SBS Transit, SMRT submit applications for fare adjustment

[3Boys]

limlim:

How many petrol stations/petrol companies are there in SG? Only 1?

But there were only 1 provider for each route on MRT.

And how different are their prices, may I ask? The point of that illustration was to smurf's contention that stagnant service standards do not warrant a fare hike, and I was merely showing that inflation plays a role in fares, and not using that analogy to talk about competition. In essence, there is a monopoly, as I can only use petrol, not solar energy or water, for instance.

[3Boys]

WeiHan:

Not only their salary is not \"suppress\", they get whatever welfare they demand and today many of these european countries are bankrupt. That was the gist I am trying to drive at.

heh heh,
I would hope people are not expecting that we should subsidise and spend our way to being a Greece, Portugal or Ireland.

[corneyAmber]

3Boys:

limlim:

How many petrol stations/petrol companies are there in SG? Only 1?

But there were only 1 provider for each route on MRT.

And how different are their prices, may I ask? The point of that illustration was to smurf's contention that stagnant service standards do not warrant a fare hike, and I was merely showing that inflation plays a role in fares, and not using that analogy to talk about competition. In essence, there is a monopoly, as I can only use petrol, not solar energy or water, for instance.

Oh, soon you will have a choice of electric cars that is under testing now.

[corneyAmber]

3Boys:

WeiHan:

Not only their salary is not \"suppress\", they get whatever welfare they demand and today many of these european countries are bankrupt. That was the gist I am trying to drive at.

heh heh,
I would hope people are not expecting that we should subsidise and spend our way to being a Greece, Portugal or Ireland.

I believe with such examples we can always strike a balance somewhere. There is no need to stay on either extreme end of the spectrum. It takes some thinking though, no easy way out by just loading on the people. We have highly-paid brains to think of such solutions, isn't it?

[WeiHan]

3Boys:

WeiHan:

Not only their salary is not \"suppress\", they get whatever welfare they demand and today many of these european countries are bankrupt. That was the gist I am trying to drive at.

heh heh,
I would hope people are not expecting that we should subsidise and spend our way to being a Greece, Portugal or Ireland.

Actually the problem is much worse. Italy, spain, France, England and USA all have similar problem and are bombs waiting to explode in the future. Read news about USA trying to raise debt limit? Well they need to raise more debt just to pay the interest of the debt they already have...see how serious is the problem. And that is how we are getting inflation. Spend the money first that you have not yet earn and down the road, you will pay more.

[raynreg]

But they are asking citizens for ideas, suggestions in areas of education, top brass salaries, sports :razz:

[Sun_2010]

raynreg:

But they are asking citizens for ideas, suggestions in areas of education, top brass salaries, sports :razz:

Isn't that supposed to be good?

Asking for ideas isn't the same as asking for the solution

If one can contribute meaningfully great.
It's optional, isn't it?

[limlim]

3Boys:

limlim:

How many petrol stations/petrol companies are there in SG? Only 1?

But there were only 1 provider for each route on MRT.

And how different are their prices, may I ask? The point of that illustration was to smurf's contention that stagnant service standards do not warrant a fare hike, and I was merely showing that inflation plays a role in fares, and not using that analogy to talk about competition. In essence, there is a monopoly, as I can only use petrol, not solar energy or water, for instance.

With regards to competition..

You never seen petrol price wars in SG b4?

strange.. I seems to have see a few times.. even reported on MSM b4.. even thou I don't drive..

Ok, since you're not talking abt competition.. take it that I never mentioned..

[smurf]

3Boys:

smurf,
I really have to wonder where you are getting your information from. If I want to travel from London to Cardiff, do I have train company A or B to choose from? From Paris to Lyon? From Rome to Pisa? If you are in the London or Paris underground, do you get to choose company A or company B?

Aren't there Polish plumbers and farm workers in Germany? Slovenian sales staff in Italy? Pakistani doctors in UK? Where on earth are there not cheaper foreign labourers competing for jobs at cheaper salaries? Check out unemployment rates in Europe and see if their system is really better.

I lived in Europe for 3 years, I know how their train function. Although that was when I was still in early 20s.
I dunno how is thing now in Europe. But all I know is that, even if u dun ge t to choose the train company, you still have the choice of buying a low cost car. Do you know that you can buy a mazeranti (dunk how to spell, and dun want to search) in australia (if I remember correctly) for just over s$100k? How much can $100k get you now?

I didn't say Europe system is better. I wasn't even comparing! And certainly dun want to debate on this issue. But the thing is, you can't do without transport. You can choose to eat simple food or go high class restaurant, but you can't go without transport. It has to be affordable. And it's not just affordable for just one or two days! The increase may be just 2.8 percent more, but in long run, it's gonna add up.

[3Boys]

limlim:

3Boys:

[quote=\"limlim\"]
How many petrol stations/petrol companies are there in SG? Only 1?

But there were only 1 provider for each route on MRT.

And how different are their prices, may I ask? The point of that illustration was to smurf's contention that stagnant service standards do not warrant a fare hike, and I was merely showing that inflation plays a role in fares, and not using that analogy to talk about competition. In essence, there is a monopoly, as I can only use petrol, not solar energy or water, for instance.

With regards to competition..

You never seen petrol price wars in SG b4?

strange.. I seems to have see a few times.. even reported on MSM b4.. even thou I don't drive..

Ok, since you're not talking abt competition.. take it that I never mentioned..[/quote]limlim,
sorry to be pedantic, but just so that we are clear, the illustration is to address smurf's contention about stagnant service standards and fare increase. If anything, the fact that DESPITE competition, petrol prices are rising, food prices are rising, is CLEARLY supportive of the notion that competition IS NOT everything. It does not guarantee that prices will fall, it does not guarantee service standards will rise. There are factors external that play much larger than whether there is competition or not. Energy and commodity prices, cost of funds, as examples.