Measures to Minimise Significant Differences in School Bus Fees Across Mainstream Schools
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns measures to minimise school bus fee disparities across mainstream schools, the use of a standardised contract evaluation framework, and safeguards for fee transparency and affordability, raised by Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong. In response, Minister Desmond Lee stated that primary schools select operators through competitive bidding guided by a common set of Ministry of Education (MOE) evaluation considerations that assess proposed maximum fares and non-price factors. To help lower operating costs, MOE provides Certificate of Entitlement exemptions, a 50% road tax rebate for eligible operators, and additional foreign worker quotas for driver recruitment. Although fares still vary due to route distances, vehicle capacities, and ridership, schools publish operators' maximum fares by distance range to ensure pricing transparency. Additionally, financial assistance is provided to support primary school students from lower-income households taking school bus services.
Transcript
46 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Education (a) what measures are in place to minimise significant differences in school bus fees across mainstream schools; (b) whether the Ministry provides a standardised evaluation framework for awarding or extending school bus service contracts which also addresses fee disparities; and (c) how transparency and affordability for parents are safeguarded regarding school bus fee structures and variations between schools.
Mr Desmond Lee: Primary schools appoint their respective school bus operators through a competitive bidding process. The Ministry of Education (MOE) provides all primary schools with a common set of evaluation considerations for the school bus service contracts. Schools assess operators' proposed maximum fares alongside non-price factors, such as operators' track record and fleet capacity, and their ability to fulfil the school's requirements.
MOE has a range of measures to help reduce operators’ costs. These include exemption from Certificate of Entitlement requirements for school buses, a 50% road tax rebate for eligible operators, and additional foreign worker quotas to support the recruitment of drivers. However, school bus fares may vary due to route distance, vehicle capacity and ridership, among other factors.
For transparency, schools publish the appointed operator's maximum fares for different distance ranges. In addition, financial assistance is provided to primary school students from lower-income households who are taking school bus services.