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  The Straits Times Forum Online 5 May 06
Higher cost of CNG buses shouldn't hurt commuters
Letter by Sivarajah Nathan

Today Online 27 Apr 06
CNG: environment friendly, but is it wallet friendly?
Letters from brian farrell: khoo lih-han

The Straits Times 25 Apr 06
SBS rolls out 10 more 'greenies'
by Christopher Tan

TRANSPORT company SBS Transit has put 10 more compressed natural gas (CNG) buses on the road, four years after buying them to support a green initiative.

The operator said it has taken this long to launch the buses because of the appreciably higher costs involved in running CNG buses. The company, part of ComfortDelGro Corp, started with two CNG buses on two services that plied Jurong Island in 2002. These were transferred to service 105 in 2003 when it stopped operating the Jurong Island route.

ComfortDelGro spokesman Tammy Tan said higher running and maintenance costs made SBS Transit delay deploying the 10 other CNG buses - already paid for and delivered in 2002.

The maintenance cost of a CNG bus is 82 per cent higher than that of a diesel model. And fuel cost is 44 per cent higher, Ms Tan added, citing 2005 figures.

'First, they have to be refuelled at Jurong Island,' she said, explaining the distance and inconvenience involved. 'CNG is also more expensive than the diesel we buy in bulk.' And because CNG buses have fuel tanks on the roof, Ms Tan said they cannot be double-deckers, which are more cost-efficient to operate. Then, there is the higher vehicle cost to start with.

The Straits Times understands each CNG bus costs about $350,000, about 40 per cent more than a Euro II diesel single-deck bus.

SBS' disenchantment with CNG aside, some other parties are in favour of the fuel. Taxi operator Smart Automobile has secured two sites to set up CNG refuelling kiosks, one in Serangoon North, the other in Toh Tuck.

Smart managing director Johnny Harjantho told The Straits Times he has roped in Italian CNG specialist Safe-CNG Asia to build the stations. He expects the first kiosk to open for business in September.

Smart has 660 taxis, with 101 of them Mercedes-Benz bi-fuel E-class vehicles that can run on either petrol or natural gas.

Mercedes dealer Cycle & Carriage has sold more than 100 such cars to private consumers. They retail for $168,000 each, about $8,000 less than a petrol-only equivalent.

Today Online 27 Apr 06
CNG: environment friendly, but is it wallet friendly?
Letters from brian farrell: khoo lih-han

Recently, SBS Transit launched 10 more Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. While I appreciate the company's efforts to preserve the environment, I am disturbed by the fact that the maintenance cost of a CNG bus is 82 per cent higher than that of a diesel model and fuel cost is 44 per cent higher.

Why not use normal diesel buses instead? The money saved could be used to lower fares. I believe the main priority of many Singaporeans is the cost of public transport. This does not necessarily make us environmentally-ignorant people, but we have to weigh the pros and cons.

Perhaps SBS could wait another 10 years when CNG vehicles are more common here. I am sure the cost of maintenance and fuel will be much lower by then.

The Straits Times Forum Online 5 May 06
Higher cost of CNG buses shouldn't hurt commuters
Letter by Sivarajah Nathan

SBS Transit has put another 10 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses on the road ('SBS rolls out 10 more 'greenies'; ST, April 25). Though these buses are more expensive to maintain and run and the fuel cost is higher, the intention of SBS is to support a green cause.

Higher costs should not be used as an excuse for future fare hikes. This is a move by SBS and not a demand by commuters.
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