SINGAPORE : With high fuel prices, private bus operators are seeing their operating costs soar by 30 to 40 per cent, and that is making some operators to consider forgoing the school transport market for more lucrative contracts.

Parents generally pay between S$60 and S$200 a month in school bus transport fees, but that is still not enough to combat rising operating costs. So some operators are thinking of turning to the more lucrative market of ferrying factory and office workers, a move that will likely take effect in the next school year.

The Singapore School Transport Association said it has handed out a 24 per cent fuel discount to help its members, but at least two operators have already chosen to give up the trade.

"There are difficulties for the bus (operators), especially now parents also quite demanding on seating capacity... so it's rather difficult for them to cope," said Wong Ann Lin from the Singapore School Transport Association.

Insiders said the industry is also ageing, as school bus drivers are generally middle-aged and older, and some are retiring soon. It's a development that could turn out to be a double whammy for parents who count on the school bus transport service to ferry their young school-going children. - CNA /ls