I refer to the article “Bus operators could be fined S$4,000 for every 6-sec-delay” (Today, Jan 6).

Fine per 0.1 min late?

It states that “PTOs can be fined between S$1,300 to S$4,000 for every 0.1 minute (6 seconds) that the EWT is higher than the baseline score of the particular service.

Incentive per 0.1 min early? 

If the service shows improvement, PTOs stand to receive between S$2,000 and S$6,000 for every 0.1 minute that the EWT score improves from the baseline.”

More stress for drivers?

Wouldn’t bus drivers be stressed by such a move?

Safety and service compromised?

Would safety be compromised?

Would good service and courtesy start to diminish, to give way to punctuality?

Traffic jams?

Seriously, isn’t 0.1 minute kind of stretching it to the point of ridicule? Haven’t we heard of traffic jams, heavy rain or accidents?

Past statistics?

What is the expected 6 months’ fine or improvement incentive for the bus operators?

Surely, such data may be available for the past.

Bigger carrot than stick?

What is the rationale for making the carrot bigger than the stick?

More often late than early – still get incentive?

Since the “earlier” incentive ($2,000 for every 0.1 minute) can be as much as 54 per cent ($2,000 divided by $1,300) more than the fine for being late ($1,300 for every 0.1 minute), does it mean that even if on the average a service is more often late than early – the operator may still get an incentive payment?

Commuters end up paying?

If there are fines, is it not akin to the commuters paying at the end of the day?

If the end result is an improvement incentive payment – isn’t it like taxpayers paying for it too?

In other developed countries, I understand that service lapses result in fare reductions, fare credits or free rides for commuters.

In Singapore, commuters may be worse off either way.

More taxpayers’ money for operators?

Also, why are we using taxpayers’ money to reward  transport operators for being just a little earlier than schedule?

Are there any other countries that do this?

Increase fares and fines? 

As the operators have applied for a fare increase – why not keep fares the same, instead of increasing fares and then possibly fine them or worse still – even rewarding them?

Leong Sze Hian

*Leong is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, has authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been host of a money radio show, a daily newspaper column, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for Malaysiakini, executive producer of the movie Ilo Ilo (24 international awards). He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors and 13 professional qualifications.