Bus commuters overcharged S$300,000

Bus commuters overcharged S$300,000
By Dylan Loh | Posted: 22 November 2010 1634 hrs

SINGAPORE: Bus commuters have been overcharged some $300,000 since distance-based fares kicked in on 3 July.

This was discovered after an island-wide bus stop review by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) which found errors in actual distances measured between bus stops.

Commuters have also been undercharged some S$100,000 in the same period due to these mistakes.

About 150 bus services have been affected by the errors. They ply routes passing some 100 bus stops across the island.

LTA says some of the mistakes resulted from the shifting of bus stop locations because of construction works. The changes in bus stop distances following such cases were not promptly updated by transport operators.

LTA says all errors will be corrected by Friday.

The public transport operators will bear the costs of undercharging.

Commuters who have been overcharged will have a six-month window from 18 December to obtain refunds.

Notices on how commuters can get the refunds will be put up at affected bus stops and bus interchanges.

Commuters can visit bus interchanges, most rail stations and selected bus stops to obtain refunds. They can also check online at www.publictransport.sg for refund eligibility.

Some commuters were receptive of the move. "As long as they found it out and they're going to do something about it, I think it's good," said a commuter.

LTA says transport operators who don't update bus-stop distances may face a maximum fine of S$100,000 in future.

- CNA/ir

- wong chee tat :)