Passenger numbers drop for taxis, but rise for MRT trains

By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia
07 January 2009

SINGAPORE: People in Singapore seem to be choosing cheaper ways to travel in these tough economic times. Latest figures from the Land Transport Authority showed that taxis are picking up fewer passengers while MRT trains are carrying more.

Passenger numbers for taxis started falling from September when news of a recession first broke. October saw the biggest fall by over 50,000 passengers.

December figures are not available yet, but November statistics showed that business picked up slightly with 898,975 passengers. But the number pales in comparison to that of 2007, when taxi ridership hit 941,709.

Still, SMRT Taxis said the increase could be due to the school holidays and the festive period.

Drivers said that overall, business took a turn for the worse, dropping by about 20 per cent in the last four months.

Said one cabbie: "In one day, I could earn 80 to 90 dollars. Sometimes, I could even earn 110 dollars. But now I can only earn about 50 to 60 dollars."

Most cabbies Channel NewsAsia spoke to are not very positive about business even during the upcoming Lunar New Year season when many families are expected to be out and about.

Drivers said they hope companies can consider lowering taxi rentals and bring down operation costs to help them tide over the difficult period.

Both ComfortDelGro and SMRT Taxis said drivers' income have not dipped for September and October 2008.

SMRT Taxis said records from previous years showed that taxi ridership generally increase in the December and January periods.

While taxis may find the road ahead challenging, MRT train rides got more crowded since September, with passenger numbers surging by about 10 per cent this year compared to last year. - CNA/vm

LTA may give cash rebates to persuade more to switch to public transport

By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia
30 March 2008

SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is considering giving cash instead of credits when one gives up his or her car to persuade more people to opt for public transport.

Transport Minister Raymond Lim said he has asked LTA to work with the Finance Ministry to see if Certificate of Entitlement (COE) and Additional Registration Fee (ARF) rebates can be given in cash when motorists decide to give up their cars.

This study should take about four to six months.

A whole slew of measures was announced from late January on improving bus and rail services to get more people to use public transport. A more extensive ERP system was also set up as part of the deal to keep traffic smooth.

But what kind of push do people actually need to give up their cars?

One idea that has been tossed about and was recently brought up by MP Inderjit Singh during the Budget debate is to give cash incentives.

The current situation is that when a motorist gives up his or her car, ARF and COE rebates are given in terms of credits. In order not to lose out, motorists usually end up using these credits to purchase another car.

Many people have given the feedback that if these rebates are given to them in cash, it would be more of an incentive for them not to buy another car.

But by that same token, motorists could – just as easily – take the cash rebate and purchase another vehicle.

Mr Lim said: "That can happen – I agree. That is why I said we have to study this very carefully. If we are going to do this, how best are we going to do it?"

The transport minister was speaking at the release of the detailed Masterplan report on Sunday, which marks out in detail the announcements made recently and the plans on the road map for the next 15 years, with a simpler illustrated version for the community at large.

The Community Outreach Programme to solve day-to-day problems like parking was also launched on the same day.

Over the next six months, LTA will hold 14 dialogue sessions with grassroots leaders from all constituencies. Efforts like site visits and road shows will also be stepped up at locations where there are major projects like the construction of the Downtown Line.


- CNA/so

Rich bear the brunt

Inflation hits top income earners in unusual turnabout
Neo Chai Chin (TODAY)
March 25, 2008

FOR the first time in at least eight years, the wealthy in Singapore have borne the brunt of inflation, while lower-income earners have — in a reversal of roles — seen expenses rise at a slower rate than the national average.

In the last six months of 2007, inflation was 3.9 per cent for the top 20 per cent of income earners. The bottom 20 per cent saw a 2.8-per-cent hike in their consumer price index (CPI), while middle-income earners fell in between, with 3.3 per cent.

For the whole of last year, the top income-earners experienced 2.3-per-cent inflation, compared to 2 per cent for the rest.

It's an unusual turnabout. The Department of Statistics records dating from 2000 show inflation hurting the bottom 20 per cent of the population most. And one key reason high earners were harder hit last year: Spiralling fuel prices, which started reaching record highs in October.

This, said economists, fed into more expensive holiday travel, cars and petrol. Together with housing — where private property rentals helped push up the CPI — transport and recreation costs make up almost two-thirds of the top 20-per-cent earners' CPI.

Forecast's economist Vishnu Varathan said the affluent are more likely to hail cabs and to drive, and July's taxi fare hikes and higher pump prices would have affected this demographic more. "The impact of bus and MRT fare increases would be less acute for the lower-income as there have been small increases over time," he said.

Transport inflation for the bottom earners was 2.9 per cent for the second half, compared to 5 per cent for top earners.

As for recreation, said Standard Chartered economist Alvin Liew, the wealthy are more likely to go on holidays, and a "key component of air travel is fuel costs".

And with the high-end property market fetching record prices last year, consumers would have to pay higher rents for more swanky accommodation, said Mr Varathan.

But does all this mean that higher earners necessarily had it harder than the middle- or lower-income? Not so. As Citigroup economist Chua Hak Bin pointed out: "What is important to note is that the higher-income group saw the highest nominal wage increases and are better able to withstand higher price increases."

Looking ahead, a slower global economy this year could ease prices of luxury items, which form a more significant part of higher earners' CPI, said Mr Liew.

Overall, however, it is uncertain if inflation will continue to be higher for the rich. Economists point to the twin trends of rising food prices and fuel costs, which affect all tiers of society.

Mr Varathan felt food prices — which went up by 4.1 per cent in the second half, up from just 1.7 per cent in the first half of 2007 — were likely to remain high because of global trends such as urbanisation, the growing of biofuels and increased consumption of meat. These impact the supply of food — cultivation of biofuels means less farmland available, for instance.

Can rising inflation be halted? February's CPI rose 6.5 per cent over the same period last year, with transport and communication, food, education and healthcare costs leading the surge. Part of it could be attributed to the Chinese New Year period, when food and overseas travel are at a premium.

Still, a reprieve could be in sight - the slowdown of the global economy and excess manufacturing capacity could lead to lower prices in the second half of the year, said economists. And come July, the effects of last year's GST hike will no longer reflect in year-on-year CPI comparisons.

OTHER SNAPSHOTS OF 2007

Healthcare

Middle-income earners were the hardest hit – healthcare costs rose 4.3 per cent for them, higher than the overall 4.1 per cent. Economists did not know exactly why this might be, saying more research had to be done. For example, are the subsidies for the poor benefiting the middle classes? Did hospital charges rise proportionately across all income classes? What types of medication did the middle classes consume?

Food prices

While the hike was about equal for all income groups, averaging 2.9 per cent, the poor felt the impact most as this component accounts for almost 30 per cent of their expenditure.

Housing

Thanks partly to the moderating influence of service and conservancy charge rebates, bottom and middle-income groups saw inflation of 0.1 per cent, compared to 1.2 per cent for top earners.

Inflation hits top income earners in unusual turnabout

不会专门建脚踏车用道

28 August 2007 (Lianhe Zaobao)

由于新加坡土地有限，交通部在设计道路用途时会优先考虑高效率的公共交通工具，因此没有足够的空地为脚踏车骑士设计专用道路。

　　陈舜娘（东海岸集选区）昨天在国会针对脚踏车骑士同行人共用行人道的问题日趋严重，向交通部查询当局将如何确保骑士和行人的安全。　

　　交通部政务部长陈惠华回复时说，虽然本地没有足够的空地为脚踏车骑士设计有广泛涵盖面的专用道路网络，但当局将把重点放在提高道路安全的工作。

　　其中包括，交通警察正在同淡滨尼的基层组织合作进行一项试验计划，探讨让骑士在行人道上骑脚踏车的可行性。该计划自今年5月开始，为期一年。

　　陈舜娘指出，一些民众似乎以为该试验计划是在全岛各地区展开。陈惠华强调，该试验计划只局限于淡滨尼，脚踏车骑士在其他地区使用行人道仍然是违反条例的。

　　根据1981年通过的公路交通条例第28条，脚踏车骑士禁止在人行道上行驶，只能使用公路。在人行道骑脚踏车时横冲直撞或对行人安全构成威胁的骑士，可面对罚款20元。

　　陈惠华说，如果淡滨尼的试验成功，该区可选择把试验性计划变成一个永久性的计划。到时，其他邻里的居民如果同样期望可以在他们邻里的行人道上骑脚踏车，陆路交通管理局和交警会在考虑该区的道路设施、行人和单车骑士流量以及环境因素后再做出相关的决定。

　　除了共享行人道的试验计划外，陆交局也在同公园局合作，让脚踏车骑士也能享受公园连道的便利。

　　不过陈惠华也强调，除了有关当局的努力，只有当行人道使用者具有公民意识、为自己和他人的安全负责时，公众才能安全地使用行人道。

Malaysia happy to connect to S'pore via MRT: Syed Hamid

By Melissa Goh, Channel NewsAsia's Malaysia Correspondent
18 May 2007 2233 hrs

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is keen on fresh negotiations with Singapore on a new bridge linking the island with the southern Malaysian state of Johor.

The Malaysian Foreign Minister says there is no better time than now to pursue the issue, with bilateral relations on the upswing.

Mr Syed Hamid Albar also says Malaysia will be happy to be connected to Singapore via the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.

He says the informal meeting between the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore on Langkawi has established a mechanism for future negotiations on outstanding issues.

"There's no better time than now when relationship is so superb, so good, to take advantage of the environment, the environment is conducive for some concrete achievements while looking at the old tracks, tracks to be resolved," he says.

Mr Syed Hamid, who is a Member of Parliament from Johor, says a new bridge between the state and Singapore will accommodate the robust development of Malaysia's southern region.

"The bridge is important, because I think we want give a different face to the southern gate to Malaysia…We are very happy to be integrated together on the MRT, and it will serve well both sides, Singapore as well as the internal Iskandar Development Region.

"At the same time, we also have hopefully our railway to Johor and from Johor connected to the other system," he says.

Mr Syed Hamid says both prime ministers will continue driving the process of negotiations on outstanding issues, "We need to go on at the highest level, Prime Minister to Prime Minister. We need to find a different mechanism and for that purpose, we will get the guidelines from our Prime Minister and Singapore's."

The two-day bilateral meeting of the two leaders was their first in three years.

Analysts hailed their decision to set up a joint ministerial committee to oversee Johor's Iskandar Development Region as a breakthrough, but some Malaysian legislators were more cautious.

While the Langkawi meeting has succeeded in breaking the ice between both the countries, lawmakers in Malaysia have voiced their concerns over the setup of a joint ministerial committee to oversee the development of the Iskandar Development Region.

Some worry that Malaysia's sovereignty may be compromised, while others raise concerns over the issue of implementation.

MP Wee Ka Siong says, "We see the political will among national leaders but when it comes to implementation this is a big challenge whether those government agencies can really follow the instructions from the top."

Mr Syed Hamid allayed such concerns, emphasising that there is commitment at the top level of both governments.

He also expressed confidence that such cooperative efforts can yield a balance of benefits for both countries. - CNA/yy

Fewer Bus Bays To Make Your Trip Faster

Feb 13 2007 (TODAY)
Leong Wee Keat
weekeat@mediacorp.com.sg

EVEN bus bays can add to a commuter's travelling time by slowing down bus
speeds. To ensure a smoother ride, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is
looking into bus stops without bays.

It will use a planned road widening along Jalan Eunos for a trial run in
2009 to test the benefits of such bus stops, which the LTA aid would cut
down the amount of time buses take to travel out of bus bays.

Together with full-day bus lanes, the agency hopes such bus stops will
improve bus speeds by 30 per cent - from 17 to 18kmh now to 23 to 25kmh -
during peak hours.

"By so doing, it will further help enhance the travelling experience,"
said LTA chief executive Yam Ah Mee yesterday. "We want to encourage and
make public transport a choice mode (of transportation)."

Studies by the LTA indicate that buses trying to exit from bus bays are
often impeded by fast-moving traffic and motorists who do not give way. A
survey conducted by SBS Transit also found that attempts by drivers to
exit bus bays take up 9 per cent of the average time a bus commuter spends
per trip.

Said BG (NS) Yam: "If the results are very good ... then clearly we should
explore expanding (the scheme) to other areas."

Meanwhile, SBS Transit has launched a "Move To The Rear" campaign aimed at
encouraging commuters to move to the rear. Three bus services - 15, 27 and
36 - will have speakers playing a public announcement which urges
commuters to avoid crowding the front of the bus, hence reducing boarding
delays.