Public transport vouchers not favourable with poor
15 Nov 2013|2,868 views
The tepid response to the one-off vouchers that are meant to help the poor cope with fare hikes could be due to the amount offered and hassle in applying for them, MPs and help agencies told The Straits Times.
In Parliament on Monday, it was revealed that just over half of the 200,000 public transport vouchers available for needy residents to offset the fare increase in 2011 were taken up. And this was after the Government had made two public announcements for applications.
"Maybe we could increase the amount given and simplify the administration so more people will come forward," MP for Holland- Bukit Timah GRC Liang Eng Hwa said.
Needy residents who qualify for the Citizens Consultative Committees (CCC) Comcare Fund have to go to the Community Clubs and Centres to apply for the vouchers, which are only given once and usually vary between $20 and $40. If successful, they will only be notified about a month after the CCCs have processed their applications.
Ms. Rachel Lee, Assistant Director of Fei Yue Family Service Centre, said the low take-up could also be because the poor are turning to welfare organisations that have longer-term schemes to help them cope with fare hikes.
First given out in 2004, public transport vouchers are disbursed to poor Singaporeans in years when there are fare hikes. Financing for the vouchers comes mainly from the Public Transport Fund, which was set up by the Government, but transport operators SBS and SMRT contribute to it as well. The LTA said it will look into improving the application process and distribution of the vouchers, and raising awareness for the scheme.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said on Monday that his ministry is also looking into introducing a concession pass to provide discounted fares for lower-income and disabled commuters.
The tepid response to the one-off vouchers that are meant to help the poor cope with fare hikes could be due to the amount offered and hassle in applying for them, MPs and help agencies told The Straits Times.
In Parliament on Monday, it was revealed that just over half of the 200,000 public transport vouchers available for needy residents to offset the fare increase in 2011 were taken up. And this was after the Government had made two public announcements for applications.
"Maybe we could increase the amount given and simplify the administration so more people will come forward," MP for Holland- Bukit Timah GRC Liang Eng Hwa said.
Needy residents who qualify for the Citizens Consultative Committees (CCC) Comcare Fund have to go to the Community Clubs and Centres to apply for the vouchers, which are only given once and usually vary between $20 and $40. If successful, they will only be notified about a month after the CCCs have processed their applications.
Ms. Rachel Lee, Assistant Director of Fei Yue Family Service Centre, said the low take-up could also be because the poor are turning to welfare organisations that have longer-term schemes to help them cope with fare hikes.
First given out in 2004, public transport vouchers are disbursed to poor Singaporeans in years when there are fare hikes. Financing for the vouchers comes mainly from the Public Transport Fund, which was set up by the Government, but transport operators SBS and SMRT contribute to it as well. The LTA said it will look into improving the application process and distribution of the vouchers, and raising awareness for the scheme.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said on Monday that his ministry is also looking into introducing a concession pass to provide discounted fares for lower-income and disabled commuters.
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