SMRT   

SMRT

My EX-GERMAN  BOSS always tOld everyOne

"A FiSH is rOtten  frOm  its HEAD!"

Always  SCRUTISE  the FiSH's  HEAD.

 

Dataset error led to

wrong charges: LTA

LTA now working with SBS, SMRT to check data

Today Exclusive

Neo Chai Chin

chaichin@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

Mr Dennis Puk Leung Kong had spotted that the distance in opposite directions between two bus-stops on North Buona Vista Road and Commonwealth Avenue differed on the public transport fare calculator website.

On the eve of distance-based fares kicking in, he wrote in to highlight the “inconsistency”.

MediaCorp posed the question to the authorities on July 6 and, yesterday, the Land Transport Authority confirmed there was indeed an error. The distance between the bus stops opposite Block 43, Commonwealth Avenue, and opposite Buona Vista MRT Station should be 0.3 kilometres, and not 0.6 km as originally computed.

The error has been rectified, said an LTA spokeswoman. “This was due to a dataset error, where the additional distance from an earlier temporary local route diversion was not reversed after the diversion was over,” she said.

The number of commuters affected by this error is “likely to be small”, she said, without giving an estimate. The LTA is now working with public transport operators SBS Transit and SMRT to confirm that there are no similar errors elsewhere.

The spokeswoman added that commuters affected between July 3 — when distance based fares kicked in — and July 9 can make their claims via Transitlink’s website (

Commuters at Buona Vista last night were forgiving of the error. “The area has been under construction for some time, so it can be quite messy,” said undergraduate Ooi Shan Chin, 21. He will not be checking if he is eligible for any refund, as “it’s too tedious for a few cents”.

Another commuter, programmer Mr Kim, 39, said the error was acceptable as long as the authorities allowed for claims, and added that he would check.

MediaCorp was unable to reach Mr Puk by press time last night but, in his initial email, the National University of Singapore systems engineer noted that the “crux of distance fares lies in the distance dataset used to calculate the fares”.

He added: “If the accuracy of the dataset is questionable, commuters may find themselves incorrectly charged ... Multiply this across a number of stops travelled and one could be unknowingly over-paying for distance not travelled.”

Adult ez-link bus fares for air-con services increase by 1 to 10 cents between the different distance bands.

LTA said it is “carefully looking out for such teething issues” in the initial phase of the new fare system, and would be doing “immediate rectification whenever necessary”.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said its spokeswoman.— If not for an alert Today reader, bus commuters travelling along a stretch at Buona Vista may well still be over-charged for their rides. And the question now is if the error he uncovered is happening elsewhere.www. transitlink.com.sg), at its ticket offices or can call its hotline at 1800 225 5663. The bus services plying the two stops are 74, 91, 95, 191, 196, 198 and 200. All are SBS services.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ALICIA WONG

 

from  CHiNA to SiNGAPORE

PRO-gressing

from Singapore to China

DE-gressing . . . .

DiS-gressing . . . .

pharoah88      ( Date: 16-Jul-2010 10:58) Posted: By 2014, the towns of Changi-Simei and Bedok will join five others — Yishun, Tampines, Taman Jurong, Pasir Ris and Sembawang — with dedicated cycling paths.

 

By 2014, the towns of Changi-Simei and Bedok will join five others — Yishun, Tampines, Taman Jurong, Pasir Ris and Sembawang — with dedicated cycling paths.

 

The two-wheeler push

New cycling towns, paths to come; safety issues to be tackled

Leong Wee Keat

weekeat@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

This route is part of an extensive network of cycling paths the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will roll out in the area, which will see 16 kilometres of dedicated tracks by 2014.

Then, the towns of Changi-Simei and Bedok will join five others — Yishun, Tampines, Taman Jurong, Pasir Ris and Sembawang — with dedicated cycling paths linking transport nodes and key local amenities. Works in these five cycling towns are expected to be completed by 2012, and the first 1.2km stretch in Tampines will open on Sunday.

These initiatives, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Transport) Teo Ser Luck said yesterday, mark a “milestone for cycling” here as it is accepted as a “more environmentally friendly, cost-effective and healthier” intra-town transport mode.

The seven cycling towns were chosen because they have strong support for cycling and have land available for such tracks.

For Marina Bay, Mr Teo said the area is in the “beginning stage of development”, which makes it the “best time to start planning” for cycling tracks before other land use considerations kick into gear.

“If you look at Shenton Way or Orchard Road, you look at the space we have, it’s not going to be easy (building cycling paths). Nevertheless, it may evolve. We have to look at it, and it takes a longer time to plan in these areas due to the land and space constraints,” he added.

Work in Marina Bay will begin this year, and Mr Teo said “an integrated approach” is needed to make cycling a travel mode.

Besides building the tracks, the authorities are looking at ensuring sufficient amenities for both the bicycle and the cyclist, such as parking facilities and shower rooms. A sum of $26 million has been set aside for the Marina Bay cycling initiative.

When asked about the cost benefit analysis, the Ministry of Transport’s Permanent Secretary Choi Shing Kwok said the initiative is “a long-term investment”, similar to the ministry’s approach toward building roads that last for “80, 100 years”. He added: “On a long-term basis, it’s not really that expensive. It’s pretty comparable with sidewalks for pedestrians.”

Mr Teo also said the cycling paths are not built “for just two, three years”, and the authorities will monitor their use as the Marina Bay area develops.— By the end of next year, cyclists could ride around the Marina Bay area, say, from One Raffles Quay, along Marina Bay Sands, to Marina Centre.

 

From the issue raised by JACK CHEW's letter,  the iNappropriate structure of 

"Minister in the PM Office", is  noticed in the SERVICE Of the PEOPLE.

Since there is a Ministry of Transport and a Minister of Transport, what is the objective and need for a Second Minister in Transport, who is away from the PEOPLE to be SERVED ?

"Minister in the PM Office"  certainly knows and serves the PM well;

but very UNlikely to know the PEOPLE well and equally UNlikely to SERVE the PEOPLE well. 

sO, is the "Minister in the PM Office" to serve the PM or the PEOPLE ? ? ? ? 

The focus is naturally not intense and the attention is basically divided.

Consequently, the benefit to the PEOPLE is UNrealisable.

 

JACK  CHEW  understOOd  bOth  the  prOblem  and  sOlutiOn

mInIster  sEEms  tOtally  ignOrant  and  OFF-guardIng  Over  SENiOR  CiTiZENS

JACK  CHEW  wOuld  be  a BETTER  TRANSPORT  MiNiSTER  iN cOnteXt

frOm the PEOPLE

fOr the PEOPLE

wIth the PEOPLE

pharoah88      ( Date: 14-Jul-2010 13:34) Posted: SENIOR citizens will spurn transfers Letter from Jack Chew I REFER to the report on the new public transport fate formula, “Flexibility and choice are the aims” (July 12). One problem that hasn’t been mentioned is that most of us senior citizens avoid complicated transfers, preferring to stick to one service all the way — even if it takes longer, as we have all the time in the world, but not necessarily the energy to handle the transfers. Such transfers also increase the chance of tripping and hurting oneself climbing up and down vehicles. Also, for those active enough to enjoy regular outings for meals or window shopping — all part of active ageing, which we are encouraged to do — the NEW Time Limit for TRANSFERS is a DETERRENT. Second Minister for Transport and Finance Lim Hwee Hua suggests that the improved public transport grid will offer shorter journeys due to improved access in the future — so WHY not implement the new fares when this is in place?

 

ENLIGHTENMENT

boyikao3      ( Date: 13-Jul-2010 13:52) Posted: When I see many times that CEO flat face on TV, I know its not time to buy. Everytime the same one, after CEO pancake face appear many times on TV, then the share price will top out. I call it the "PANCAKE INDICATOR" ! Just my lousy point of view, kekeke ! niuyear      ( Date: 13-Jul-2010 11:17) Posted: When you dream 2nd time again, let us know,  i want to dream,   i confirm will want to dump my money in MRT, its our future.  :)   The next big thing lined up in Singapore, from what i see, would be the -- the growth of Singapore chemical industry with the 2nd Jurong Island opened last year ... ..........." By 2015, Asia would account for 50% of global demand for commodity chemicals, and Singapore is in a good position to benefit from this. As Singapore moves up the value chain from commodities to specialties, we gain an edge over regional competitors, and this leaves us well poised to benefit from the growing worldwide demand for petrochemicals. 8Shell and ExxonMobil are two companies who see a bright future at Jurong Island, and they have signalled their confidence by investing in mega-projects. Shell’s single largest ever petrochemicals investment—the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex—will partly be located here on Jurong Island. When completed next year, the island will contain one of the largest mono-ethylene glycol plants in the world. In 2011, ExxonMobil will also be adding a second large-scale steam cracker to the existing Singapore Refinery and Singapore Chemical Plant. This will make Jurong Island home to Exxon Mobil’s largest owned and operated petrochemical complex, as well as the largest integrated chemical and refining site in the world."

 

SENIOR citizens will spurn transfers

Letter from Jack Chew

I REFER to the report on the new public transport fate formula, “Flexibility and choice are the aims” (July 12).

One problem that hasn’t been mentioned is that most of us senior citizens avoid complicated transfers, preferring to stick to one service all the way — even if it takes longer, as we have all the time in the world, but not necessarily the energy to handle the transfers.

Such transfers also increase the chance of tripping and hurting oneself climbing up and down vehicles.

Also, for those active enough to enjoy regular outings for meals or window shopping — all part of active ageing, which we are encouraged to do — the NEW Time Limit for TRANSFERS is a DETERRENT.

Second Minister for Transport and Finance Lim Hwee Hua suggests that the improved public transport grid will offer shorter journeys due to improved access in the future — so WHY not implement the new fares when this is in place?

 

When I see many times that CEO flat face on TV, I know its not time to buy. Everytime the same one, after CEO pancake face appear many times on TV, then the share price will top out. I call it the "PANCAKE INDICATOR" ! Just my lousy point of view, kekeke !

niuyear      ( Date: 13-Jul-2010 11:17) Posted: When you dream 2nd time again, let us know,  i want to dream,   i confirm will want to dump my money in MRT, its our future.  :)   The next big thing lined up in Singapore, from what i see, would be the -- the growth of Singapore chemical industry with the 2nd Jurong Island opened last year ... ..........." By 2015, Asia would account for 50% of global demand for commodity chemicals, and Singapore is in a good position to benefit from this. As Singapore moves up the value chain from commodities to specialties, we gain an edge over regional competitors, and this leaves us well poised to benefit from the growing worldwide demand for petrochemicals. 8Shell and ExxonMobil are two companies who see a bright future at Jurong Island, and they have signalled their confidence by investing in mega-projects. Shell’s single largest ever petrochemicals investment—the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex—will partly be located here on Jurong Island. When completed next year, the island will contain one of the largest mono-ethylene glycol plants in the world. In 2011, ExxonMobil will also be adding a second large-scale steam cracker to the existing Singapore Refinery and Singapore Chemical Plant. This will make Jurong Island home to Exxon Mobil’s largest owned and operated petrochemical complex, as well as the largest integrated chemical and refining site in the world."     boyikao3      ( Date: 12-Jul-2010 17:36) Posted: When huh? I dreamt it in my dreams last night loh. Dunno will come true or not leh...

 

When you dream 2nd time again, let us know,  i want to dream,   i confirm will want to dump my money in MRT, its our future.  :)

 

The next big thing lined up in Singapore, from what i see, would be the -- the growth of Singapore chemical industry with the 2nd Jurong Island opened last year ...

..........." By 2015, Asia would account for 50% of global demand for commodity chemicals, and Singapore is in a good position to benefit from this. As Singapore moves up the value chain from commodities to specialties, we gain an edge over regional competitors, and this leaves us well poised to benefit from the growing worldwide demand for petrochemicals.

8Shell and ExxonMobil are two companies who see a bright future at Jurong Island, and they have signalled their confidence by investing in mega-projects. Shell’s single largest ever petrochemicals investment—the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex—will partly be located here on Jurong Island. When completed next year, the island will contain one of the largest mono-ethylene glycol plants in the world. In 2011, ExxonMobil will also be adding a second large-scale steam cracker to the existing Singapore Refinery and Singapore Chemical Plant. This will make Jurong Island home to Exxon Mobil’s largest owned and operated petrochemical complex, as well as the largest integrated chemical and refining site in the world."

 

 

boyikao3      ( Date: 12-Jul-2010 17:36) Posted: When huh? I dreamt it in my dreams last night loh. Dunno will come true or not leh.... niuyear      ( Date: 12-Jul-2010 11:49) Posted: $1.64?  When huh?  I will stand by  a bag of money to buy . (kopi size plastic bag)   hahaha!

 

MRT Train rOOf

bUs rOOf

MRT  StatiOn  rOOf  and wAlls

shOuld  iNstall  such  sOlar panels

 

Test runs for solar panels to be carried out in six more HDB precincts

The long-term goal of making solar power a part of sustainable public housing across the island here has reached its next milestone — with the Housing and Development Board’s largest single purchase of solar panels.

The HDB announced yesterday it has purchased $2.3-million-worth of solar photovoltaic panels from Norwegian firm Renewable Energy Corporation.

Some 3,000 homes will have solar panels installed by year-end.

The panels will be installed in six precincts across the island. Jurong, Aljunied and Bishan, Ang Mo Kio Jalan Besar and Telok Blangah were selected for their geographic spread and the ability to collect varied data.

This initiative comes under the second phase of HDB’s solar capability building programme, and will extend the presence of solar energy testing from the four existing towns of Tampines, Bukit Panjang, Marine Parade and Tanjong Pagar.

HDB CEO Tay Kim Poh said the future expansion of such solar panels across Singapore will depend on the results of these tests and on the cost. This purchase decision follows a drop in the price of solar technology.

The solar panels will generate sufficient energy to power all the common areas in a residential block — such as corridor lighting, lifts and pumps. It is estimated the total savings would be about $40,000 per year per precinct.

Mr Tay said using solar energy will help to offset energy consumption in the common areas and that will save money for the town councils, which will eventually translate to savings for the residents as well.

Surekha A Yadav

 

COE prices may

gradually go up

Lynda Hong

lyndahong@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

And it may mean that COE prices will rise at a more gradual pace.

After the first full half-yearly COE supply was announced yesterday, following the change in the quota formula in April, motor dealers said it was largely within expectations.

Between August and next January, the number of COEs available for bidding will drop by about 9 per cent per month — compared to a 30-per-cent drop when the April to- July quota this year was announced.

The new quota — which is based on actual vehicle deregistrations in the preceding period rather than LTA’s projections — will be 3,844 per month, which is about 400 fewer COEs than the current monthly quota.

Mr Ron Lim, general manager of sales and marketing at Tan Cheong Motors, said the new formula has become “more transparent”, making it easier to forecast deregistration numbers.

And after more than a year of shrinking COE supply, the quota cuts — which include LTA’s adjustments for its over-projections — are not as steep as before. Still, the new six-month total of 23,063 COEs is the lowest in 15 years, according to Mr Lim.

While one Japanese car dealer whom MediaCorp spoke to expects prices to hit as much as $60,000 in the category for bigger cars, with Open category premiums following suit, Hybrid Motors CEO Eddie Lo is more optimistic.— The number of Certificates of Entitlement is set to continue falling, but the jolts to the system now seem to be a thing of the past.

 

When huh? I dreamt it in my dreams last night loh. Dunno will come true or not leh....

niuyear      ( Date: 12-Jul-2010 11:49) Posted: $1.64?  When huh?  I will stand by  a bag of money to buy . (kopi size plastic bag)   hahaha!   boyikao3      ( Date: 11-Jul-2010 21:49) Posted: SMRT is in the midst of forming an important top. If u wan to keep for long term, be very patient. Prices should come back to around 1.64 before its considered attractive

 

With the increased in population, it is no surprised that that will result in congestion of  train ride and longer waiting hours.   Build double decker trains can solve this problem without having to add on MORE trains.

What happen to the present trains then?    

It can be rented out to foreigners who love to show their graffiti talent on our trains they have been longing for...........

 

In a recent MediaCorp report, commuters groused that they were paying more now with hikes from a few cents to as much as 40 cents.

Others also reflected that senior citizens who no longer had an income needed to pay more now (bE  MERCiFUL  dOn't  make mOney  frOm  these people's "blOOd" ? ? ? ?) and hoped that some tweaks could be made to alleviate their burden.

Besides fare issues, overcrowded trains (Just like with the cars, iNcreasing prices but did not resOlve the cOngestion ? ? ? ?  one SiDED BiAS ? ? ? ?) during peak hours was also highlighted during the session.

A resident said that she had to wait for the third train before being able to board one at Bukit Gombak MRT station.  (HEARD:  students at BiSHAN station had to WAiT  for the eighth Train)

Mrs Lim said that more train trips have been added during peak hours since March and infrastructure improvements include a new platform being built at Jurong East MRT station.

Also, 22 new trains will be added to SMRT service, increasing capacity by 15 per cent, she said.

Mrs Lim added that this would allow for a faster turnaround time where trains would come at about 2.6 minutes apart instead of more than three minutes.

“(We will) now have more capacity because more trains are available ... I’d like to assure you that we are trying to approach the issue from many fronts, and adding on a lot more capacity as well.”

 

SIN GAPORE

Mrs Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, made this point at a dialogue session with several hundred Bukit Gombak residents yesterday.

A resident told Mrs Limthat since the new fare regime kicked in on July 3, those who took short trips were now paying more and it was not feasible (dO  transport Ministers know their transport Work and what they are saying about transport ? ? ? ?) for commuters to make transferswithin just two hours.

In response, Mrs Lim said that the overall objective of the distance-based fare is to provide more flexibility and choices (HONESTLY,  is LEAST TRANSPORT COST a REAL and TRUE CHOiCE for ALL cOmmuters ? ? ? ?) for all commuters.

Mrs Lim added: “At the same time, because we are building more and more rail lines ... (and) changing (Asians and especially sIngaporeas are mOnOgamy and dOn't LiKE to kEEping CHANGiNG buses and traIns LiKE DAiLY AFFAiRS ? ? ? ?) bus routes to better serve people,we don’t want people to be constrained by the fact (nOw  peOple are CONSTRAiNED by the FACT and nO lOnger by the SYSTEM) that they have to make transfers and therefore take the longer routes just to save on fares.”

As for the minority who were not benefiting from the new fare system, Mrs Lim said: “There would be a group who currently, the ones who are travelling single trips and shorter trips who are not benefiting,but we hope that if (gOOd thIngs have nO IFs and bUts) theyreview it say on a weekly travelpattern basis instead of lookingat it on a per-trip basis ... lookat it as a weekly travel pattern and sometimes also in terms of what is to come later on, more choices ... in due course, I am sure they will benefit as well.”

The Public Transport Council (PTC) first announced in April the distance-based fare system where transfer penalties are removed.

Bus and train fares were reduced by 2.5 per cent from July 3 and the PTC had said that at least 60 per cent of commuterswho made transfers would save 48 cents per week or have their weekly public transport expenditure remain unchanged.

However, the PTC also said that one-third of commuters who took longer single-leg journeys would have to fork out $16 more every year.  (WHY nOt S$16 less ? ? ? ?  is there just IQ and nO EQ in the approach ? ? ? ?)

When the new system started, commuters complained about the quantum of increase in their daily fares.— It may not seem like it now, but the new distance-based fare system will also eventually benefit those who make single and shorter trips, says Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Second Minister for Transport and Finance.

 

Last wEEk,

SMRT CEO  tOld the  PUBLiC and ALL  cOmmuters that  the SiNGAPORE  MRT SYSTEM  reached its CAPACITY LiMiTs and it is CONTRAiNED by the system CAPACiTY.

Today is Monday, SecOnd Minister in Transport  says there is no Capacity Constraints ? ? ? ?

WHY Last wEEk, 1st Minister in Transport  cOuld nOt  clarify the  System Constraints ? ? ? ?

Here,  WHO is the Real EXPERT in  TRANSPORT ? ? ? ?

Please  dOn't  just TRY  TRY  AGAiN  AGAiN

cOmmuters  are  SCARED  of  OFF-guarding  in  System Capacity and System Constrains  tOO 

HONESTLY  with  INTERITY,

Is there  a TRANSPORT EXPERT iN  sIngapore at ALL ? ? ? ?

One  WHOM  ALL  cOmmuters  ACCEPT as EXPERT,

nOt  the SELF-prOclaiMED  One

PLEASE  LAH . . . .

pharoah88      ( Date: 12-Jul-2010 11:54) Posted: (We will) now have capacity because more trains are available ... I’d like to assure you that we are trying to approach the issue from many fronts, and adding on a lot more capacity as well. Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Transport and Finance

 

(We will) now have capacity because more trains are available ... I’d like to assure you that we are trying to approach the issue from many fronts, and adding on a lot more capacity as well.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Transport and Finance