PTC to study implementation of transport fare reduction

SINGAPORE — The Public Transport Council (PTC) will look into Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew’s suggestion that bus and train fare reductions coincide with the opening of the Downtown Line 2 opening in December, and details will be announced when ready.

Yesterday (Aug 3), Mr Lui had announced that public transport fares could be cut by up to 1.9 per cent in December due to falling fuel prices, and said he had asked the PTC to start its fare review exercise for the year. In previous years, fare review exercises began at the end of the year and adjustments were made the following April.

Responding to media queries today, the PTC said in a statement: “The PTC will look into the Minister’s suggestion to coincide the exercise with the opening of the Downtown Line 2 opening, as well as the fare reduction for each commuter group. We will announce the details when ready.”

Asked whether there might be changes to the current fare adjustment mechanism and formula as a result of the implementation of the bus contracting model — the first package under this model was awarded in May — the council said the current framework is valid until 2017.

“We will study whether there is a need to implement a new fare adjustment mechanism to account for the changes brought about by the bus contracting model,” it added.