The Government is taking steps to re-nationalize the public transport, although so far, they do now wish to acknowledge this intent.
Here are the indicators:
1. They set the fares, based on the distance-based fares. Although the fares are approved by the Public Transport Council, the Land Transport Authority probably provide the guidance.
2. They have taken over the route planning of the bus services for some time
3. They provide funding for additional buses and new services, i.e. the $1.1 billion budget allocated in 2011
4. They have started to tender out the Jurong- CBD express service based on the cost of operations, while the Land Transport Authority takes the revenue and the business operations.
In due course, I expect more of the bus services to be transferred to the "operate only" model. I read that this was the model adopted in London, which make more sense. It is time for us to move away from the convoluted private-public model adopted in Singapore (which can be described as an oxymoron).
It will take some time to unravel the complex financial arrangement involving the MRT and bus services. For a start, it would be nice for the Government to declare the big game plan and acknowledge that we are moving towards re-nationalization, rather than to leave the public in the dark.
Here are the indicators:
1. They set the fares, based on the distance-based fares. Although the fares are approved by the Public Transport Council, the Land Transport Authority probably provide the guidance.
2. They have taken over the route planning of the bus services for some time
3. They provide funding for additional buses and new services, i.e. the $1.1 billion budget allocated in 2011
4. They have started to tender out the Jurong- CBD express service based on the cost of operations, while the Land Transport Authority takes the revenue and the business operations.
In due course, I expect more of the bus services to be transferred to the "operate only" model. I read that this was the model adopted in London, which make more sense. It is time for us to move away from the convoluted private-public model adopted in Singapore (which can be described as an oxymoron).
It will take some time to unravel the complex financial arrangement involving the MRT and bus services. For a start, it would be nice for the Government to declare the big game plan and acknowledge that we are moving towards re-nationalization, rather than to leave the public in the dark.
I agree with your assessment.
ReplyDeleteSeems that despite vehement no's to this nationalization of public transport put forward by many and the minimum wage among a number of "initiatives" that would have make life here more livable, the "coverment" for the sake of not appearing to lose-face, had quietly started on them
!
So, is it good or bad?
Bad, if they cannot face the Hard Truth, preferring to wayang away.