Public Transport Cost To Increase Again!

Due to all the hype over the recent bus strikes, the bus companies are looking into reviewing the drivers' remuneration, and they have promised to increase the market value of bus drivers. The reason for the strike is because those perpetrators felt that they were being paid too little compared to the working hours and what they needed to do.

 

I guess it is good to increase the remuneration of the bus drivers, because afterall, they are human, and they do have to be on the road for many hours a day. They work irregular hours and whereas the rest of us can take the weekends off, they may have to slog during the weekends too.

 

Unfortunately, by doing so, starting next year, public transport fares are going to increase again, from the already high cost. The trouble with people is that they want everything - they want more wages, and yet they want lesser cost. It is true that our cost of living is very high, and if we talk about our wages, for most of the general public, what we earn is really minuscule as compared to what we have to spend on necessities. Which is why most people are struggling everyday to make ends meet, especially when one has kids.

 

Sometimes I really wonder what our government do with our tax money. We are literally debt-free, as compared to other countries. But if that is the case, should we not have more money to spare to help improve living standards and welfare for the population? There are many of us who are really struggling, and even though the income is considered low, but they are not low enough to warrant help.

 

Does it mean to say if we earn just enough, we should not need help, even if the family is really struggling to make ends meet? Does it mean to say only kids and senior citizens can get rebate for everything and working adults, even if they bring in very minimal amounts, are not entitled to?

 

Sometimes I wonder if the welfare system in other countries is better, because the government takes care of the people no matter what. On the other hand, this creates laziness as people will take for granted they need not work and just rely on the government to take care of them.

 

I hope the fare increase will not be too much though, otherwise I seriously wonder how some people will fare in the next election. Already there are lots of people with grievances in lots of areas. The last election, the ruling party won by the lowest margin ever, and lost an entire constituency due to some "old school" thinking and opinions, so for the next election, perhaps there will be a better show to see.