The DTL has been incurring losses since before Covid-19, as revenues generated from ridership have not been sufficient to cover operating expenses. Losses were exacerbated in 2020 after the pandemic, and the analysts believe that the shift to more flexible work arrangements will likely keep ridership levels low.
CGS-CIMB Research analysts Ong Khang Chuen and Darren Ong are maintaining their ‘add’ call for SBS Transit with an unchanged target price of $3.60 after Minister of Transport Ong Ye Kung said that the government will review the financing framework for the Downtown Line (DTL).
In a March 5 research note, the analysts highlighted that under the current framework, SBS pays a fixed license fee to operate the DTL and bears fare revenue risk which is dependent on ridership.
