4 ... Hike ... 7 Hike ...15 ... HIKE!

I'm pretty sure that the announcement to be made today (or if it has already been made) about the changes in fares to the current rates on public transportation would be met by derision in most sections of the public. And I don't blame them because over here in tropical sunny Singapore, whenever a change in anything monetarily related is announed it is assumed to be a hike. Which has generally been the case over the decades.

And although there will be hikes according the article "Bus and train fares up on October 1" on Channelnews Asia's website, it would also come with some much needed increase in rebate value for transfers. Plus there would also be some reduction in fares though it wasn't really made clear as to exact when, why and hows.
I guess its about time. Everything has been adjusted to inflation, albeit slowly but most definitely surely, so why not the public transportation rates. I mean sure, oil prices have been declining but everyone also knows that it can and will most probably spike over the days, weeks and months to come. Add that with the overall global financial climate, that sadly is affecting this island nation too and you can somewhat understand where all this is coming from. And its not like the government isn't doing something to help those with problems absorbing the increase in fares that will be implemented as stated in this article - "S$5.2 m to help the needy cope with bus, train fare hike", though I doubt such assistance will stretch into the middle class. And the fact that this proposed implementation went through so many checks and balances in itself shows that the government isn't just out to get more of the people's money.

Besides, the changes in fares are also timed with the Growth Dividends payout package for this year. That would definitely be helpful in staving off the perceived increase in living costs.

All in all, it's not going to be that bad and is most probably what is needed to keep the country running as smoothly as possible.