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**Voodoo Vince** · 11-12-2007, 11:07 PM

School bus fares to go up by $5 to $10 from January
By Jane Ng & Tiffany Ong

While the association has recommended that its members increase fares by not more than $10 a month, it has no say over fares charged by bus operators not under its association. -- PHOTO: ST

SCHOOL bus fares will go up by at least $5 to $10 in January, sparked by the increase in diesel prices in recent months.

The Singapore School Transport Association chairman Wong Ann Lin said the last time fares were raised was in January last year.

The association is an industry body that represents 90 per cent of school bus operators here. It has about 1,000 members and a fleet of 2,000 buses.

Mr Wong said a survey commissioned by the association two years ago showed that the average annual gross income of the operators was $20,802 in 2005 - less than their average expenditure of $30,590.

He said the expected fare hike will still not be able to cover the rising costs faced by the operators.

While the association has recommended that its members increase fares by not more than $10 a month, it has no say over fares charged by bus operators not under its association.

One of them is Mr Ng Ang Heng, 50, who fetches pupils from Bukit Timah Primary. He said he will raise bus fares by $15 to $30 next month but added that even that will not cover his cost.

He has to make up by ferrying workers. Parents expectations have increased over the years, he explained.

'Even though the Land Transport Authority guideline says three children to two seats, parents want one child per seat. That limits the number of children I can fetch,' he said.

Parents who live in condos also want their children to be dropped off at their door step, making it impossible to use bigger buses to ferry children, said Mr Ng.

Parents say they have no choice but pay the higher fares.

Mr Foo Suan Keng, 46, a senior commercial officer in a shipyard, has three children who take the school bus every day. He is now paying $45 per child for a two-way trip and this will be raised to $70 next month.

Mr Foo, who is unhappy with the $25 fare hike, said he is exploring other transport arrangements for his children, like a carpool with his neighbours.

'A lot of my neighbours are considering taking their children out of school transport after this year, because they think the fare is ridiculous. Some parents have even considered transferring their children to a school that is closer to their homes,' he said.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2...ry_185709.html

11-12-2007, 11:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Voodoo Vince Malaysian Kampung Boy Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 8,795 iTrader: (0) My Mood: Gender: Zodiac Sign: Country: Location: Hougang SGC$: 21,124.47 Bank: 0.00 Total SGC$: 21,124.47	School bus fares to go up by $5 to $10 from January School bus fares to go up by $5 to $10 from January By Jane Ng & Tiffany Ong While the association has recommended that its members increase fares by not more than $10 a month, it has no say over fares charged by bus operators not under its association. -- PHOTO: ST SCHOOL bus fares will go up by at least $5 to $10 in January, sparked by the increase in diesel prices in recent months. The Singapore School Transport Association chairman Wong Ann Lin said the last time fares were raised was in January last year. The association is an industry body that represents 90 per cent of school bus operators here. It has about 1,000 members and a fleet of 2,000 buses. Mr Wong said a survey commissioned by the association two years ago showed that the average annual gross income of the operators was $20,802 in 2005 - less than their average expenditure of $30,590. He said the expected fare hike will still not be able to cover the rising costs faced by the operators. While the association has recommended that its members increase fares by not more than $10 a month, it has no say over fares charged by bus operators not under its association. One of them is Mr Ng Ang Heng, 50, who fetches pupils from Bukit Timah Primary. He said he will raise bus fares by $15 to $30 next month but added that even that will not cover his cost. He has to make up by ferrying workers. Parents expectations have increased over the years, he explained. 'Even though the Land Transport Authority guideline says three children to two seats, parents want one child per seat. That limits the number of children I can fetch,' he said. Parents who live in condos also want their children to be dropped off at their door step, making it impossible to use bigger buses to ferry children, said Mr Ng. Parents say they have no choice but pay the higher fares. Mr Foo Suan Keng, 46, a senior commercial officer in a shipyard, has three children who take the school bus every day. He is now paying $45 per child for a two-way trip and this will be raised to $70 next month. Mr Foo, who is unhappy with the $25 fare hike, said he is exploring other transport arrangements for his children, like a carpool with his neighbours. 'A lot of my neighbours are considering taking their children out of school transport after this year, because they think the fare is ridiculous. Some parents have even considered transferring their children to a school that is closer to their homes,' he said. http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2...ry_185709.html To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. People don't plan to fail... They fail to plan.