Public transport fares to go down by 2.5% from Jul 3
By Lin Jiamei | Posted: 20 April 2010 1231 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
SINGAPORE : Bus and train fares will be reduced by 2.5 per cent from July 3 when the Public Transport Council (PTC) introduces a new distance-based fare system.
Currently fares are calculated based on stages and there are fare penalties and rebates when the commuter makes a transfer.
But come July 3, the fares will be based on the actual distance travelled regardless of whether it is made on a direct trip or many transfers were made.
With the changes, the PTC said that two in three commuters will see a reduction or no change in their weekly public transport expenditure.
One third of them will see an increase.
Boarding charges will be higher with the changes.
On buses, they will go up 2 cents to 71 cents, and increase 3 cents to either 71 cents or 76 cents on trains.
Senior citizens and students will continue to enjoy concessionary travel.
Their fares will be capped at 7.2 kilometres.
When the changes kick in, seven in ten enjoying concessionary travel will see savings.
Meanwhile, SMRT has said it supports the implementation of distance-based fares.
Its chief operating officer Yeo Meng Hin said it will provide commuters with the convenience of different travel modes and encourage commuters to use the public transport system.
In spite of the fare reduction, SMRT said it is committed to further assist commuters who require financial assistance through its various programmes.
- CNA/il
By Lin Jiamei | Posted: 20 April 2010 1231 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
SINGAPORE : Bus and train fares will be reduced by 2.5 per cent from July 3 when the Public Transport Council (PTC) introduces a new distance-based fare system.
Currently fares are calculated based on stages and there are fare penalties and rebates when the commuter makes a transfer.
But come July 3, the fares will be based on the actual distance travelled regardless of whether it is made on a direct trip or many transfers were made.
With the changes, the PTC said that two in three commuters will see a reduction or no change in their weekly public transport expenditure.
One third of them will see an increase.
Boarding charges will be higher with the changes.
On buses, they will go up 2 cents to 71 cents, and increase 3 cents to either 71 cents or 76 cents on trains.
Senior citizens and students will continue to enjoy concessionary travel.
Their fares will be capped at 7.2 kilometres.
When the changes kick in, seven in ten enjoying concessionary travel will see savings.
Meanwhile, SMRT has said it supports the implementation of distance-based fares.
Its chief operating officer Yeo Meng Hin said it will provide commuters with the convenience of different travel modes and encourage commuters to use the public transport system.
In spite of the fare reduction, SMRT said it is committed to further assist commuters who require financial assistance through its various programmes.
- CNA/il
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