Will Singapore provide free ride on public transport to full-time national servicemen (NSF)?The cost of transportation is included in the monthly base allowance that NSFs receive, said Chan Chun Sing, Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence.He was replying to a parliamentary question by Workers' Party MP Kenneth Tiong on Tuesday (May 5), who had asked if the $81 monthly hybrid concession pass is «adequate for NSFs earning $790 per month», and whether free public transport will be provided for NSFs by default as in other countries.Chan said in his written response that the base allowance for all NSFs is «sized for their basic personal upkeep» and given in cash.«The cost of providing free transport for NSFs would need to be cross-subsidised by other commuters through higher fares, or by taxpayers,» he said.While some countries provide conscripts a national travel pass, the current allowance NSFs receive already takes into account the price of the monthly concession pass.«Either way, the costs are funded by the Government, and ultimately, by taxpayers,» he added. Read more