SBS Transit will lower ez-link fares of its non-basic bus services by up to 20 cents. The move is part of SBS Transit's efforts to help make public transport more affordable during these difficult times.
Together with the reduction in fares for basic bus and train services that was announced by the Public Transport Council yesterday, the total reduction in fares for SBS Transit bus and train services will average 5.1% during the 15-month period from 1 April 2009 to 30 June 2010.
Collectively, 93% of SBS Transit's commuters are expected to see their public transport expenses drop as a result of the rebates.
SBS Transit currently offers a total of 60 non-basic bus services* - Premium, City Shopper Nite Owl services, Fast Forward, Express, Chinatown Direct, Parks and Stadium Services. Ez-link fares on Premium, CityShopper and Nite Owl Services will drop by up to 20 cents while Express, Fast Forward and Stadium Services will enjoy a temporary rebate of between 5 cents and 10 cents. Ez-link fares for Chinatown Direct and Park Services will also go down by up to 5 cents.
For basic bus and train services, ez-link commuters will enjoy an increase in transfer rebate from 40 cents to 50 cents, with SBS Transit footing two-thirds of the increase. With the introduction of a temporary fare rebate, there will be a net fare reduction of 2 cents for all adult ez-link fares for train and basic bus services. Child and student ez-link fares will also drop by 1 cent.
Monthly concession pass prices for bus and train services for primary and secondary schools students will get a $1 rebate while hybrid concession pass prices for students will go down by $2. For tertiary students and NS men, their concession pass prices for bus and train services will receive a $2 rebate while the hybrid concession pass prices will enjoy a $4 rebate.
This temporary reduction in fares follows a decision by SBS Transit to not apply to the PTC for a fare revision in view of the prevailing tough economic conditions. The Company has been working with the PTC to pass the savings it will receive from the 2009 Singapore Budget to commuters in the hope that this will help ameliorate the cost of travel for commuters during this difficult period.
In all, the temporary relief measures will cost SBS Transit $42.7 million for the 15-month period - more than the $21.5 million it is expected to receive from the Singapore Government Budget 2009.
SBS Transit Chief Operating Officer, Mr Gan Juay Kiat, said: “These are difficult times and we believe in doing our bit to help our commuters. We hope that by reducing fares by an average of 5.1% during these tough times, commuters will be able to get some relief from cost pressures.”
Please refer to Annex for details.
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