PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR CHILDREN

PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR CHILDREN: 17.

Mrs Mildred Tan asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry will consider giving free public transport to children below the age of six given that this is the case in many developed countries; and (b) how is the height limit of 0.9 metre for free public transport decided upon and whether there is a basis to move this limit upwards.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport (Mr Teo Ser: Column: 1496

Luck) (for the Minister for Transport): Mr Speaker, Sir, concessionary travel on basic bus and train services are determined and granted by the public transport operators (PTOs). As the costs of such concessions are cross-subsidised by other full-fare paying commuters, the operators would have to take this into consideration when implementing any change to the concessionary schemes.

At present, pre-schoolers who are above the height of 0.9 metre and below the age of seven years enjoy concessionary travel through Child Concession Cards which can be purchased at any TransitLink ticket office. These allow pre-schoolers, regardless of their height, to travel at concessionary rates on public transport. Once they enter primary schools at seven years old, they will continue to enjoy concessionary fares as students.

On the height limit, only infants in arms travelled for free on buses previously. Since the introduction of the MRT system, sensors on our MRT fare gates prevent the gates from accidentally closing onto a commuter passing through. This is to ensure the safety of commuters. These sensors have been installed at a height of 0.9 metre and children below 0.9 metre may first pass through the opened gates safely, followed by a fare-paying adult commuter. Therefore, it was decided that children up to 0.9 metre in height who are accompanied by a full-fare paying passenger could be allowed to travel free on the MRT system. To ensure consistency across the different modes of travel, bus operators extended free travel from infants in arms to children up to 0.9 metre in height on buses as well.

As for raising the height limit of 0.9 metre so that more children can enjoy free travel, the cost of such free travel will have to be cross-subsidised by other full-fare paying commuters. Similar to other

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concessionary schemes, this is something the operators would have to consider carefully. Nonetheless, the Government encourages the public transport operators to extend concessions where they are able to do so.

Mrs Mildred Tan (Nominated Member): I would like to thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his reply. Would the Ministry consider providing areas for prams and wheelchairs on buses and trains as well?

Mr Teo Ser Luck: Mr Speaker, Sir, we can highlight that to the public transport operators for them to consider. They will have to make transport more convenient for those in need, so we will put that referral forward.