I REFER to Miss Monica Cheang's Online Forum letter, "Active map for trains: A waste of money" (Nov 11) and Mr Goh Ching Soon's letter, "Fluff we can do without" (Nov 12).
The installation of Staris (SMRT Active Route Map Information System) is a service initiative to make public transport friendlier especially for the elderly and commuters who are making the switch to public transport for the first time. In addition, the Vacuum Fluorescent Display shows a multi-language transcript of audio announcements, which aids travellers with special needs. This system will be especially useful for commuters as Singapore's rail network continues to expand.
Compared to active route maps available in the market, Staris is a highly flexible, reliable and cost-effective system. SMRT did consider other systems but never embarked on the initiative, as adopting a third-party system that can provide as much information as Staris would cost more than $23 million - nearly double that of Staris.
On the cost of public transportation, we wish to share that while it is true transport fares have increased over the years, the increase has been moderate and lags behind the rise in operating costs, as well as the cost increase in health care, utilities and household necessities. Over the last six years, the total increase in bus fares was 6.8 per cent and 4.9 per cent for trains. Factoring in the 4 per cent increase in GST over the same period, which we fully absorbed, the actual fare increases applied were 2.8 per cent and 0.9 per cent for buses and trains respectively. In 2008, we further increased our productivity and this consequently resulted in a reduction in the maximum fare adjustment allowable from 4.5 per cent to 3.0 per cent. Additionally, in support of the Government's efforts to encourage the use of public transport, SMRT further absorbed a major part of the increase in transfer rebate. As a result, the effective fare increase this year for both SMRT trains and buses was only 0.6 per cent, despite significant inflationary pressures. Nevertheless, we continue to introduce many proactive initiatives, including train refurbishment and additional train runs.
We thank Ms Cheang and Mr Goh for their feedback and assure commuters that SMRT is able to maintain a healthy bottom line because we are committed to managing cost prudently through efficient operations and growing non-fare revenue from overseas business, rental and advertising. These efforts allow us to continue to deliver service befitting that of a leading transport system.
Bernadette Low (Ms) Manager,Corporate Marketing and Communications
SMRT Corporation Ltd
This article was first published in The Straits Times on Nov 20, 2008.
