Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Public transport fares

I WAS surprised to read in yesterday's report that bus and train fares will go down by 2.5 per cent ('New bus, train fare system').  To peg charges to the distance travelled is a great system of calculation. Thank you, Public Transport Council, for such a good move.
Bennie Cheok
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_517466.html

Bus, train fare system must be fair to all THE Public Transport Council's decision ('New bus, train fare system'; yesterday) to implement a distance-based system to calculate transport fares with effect from July 3 is a novel approach.
While the council says it will lead to greater savings for nearly two out of three commuters, my concern is for the third of commuters who must pay a higher transport fare than at present.
It seems highly unusual that we have to penalise a significant number of commuters just because they have a direct route to their destinations. Through no fault of their own, they find themselves having to pay more so that the majority can pay less. There should be as much fairness as possible and this should not be at the expense of the minority, or anyone for that matter.
The aim should be to improve everyone's life while not worsening anyone's life in the process. I hope that future fare calculations will be done with this in mind.
Gregory Lou
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_517597.html