Double yellow line: No parking on this side of the road

Single solid line: No parking on either side of the road

Dashed (Broken) line: Can park at both side of the road (with some exception)

Clear enough? wait till you see some of the examples here:

• You must use PARKING LOT - this guy got a parking ticket for parking in front of his own house, without blocking any one except himself, despite the broken line outside the house.
• Alert! Parallel Parking in Roadside URA lots- $50 Fine..! - this guy was fined for "Failure to obey sign(s) displayed in a parking place." but he was actually fined for parking "Inside Parking Lot, Against Traffic Flow" which harms no one.

OMG, these stupid rules suck!

Of course you can appeal, it makes the guy sitting in the aircon office feels that he has all the power at his disposal to decide the fate of someone, and you better pray that he has not been scolded by his wife that morning or having a bad day looking at your appeal!

Less parking space available while car population shoots up!

On a side note, "High demand for lots takes toll on HDB's free family parking scheme", we have been witnessing our free car park space dwindle over the years while the car population exploded. The latest casualty is many lanes of Little India does not offer free parking after 5pm and weekends anymore. This is a brilliant money making scheme which can not be copied by most other countries (and it is a shame that the Singapore Government did not patent it!) unless the local Government risk losing the election or face massive protest.

And the inaction of both TP and LTA added to drivers' woes

"No action taken despite parking, speeding feedback"

2928 motocycle casualties taken to hospital in 2010 in Singapore Civil Defence force (SCDF) ambulance. The number in 2011 roses to 4095!!! it does not matter if the motorcyclist is in the right or wrong, if he is in an accidents, he often pays for his life or severe disability due to the little physical protection he has.

Over half of bad crashes involve motorcyclists

Motorcyclists tend to suffer severe injuries because they get flung off their vehicles

Every day, almost a dozen motorcyclists or pillion riders are injured on the roads.

Hospitals say they account for more than half of the more serious accident cases, even though motorcycles make up only 15 per cent of vehicles here.

Last year, 96 motorcyclists and three pillion riders died - accounting for half of all road deaths.

Many riders who survive suffer severe injuries because they are flung and dragged or they land in the path of other vehicles. Fractures are common, and they also suffer internal injuries ranging from brain damage to crushed organs, and could end up in hospital for weeks or months.

....

Since January last year, NUH has treated 370 road accident victims with moderate to severe injuries. They included 220 motorcyclists or pillion riders, 15 of whom died. 

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/S...ory_800933.html

related articles:

• Do more to protect m-cyclists (The Sunday Times, 20 may 2012)-"they (the motorcyclists) appear to be a blind spot on the policymaker's radar."
• Cyclists renew calls for rights - "Mr Jude Alphonsus Tan, 25, was cycling with a group of friends when he was knocked down by a lorry on May 26. He died instantly. Two days after Mr Tan's accident, another cyclist was hit and killed by a van in Senoko South Road."
• Motorcyclists at risk because of drivers - a lady motorcyclist experience with the horrendous driving habits of car drivers here.

[Updated 26 may 2012] In less than 2 week after the first accident, another car (this time Lexus) sped and beat the red light and crashed into a Taxi resulting in another scary accident. One of the victims, the male taxi passenger, was sent to the Singapore General Hospital after the accident. The car driver was arrested for drink driving. You have been warned the footage is quite disturbing.

On the other hand, LTA is failing us. instead of controlling the car population, explore new transport means (e.g. water taxi), car pooling etc they choose to build more roads which not only expensive, disturbing nature habitat, taking up precious land, worse it just diverts the traffic and encourage higher car population in the long run. Kudos to TP and shame on LTA.

"It is better to find more ways to control car numbers and immigration which has fuelled the car population than to build more roads and destroy what little open, green space we have."- Tan Wee Cheng

"Public transport has been improved, with interconnected Mass Rapid Transit lines and bus networks. So why is our transport system struggling to cope? The answer is that our planners have a fragmented view of the social, economic, environmental and development aspects of Singapore. Visions and policies do not weave together across these as they should." - Mallika Naguran

"I accept it’s crowded. The point is, in comparison with others, we’ve yet to push people into the train.”

By now, you must be in outer space or working whole day in the lab continuously for few days to not have noticed the news about the crumpling of the MRT networks in Singapore. After moreSMRT CEO making a grand entrance at a recent company's D&D (Source: Alvinology) than 20 years in operation and the huge influx of foreigners in the last few years, the Government of Singapore reacts to the displeasure of the public by forcing the MRT operators to increase the frequencies of the MRT, yes alleviate the jam packed somewhat but still very packed most of the time. While this is a natural remedy, but the root cause of the problem do not go away overnight - the number of huge population is still there, they don't disappear overnight! The whole transport system also needs an overhaul (read more here). 

Strangely, the CEO has been quoted that she would not resign. I think any respectable CEO after seeing such a big mess should rightfully stay on, solve the problem during this difficult time and then gracefully resign after the incident is under control. This is not the first incident that she has messed up, a recent breach of security happened this year, public displeasure over the jam-packed trains, frequent downtime of an essential service.... the list goes on. We can not blame her alone, why was she hired as a CEO to run an operational Source: Businessweek.com(and a very essential one) company when her background is in finance and marketing? I think the Board of Inquiry commissioned by the PM should also look into putting in place a proper check and balance to ensure that the appointment of the CEO is well scrutinised. I can not fathom a company like SIA is not run by an competent CEO from that industry, how many lives would have been lost? As the Chinese saying goes: 冰冻三尺非一日之寒 (the thick ice do not just form overnight), major disaster is often a cumulative of events leading to its unfortunate outcome.

Updated 23 Dec 2012: In a special TV report shown on Ch8 10pm today, it was shown that Minister Lui Tuck Yew took his own initiative in inspecting the MRT network, it was a surprise check without other officials accompanying him. In contrast, the CEO of LTA and SMRT were nowhere to be seen in action (to be fair to Ms Saw, New Paper has reported that she did show up in other occasions). The contrast is startling and that may explain why the regulation and MRT are slowly falling apart with these armchair CEOs in charge. Kudos to Minsiter Lui, you show that you really care!

"As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. And in the case of the recent – and continuing – breakdowns of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system in Singapore, these silver linings would be the ground and station staff of the train operators."- Publichouse.sg

Using the keywords in Google "saw phaik hwa should resign", you will not be surprised to see the calls for Saw Phaik Hwa to resign is overwhelming. Here are some articles on the related topics:

 Source: The Sunday Times 18 Dec 2011

• Multiple incidents raise question: Why no review of SMRT management competence?
• LTA needs measures with bite
• SMRT CEO under pressure to resign

• Those who appointed CEO are responsible
• SMRT CEO staying to 'put everything right'
• Public anger mounts over train disruptions
• Why was nothing done after past incidents
• Clamour grows for SMRT CEO to step down
• MRT breakdown - yes, there is a silver lining
• Rail woes: examine culpability of all parties (The Sunday Times  15Jan2012)

Updated 6 Jan 2011: SMRT CEO resigns immediately

As I have mentioned in my previous post, it is only right that she resigns from the post of CEO to take responsibility for the furor - ideally when the ship is stablised, nevertheless it is the right thing to do. But we should call a spade a spade, the statement by SMRT

"According to SMRT board chairman Koh Yong Guan, Ms Saw had spoken to him of "her desire to move on during 2012" on Dec 7 - a week before the first five-hour breakdown hit parts of the North-South Line. SMRT's filing with the Singapore Exchange said the 57-year-old was leaving "to pursue personal interests".

amounts to nothing but baloney, on Dec 18 - a day after the second disruption hit the North-South Line - Ms Saw said she was "staying put" to "put everything right". I will admire SMRT more if they have just said that the CEO has quitted to take the responsibility for the massive disruptions.

A more believable version can be found in LTA's official website. There are plans to add an addition of 4 other lines which includes the Bukit Timah, Downtown extension, Eastern region and North coast line. Notice the MRT extension to Johor Bahru in Malaysia that was in the news lately was in the top map but missing from the official future map. Fishy? you bet.

 Related links:

• Is this Singapore’s future MRT network? - Yahoo! News
• Speculative maps on future MRT plans appear on the Net  - ChannelNewsAsia
  

 "THe NSE is expected to cost upward of S$7 billion. One wonders if the funds could have been used to expand MRT capacity or develop better bus services. Tremendous human costs are incurred as residents are displaced, and in Bukit Brown's case, historical and institutional memories are destroyed." - Kenny Ching Hwe Seong 

"I strongly suspect our grandchildren will not live in misery for want of that extra 0.95% of land. In fact, I hope our grandchildren will be more creative in their urban design, with efficient use of land and infrastructure, without resorting to the destruction of the few cemeteries left." - Publichouse.sg

First the iconic 7th storey building, then Bukit Brown, now Rochor HDBs .... and the list goes on. And it all points to unrelentless increase of car population over the years, even during the recession years when there was no need for increase in car ownership, yet the car supply was more than demand that the COE plunged to below $10,000 for quite a long time, before the floodgate was open for immigrants and the complaints of traffic jams and shortage of parking spaces kicked in. The side effect? Need to build more roads and car park spaces and as a result disturbing the dead and the living alike. The question is how many minutes of improvement in driving time after spending the millions of dollars? Is it worth it? It is no doubt in my mind that LTA, while not the main culprit for the poor immigration planning, is the bad guy that takes the rap by just solving the symptoms. In Chinese sayings, we call it "if the head pain heals the head, if the leg pain cures the leg" without solving the real cause of the sickness. Sick to the bone if you ask me!!!!

related links:

• What would S'pore be like if our grandparents had won

• Bukit Brown and the soul of Singapore

• A plea to the President - Discover your Roots in Bukit Brown (an amazing details of history discovered which I bet the President himself probably does not know)

   

  ---

  New infrastructure, but at what cost?

  Letter from Sandra Jayandran

  Source: Todayonline  17 Nov 2011

   

  I refer to reports about the construction of the North-South Expressway (NSE) and the buildings that will be affected, in particular Rochor Centre ("Paving the way for a smoother ride", Nov 16).

  The building, with its unique architecture and quirky colours, is to me a cheerful sight along that stretch of road. Areas like this on the fringe of the city add colour and life to our city state.

  In fact, the whole Rochor/Beach Road and Bugis area is slowly being transformed into yet another upmarket area that I feel this country does not need.

  We already have the whole of Orchard Road, all the way to the City Hall area, for the likes of tourists and locals to shop and dine in style. Why this need to always keep meddling with areas that are working well and, organically, have become part of people's lives?

  What's next, I wonder: More "upgrading" for other historic areas? What about the older parts of Beach Road like the food centre and Golden Mile Complex? Will these parts of town be deemed too "unglamorous" and need to be refurbished?

  I cannot help feeling that the authorities are too keen to bulldoze buildings that have little economic value, all in the name of increasing traffic flow and speeds. The same can be said of the removal of tombs from Bukit Brown cemetery, which the authorities say is necessary in order to build a road to ease traffic congestion at Adam/Lornie roads.

  We need to seriously reconsider ways to improve the public transport system, rather than falling back on building more roads, in the process ruining our landscape and losing our history.

   

  Lamenting the loss of another piece of history

  by Dr Gan Su-lin

  Source: Todayonline  15 Nov 2011

  It started innocently enough; a notice in the newspapers about a Chinese cemetery making way for an MRT depot. This prompted me, in early 2008, to drive over with some colleagues for a look-see.
  
  That visit saw us spending the next 13 months actively collecting information, oral histories, and documenting exhumation and temple-related rituals. Our photos reveal that we literally watched as the verdant serenity and historical riches of Kwong Hou Sua Cemetery (KHS) off Woodlands Road were utterly and irrevocably erased.
  
  The lush greenery with its bird calls and cicada shrill were steadily replaced with the stink of excavator fumes and the barren lifelessness of uprooted trees and shrubbery. Pieces of once beautiful carved headstones and statuary lying, incongruously, in neat piles of smashed rubble.
  
  Our work in KHS helped me realise I did not feel rooted to Singapore because I had few people, place and thing markers that made me feel proud of Singapore.
  
  Physical markers I valued from childhood and adolescence - such as the National Theatre, National Library and what I remember as Pasir Panjang Beach - have been, like KHS, obliterated.
  
  I do not envy our urban planners who must balance the need for modernisation with conservation. It is the work they are doing that helps keep Singapore an attractive place for investors whose contributions to our nation's economic wealth and comparatively advanced national development afford me the luxury of railing against policies with which I might not always agree.
  
  Still, with each generation, our memories of our beginnings grow dimmer. How can we feel proud of and rooted to a home that offers mostly transient proof points for belonging?
  
  How do we reconcile today's push for character education when our forefathers along with ecological riches and cultural heritage are ploughed under to ease traffic congestion?
  
  With each visit to Bukit Brown, I have again felt the pain from the destruction of Kwong Hou Sua.
  
  I lament the looming loss of the irreplaceable tangible history of our nation. I lament that we selectively remember the past that has made possible much of the present. Worse, that we have failed to systematically record and recount these stories so that our progeny and theirs will remember the many sacrifices and gifts that built Singapore.
  
  Yet, in all my lamentations, I am also grateful for the gifts I have received through my cemetery documentation work. The people I have met, stories that have inspired me, lessons that I have learned, values that have been reinforced. I have been spurred to trace my Chinese Peranakan heritage and to learn more about Chinese culture and customs. These have, in turn, done more for my sense of Chinese-ness than did years of being forced to learn Mandarin.
  
  Dr Gan Su-lin is with Republic Polytechnic.

   

  Clarify the land transport vision

  Letter from Kenny Ching Hwe Seong             

  Source: Todayonline  23 Nvo 2011

  I WRITE as a concerned citizen about how the Government's repeated exhortations for residents to utilise public transport do not resonate with its actions.
  
  The North-South Expressway (NSE) and Bukit Brown redevelopment plans especially do not cohere with the Government's stated aims of reducing the number and use of cars.
  
  These developments will serve only to encourage residents to drive more as traffic congestion is alleviated temporarily.
  
  It is especially worrying when one considers the costs involved. For example, the NSE is expected to cost upward of S$7 billion. One wonders if the funds could have been used to expand MRT capacity or develop better bus services.
  
  Tremendous human costs are incurred as residents are displaced, and in Bukit Brown's case, historical and institutional memories are destroyed.
  
  It may be worthwhile to consider if there is indeed an over-arching and coherent vision with regard to car use and public transport in general.
  
  If so, the relevant authorities need to articulate clearly what that is and reconcile development plans with it.

   

   

  Try a softer, incentive-driven approach in traffic management
  Letter from Philip Kwek

  Source: Todayonline  Nov 28, 2011

  
  CAR ownership is both a necessity and a status symbol. Despite the cost, many people aspire to own one, if the wallet permits.
  
  With the car population increasing, roads and car parks are being expanded, for a freer flow of traffic.
  
  Measures such as Electronic Road Pricing and Certificates of Entitlement, introduced to supplement the existing "deterrences" of import duties and road taxes, have only added to government coffers, though, with minimum effect on traffic management.
  
  While car ownership is not discouraged, the use of cars is. The latter contributes to pollution, congestion and economic costs from time lost in traffic jams and rising demand for parking spaces.
  
  While there are no one-glove-fits-all solutions in traffic management, there are some socially acceptable ones.
  
  Ideally, public transport should be as seamless, reliable and punctual as possible. If it is convenient and reasonably priced, many will switch to public transport.
  
  Apart from this, incentives such as ERP discounts should be given for car pooling. I notice that most cars, during congestion, only contain the driver. Car pooling would help and may enhance social interaction, build cohesion among people and, who knows, increase the number of marriages.
  
  Co-ownership of cars between two or more families should also be allowed, without the constraints of co-operative rules and sub-leasing regulations.
  
  As for parking, the cost of full-day parking should be lower at all Mass Rapid Transit stations and bus terminals.
  
  Incidentally, the buildings in our shopping belt (Orchard Road) and business district (Shenton Way) are not all linked, nor are there sheltered walkways. It is not uncommon, in our weather, to drive down the road instead of walking to another building.
  
  The above suggestions are non-exhaustive but it is noticeable that our traffic management has been based on disincentives and are punitive in nature. Why not try a softer, more incentive-driven approach?
  
  It would not only lower the cost of living but also build a happier, more cohesive society.

  Don't forget Bukit Brown's vital green role

  Source: The Straits Times 4 Dec 11
  
  I would like to thank the Land Transport Authority and Urban Redevelopment Authority for making the effort to explain their rationale for the carriageway through Bukit Brown cemetery ('Bukit Brown road project 'can't wait''; Nov20).
  
  It appears that the designated route cutting through the grave site is a result of a Master Plan target to develop a residential estate in that location in three decades' time.
  
  My question: Why do the planners think that in 30 years' time, they will have no alternative sites to plant the estate other than at Bukit Brown?
  
  After all, already-concretised plots like Turf City are left untouched for years, golf courses are not acquired, and much of western Singapore is still available for development.
  
  I would also like to know if an environmental impact analysis (EIA) had been conducted prior to the decision to undermine the invaluable roles that Bukit Brown cemetery plays - most importantly as an ecological sponge for rainfall, carbon dioxide and heat.
  
  What were the EIA's findings, and what steps are planned to mitigate the foreseen risks?
  
  Bearing in mind that flash floods already plague us now and global sea levels are predicted to rise substantially, how much more risk are planners taking in eliminating priceless, natural catchment areas?
  
  Should my generation pass on the legacy of a Singapore full of housing, but held captive by incessant floods?
  
  Marian Tay (Madam)

  ---

   

  Askmelah's Note, 9 Dec 2011: The following two writers are way off the mark, the Bukit Brown Cemetery, and for that matter other calls for conservation of collective memory, is not just for the dead but also for the living as well. There are no lack of space in Singapore, just go look around, there are plenty of vacant lots around the more than 2/3 of all the MRT stations that are vacant for years - talk about lack of space. In the 19 Nov 2011 Straits Times article "Theatre Majestic No More", the writer listed some of the hits and misses of the preserved buildings. And some of these buildings are simply magnificent. Imagine they were torn down and replaced by yet another tall commercial building?  In less than 30 years, we have destroyed all the (and some beautiful) Kampongs except one which is owned by a respected and not money-faced private owner Ms Seng Mui Hong (which will no doubt in my mind to go down Singapore history for her contribution),  because no one has fought for the demolition then, do we want to repeat the mistakes all over again?

  So don't give me the crap story about land versus development, just do not increase the population year after year, it is not sustainable. For the records, all Singaporeans are more than 100% housed, the new buildings are for foreign buyers and new citizens and PRs, period. Make do we what we have and optimise all the available resources. We will have a happy and prosperous population without having to import lots of workers of foreigners to tear down old buildings, diverting road traffic, digging roads and build more flats to accomodate ever increasing population. That is my plea and solution for the money-faced Government. Enough is enough!

   

  Make way for living

  Source: The Straits Times  19 Nov 2011

  I was struck by the reasons put forward  by sentimentalists to preserve  the old National Library Building  in Stamford Road, the Malayan railway land and, now, Bukit Brown cemetery.

  I  have only one simple question to ask the proposers: In the context of the land here, who needs it more —the living or the dead? Let us get real. We require land to build lands and roads.        

  Steven Chia

   

  Let's be practical on land use

   
  Source: The Straits Times  Nov 28, 2011

   

  TWO road projects to ease traffic congestion have raised the hackles of conservationists because they involve using part of the Bukit Brown Cemetery ('New road to ease Lornie Road jams'; Sept 13) and the relocation of all residents living in an old urban landmark, Rochor Centre ('More than 500 homes to make way for highway'; Nov 16).

  I am glad that long-term practicality has triumphed over other issues. While the governments of other countries are striving to fulfil their citizens' short- term needs, the Singapore Government is planning for 30 to 40 years ahead, keeping in mind the needs of our children and grandchildren, when many of our current leaders will no longer be around.

  Conservation and filial piety are cited for arguing against clearing Bukit Brown Cemetery, which is largely for future housing needs and partly for road building. The very critics who push hard for government flexibility are themselves being inflexible.

  
  

  'Consider the bigger picture.'

  MR JEREMY TEO: "While I understand Ms Wendy Yuen's concerns ('Much to sacrifice for North-South Expressway'; Forum Online, Nov 19), we should consider the bigger picture. Singapore must constantly improve its infrastructure to attract more foreign investments, which will translate into more jobs. Preservation of buildings, especially those without much historical value, should not be the first priority when we are a land-scarce nation. Sacrifices have to be made for Singapore to become a First World country with a world-class transport system."

  If the Government is not prudent, there is no guarantee that our grandchildren will have proper housing.

  Show filial piety to parents when they are around, and care for the future needs of our children and grandchildren.

  Let us be practical - Bukit Brown should be developed and Rochor Centre should make way for the North-South Expressway.

  Ang Chin Guan

   

  Bt Brown too eerie to attract culture buffs

  Source: The Straits Times Feb 11, 2012

  MINISTER of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin stated in his Facebook post the idea of bringing in more Singaporeans to appreciate the heritage, culture and biodiversity of Bukit Brown Cemetery ('Green light for road through Bt Brown'; last Saturday).

  He also wants to maintain its rustic charm and preserve the environment and heritage.

  But a cemetery is a cemetery; a place to bury the dead. Most ordinary Singaporeans, especially the Chinese, may not want to live next to a cemetery, or any grave.

  I have lived next to Bukit Brown Cemetery for almost 20 years. Some graves are barely two to three metres from my house. Few people visit the cemetery, even during Qing Ming, the annual Chinese festival dedicated to cleaning ancestors' graves.

  Hardly anybody takes a stroll there, even during weekends.

  What I have seen regularly are horses and riders from the Bukit Timah Saddle Club. Horse droppings proliferate and are washed off only when there is a heavy shower.

  Naturally, the cemetery is deserted when night falls. A vehicle repair yard filled with rusty scrap metal and engine oil sits at the entrance of the cemetery; lorry and car owners take their vehicles for repairs there on weekdays.

  That would describe the 'rust-ic' charm of Bukit Brown Cemetery.

  It was only after a new road was proposed, cutting into the cemetery, and subsequent brouhaha, that I began seeing a few more Singaporeans visiting the area.

  Only with the cacophony of concerns about heritage, culture and biodiversity has some human activity been recorded.

  But let us be clear - this cemetery remains by and large uninhabited and neglected by humans.

  As a long-time resident, I doubt that Bukit Brown Cemetery, or for that matter Choa Chu Kang Cemetery, can be part of our active heritage, culture and biodiversity.

  They are, by and large, too eerie for the likes of average Singaporeans.

  Andrew Goh

  [Askmelah's Note: while I agree largely with the writer's argument esp on the part of culture buffs, conveniently demolish the green place and replaced with a vacant plot for years is just not right as well. I visited the place a year prior to the Bukit Brown incident, the place was not void of visitors on the weekends. I saw many Caucasian bringing their family for a slow walk, I also saw a few jogging and a few westerners were there on a discovery trip. I definitely don't want to see another vacated cemetery plot like the one near the Potong Pasir MRT.]
  

While everyone in Singapore has longed suspected that car population has exploded based on the bad experience of traffic jams, lack of car park spaces, escalating parking fees and lately the skyrocketing COEs, this is the first time we have hard evidence of the problem - with the caveat that the table is correct.

Looking at the table, not only the car population has increased by more than 50% over the last 10 years, the compounded rate of vehicle population growth is more than 3% as declared by LTA. Not only that the car popluation has exploded, the car size are getting bigger, faster and/or more luxurous. Gone were the days of small cars (less than 1000cc, the like of Suzuli Swift, Nissan March, Diahatsu Charade) plying the roads, and why many places such as Bukit Brown have to make ways for more roads and car park spaces!

Updated 19 May 2012: SPEEDING DETECTED V VEHICLE POPULATION (Source: ST)

This may be an isolate incident but it left me wondering what's wrong with our transport system. I was at a local University yesterday and arrived at the bus stop for Bus Service 179, I waited at 5:25pm and finally got on the bus at around 6.25pm -- Almost one hour and 15 consecutive jam packed buses later which were packed to the brim. During the one hour, I saw some students gave up after waiting for a long while but many have chosen to talk to friends or listen to their iphone - but majority just chose to do nothing! imagine the precious time wasted for the estimated 120-180 student crowding in that small little bus stops in that one hour. 

I also noticed amongst them many blonde hair students which I assumed were overseas exchange students. I wonder how will they think, some third world countries can do better than our pathetic bus system which can not cope with the sudden influx of immigrants and foreign workers? Granted, it may be the rush hour effect and I hope the incident is an isolated one, more importantly, I hope SBS is not treating these poor students as cheap paying clients which will endure their third rate customer service without complaints. Don't forget that amongst the waiting crowd are some of the University's very owned executives and workers as well!

Been to Disney USA? They can fetch hundreds of thousands of paying customers who flock to Disneyland daily at the opening hours and the closing hours, surely technology is not an issue. NTU can also start some green projects such as renting of electric bicycles (hilly terrain within NTU) for example.

Taxi Woes

Don't even get me started on Taxi system in Singapore. It is certainly "unique" system in Singapore. You have all kinds of surcharges from midnight, peak hour, booking, airport, ERP which makes Singapore taxi fares one of the most complicated in the world, even the locals are confused let alone the foreign visitors who often accused our poor taxi drivers for overcharging them. I have been travelling to many parts of the world, most places just give me a flat rate, places like Hong Kong and some European cities don't even charge booking fees. In order to maximise their earnings, the taxi drivers often timed to get the maximum charges they can get thus adding woe to the passengers who just keep watching empty cabs zooming pass them. Somehow there is simply no political will esp on the part of MOT and LTA to do something for simple thing like this. I am sure they must have conducted numerous overseas study trips to learn how other countries can do what we have failed. Sad to say even the Bangkok and Guangzhou taxi systems beat us hands down. 

MRT Woes

As for MRTs (subways or Metros as are called in other countries), it is near impossible to get on during peak hours. It is mostly crowded even outside peak hours and the waiting time could be as long as 20-30 min long if you just miss the train. I can easily name Taipei, Hong Kong, London, New York, Guangzhou, Tokyo which I have better experiences. Even the Bangkok's BTS does better than our MRT system in terms of waiting time and comfort though it looks cheaply built.

We have changed a new minister, let's see if the new minister Liew Tuck Yew is able to do magic though I am not too optimistic. Short of an overhaul of transport system is required to change this profit-driven inefficient system of ours.

Stockbroker Cole Cheong is fed up with the MRT.... 'More people are getting frustrated and they start quarrelling in the trains, and our personal space is compromised.'

A real life example

[Updated 23 Sep 2011] Ironically in today's newspaper titled "600 motorists go car-free for a day" where some Singapore residents left their cars at home on World Car-Free Day yesterday, an engineer Chew Mei Ling took the public transport for one day, her first in four years, this was her experience: she had to let a couple of trains pass before getting on, stand the entire journey from her home in Toa Payoh to Jurong East, and then take a company bus from there to her International Business Park workplace. The trip took more than an hour instead of 30min by car. Her conclusion? "I'd probably not do it again." That is the self serving first world public transport system!!!!

"Alex Au of yawningbread.org gives his take on the taxi problem and concludes that the taxi problem reflects 3 of the biggest ills of Singapore: Elitism, Over-regulation and Protection of government-linked companies."

Read more:

• World-class Public transport system, my ass - Mr Brown.com
• World-class transport? - We've some way to go (Tan Kin Lian)
• World-Class Public Transport System? RUBBISH!
• Alleviating the great MRT crush
• Show us you empathise, SMRT
• Universities roll out 'MRT delay plan' during exams
• Have express buses from Yishun to Bishan to ease the MRT bottleneck - "about 10 trains passed and I still could not get onto one."
• Do not start accepting MRT problems as normal - "If we cannot maintain toilets properly, we would certainly have a problem maintaining our trains properly."