Jammy_buttons 3rd Gear February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 While the tax hike on diesel has affected businesses and cabbies, the move will help discourage usage of the fuel and create a better and healthier living environment, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng. He noted that the land transport sector is the second-largest source of emissions in Singapore, and this has to be addressed as the land transport system expands. To do so, the Government is also promoting commuting modes such as car-sharing, trains and personal mobility devices, managing vehicle growth and usage, and encouraging the adoption of cleaner and more carbon-efficient vehicles, he said. MPs Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) and Gan Thiam Poh (Ang Mo Kio GRC) yesterday raised concerns about the hike, as they called for more support to mitigate the impact on cabbies and businesses. Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat had announced a doubling in excise duty on diesel fuel from 10 cents a litre to 20 cents last week. This took effect from Feb 18. Yesterday, Ms Lee pointed out that no lead time or grace period was given, and many service providers which use diesel vehicles have lost money overnight. She called for ComfortDelGro, the largest taxi operator here, to at least absorb part of the diesel tax hike. Meanwhile, Mr Gan said certain heavy machinery and special purpose vehicles have no diesel alternatives in the market, and appealed for firms and operators using them to be exempted from the hike. In his speech, Mr Baey listed several ways in which the Government is helping to cushion the impact of the diesel tax increase. Related Story What's behind diesel tax increase? Related Story Singapore Budget 2019: Diesel duty at pumps doubles to 20 cents per litre Related Story Diesel duty hike will filter down to some consumers: Industry The annual special tax for taxis has been reduced by $850, and Mr Baey said he was glad that all taxi operators have pledged to pass on the entire savings to cabbies in the form of rental reductions and, for some, Medisave top-ups. ComfortDelGro cabbies driving a diesel taxi that is five years or older can get a $100 voucher if they convert to a hybrid taxi by the end of next month, he added, urging other taxi operators to offer similar incentives and more non-diesel options. On concerns from parents about school bus fares, Mr Baey said the Government is helping operators through a new road tax rebate scheme for all diesel buses, for a three-year period from August. All diesel school buses, diesel private-hire buses and excursion buses ferrying schoolchildren will also get an additional cash rebate for three years from August. Mr Ang Hin Kee (Ang Mo Kio GRC) said after the sitting that he hoped more taxi firms would take up Mr Baey's call to support cabbies. But the National Taxi Association's executive adviser added that rebates like the $100 voucher from ComfortDelGro offer only slight reprieve to taxi drivers, as the daily rental rate for a hybrid taxi is $120, compared with $100 for a diesel taxi. "Taxi firms should look into lowering the rental rates. If not, cabbies may not switch to hybrid taxis, and instead clock longer hours and distances on their diesel cabs to cover the higher diesel rates. "This runs contrary to the intention of the tax hike," Mr Ang said. https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/baey-diesel-tax-hike-for-better-living-environment ↡ Advertisement 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamburger Hypersonic February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 all according to script. Yawn.... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beehive3783 Turbocharged February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Chao Chee Baey... As usual, the dogs come out turn by turn to talk nonsense to justify decisions made after big event. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerNg_185295 6th Gear February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Totally disgusted with this tax. This high handed approach from the govt will only work in certain countries. If implement in western countries, the workers will simply go on strike 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockngbrd Supersonic February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 WHAT AN IDIOT PUI!SIBEH USELESS MP 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lala81 Hypersonic February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Other than the tax issue which is trying to take in more revenue. Wouldn't it be simpler to just ban all diesel cabs for taxis and PHVs, and all passenger vehicle diesel models? Your small business or heavy vehicles still need to use diesel, so why increase their cost burden. Nobody drives a van cos they like it, it's cos they need it. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtoe February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 many service providers which use diesel vehicles have lost money overnight? And government has earned a lot of money overnight. He he You lost, I earned game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopites Supersonic February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Other than the tax issue which is trying to take in more revenue. Wouldn't it be simpler to just ban all diesel cabs for taxis and PHVs, and all passenger vehicle diesel models? Your small business or heavy vehicles still need to use diesel, so why increase their cost burden. Nobody drives a van cos they like it, it's cos they need it. You are only looking at the land transport. Some marine industry also got hit by the tax hike. Some marine companies are using high speed diesel for it fleet of bunkers. A normal bunker can go up to average 22000ltr per truck load. All such costs will be revert to the end user eventually. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picnic06-Biante15 Supersonic February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 (edited) While the tax hike on diesel has affected businesses and cabbies, the move will help discourage usage of the fuel and create a better and healthier living environment, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng. He noted that the land transport sector is the second-largest source of emissions in Singapore, and this has to be addressed as the land transport system expands. If that's the case, can ask him not to increase transport fee (due to increase in diesel tax) in due course b'cos it also create a better living for every Singaporean families. Every families got extra pocket money from transport fee saving ... Edited February 28, 2019 by Picnic06-Biante15 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ichibawa 5th Gear February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Folks... prepare yourself for a tsunami of price increase which will come in waves.... diesel tax, carbon tax, sugar tax.... to escape the tax you must be wealthy... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watwheels Supersonic February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Nothing is done to address the high cost of living but instead increase taxes to elevate it even higher to another level. LoL... With their thick wallets high pay they will definitely not feel it. What is high cost of living to them? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buadongdong Twincharged February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Folks... prepare yourself for a tsunami of price increase which will come in waves.... diesel tax, carbon tax, sugar tax.... to escape the tax you must be wealthy... Or leave the country indefinitely.. and take the CPF money with you... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volvobrick Supersonic February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 And GST is to help the poor! Complete BS. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unfazed 6th Gear February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 (edited) Totally disgusted with this tax. This high handed approach from the govt will only work in certain countries. If implement in western countries, the workers will simply go on strikeDidnt u tell us to stop comparing our cars with other countries so stop telling us what will happen in other countries! Can tell us something we dunno so that we can at least start to see u in a more positive angle. Whats new about strikes in other countries? Edited February 28, 2019 by Unfazed 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockngbrd Supersonic February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 (edited) Gahmen really dare then make mrt n bus free lo! Ai mai? Confirm many ppl will switch. Edited February 28, 2019 by Mockngbrd 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unfazed 6th Gear February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Increase diesel tax bcos of pollution but highway patrol use beemer diesel model? The ends dun seems to meet here? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniquely_ad 5th Gear February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 In France such a move sparked the Yellow Vest protest. In SG all LLST 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lava 5th Gear February 28, 2019 Share February 28, 2019 Or leave the country indefinitely.. and take the CPF money with you... is already in the pipeline. can't see any future here with the 4g ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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