BUS AND TAXI FARES (Position upon operation of MRT)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether bus fares and taxi fares will be raised either in anticipation of or on the coming into operation of the Mass Rapid Transit system.

The Minister for Communications and Information (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Transport Council Bill was recently debated and passed at the last sitting of this House and has since been enacted. One of the functions of the Council is to receive and consider applications on fares from bus and taxi operators. The Council in making its decision must safeguard the public's interest and also take into account the financial viability of the operators. So far, the Council has not received any application from taxi operators and bus operators.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta): Sir, can the Minister assure the House that he will urge the operators to keep any fare changes to a minimum or, better still, not to have any fare increase at all?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry is always concerned with the welfare of the commuters and has already advised the operators to bear in mind the concerns of commuters and also to take into consideration the fact that the MRT system will be phased in over a period of some three years. Also, particularly at this time, the operators should also bear in mind the fact that our workers have voluntarily exercised wage restraint. The operators have assured the Ministry that they will bear these factors in mind when they conduct their studies which are currently near completion.

Sir, I am confident that with the newly established Public Transport Council which will look after the interests of the commuters, the Council will not approve any increase unless there are justifications for it.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Can the Minister please tell this House when he thinks the new fare structures for the bus, taxis and MRT will be announced?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, I mentioned in my reply that the studies are nearing completion. I expect them to provide the information to the public very soon.