Full Fare for our elderly soon?

[MarrickG]

What the fuck man! One start hinting that they want our elderly to pay full fare which indirectly is targeting our pocket. Then the other tell us to sent our parents to JB as it is cheaper and less financial burden for us. It is the poorer elderly that take the public transport. Fucker, is this all from the viewpoint of an elite? Uncaring and out of touch?

How can full fares foster active ageing?

I REFER to Wednesday's letter arguing against extending concessionary fares on public transport for seniors ('Cheap fares for elderly not the best way') by the Council for Third Age chairman Gerard Ee, who also chairs the Public Transport Council (PTC).

Does Mr Ee mean the working elderly should continue to pay full fares because of the Workfare scheme? Most senior citizens do not work. Is there a good reason to further burden elderly citizens?

Mr Ee argues that putting more resources directly in their hands is probably better than further concessions on public transport. But doing so is not a better deal, even to the elderly who receive Workfare. How does paying full fares contribute to more meaningful activities for seniors?

- First, under Workfare, the sum $686 quoted is for one year and that works out to $1.88 a day. Does this money add financial security for a 60-year-old earning $1,000 a month to support himself and his spouse?

- Second, will the additional $1.88 help defray full fares on public transport to and from work without any concession?

- Third, the $1,714 top-up in an elderly worker's Central Provident Fund may help cover medical expenses for one year for the worker and his spouse. But if either suffers long-term illness triggered by prolonged work beyond age 60, will the extra money become a disincentive?

Most people reaching retirement age are willing to continue working to keep busy and healthy. To enhance gracious active ageing, cheaper or free public transport for the elderly should be the first initiative recommended by PTC.

Extending fare concessions for seniors is the practice in many countries. China, Australia, New Zealand and the Dutch capital Amsterdam extend free public transport to seniors. Singapore should extend a similar courtesy.

Paul Chan

Gerard Ee Hock Kim (simplified Chinese: 余福金; pinyin: Yú Fújīn is a public figure championing social service rights and issues in Singapore. He is as known as the son of the late Ee Peng Liang, a Singaporean philanthropist and the Father of Charity in Singapore.

Born in 1949, Ee became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales in 1972. In 1974 Ee began his career as an accountant, becoming a practicing auditor in 1976. Ee was made a Partner of the Ernst and Young accounting firm, where he remained in the position until his retirement on 30 June 2005. In his active years, he served in various capacities, as He was a Nominated Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2002. He was appointed the President of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) from 1 August 2002, and Chairman of the Public Transport Council. He also was a member of the National Medical Ethics Committee, and the Governing Council of Singapore Institute of Management, and chairperson positions for the Medifund Advisory Council, ITE College East Advisory Council, Hai Sing Catholic School Management Committee. Ee also is the Chairman of the Finance Standing Committee of the North East Community Development Council.

In 2006, Ee retired from his position as President of the National Council of Social Service, and also as President of the Automobile Association of Singapore on 31 May in the same year.

[edit] NKF Controversy

Two weeks into his retirement from Ernst and Young, Ee was called upon by the Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan to help restore public confidence in the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), which was dealt with a corruption controversy by the former chief executive officer of the Foundation, T. T. Durai and certain board members. Khaw named Gerard Ee on 15 July 2005, as the interim Chairman and acting CEO of the National Kidney Foundation Singapore and charged him with the task of conducting a full independent audit of NKF in the following week. Mr Ee was officially appointed as NKF chairman on July 17, 2005.[1]

He is a Roman Catholic[1] and is married with a son, Sylvester Joseph Ee Seng Oon, and a daughter, Marianne.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Ee

 

[scoobyhoo]

of course, no money no talk.

 

[MarrickG]

It's the civic thing too

I SUPPORT the view expressed by the Council for Third Age chief Gerard Ee in his Wednesday's letter on active ageing ('Cheap fares for elderly not the best way'), but I fail to see its relevance to, and any disadvantage in, extending concession travel to senior citizens.

Only Singaporeans and permanent residents over 60 are eligible to apply. Concession hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to close of operations; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, throughout operation hours.

That means concessions are not available from Monday to Friday before 9am. Do many elderly travel on weekdays before 9am?

Would the revenue lost if concessions were lifted be significant compared to the profit made by the bus companies and SMRT?

Providing cheap fares for the elderly is not the issue. Rather, it is the public message we convey - that we have not forgotten the elderly or their contributions.

By extending them concessionary fare throughout public transport hours, we are showing our gratitude to them. This will enable them to travel more freely without restriction - not free of charge.

We appeal to the public to give up their seats on buses and trains to the elderly and act considerately towards seniors. Extending concessionary fares reinforces the civic courtesies we ask of the corporate world: Give up a little profit for the sake of the elderly.

It will be an exemplary gesture befitting a gracious society.

Tan Thiam Soon