SMRT

[felixleong]

sorry just to check hor, the 20-50% of increment as contribution to the public transport fund is just one time or is it cumulative?

for example $1 to $1.10 then maybe 0.02 goes to the fund in 2014
the next $1.10 to $1.15 then maybe another 0.02, or is it (0.02 + 0.02)?


sorry if I sound confusing, I don't quite know how to ask this

[NTL]

While the increment is benefical to the transport companies, but had they found their "peak" in their operation costs? There will be more buses, more drivers and more maintenance. At the end, will the net result be positive or slightly positive?

[CityFarmer]

sorry just to check hor, the 20-50% of increment as contribution to the public transport fund is just one time or is it cumulative?

for example $1 to $1.10 then maybe 0.02 goes to the fund in 2014
the next $1.10 to $1.15 then maybe another 0.02, or is it (0.02 + 0.02)?


sorry if I sound confusing, I don't quite know how to ask this

I am not quite sure on the question. The contribution is for ONE year only (refer to page 70 of the FRMC report), and the contribution rate is calculated on "expected increase in fare revenue" from the fare adjustment.

Hope it has clarified.

[ARC]

A Straits Times Article:

TAKING a ride in an SMRT taxi could cost a third more from Monday.

In the latest series of taxi fare changes, SMRT Corp is upping the flagdown fares of all its Chevrolet Epica cabs to $3.60.

Distance fares of its Mercedes-Benz, London, Hyundai Starex and Ssangyong Rodius cabs go up to 30 cents for every 400m travelled for up to 10km, every 350m after 10km and 45 seconds of waiting time.

Previous rates were $3.40 and 22 cents respectively.

The changes take effect from Monday and could mean the cost of trips in these cabs being around 30 per cent costlier compared to existing fares and also what some competitors charge.

Besides Mercedes and multi-seater taxis, the rate for most other cabs is 22 cents per 400m.

SMRT, the third largest taxi operator, last posted new rates when it launched its fleet of Toyota Prius hybrid cabs in October.

Its petrol-electric cabs have a flagdown fare of $3.80, higher than the $3.50 to $3.70 competitors charge for similar taxis.

A company spokesman said the changes were to "keep pace with current rates in the industry".

There are about 30 types of cabs in Singapore, with more than 10 different flagdown fares, three different metered fare structures, more than 10 different types of surcharges and eight types of phone booking charges.

Fares, deregulated since 1998, have been rising in recent years on the back of higher taxi rental rates, which operators attribute to higher certificate of entitlement (COE) prices.

But an industry source said that rises in COE premiums - which have climbed from around $50,000 two years ago to around $73,000 today - are not a valid reason.

"The increase in COE translates to only about $10 per day per cab over its seven-year lifespan," he said. "Rental rates for many cabs have gone up from less than $120, to $135 or more per day - even for cabs bought with much lower premiums."

With SMRT's hike, other firms are poised to follow, although no operator would admit it.

Market leader ComfortDelGro Corp, which runs Comfort and CityCab taxis, said it does not comment on taxi fare changes until they take place.

Trans-Cab and Premier Taxi said they had no plans to adjust fares at the moment.

Prime Taxi, the smallest player, said there had been discussions about raising fares, but "we are watching the situation" before deciding.

Commuter H.Y. Loh said that she will now take cabs "sparingly".

"Now that bus services have improved, I will take cabs only when it rains, I have lots of shopping or am travelling to a faraway place that I'm not familiar with," the 58-year-old professional said.

-----
http://i3-institute.blogspot.com
www.i3-institute.com

[NTL]

I believe that those who take cabs regularly, will continue to take cab. They will not allow the price hike to affect their regular life/routine.

[valuebuddies]

Wow, increase again. Yes if I need to flag a cab, I would still flag, but from next Monday onwards, I will put the Mercedes in my "no no list" along with the Chrysler.

[specuvestor]

Fare liberalisation is another execution mistake based on the simple premise of Singapore Inc which I think they are going to slowly reverse gear.

Idea is right but the precondition of "having an alternative" is simply not there. There is not enough abundant taxis to have fare liberalisation. People in Singapore in aggregate are not going to forsake a cab and wait for another because of fare difference. Compare it with other developed cities from Taipei to Seoul to HK where taxis are abundant, so people have choice.

And yes the stats tell us that we have high taxis to population ratio

[CityFarmer]

IIRC, this is one new venture, the fare-collection system. The fare-collection system team is used to be part of MRTC, a part of the LTA...

SMRT, LTA unit in consortium that wins Metro Manila deal

Two Singapore companies are in the consortium which won Monday’s public bidding to develop and run a fare-collection system for Metro Manila’s rail system.

Temasek-linked SMRT Corporation and MSI Global, a unit of Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA), are expected to bring their respective areas of expertise and resources to the table for the AF Consortium.

The consortium’s bid of 1.8 billion pesos ($50.9 million), the lowest one, pipped the bids of two other contenders - Malaysia’s Berjaya and ethnic Chinese taipan Henry Sy.
http://www.theedgesingapore.com/the-dail...-deal.html

[brattzz]

??

Cannot resolve service issues in singapore, now want venture into Philippines? Project execution will be quite impossible! :O

[CityFarmer]

??

Cannot resolve service issues in singapore, now want venture into Philippines? Project execution will be quite impossible! :O

The service issues are on signalling and power systems, none seems related to fare collection system.