"Cheaper" Travel
ST 11 July 2008: (Headline) Cheaper travel for 4 in 10 commuters
Alternative: Public transport to cost more for 6 in 10 commuters
ST 11 July 2008: Currently, commuters whose journeys involve transfers pay base fares - starting fares of around 60 cents - each time they hop from one bus to another bus, bus to rail, or rail to bus. Although they are given a 25-cent rebate every time they switch, this is not enough to offset the cost of base fares. As a result, they may pay as much as 50 per cent more than those who take a direct service over the same distance.
Alternative: Commuters are currently overcharged when they need to transfer during their journey.
ST 11 July 2008: It will help cut transport bills for four in 10 commuters who have to make such journeys now. But for the remaining six who take direct services, higher fares are likely.
Alternative: 60% of commuters will pay more while journeying the same distance, so that the other 40% pay less.
ST 11 July 2008: This will be done in two stages. The first is expected in October, and the second by the same time next year. By then, the cost of direct journeys and trips with transfers will cost the same.
Alternative: When everything is done, everybody will pay more. The costs for direct journeys will go up, as promised, and the costs of transferring will match the cost of direct journeys.
ST 11 July 2008: On why commuters who take direct trips would have to pay more, a ministry spokesman said there are costs involved in restructuring, and this ought to be shared by both commuters and transport operators.
Alternative: Transport operators should not be expected to bear the full costs of a fare reduction.
Jul 10th