hard for you! They deserve regular transport hikes so that they continue to succeed. See, how great you are!

Pay and Pay the Way. The only way.

Enjoy the fruit of your labor.

I take the train and feeder bus quite often. The trains are over-crowded on most times of the day and night, during peak and off-peak hours.

SMRT could reduce the crowding by running more trains. But they don’t. During the off-peak hours, it may take 6 monutes or longer for a train to arrive. And it is fully packed.

if the train is operated at 4 minute interval (instead of 6 minutes) during the off-peak, it will be less crowded and more comfortable.

I have taken the train in Taipei. It is not crowded during the off-peak hours and the ride is enjoyable. The regulator in Taipei is more pro-active in ensuring the comfort of the public. The regulator in Singapore seems to be “not bothered” about improving the quality of service.

I hope that the officials from the Land Transport Authority and the Pubiic Transport Council take the train regularly. They will know what I mean.

The trains and buses are very crowded nowadays, especially so in the mornings (around 745 am onwards) and evenings (around 530 pm onwards). The frequency of the trains and buses are not that regular either.

As a commuter who has to take a connecting feeder to the interchange and get on a train to work, ‘packed like sardines in a can’ is an apt description.

With the Government encouraging more people to use public transport, I think it is appropriate for the regulator to take some measures to ensure that the commuter’s journey is a pleasant, or the very least, not an unpleasant experience.

Otherwise it doesn’t make sense to encourage the use of public transport and yet, have regular fare increases without a corresponding increase in ‘journey quality’. This will only make the commuter feel that s/he has no choice or say in the matter where public transport is concerned.

After all, public transport is a duopoly in Singapore. If the regulator does not have the interests of commuters at heart, there is really nothing much the latter can do about it.

People!

It’s all a conspiracy to do us in!!!!
Pack us in tighter than sardines so SBS/SMRT can lower operating costs & reap max profits, so that the report cards look good & sure bonuses for fat cats…

Should transport operators be nationalized? Public transport and for-profit business may not be mutually exclusive, but they are certainly incompatible to some extent. The public will definitely want better service (higher frequency, more direct services etc and with good reason…) which may be deemed unrealistic in a purely commercial model.

The role of businesses to maximize profits just does not match the public’s expectations, unless the people happen to be the shareholders (and who do not experience the less-than satisfactory public transport service themselves).

We may want to look at whether nationalized public transport operators can be competitive as well, e.g. managed as a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport and accountable to the minister. The Minister for Transport has to be empathetic to the public’s concerns over negative public transport experiences etc so as to implement the appropriate measures. If we take pride in our civil service for its efficiency and all the positive attributes then can we apply them to public transport as well?

The current 2-operator (SBS Transit & SMRT) model intended to introduce competition has failed miserably since most of their operations are mutually exclusive, i.e. little to no competition to speak of. The SMRT’s monopoly on the EW & NS lines and SBS Transit’s monopoly in most neighbourhoods (except Woodlands, Yishun, Bt Panjang etc…) means that the public has essentially no choice at all as to which operator to go to.

It may be actually more realistic to consolidate all train and bus services to an operator each and focus all resources on providing better service to the public, rather than creating superficial train & bus operators we see now.

for all the talk about singapore’s world class transport system, it cannot be denied that there is still ALOT of room for improvement.

i could say nothing when my friend was gushing to me over the trains and buses in Europe. apparently over there, when the electronic sign boards say arriving in 5 mins, the transport really arrives in 5 mins. unlike our ‘magic’ signboards that will automatically ‘refresh’ to correct itself if the timing is inaccurate.

secondly, i feel that to truly attain world class standards, the customer service aspect of the bus drivers has to be improved ALOT. for every friendly, smiling driver i’ve met, there have been 10 other grumpy old farts who at best make inaudible grunts whenever they’re forced to communicate with a customer and at worst, they actually sound like they’re spoiling for a fight.

During the week, please also highlight who are the major shareholders of our “public” transport companies…..

“During the week, please also highlight who are the major shareholders of our “public” transport companies…..”

…and the possible conflict of interests (or supposed lack thereof) between the regulators and the companies.

I have taken the trains in Tokyo, HK and Taipei. These cities have great public transport. For eg. Tokyo has both underground trains and surface trains. The train frequency is high and you can literally take a train to any destination.

In HK, the trains are significant longer than MRT trains and the frequency is a lot higher too. Thus, I don’t fret if I couldn’t board because I know the next train would be just 2-3 minutes away. Ditto for Taipei.

I wonder why our world’s most highest paid ministers cannot even emulate these cities.

Our overpaid ministers should check out how much better the public transport system is at Tokyo, HK and Taipei!!!

First of all we should give thanks to the TOC team for highlighting this issue of poor public transport system. If we read the mainstream newspaper, we will often come across articles on what is being done to improve the transport system, and the rationale for price hike. Regularly the government exhorts the people to use public transport and leave the cars at home. However the system leaves much to be desired. The trains and buses are often crowded and stuffy especially during peak hours.The government should realise that public transport caters mainly to the ordinary Singaporeans. What’s so good about you if you cannot look after your own ordinary people?

[...] ERPains, Trains & Automobiles – TOC: TOC’s Public Transport Week – with event at Hong Lim Park [...]

There is a gap between consumers and the top management (not unlike the government i feel).

The top in this case looks at statistics, and constantly compares ourselves to cities with higher prices.

If you look at statistics, for eg: A cabin can hold 30 sitting passengers and 50 standing ones, and only 20 people are standing at any one time.

It doesn’t make any economical sense to increase train frequencies.

What they don’t see (or refuse to see) is how uncomfortable it is to be packed into sardines, or wait up from 6-8 minutes for the train, only to be packed again.

Once again, i would suggest that the Board of Directors of our world-class transport systems take the trains and buses to work everyday for a month. Perhaps then they’ll understand.

I urge TOC not to demonstrate at the HLP.

I dont wish to see TOC kenna debated until they look bad on TV.

I recall the BlogTV where TOC’s view was not convincing the public after FD and his co-host and new citizen and a local businessman who likes FTs countered his views.

Its quite pathetic u know?

FD is also a businessman, having his own media related business under his nickman FD. So, I think that is why he is able to debate with TOC so well. He is in full support of FT and agrees that sporeans should learn to grow up.

I also support FT.
I hope more than 1 million more FTs come here and make the employers happy.

So, just my 2cents advise to TOC. Please stop wasting time at HLP.
Not many will turn up, I predict. But time will tell.

TOC is trying to engage the people.
But if not prepared for debate, you are sending the wrong message.
I hope you are not unprepared.

Hi FleeingDogman,

A few comments on the pro-foreigners arguments at the BlogTv.

1. Foreigners in service industry can raise competing with locals can raise standard and introduce good practices.

We don’t need to open up the job market to introduce good practice and raise service standards. It is the job of human resources training and management.

Competition exists in work place as employees seek to perform and get promoted. There is no need to open up the industry foreign workers to get that.

2. Foreigners usually demand less in pay and compensation.

This is because they can afford to do that with their families in their home countries with lower cost of living. They can work here for a few years and the money saved can do much in improving the living standard at home. The same is not true for locals.

The argument only show the businesses are squeezing the locals with the foreigners. It points the problem to government policies and the GLC that own the malls driving up business costs.

More later.

I think its great that you are doing something on your own. We need civil society to grow.

For the first time in many many years, we see a different branch of liberalism from Chee’s tainted past. Fact is, the public could never see liberalism in a good light because it was tainted with Chee (whether or not the media and the Govt had anything to do with it is another issue).

Now we see a moderate liberal section coming up to debate issues of public interest. If you can sustain this momentum, more will be emboldened to follow suit.

You should, however, play smart and by the rules. Do not assume you are smart; fact is, the ruling party is VERY smart. Push and retreat where you can and always live to fight another day.

“15) FleeingDogman on September 8th, 2008 12.32 pm
I dont wish to see TOC kenna debated until they look bad on TV.”

Never mind lah. Practice makes perfect. Do it once, do it twice and do it thrice. Do it often, it becomes a habit.

Underdogs always have more support. People will give discount lah.

The measurement is really how hard our own pockets are being hit. What, if you are well groomed with Armani suit and tie with strings of Phd and Masters and used to be the No. 1 debater in your uni. Does it really help me.

“FD is also a businessman, having his own media related business under his nickman FD. So, I think that is why he is able to debate with TOC so well. He is in full support of FT and agrees that sporeans should learn to grow up.

If you are a smart businessman. You will probably stay quite and keep a very low profile because every single word that you speak will be picked apart, undergone a ‘fine-toothed comb’ scrutiny and get blown out of proportion if there is even a slightest weakness.

I agree that increasing the fares doesn’t improve the public transport service at all because nevertheless people still have to take public transport. Therefore increasing the fares to discourage traffic congestion is opposite of the govt’s initial policy of encouraging more public transport usage aka slap their own face.

Problem is our country is small and yet govt still wants to increase population size, which is suicidal in the long run. This reflects the govt’s short-sightedness in handling public issues.

Dear onedimensionalman,

Thank you for your advice. We will certainly keep it in mind. I think it’s important to note and to know a few things about our event:

1. It is not a demonstration. There will be no colour-coded t-shirts or placards, for example. What the even hopes to achieve is to bring ithe issues to a non-Internet audience. Demonstrating is the last thing on our minds.

2. You are right in saying that civil society needs to grow and inspire others to speak up. That is also what we hope we will do with the HLP event.

3. We do not view ourselves or our website or the HLP event as “fighting” the Govt or anyone, in fact. We view ourselves as concerned S’poreans who have an honest and vested interest in how our country is run and have a say in the policies which affect us.

I also give credit to the Govt, particularly the Prime Minister, for wanting to hear public opinion – this is something which they are not given credit for. Whether the feedback is taken is another thing altogether.

Thanks again. Hope to see you at HLP this Saturday… :)

Regards,
Andrew Loh

Dear Fleeing dogman

Thanks. :)

Regards,
Andrew Loh

I hardly know what’s wrong with the SBS. The newest single decks put not one, but TWO wheelchair bays. In about 2-3 years of riding wheelchair-enabled buses, I’ve seen the wheelchair bay utilized–THRICE. While ok, one is still excusable, having two is simply inexcusable. The resulting space wastage and the increased discomfort to the hundreds of bus users every day compared to the usage makes the company look absolutely ridiculous. My recommendation: If you want a larger standing bay, take out the middle cushion for the wheelchair. Otherwise, put more seats.

Also, for bus fare hikes, i don’t see how it’s fair or realistic for student fares to stay unchanged for about twenty years while adult fares are constantly increasing. Why aren’t parents of children, rather than the parents as well as all the other adults, made to pay more for once? Is it another decision based on economics of scale?

And of course, the obscene profits of the PTCs and sanctioned by the PTC–nothing more I need to say.

21) theonlinecitizen on September 8th, 2008 2.54 pm

If you are For the People,
you can bet the People will be behind you.

too many have gone the way of heartwarezine, if you know what i mean?

Pragmatism Extremified.

feverguy,

that is harsh. i see no need to call anyone ‘dog’ and start mocking them. (your points are valid though.)

it does not take much to recognise that we all have opinions and it is natural to disagree.

calling someone ‘dog’ only shows how uncouth you are. that is not the way to go against the establishment. in fact it is ‘extremist’ acts and viewpoints like yours that will provide the perfect ammunition for the establishment.

comment 11: Our overpaid ministers should check out how much better the public transport system is at Tokyo, HK and Taipei!!!

Our overpaid ministers will never compare countries that are better than us because it’ll show how much lesser money other leaders will serve for.

Moreover, Tokyo, HK and Taipei are democracies that actually work and prosper. they’ll only mention these countries and compare if they are are democracies who are in turmoil and poverty so that they can look better, praise themselves and insist that Singapore under them is heaven, and that democracy and modest leaders are not ‘the way that works for singapore”.

please don’t waste your time arguing with the government.

they will only listen to the people every 5 years during election times.

I’d personally like to know how much TV Mobile costs SBS to operate. I don’t think I speak solely when I say it is an irritant to most commuters — awful programming, and often poorly transmitted. How much did it cost to implement these ridiculous TV screens in each bus, and how much does it cost to upkeep? I’d like to know how much of my busfare goes into sustaining a peripheral ’service’ I really would rather not have at all.

The best part about all are these policies are being put forth by officers who do not take the bus, trains etc. Wat the fish having to adhere to their recommendations. Let them take the train every evening from City Hall to any part ot Singapore, they will understand the issue better. Let them take the public transport especially SBS Service 39 and they will understand what is full to the brim. Let them rub shoulders with other workers then they will know what is crowded……… That is what Singapore is becoming, lots of ideas and suggestions…… bullshit ideas and crapped suggestions.

26) irresponsible singaporean on September 9th, 2008 12.42 am

But does the majority mind it?
Apparently not.
thus status quo for half a Century (almost).

I suspect people playing shares and doing business would not want to shake things up. But if you are an employee with kids to raise and fees, housing, loans etc to Pay and Pay…

To employers, singapore’s policies allows them to lower labor costs. But to succeed in this global economy, I am sure its not about labor cost but about a company’s intellectual property and their competency. In short, Singapore should focus on competent companies who would not resort to offering less than 1st world salaries to survive.

Some INC can afford to pay multi-million dollar salaries to many who do not work much because the INC’s people are hard working and cooperative absorbing all sorts of competition pressures and cooperating without any strikes. So, u see, salary is nothing. Its whether the company is competent or not.

Why many European companies doing well and paying 1st world salaries to their european employees and senior management ? Because they can. They are competent companies able to capture the market and make good products and provide excellent services.

i saw everyone working and taking company transport bus home

ST say TOC has released a 10page report? Is it available on TOC? or strictly for media only?

(PAP) Pay and Pay is the motto and its name. What would one expect from a ruling regime that is interested only with MONEY. If one could not afford train fair, then sorry, just walk to work – There is No Free Lunch in Paradise Island. There is also no homeless in SinKapore. We lived in the First World and so we must not have third world mentality like our neigbours. SinKaporean will just pay up and shut up, like always, nothing new here. Have they dare to protest ? To express their views and suffering? When that come and I see it with own eyes, then I will believe it. We had been totally brain washed over the years and incapable of independence thinking. Everytime we think of MM Lee we have to bow down, just in case. That’s how much we been brain washed.