ST’s poll could mean a semi-national public transport system might just happen
On Monday morning (23 Nov), The Straits Times released a poll suggesting that Singaporeans are open to having a government-run national transport system.
Source
Sure, ST might have only interviewed all of 50 people, which cannot possibly be a representative sample of Singapore at large.
Sure, only 24 respondents agreed that public transport should be nationalized, a number that only figures to 48% of the results.
Nonetheless, Singapore’s national broadsheet could have just as easily published an article with the headline “Less than half polled want public transport nationalization” — the fact that the opposite angle was ran is not out of coincidence.
Experts suggest a hybrid model instead
The idea of nationalizing public transport isn’t new.
The Worker’s Party has called for a national transport re-nationalization several times, usually in anticipation of General Elections, and once again reiterated their proposal before GE2015.
Experts interviewed by ST suggest a slightly different model from all-out nationalization.
Instead, the Government could own assets such as the rail tracks, buses, and trains, but outsource day-to-day operations to 3rd party operators.
Such a system is already in the works, with Tower Transit confirmed to take over the reins of 26 bus services from 2016. These services will run from Bulim Bus Depot, and service the west side of Singapore.
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Should the Government take over running of public transport?
Featured image via Transit
With reference from The Straits Times
