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Apr 23, 2010
NEW DISTANCE-BASED FARES
Puzzling transfer rule
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AS AN active user of public transport, I applaud the shift by the Public Transport Council (PTC) and transport operators towards distance-based fares ('New bus, train fare system'; Wednesday).
Combined with the smaller distance bands, the shift is certainly fairer for many commuters making transfers to their destinations.
However, on closer scrutiny, one of the transfer rules reveals that only a single entry and exit is allowed by rail.
This is puzzling because the possibilities of 'virtual interchanges' is opened with the expansion of the rail network.
For instance, if I want to go to the Singapore Indoor Stadium, I will take an East-West train from Jurong East to City Hall. I will then exit and walk to Esplanade station before continuing my journey to the Circle Line Stadium station.
Going all the way to Paya Lebar and making a U-turn back to Stadium again means I must spend unnecessary time travelling a longer distance - which is what the Land Transport Authority and the PTC hope to cut by making transfers more attractive as part of the land transport masterplan.
Such transfers will only increase as the rail network matures.
Another example is a transfer between the East-West Line at Raffles Place and the Downtown Line's Downtown station via the upcoming Marina Bay link mall.
If the PTC's concern is that commuters may use the 45-minute transfer window on other matters than waiting for another train or bus, this is made possible under the new framework with a bus to train transfer as well.
Given all this, what is the PTC's justification for maintaining such a transfer rule which will inconvenience commuters who would otherwise take advantage of these 'virtual interchanges'?
Koh Tze Hock
NEW DISTANCE-BASED FARES
Puzzling transfer rule
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
AS AN active user of public transport, I applaud the shift by the Public Transport Council (PTC) and transport operators towards distance-based fares ('New bus, train fare system'; Wednesday).
Combined with the smaller distance bands, the shift is certainly fairer for many commuters making transfers to their destinations.
However, on closer scrutiny, one of the transfer rules reveals that only a single entry and exit is allowed by rail.
This is puzzling because the possibilities of 'virtual interchanges' is opened with the expansion of the rail network.
For instance, if I want to go to the Singapore Indoor Stadium, I will take an East-West train from Jurong East to City Hall. I will then exit and walk to Esplanade station before continuing my journey to the Circle Line Stadium station.
Going all the way to Paya Lebar and making a U-turn back to Stadium again means I must spend unnecessary time travelling a longer distance - which is what the Land Transport Authority and the PTC hope to cut by making transfers more attractive as part of the land transport masterplan.
Such transfers will only increase as the rail network matures.
Another example is a transfer between the East-West Line at Raffles Place and the Downtown Line's Downtown station via the upcoming Marina Bay link mall.
If the PTC's concern is that commuters may use the 45-minute transfer window on other matters than waiting for another train or bus, this is made possible under the new framework with a bus to train transfer as well.
Given all this, what is the PTC's justification for maintaining such a transfer rule which will inconvenience commuters who would otherwise take advantage of these 'virtual interchanges'?
Koh Tze Hock
