FRMC explains distinction between itself and PTC

SINGAPORE: The chairman of the Fare Review Mechanism Committee (FRMC), Richard Magnus, has clarified the distinction between FRMC and the Public Transport Council (PTC).

Writing in an FRMC blog post, Richard Magnus said since the launch of the blog on June 4, the FRMC has received a number of feedback and suggestions.

He said some have asked about the distinction between the PTC and the FRMC.

There were also suggestions to extend public transport concession fares to more commuter groups as part of the review.

Mr Magnus explained that the FRMC is a committee appointed by the Transport Minister to specifically review the effectiveness of and recommend improvements to the fare review mechanism and the fare adjustment formula.

The PTC, however, has a broader role of licensing and regulating bus services, bus service operators, transit ticket payment services, as well as to make specific decisions on quantum of fare increases, including changes to concessionary travel schemes.

He said for matters that come under the PTC, including those on concessionary travel schemes, but are beyond the scope of the FRMC, he has asked the Secretariat to share the feedback with the PTC for its consideration.

Mr Magnus added that, since he and a number of his FRMC members are also serving on the PTC, they have taken note of the keen interest for more concessionary travel schemes for deserving groups of commuters.

In the next two months, the FRMC plans to conduct focus group discussions —— with various segments of the community, including commuters, experts and public transport operators —— to gather different perspectives for this review.

He also intends to invite some of the people who have provided the FRMC with feedback or suggestions to join in the focus group discussion.

Mr Magnus said he will be updating the blog after the first committee meeting on July 4.

The public can send their feedback to: FRMCommittee2012@gmail.com or PO Box 1025, Singapore 914035.

— CNA/fa