Concessionary Fares for Public transport

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify (i) the role of the Government versus the Public Transport Council and public transport operators in determining transport fare concessions for different commuter groups, for example, senior citizens, students; and (ii) the basis for categorising diploma students with undergraduates under the tertiary student concession and not with junior college students under the school smartcard concession which applies to students under 21 years old.

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Transport whether concessionary fares can be extended to the disabled using public transport.

Mr Lui Tuck Yew: Concessionary travel on basic bus and train services are determined and granted by the public transport operators (PTOs). The cost of concessions is ultimately cross-subsidised by other full-fare paying commuters and the operators have to take this into consideration before extending travel concessions beyond the present arrangement.

The operators currently grant student travel concessions based on their level of academic pursuit and the institution of enrolment. Polytechnic students and university students are considered tertiary students because both polytechnics and universities are institutions of higher learning, unlike junior colleges. The public transport operators currently provide concessions to polytechnic students via the monthly concession pass scheme.

The Public Transport Council is aware of the requests for more concessions and will work with the operators to see how best these requests for more concessions for the disabled and the polytechnic students could be considered in future review of fares for the different commuter groups. For instance, for this year, the senior citizen concession hours have been extended to full-day throughout the week to benefit elderly commuters.

As for the Government's role, our focus continues to be on providing help alongside fare revisions to help the needy adjust. We will continue to provide targeted assistance, such as through the Public Transport vouchers and the ComCare Fund, as well as through various work support schemes. This approach ensures that those who are really in need of assistance will receive it, and also makes the best use of public funds.

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