Recent Bus Fare Hike (Super disorganised post with my thoughts all over the place)

Is the bus fare hike really justifiable?


According to the ChannelnewsAsia reports, the rise in bus fare was approved after careful considerations about the increasing CPI and average monthly earnings. With that, senior citizens would have to pay an increase of 2 cents per ride regardless of the distance as of 1st Oct. Despite having 2 PT companies, buses from 1 company that run in a certain area are not subjected to competition from the other company, and thus we almost have a monopoly. When the senior citizen has to transfer buses in order to get around, the increase in 2 cents translates to at least 4 cents per journey, ensuring a significant increase in the bus fare per journey.


Additionally, senior citizens who have poor health, and cannot afford to walk 2 bus stops to the market will have to pay the same amount of bus fare as the rest who wants to travel longer bus journeys.


In my opinion, inspite of looking out for the poor and lower income groups, fare hikes are nonetheless an essential. This is to match the increase in CPI and other economic factors. However, the stagnant bus service standards do not justify for this increase. Take a look at the buses you are commuting with the next time. Are the window sills full of dust to the effect that one would feel disgusted propping one's elbows there? Is water leaking from the air conditioner due to poor maintenance? The irregularity of the buses?