Story by Darren Boon / Video by Mervin Lee, video interview by Koh Yi Na
Student activist group The National Petition for Fairer Transportation Fares for Polytechnic/Tertiary Students has made inroads where its predecessors failed to, collecting 5,300 signatures for fare concessions, and engaging the Public Transport Council (PTC).
The group met with senior management representatives from the relevant stakeholder groups including the PTC, Transitlink, and the two transport giants SBS Transit and SMRT Corporation to present their petition and proposal for fairer transportation fares for polytechnic and tertiary students.
The dialogue with the authorities proceeded much better than anticipated. Polytechnic student Bernard Chen who organised the petition described the session with the PTC as “constructive” with an “exchange of ideas and opinions”. “We managed to achieve mutual understanding and hopefully benefits for each other,” Chen said.
“They understand where we’re coming from. They’ve got a better perspective of students’ concerns. And from what I gather, I believe they’re considering the proposal. So in the meantime we’re hopeful,” Chen added.
Chen speculates that there might be something sweet in the pot for concession fares when PTC studies the upcoming fare reduction exercise.
SBS Transit has indicated to The Online Citizen that it is working together with the PTC on this matter with details due out later.
Fairer fare mechanism please
The petition which begun online in November 2008 has so far amassed 5300 signatures inclusive ofsignatures collected from Singaporeans in the public areas of Bugis and Plaza Singapura/Dhoby Ghaut.
The group alleges the practice of discriminatory pricing in concession fares amongst the similar aged peer groups – between JC/ITE students and Polytechnic/Tertiary students – whereby the latter group pays up to 89 per cent more than the former is unfair. The group is also hoping that a reduction in the current concession fares will bring about some expenditure relief to households.
The group proposes a three-step approach to help local students. The first step involves an immediate reduction two times that of the adult percentage cut to offer some temporary respite during the tough economic period. The second step sees the implementation of a price bandwidth for each group of students in the polytechnics, universities and private institutions which can be adjusted accordingly to the economic climate. The final step involves the refinement of the fare mechanism similar to that of the adults.
“We are more concerned at how they (the transport operators) arrive at the number than the number itself. Numbers can change anytime, but we need the mechanism to regulate it,” Chen said.
Informed and effective activism
Meanwhile, Chen looks forward to further dialogue and engagement with the authorities over the implementation of a fare mechanism and hails the progress of the group.
The image which Chen expects his student grouping to portray – responsible and constructive.
“I think is a very positive step for society where a small student grouping which comes across as responsible and know what they’re talking about…and they will get the attention they want in terms of the issue.”
Chen’s group, which, comprises mostly of students from Temasek Polytechnic also boasts members from Singapore Polytechnic and the Singapore Management University.
The results of the campaign have so far exceeded expectations. Chen is surprised that their efforts caught the attention of the PTC who went as far as to initiate a meeting with them.
Lena Ng, a final year polytechnic student who is onboard the petition agrees that the campaign took off to a “pretty good start”. “Nobody has gotten such a big outreach other than us.”
Looking back on the campaign so far, Chen commented: “We’ve basically achieved our objectives so far. We got their attention. We put this issue on the radar screens of the decision makers, and they’re considering the proposal. We managed to let people know about this. So these three objectives have been achieved.”
Looking forward, Chen hopes to build on the group’s credibility and partner up with existing student groups in MDIS and Singapore Institute of Management to further their cause.
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“Student activist group The National Petition for Fairer Transportation Fares for Polytechnic/Tertiary Students has made inroads where its predecessors failed to”
What is the predecessor?
Good luck to the students, I doubt it’ll achieve anything.
I fear for the students.
I think they will be cornered into a cul de sac.
And I believe that the knuckle duster will be used again.
If they win, the university students will complain next….
Crux of the problem is whether Polys are tertiary institutions. Maybe the fare discounts should be age based…
2) Niccolò Machiavelli. on February 10th, 2009 2.44 pm
We just have to consider these :
1. Is it ILLEGAL to do what they do? I fail to see it as illegal. Tell me if this is illegal.
2. Is it a valid for them to propose? Yes.
3. Are there many signatures for the Petition? Yes. 500 is a strong endorsement.
1000 is considered significant.
5000 is considered strong support.
10000 would be considered a landslide victory in the making.
To me, that is.
If they are not allowed such activity,
the responsible authority should have done something to stop them long ago.
It has been months since they started this campaign.
As is the case, they have been allowed till now. What does this mean?
Sometimes we need to be fearful of certain thingies.
But we should not fear when fear is a personal believe.
Someone tell the world, what they are doing is illegal.
Else, my understanding shall stand.
Just have a single flat concessionary fare structure for anyone who is a registered student.
Common sense, isn’t it.
As long as the issue is not directly related to politics , gov will try to take the credit rather than stopping it or disturbing it.
A student is a student right?
no income means no income right?
income means money right?
would higher cost of living encourage the less elitist or those born without a spoon chromed in silver to quit study and join the work force so that he can afford to pay and pay….. i mean pay the hikes?
i no no leh. can or not?
aiyoyo
last time we also like that, transport just up the price when they like,
we also no choice, this is the country we live in!?
aiyoyo
It’s deeply encouraging to see people stand-up for causes they truly believe in – like these young TP students making a stand against practices deemed unfair or unreasonable. Also very promising are our young people like Choo, Loh & company from TOC. You guys make me proud to be a Singaporean!
We have under-estimated today’s youths.
They are a different breed.
There is hope.
Go for it Bernard….
and crap, i missed their telecast on CNA which I so wanted to catch…
I don’t freaking care what others say, This petition will benefit polytechnic students as a whole, and with families who don’t have much income.
But….But…..It seems so wrong and anti-establishment.
so scary wor.
sporeanos ready for this?
I am afraid many of you here are mistaken. This is not an anti-government/ establishment campaign. In any campaign outreach, we observe the laws of this land and we have no intention to infringe any of the legal obligations of a Singapore citizen. Activism can be done in the right manner without attracting unwanted attention from the authorities.
If you take some time off your busy schedule to take a look at our campaign, you would realised that this is a responsible and constructive one. I guess the fact that PTC and PTOs decided to initiated a meeting with us, listen to our concerns and consider our proposals speaks volume of the nature of this campaign. This is not a partisan campaign. If this is a SPP, WP initiative, I do not think that PAP MPs would stand up and voice out the concerns on behalf of students in Parliament. Students in this campaign are for the greater good of the community and country. If this is partisan campaign, I don’t think it would receive the strong support it is receiving today from all quarters of Singapore society.
The youths of today, I believe, are ready to listen and assist in any responsible and constructive initiatives.
早报网：理工生为何不能享有优惠车资？
（2009-02-10） ● 李慧燕
两年前，当小儿报读理工学院时，我才惊闻原来理工生所缴付的车资，和成人相同。但初院生和工艺教育学院学生却能够享有优惠车资，也就是说每趟车资是0.45元，而理工生需缴付的，却是从0.66元到1.67元不等的成人车资。我曾打电话到有关方面询问，但回答都推说条例是公司以前订下的，无法查究或更改。
最近喜见有约3万人上网签请愿书，请求新捷运和SMRT巴士公司让理工生享有和初院生同样的优惠巴士车资。这真是许多人的心愿。
理工生和初院生属于同个年龄层，大家都是中学毕业生，一般上都来自中下层的家庭，我们的家境不见得会比初院生好，而理工生的学费还比初院生高出许多呢。虽然理工生当中有一些是已经到社会工作的部分时间的学生，但那只是极少数人，巴士公司大可以选择不发学生专用的车资卡给他们。
================================================
我赞成本文作者的请求。
http://luntan.zaobao.com/viewthread.php?tid=129127&extra=page%3D1&page=1
林双吉啊。。。。。。。。。
不要又让人民为了申请津贴的事儿团团转，不要不环保即浪费纸张又浪费时间。。。。。。。
学生就是学生，从中四升上初院的是学生，从中四升上理工学院的，同样是学生。没有留级的学生，和留过级的学生，到了初院和理工学院的第一年，也许年龄相差一到三岁，但是，他们依旧是学生，这个身份是改不了的。他们应该同样享有相同的乘车优待，为什么你要以他们的家境富裕与否来分化他们？
为了节省繁琐的行政工作，可以考虑以学生的年龄为主，例如优待所有年龄在20岁以内的学生，以学生价乘车。
那些过了20岁的半攻读的学生，则无法获得优待，但是，如果他们真有困难，可向社理会求助。。。。。
========================================================
早报网：政府将鼓励交通业者 让工院生也享车资优惠
（2009-02-13）
政府将鼓励交通业者探讨用最好的方式，为面临困难的理工学院学生提供援助。
交通部长林双吉在回答潘惜玉（阿裕尼集选区议员）有关工院生也应享有车资优惠的询问时说，交通业者将决定他们所能享有的津贴。但他表示，政府的作法是针对性的，既为那些最有需要的国人提供援助。
他说，本地工院生人数多且多元化，有些家境富裕，一些则家境贫寒。他表示，政府不应该要求纳税人花钱津贴那些可轻松应付车费的工院生。
至于那些贫穷的家庭，林双吉认为，政府已经通过就业入息补助和消费税补贴给予帮助。需要更多援助的公众也可向社区关怀基金提出申请。
许多工院生，对于不能像年龄相仿的初级学院学生那样付学生车资感到不满。去年，约3万人到网站的请愿书上签名，请求新捷运和SMRT让工院生支付和初院生同样的车资。
Well done TOC.
I fully support your views and agreed with what the students said.
I shall see changes from SMRT.
而政府呢？看看这个林双吉的那种狗屁不通的话就可以知道一个大概。
什么叫做”工院生的家境不同”？如果这句话可以成立，那为什么只有工院生才这样对待？为什么不是所有的学生都有同样的方法来决定津贴？那干脆取消所有的学生车资津贴吧。然后再通过各种补助来帮助家境不好的学生，是这样的吗？
我越来越感觉这个政府脱离人民，脱离现实，脱离谦卑。我们看到的，就是这些部长议员大言不惭的说”那些抱怨别人工资高的是低等人”。那我们这些”低等人”又何必通过投票箱继续让这些”上等人”来看低我们呢？
http://luntan.zaobao.com/viewthread.php?tid=129127&extra=page%3D1&page=2
让交通政策从简
1）学生车资一律半价（因为怎么说还没出来社会赚钱）。
2）老人车资免费（体恤他（她）们为国家贡献了大半辈子的一点回馈）。
3）成人车资跟条例走（但应控制在合理的水平）。
**交通费应是一项以民为本的长远政策**
http://luntan.zaobao.com/viewthread.php?tid=128910&extra=page%3D9
SMRT的定位-$$$$$$$ ?????
之前SMRT赚了很多钱，还申请起价，还说要向股东交代。。。。。当时很多小市民请求SMRT不要加价，都没有被听进去，很多人都很无奈。然后，我们的“好心”政府就发交通券给贫困家庭，然后又是一轮不环保的申请手续。。。。。。
其实最大的问题就是定位。SMRT不能，也不应该，是一个纯粹盈利导向的公司。因为提供公共交通关系到国民民生，而且，公共交通也不是一个可以选择要不要去消费的服务，而是一个必须品，就好像喝水一样。
所以，因为这个原因拼命的提高票价，其实是不对的。
==============================
很多老人上书要求取消乘车限制时间，都不得要领！
其实我觉得老人津贴车票，要限制时间是很没有用处的，这又回到了定位的问题。
如果要定位成盈利导向，不必那么麻烦给老人津贴，通通一律付全资就是。
如果定位成是公共服务，要给予津贴，却又限制时间，到底是干吗？为了让老人避开高峰时间？可是有没有从老人的角度来想过这个问题？难道老人会刻意在高峰时间去坐车吗？又拥挤又没有位子坐。
请问SMRT的总裁，如果你是老人，你会刻意在那个时候出门吗？
SMRT should take initiative into this matter but not to let the students to spend so much time to beg for the students fair transport fees.
Jane, please refrain from posting in Chinese.
Further comments in Chinese will not be allowed.
Thanks.
TOC, noted with thanks. But, I’m chinese educated.
Raymond Lim shld have seized the initiative for this reduction action. He could have twisted some arms and banged some heads. but as always, he is paid too much and does not understand why Poly students can’t pay peanuts! Otherwise, he would have won some brownie points from the public.
The group has been doing a great job! Here are some suggestions;
1. Set up an online petition site.
2. Set up a desk at each of the tertiary institutions -best hosted by the respective students’ union office- to facilitate those who have not signed up.
Good job! Keep it up! Unfortunately my son has already graduated, so cannot benefit. But I’ll support them.
Well, it seems that Polytechnic students are classfied under Tertiary Students and this petition is not only for the polytechnic students, but for the University students and Private students as well =)
We must support our ‘Ah Gong’! ‘Ah Gong’ say what we do what,….i will be our ‘Ah Gong’ gd grand son… :) thanks ‘Ah Gong’ give me $250 doller….i the 1st one to support you!…i love you ‘Ah Gong’ … :)
Most polytechnic students are more mature than JC students. Beside books, they are more independent, mature, hands-on & practical as well, although most of them are only late teenagers.
This is one reason why S’pore Govt wants to have the minimum age set at 21 instead of 18 for Election. They don’t want this group of students to spoilt their party votes.
The poly students are usually more mature, independent, practical, hands-on than JC students although most of them are in their late teens.
This is one reason why the minimum age is set at 21 instead of 18 for S’pore Election. The nepotism party does not want these groups to cause damage on election day.
does english spoken here means ONLY english spoken?
some sort of attitude surely will make one’s world narrowed down.
28) tand on February 19th, 2009 10.43 am
does english spoken here means ONLY english spoken?
Please consider it from a different light. Not all readers can read Chinese. Using English to post the comment actually broaden up” the world in this sense. More readers can understand the comments.
I totally agree with what this group of student activists are trying to do. I’m new into poly and i find it grossly unfair to have to pay such unfair fares when ppl OUR OWN AGE in JC need not have to pay our kind of transportation fees! moreover, the age for students to get their driving licenses have been pushed till they are 21 years of age instead of 18. so since we have to wait till 21 to get our driving license, why not charge us poly students with fairer rates? especially since there are only 5 polytechnics in singapore but definitely more than 5 JCs in singapore, there surely will be a higher probability of students in poly than in JC who have to travel very far to get to their school, thus their transportation fees will definitely be higher. why are we given different fare charges than JC students although we are of the same age? we are still TEENAGERS and yet we are charged with ADULT fares. if i am not wrong, an adult has to be at least 20 or 21 years old right? and youngsters still attending school whose ages are ___-teen means they are not adults yet right?
i really dont understand why the transportation fees of poly students is SOO different than JC students. is this bias, favouritism to future JC students who will eventually get into uni whilst us poly students will enter the adult world prematurely and not contribute as much as jc students in the long run?
due to the recession, i think more poly students will find it frustrating to have to bear such monetary problems regarding transportation. i really hope the government will not only look into this issue but also act on it.