Singapore - For two months in May and June 2008, TransitLink and the two public transport operators (PTOs) - SBS Transit and SMRT - are embarking on a commuter education programme to create awareness of the penalty fee system that will take effect on 1 July 2008. Publicity posters and brochures in four different languages will be displayed and made available at bus interchanges and terminals as well as MRT and LRT stations. During this education period, no penalty fee will be imposed on basic bus and train services. Instead, an advisory note will be issued directly to commuters who have not paid or under-paid the correct fares, or have misused concession cards.
To help commuters avoid situations that could result in fare underpayment, non-payment and misuse of concession cards, TransitLink and the PTOs have come up with some basic guidelines on correct fare payment when travelling on basic bus and train services. Please refer to Annex A for details. Commuters may also access the guidelines by logging on to www.sbstransit.com.sg, www.smrt.com.sg and www.transitlink.com.sg, or call TransitLink's Hotline 1800 2255-663, SBS Transit's Hotline 1800 2872-727, or SMRT's Hotline 1800 3368-900.
The penalty fee system to deter fare evasion on basic bus and train services is not new as it is already being adopted in countries like the United Kingdom, Finland, Australia and Hong Kong. When the penalty fee system is implemented on 1 July 2008, fare evaders who are caught not paying or under-paying the correct fares will be required to pay a penalty fee of $20. A penalty fee of $50 will be imposed for misuse of concession cards. Commuters who are already paying the correct fares will not be affected as the penalty fee system is targeted at fare evaders only. Penalty fees collected will be channeled to the Public Transport Council (PTC) in accordance with the PTC Act.
Details about the penalty fee system can be found in the frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) in Annex B.
A pool of current traffic/ticket inspectors, bus drivers, bus interchange and train station staff of SBS Transit and SMRT, will be appointed by the PTC to be the public transport officials. Their role is to spot-check commuters onboard basic bus services or using train services. Only appointed officials can lawfully impose penalty fee on fare evaders. They are also required to carry and show their authority cards when enforcing penalty fee.
Payment of penalty fee can be made at any TransitLink ticket offices located at most MRT stations and bus interchanges, or at Add Value Machines (AVMs) found at all MRT/LRT stations, bus interchanges and some bus-stops. A list of locations and operating hours of TransitLink ticket offices, and AVMs is available at www.transitlink.com.sg. Penalty fee payment may also be made in cash (in exact amount) on-the-spot to the public transport officials directly.
Click to view brochure (English/Chinese)
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