School bus fares go up again

SINGAPORE - Bus fares have increased by S$5 for students living near their schools, pushing the cost to between S$50 and S$80 a month.

Those living further will see a hike of at least S$15, with the monthly bill between S$100 and S$200, reported Lianhe Zaobao.

Mr Teo Ah, secretary-general of the Singapore School and Private Hire Bus Owners' Association, said bus companies generally avoid increasing fares, but had no choice.

Here's why:

1. Running costs

Mr Teo said they have to factor in the rising price of diesel, repairs and maintenance costs.

2. Drivers' wages

He told The New Paper in Mandarin: "It has been more difficult to find bus drivers, and we usually have to offer a higher salary to entice others.

"Companies often end up hiring foreign drivers to fill the jobs. But this would mean even higher salaries and insurance fees.

"It is hard to even retain current bus drivers."

3. Fewer students

There has been a drop in students taking school buses, he said. This is especially for those living near their schools, who would prefer to walk instead.

4. New rules

He said new regulations have forced several companies to use more buses.

School bus seats now have to be front-facing, and companies have to ensure that each child has his own seat with a seat belt.

A standard school bus that was able to carry 15 students can now only carry up to 10.

... He's not increasing fares this year

Mr Poh Pong Bock, owner of Legendary Transport, is not raising fares again so as to retain customers.

He raised it by S$5 to S$10 last year.

Parents say...

1. No thanks

One mum, who gave her name as Mrs Nora, is not prepared to pay more.

Her son, a Primary 3 pupil at Lianhua Primary School, had taken the school bus for the past two years.

She was shocked when she learnt that the school bus fare had gone up, from S$50 to S$65.

She said the fare hike last year had not been so steep.

"I live less than a 10-minute walk from the school and it's S$65 every month, even during school holidays. It's just not worth it," said the 31-year-old export officer.

"I don't see why prices are rising when the distance is the same."

So this year, Mrs Nora will be walking her son to school before heading to work.

"It's around the same time that I usually leave the house, so it's okay," she said.

2. I'll pay

When The New Paper went to Guangyang Primary School yesterday, most parents expressed surprise at this year's school bus fare price.

A pharmacist, who gave her name as Mrs Chong, 34, said she had paid the bus operator S$200 for this month and last month. Her son just started Primary 1.

She said she did not mind paying for December since it was the general practice for bus operators, but said she would be upset if it was only for her son's school.

She said: "My husband and I aren't able to pick up our child from school due to work, and at the same time, we want to make sure he's safe."

3. No choice

Another parent, finance manager Ivy Lim, 42, said: "It's expensive, but I have no choice. I'm working and his grandparents are too old to fetch him."

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