Introduction

In a recent parliamentary session on October 15, Singapore’s Transport Minister, Chee Hong Tat, firmly stated that public transport fares should not be directly tied to service levels or disruptions. This statement comes in the wake of a significant service disruption on the East-West Line, which affected approximately three million passengers over a six-day period from September 25 to 30.

Incident Details

A critical incident occurred when a train caused severe damage along a stretch of the rail, leading to the suspension of services between Jurong East and Buona Vista MRT stations. Rail services only resumed on October 1, highlighting the vulnerability of the public transport network.

Fare Increase Concerns

Responding to concerns raised by Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam regarding the timing of a planned fare increase amid such service disruptions, Minister Chee emphasized that the Public Transport Council (PTC) has various mechanisms in place to ensure service standards are maintained. He revealed that the PTC previously considered linking fare adjustments to reliability and service interruptions but ultimately opted not to pursue this strategy.

Fare Adjustment Announcement

Beginning December 28, public transport fares will see an increase of 6%, raising the cost of each bus and train ride by 10 cents for adult card users. Chee defended this decision, stating that fare adjustments are essential for aligning with rising operating costs, thereby ensuring the long-term sustainability of the transport system.

Government Subsidies

The government has committed around $2.25 billion in subsidies to support public transport operations for the upcoming year. This substantial investment seeks to uphold the reliability and efficiency of Singapore's transport infrastructure.

Enforcement and Accountability

To maintain accountability, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) investigates the causes of disruptions and may impose fines on public transport operators that fail to meet reliability targets. Under the Rapid Transit Systems Act, these operators could face penalties of up to 10% of their annual fare revenue in cases of egregious service failures. For instance, SMRT, which operates the East-West Line among other lines, was previously fined $5.4 million for a major breakdown in 2015 and has incurred several other penalties for service disruptions.

Conclusion

As Singapore aims to enhance its public transport system, these developments underscore the ongoing challenge of balancing fare affordability with the need for reliable services.