SMRT

[countonme]

Smrt major shareholders 54% Temesak and SBS 74% Comfort. So maybe the major shareholders can do a take over and privatise it.

[specuvestor]

The commuters are asking for the sky, but paying peanuts and they complain and complain.

Maybe both SMRT and SBS should just quit to provide the service. Let government take it over and see tax rate rise.

I fail to recall in my younger days what a disaster the public transport system was under government control for social goals rather than profit growth. Probably Goh Keng Swee and team were not smart enough to understand how capitalism should work

[pianist]

is the inherent design flaw in urban planning..with everyone needing to travel by bus by train to the city centre..because many big shots stay there

no effort decentralisation at all

[freedom]

The commuters are asking for the sky, but paying peanuts and they complain and complain.

Maybe both SMRT and SBS should just quit to provide the service. Let government take it over and see tax rate rise.

I fail to recall in my younger days what a disaster the public transport system was under government control for social goals rather than profit growth. Probably Goh Keng Swee and team were not smart enough to understand how capitalism should work

your younger days are much simpler. There isn't so much infrastructure and so many choices. If everything just goes back to the past, I am sure more people will complain. Just they're expecting the good of the past, not the bad of the past. Sorry, you can't have the good of both.

The capitalism states that if a private company can't make it work profitably, a public company does not stand a chance.

[level13]

no effort decentralisation at all

I definitely dont agree with the above statement. I would encourage you to look at the companies operating in tampines central & changi business park. At the same time read up on the plans for making Jurong the next business hub.

Downtown city center is no longer the only option for companies who want to setup business here.

[KopiKat]

The commuters are asking for the sky, but paying peanuts and they complain and complain.

Maybe both SMRT and SBS should just quit to provide the service. Let government take it over and see tax rate rise.

I fail to recall in my younger days what a disaster the public transport system was under government control for social goals rather than profit growth. Probably Goh Keng Swee and team were not smart enough to understand how capitalism should work

your younger days are much simpler. There isn't so much infrastructure and so many choices. If everything just goes back to the past, I am sure more people will complain. Just they're expecting the good of the past, not the bad of the past. Sorry, you can't have the good of both.

The capitalism states that if a private company can't make it work profitably, a public company does not stand a chance.

People back then (6os and 70s) were more concerned about bread and butter issues... can be a matter of going hungry or just plain survival... no time for such complaints. Because of that, people were also tougher and able to take on more hardships... Many even just walk to school or work to save on that 5ct / 10ct bus fare, rain or shine... Buses were oftentimes late, overcrowded (can stand on the steps and hang out to enjoy the breeze...) and a big source of air pollution (quite fascinating to see bellows of black smoke spewing from the rear and trying hard to avoid it at the same time)... When it rains, you have "water features" (waterfall from the roof) and sometimes, windows can't be fully closed... Not forgetting rude conductors who seems to enjoy venting their daily frustrations on the commuters... Yes, those were the good old days...

PS. Perhaps you meant the 90s, 00s??

[NTL]

In the 60s/70s, 5c or 10c is quite big leh. Worth saving. Nowadays I also walk to save the 73c bus fare at times.

[specuvestor]

The commuters are asking for the sky, but paying peanuts and they complain and complain.

Maybe both SMRT and SBS should just quit to provide the service. Let government take it over and see tax rate rise.

I fail to recall in my younger days what a disaster the public transport system was under government control for social goals rather than profit growth. Probably Goh Keng Swee and team were not smart enough to understand how capitalism should work

your younger days are much simpler. There isn't so much infrastructure and so many choices. If everything just goes back to the past, I am sure more people will complain. Just they're expecting the good of the past, not the bad of the past. Sorry, you can't have the good of both.

The capitalism states that if a private company can't make it work profitably, a public company does not stand a chance.

People back then (6os and 70s) were more concerned about bread and butter issues... can be a matter of going hungry or just plain survival... no time for such complaints. Because of that, people were also tougher and able to take on more hardships... Many even just walk to school or work to save on that 5ct / 10ct bus fare, rain or shine... Buses were oftentimes late, overcrowded (can stand on the steps and hang out to enjoy the breeze...) and a big source of air pollution (quite fascinating to see bellows of black smoke spewing from the rear and trying hard to avoid it at the same time)... When it rains, you have "water features" (waterfall from the roof) and sometimes, windows can't be fully closed... Not forgetting rude conductors who seems to enjoy venting their daily frustrations on the commuters... Yes, those were the good old days...

PS. Perhaps you meant the 90s, 00s??

For example MRT was not a private listed entity when it started. MRT was planned way ahead in the 70s and no private venture would want to undertake it. Our transport system, including bus service, for a third world country was top notched if I recall correctly. And now coming to developed world status and under Singapore Inc ideology, I'm not sure things got better even as we got richer. It's like the new computer animated cartoons I watch with my kids... vibrant colors on the outside but no substance.

If public transport was based on capitalism, MRT wouldn't stand a chance. I doubt capitalism would solve our transport issues. I don't agree with the dogma that government taking over is always bad.

[Ben]

People back then (6os and 70s) were more concerned about bread and butter issues... can be a matter of going hungry or just plain survival... no time for such complaints. Because of that, people were also tougher and able to take on more hardships... Many even just walk to school or work to save on that 5ct / 10ct bus fare, rain or shine... Buses were oftentimes late, overcrowded (can stand on the steps and hang out to enjoy the breeze...) and a big source of air pollution (quite fascinating to see bellows of black smoke spewing from the rear and trying hard to avoid it at the same time)... When it rains, you have "water features" (waterfall from the roof) and sometimes, windows can't be fully closed... Not forgetting rude conductors who seems to enjoy venting their daily frustrations on the commuters... Yes, those were the good old days...

PS. Perhaps you meant the 90s, 00s??

When we have enjoyed a certain level of standard, it is hard to revert back to the old level again. Just this morning, a friend of mine WhatsApp to many of his friends, me included, complaining the train service in Circle line is very slow and long stoppage time at certain stations. This caused him to arrive late for work. He went on to push the blame on SMRT and our govt. He is in his late 50s, and obviously must have had went through all the hardship in the 70s – 80s. The opening of the Circle line has saved him substantial travelling time, but all these are long forgotten.

Of course it is easy for me to comment at the comfort of my home, if I am in the same situation as him, I could be grouchier.

[NTL]

If the public transport now all goes private, letting the companies decide on the fare system and the quality of transport to deliver, will there be less complaints? Some operators may go for budget mode, without aircon, poor quality seats, using China made buses,and charging less; while others may go for aircon buses from Europe with luxury seats, and charge higher. LTA only mandates the route, but multiple operators can go same route, or even none. Will the result be better?