ComfortDelGro's public transport profits dip 1.1% to $86.2m

This segment could see some recovery in 2H17.

ComfortDelGro's public transport service segment has seen a slight dip in operating profit for the first six months of the year.

According to UOB Kay Hian, the segment's profit fell 1% to $86.2m.

Analyst Andrew Chow said this segment could see some recovery in the second half of the year as the Downtown Line (DTL) 3 is slated for opening in October.

The group hopes that DTL will break even in 2H18.

As for buses, the group lost a route in UK in 1H but overseas contributions from the bus segment would be helped by two new routes in Australia in 2H17.

Another event to watch out for is the awarding of the Thomson-East Coast Line, which could be as soon as September.