ERP SMRT fares proposal - walau eh!

[Highwaycode]

Arul John

Mon, Mar 24, 2008

The New Paper

 

 

Can S'pore find a FARE SOLUTION

 

PICTURE this: It's 6.30am. You tap your ez-link card on the reader and the window invites you to proceed - for free.

 

No such thing as a free ride you say? Think again.

 

From 31 Mar, passengers in Melbourne who arrive at their destination by 7am, from Mondays to Fridays, will travel for free.

 

The move is aimed at reducing peak-hour congestion on the city's transportation network.

 

It is an attempt to solve the same jam-packed train situation that is played out at stations every morning in Singapore.

 

Could such an incentive system be implemented in Singapore?

 

There are two camps - some ask 'why not?', others say 'cannot'.

 

WHY NOT?

 

The first camp feels it is possible, as a similar method has already been implemented, in a manner, on Singapore roads through staggered Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges.

 

Under the ERP, you pay more during peak hours. The idea is to maintain a smooth flow of traffic.

 

Such staggered charges have proven effective in easing peak-hour traffic congestion.

 

So why not staggered train fares in Singapore (never mind free rides)?

 

Transport policy expert Paul Barter, from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, told The New Paper that such a system would help distribute the heaviest traffic over a longer period instead of just during peak periods.

 

He said: 'It gets more efficient use out of the existing system that was built at great expense - for example, filling up early-morning trains that would normally be empty.'

 

In Melbourne, a trial on two train lines that began last October found that more than a quarter of passengers who travelled during peak hours altered their travel times to take advantage of the free rides, reported Australian newspapers.

 

In Adelaide, too, public transport fares are 25 to 45 per cent cheaper between 9am and 3pm, compared to earlier and later peak periods.

 

Ms Tammy Tan, spokesman for SBS Transit, which operates the North-East line, said a staggered-fare system is possible in Singapore. She declined to elaborate.

 

But SMRT, which operates the North-South Line, said it prefers to cut congestion by increasing the frequency of train runs.

 

Since last month, both train operators added an extra 93 trips to their rail lines during peak hours.

 

An SMRT spokesman said granting travel concessions had to be done prudently as any concessionary or free travel would have to be cross-subsidised by full fare-paying passengers.

 

She added that SMRT commuters already get a 10-cent discount if they travel before 7.30am on weekdays and on Saturdays, provided they begin their journey from outside the city area and alight within the city area.

 

Staggered ERP charges have already spurred some Singaporeans to alter their driving habits to avoid paying more ERP charges.

 

Will cheaper fares at certain times make train commuters do the same?

 

Lawyer Sean Say, 35, believes so.

 

'Singaporeans are practical people. If they see that the fare discount is good enough, they may be willing to try a staggered-fare system,' he said.

 

'Many working parents often have time to kill after they send their kids to school and before they start work.

 

'Staggered fares may encourage them to go to work earlier and thus reduce overcrowding during peak periods.'

 

Magazine editor Sheryl Han, who is in her 30s, agreed.

 

'Despite the increase in frequency, the trains are still very crowded from 8am to 9am.'

 

CANNOT?

 

But freelance marketing consultant Sean Kwok, 32, thinks staggered fares may not work.

 

'If the fare difference is only 10 or 20 cents (between different periods), most people may just pay a little more so they can sleep in a little longer.'

 

Also, just as traffic on some non-ERP-priced roads has become heavier because of motorists trying to avoid ERP charges, a similar situation may occur on the trains under a staggered or free-ride system.

 

Many people may take trains earlier to take advantage of the fare discounts, said Mr Kwok, and end up packing the trains earlier.

 

Would it then become a situation where train congestion simply begins earlier, he wondered.

 

Lawyer Gloria James, who is in her 30s, suggests the option of offering cheaper fares for those who travel to work later.

 

She said: 'After all, the trains start operating at around 6am, which coincides with the peak travel time for schoolchildren. An hour or so later, it's the peak travel period for office workers.'

 

But is it fair to make commuters pay more if they travel during peak hours?

 

Dr Barter noted: 'It would have to be framed as a discount for off-peak travel, not a surcharge for peak travel.

 

'In Singapore, where public transport operators are expected to cover their own operating expenses, any off-peak discounts would probably need to be balanced by an increase in peak fares - and this would obviously be unpopular among many people.'

 

While staggered fares would help ease overcrowding in trains, transport economist Michael Li from the Nanyang Business School said Singapore should not rush into it until the costs have been assessed.

 

'We have to mindful of 'at what cost' and 'who bears the cost',' he said.

 

'The Government would have to subsidise bus and MRT operators to enable free or cheaper public transport during non-peak periods.

 

'This is unlikely to happen.'

 

SO HOW?

 

Dr Barter said peak fares may not have to go up if off-peak discounts can help get more people onboard public transport.

 

'But these effects may be limited in Singapore now. So here, staggered fares would mean higher prices during the peak and lower prices off-peak.

 

'Unfortunately, there would be some winners but too many noisy losers for this to be a popular policy.'

 

So, 'why not' or 'cannot'?

 

The answer may lie again in the Melbourne example.

 

Reason: There, the transit system is run by the state.

[Tarzan666]

I hope they do..then those work early morning 1 will be happy liao

at least give 50% discount..

[Watwheels]

Not likely in sg whereby prices of everything only goes up.

[Cavver]

Because these companies (SBS, SMRT etc)is privant - in name, state controlled, just to avoid state-run respondsibility , and to earn more $$$

[Watwheels]

Calling itself state-run is just to eliminate competition. No one to share the pie with. I hope they choke.

[Mzrmazda3]

Over our side, we would be grateful if these companies don't request to up their fares liao ...

[Auron]

singapore only 10cents discount for certain travel. almost like no have.

[Noluck]

That is why more Singaporeans are moving out. This place has no compassion for its citizens.

[Zniper]

i'm thinking of migrating too maybe about 30+ yrs old first... now cant, juz stepped out working world 1yr+ nia... not stable yet...

[Meecar]

THE biggest employer in sillypore is the government

 

with one move they can solve this crap about peak hours

 

they can implement staggered working hours in their various offices

[Noluck]

 

Make plans for your future. When I was in Dubai, they paid me more and din't tax me much. I can't say the same here. But the cost of living there is higher as compared.

 

The problem is it cost you an arm or leg just to stay here. Not to mention when you get older that nobody is going to care. So it is good to make plans now.

[Typhoonz]

Even in days leading up to the next GE, there will not be such things as free rides...

 

LTA would rather fine their ka ki lang (SMRT) $400,000 than to make them compensate the very people who's morning was screwed up because they didn't follow the proper procedures...

 

SMRT not run by our state meh? Although it's privatised, but ultimately who owns controls SMRT? The shareholders?

[David]

Calling itself state-run is just to eliminate competition. No one to share the pie with. I hope they choke.

Do you recall those days where we have STC Bus, Tay Hock Lee Bus and others? They were at loggerhead and then we have strikes and clashes.

[Friendstar]

Not likely in sg whereby prices of everything only goes up.

 

 

go up exponentially.

[Friendstar]

singapore only 10cents discount for certain travel. almost like no have.

 

that is aready a big sacrifice ok!

[Friendstar]

Over our side, we would be grateful if these companies don't request to up their fares liao ...

 

and don't smash windows for our cashcard

[Ahyoo2002]

Damn, people are talking about free ride for early bird (Melbourne) and in SGP we are talking about ERP SMRT fares proposal

 

Reason: There, the transit system is run by the state.

 

This also explaint we will never get cheaper fare

[Mzrmazda3]

Yeah ...