WWLegal.com :: PTC Welcomes The Passing Of The PTC (Amendment) Bill

PTC Welcomes The Passing Of The PTC (Amendment) Bill
Posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 - 12:00 AM

The Public Transport Council (PTC) welcomes the passing of the PTC (Amendment) Bill in Parliament today. The enhanced powers will enable the PTC to better regulate bus services and bus/train fares, and to regulate ticket payment services.

2 The PTC will work closely with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) in implementing the new licensing and regulatory regimes over the next few months. It will also take the public’s views and industry players’ views into consideration. The PTC expects to implement the ticket payment services licensing framework, the bus service operator licensing scheme and the penalty fee system in 2nd quarter of next year. More details will be released in due course.

3 The PTC has heard the concerns about the proposed penalty fee system which have resulted in some anxiety among the commuters. The PTC would like to assure the public that it will put in place a fair, transparent and commuter-friendly system, taking the public feedback into consideration, in operationalising the proposed penalty fee system. It will ensure that commuters’ interests are safeguarded by working with the operators to enable there to be a transparent process for commuters to appeal against penalty fees; and careful selection and training of Public Transport Officials.

4 Mr Gerard Ee, Chairman of PTC, said:

"It is a great challenge for PTC with the enhanced powers. It will enable us to improve the quality of public transport and better safeguard the interests of commuters. The amended PTC Act will empower PTC to regulate service performance of bus operators and non-compliance of these service standards may lead to the imposition of financial penalties or even the cancellation of licences.

Commuters are generally honest and responsible. They need not be overly concerned about the proposed penalty fee system which is meant to deter the irresponsible and dishonest minority who evade fares. I do not envisage that PTC will have to resort to charging people in court. Eventually, there is even a possibility that no one will evade fares or have to pay penalty fees at all."

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