Filipinos may not be financially astute... but at least they care...
What this poster has to do with SMRT fares
Weekend • October 20, 2007
Letter from Chong Chee Han
I am a retiree and have returned from the Philippines where I stayed for 59 days.
I refer to the report, "Ministry to review concession-fare hours" (Sept 20), particularly the reply of Minister of State (Transport) Lim Hwee Hua, who said: "Concessionary travel for senior citizens is granted by the public transport operators ... and ultimately cross-subsidised by the other full-fare paying adults."
The cross-subsidy reasoning is only a rationale used to support the raise in fares by the transport operators and the limiting of the hours of concession.
I agree that senior citizens should not join in the morning rush hour if they want to enjoy the concessionary fare. However, I think they should not made to pay full fare between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays on the SMRT. Avoiding travel during this period would be disruptive to their activities. Why is SMRT taking a different approach from the bus companies and the North East Line with regard to the evening hours?
Ms Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio GRC) has said correctly that there is a fixed cost "whether the train or bus carries one passenger or full capacity". As such, the fares paid by senior citizens amount to additional revenue. It is incorrect to say that the more senior citizens travel, the more other full-paying commuters would have to bear the cost. I say the transport operators, in particular SMRT, are concerned about making as much profit as possible than their social responsibilities.
Instead, transport operators should encourage more senior citizens to leave their homes and travel around our beautiful city.
Let me share with readers what the local government of Makati City in Manila is doing for their senior citizens. This advertisement appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Oct 11 (picture).
In Singapore, this might be considered a foolish way to spend public money. Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.
What this poster has to do with SMRT fares
Weekend • October 20, 2007
Letter from Chong Chee Han
I am a retiree and have returned from the Philippines where I stayed for 59 days.
I refer to the report, "Ministry to review concession-fare hours" (Sept 20), particularly the reply of Minister of State (Transport) Lim Hwee Hua, who said: "Concessionary travel for senior citizens is granted by the public transport operators ... and ultimately cross-subsidised by the other full-fare paying adults."
The cross-subsidy reasoning is only a rationale used to support the raise in fares by the transport operators and the limiting of the hours of concession.
I agree that senior citizens should not join in the morning rush hour if they want to enjoy the concessionary fare. However, I think they should not made to pay full fare between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays on the SMRT. Avoiding travel during this period would be disruptive to their activities. Why is SMRT taking a different approach from the bus companies and the North East Line with regard to the evening hours?
Ms Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio GRC) has said correctly that there is a fixed cost "whether the train or bus carries one passenger or full capacity". As such, the fares paid by senior citizens amount to additional revenue. It is incorrect to say that the more senior citizens travel, the more other full-paying commuters would have to bear the cost. I say the transport operators, in particular SMRT, are concerned about making as much profit as possible than their social responsibilities.
Instead, transport operators should encourage more senior citizens to leave their homes and travel around our beautiful city.
Let me share with readers what the local government of Makati City in Manila is doing for their senior citizens. This advertisement appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Oct 11 (picture).
In Singapore, this might be considered a foolish way to spend public money. Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.
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