I touch lottery recently, Thank You Singapore Pools…so not riding on buses for while…until the taxis service use up all my money. Its really quite expensive these days. Cannot afford if didn’t touch lottery.

Hope the bus service gets better in a few months…when I have to travel on them again.

singapore transport system made me feel like shit,.
SUch a lousy system still ask so much money..
ANd the bus engine really make so much noise pollution..
1 class,don joke man…ALL IS LIE>AFFORTABLE?? only the high post salary!!

NO FATE towards this current GOV AND TRANSPORt system…
DOWN DOWN DOWN…

@young generation@

Just want to add one point with regard to your point 4 on the hosuing palnning. Hong Kong’s business model is largely based on High Value Property, so it is no surprise here. However, it has a detrimental impact on its environment which the common citizens are not happy about.

Despite the foes of the other many issues, I think as far as housing ownership is concerned, I personally felt that Singapore housing system works better than Hong Kong (just comparing these cities as we are of similar size and generally with no natural resources other than people). It does have its draw back like what you have pointed out, however, this has little impact if the LTA/SMRT/PTC and the government really want to make changes to its current transportation services.

Thanks for putting up the details. In this context, I am with you. Singapore or rather most local businesses are run in a very textbook style manner. It is not just the government sector albeit the latter deserved a smack on their head.

However, these people have crash proof safety helmets to prevent them from any concussion, so until a crisis hit them hard (just like now the WS Financial Tsunami), only then they will be awake from their dreams.

I think you have mistaken my stand then. In fact, I have not particularly focus on the increase in fare or the fare itself. My whole speech focus on 4 main points:

1) Businees Model
2) Economic Model
3) Efficiency
4) City-town system planning

I do not think I should post the details here else it will become a lengthy thesis in comment column. I will write it out in details on my blog instead.

But the juice of it is

1) Transport companies should not focus on getting profit from fares along. In fact, if any transport companies think that it could make huge profits by charging higher fare, then the CEO must be sacked. If you have noticed, transport companies in HK, especially MTR, even the mini-bus, earns quite a bit from advertising. The business model should be similar to free software or services provided by internet companies.

2) But in Singapore’s context, the problem is our economic model is one of monopolies.i.e. GLCs dominates the whole economy. Thus, unlike Hong Kong, there isn’t a huge group of SMEs with their own brands to put advertising; limited advertising dollars. eg. Mooncake festival, Hong Kong will have quite a number of advert from local SME on MTR etc but in Singapore, quite limited….or that I don’t see any.

3) Efficiency. The govt is the largest shareholder of local transport companies. There is basically a conflict of interests here, between the companies that they are supposed ot regulate and the fact that they are the regulator themselves. They should be setting the service standards like timing or frequency for the transport companies during peak and off peak hours. In a small country like SIngapore, imagine waiting for more than 30 mins for a bus during off peak hours. That is a bit ridiculous.

4) The city -planning model of Singapore affects the efficiency and effective use of public transport. You don’t find many high rise flats in town centres in Singapore which are also transportation nodal points. Instead, they like to plan so much that they have spread out the HDB flats but the Town Centre, ironically, nearest to transport services, were lack of residential flats. You can observe in HK that at every each main MTR stations, there will be many flats built above or just near to the stations, along with shopping malls and such. That’s why its very convenient. But here, we are made to stay far away from the transportation points, forced to take those inefficient feeder buses or worse, the light rail.

Besides all these, MTR in HK have income from building and managing estates right near their various stations. They are in the business of Mass public transport but they are earning more from the MASS instead of the TRANSPORT part.

Anyway, I think I am already writing a thesis here. ;)

Goh Meng Seng

PROFIT PROFIT…what is the salary for the MRT HEAD got per month ar..i wonder..$$$..

always take money from citizens…
don talk all the bull shit about JUST COVER THEIR EXPENSES..
WHo donate money to bulit MRT>>>>

WE MAN…

but what they did to ask….
i can see tat PAP is having bigger communication gap to the public.
FALLING ways to the PAP…….{>___<}

The Intangible aspects needs to be focussed on as well.

While the Majority had spoken,
maybe its time to hear what the minority is speaking.

Most buses are bordering on filthy. Roads are congested. Trains are always too full, and don’t service all of the island. Where’s the world class system i’ve been induced to believe?

“You cannot just look at the fare along”

Thank you for agreeing. I reckon you mean “fare alone”. I live and work in Hong Kong for over 9 years now and still going. I am perfectly aware of the settings and the operational cost associated with businesses here as well including the core subject matter here “public transportation”. As I do not have full access to what had transpired during your speech at Hong Lim Park, I can only based my comments purely on what I have read from this post and some of the comments noted by others.

On the other hand, I trust that you do know (this is my assumption) that there might be others who were present at the gathering had never step foot in Hong Kong before. I generally would think that if other country’s effectiveness (in this case Transportation issues) is quoted, reasonable care had to be taken in presenting facts and figures (these are what the Governing party is good at to prevent any rebuttal or name calling ~ not that I would believe entirely what had been said without finding out more neutral information if it is of interest to me).

Coming to your point that I should not be looking at fare alone. Exactly, but you do notice (based again on those interviewed, pricing is all they are concerned with albeit there were only 3 folks being interviewed). None had touched on service level (as commented by others).

My main disagreement with your speech is clear and it is not of any dis-respect to what you are advocating. I have raised the point on capacity load issue (hearing from my Sg friends that SMRT had indeed improve their frequency of arrival slightly ~ i.e. a tap shorter waiting time during peak hours), however, if capacity load is limited, the congestions will still be unbearable at the current population taking the train let alone when it grows to a burgeoning number (say Singapore population to 6.5million?). This is one major issue and requires major overhauling or another entire set of lines had to be build to promote public transport utilization. This is only one side of the issue.

The other being the connecting transportation means. i.e. SMRT do not take you from door to door, so there are invariably connecting transport vehicle. This is very lacking in Singapore particularly if you are outside of the major shopping stations (even that, I think it can be improved). If only if more operators are allowed to run public transportation besides SBS and Tibs, this will definitely help to ease the conjestion and when the alternatives are there for people to choose, public transportation will be more desirable to take. As for pricing, again this is largely based on competition (you can’t have best of both world). However, Singapore can take a cue from Hong Kong, the operators here are considered reasonable in terms of fare charge (still there are complains from some section even with all these subsidiaries and help). I have yet to mention that Public Transportation here also cater to those who goes on wheelchair…etc. Even their Taxis are better run here.

Lastly, since you have been to Hong Kong frequently, you will realize that there are many exits postioned in most MTR stations to ease the people traffic congestions. Another major point, people here queue up and quite orderly (without asking) even during peak period travelling. During peak hours travel, they have station master to help manage the crowd. Even the station announcement are more frequent and timely and within each of the MTR interior, you know exactly which side to face when you alight (see those led indicators in each of the carriage?). This I must say, Singapore has a long way to go.

At the end of the day, there are two main issues to deal with for improvement. Service Level and Pricing assuming LTA/SMRT/PTC can sort out the capacity load issue and allowed more operators to plough the road for alternative travelling.

I applaud all your effort especially TOC’s. But again, if there must be any issue raised, constructive and viable improvement will always win the hearts of your supporter. Two wrongs does not make one Right.

You cannot just look at the fare along. Let me tell you why.

If you would have noticed, the salary base in Hong Kong is much higher than Singapore. It could be 1.5 to 2 times higher than Singapore.

Secondly, for an uninformed reader of the mtr website, one may conclude wrongly or unjustly the fare there with ours. You would have noticed that for some fare, it is higher even if it is a few stops away. The reason being that if you are crossing over to the Hong Kong island, the fare will increase dramatically due to the fact that it needs to pay toll fee for the underground tunnels. This also apply to trips made to Lantua Island which hosted the Airport. There is a toll fee charges for the use of the Qing Ma bridge.

But generally, if you travel mainly on Kowloon or Hong Kong island along without crossing over to the other side, the fare is fairly cheap if not cheaper.

Secondly, we must bear in mind that Hong Kong as a whole, is a bigger place than Singapore with New Territory, Kowloon, Lantua Island and Hong Kong island added together.

There is no doubt about it, Hong Kong system is definitely more effective and efficient as a whole as compared to Singapore. I do not need to use misleading data to make my point. Anyone who have been there would understand exactly what I mean. :)

Goh Meng Seng

Conscience and compassion have to come from the heart, they must be sincere.

We experience the diplomatic and pragmatic relationships from our rulers all the time, THEY DEAL WITH US WITHOUT FAIL, the Rule of Laws BUT JUSTICE SEEMS SECONDARY, they have NEVER TREATED US SINCERELY. We have the most practical and pragmatic Leadership that has ever existed.

TOC have been doing great and noble calls, Singaporeans should be thankful and grateful that we do have professionals, intellectuals and wise fellow citizens who are willing to sacrifice their times and risk their own wellbeings for the goods of others.

I like to view TOC as a non political organization, as such, do hope that it does not involve itself too much with opposition parties and politicians. Preferably it(TOC) is neutral in politics and seeks social justices for all.

Btw, oppositions should organize their own activities, publicise their own agendas and gather supports. As it is, they are pretty dormant and that’s their prerogatives.

patriot

While so few take it upon themselves to voice the concerns of the many,
TOC have done what majority singaporeans dare not do in the name of voicing up concerns.
The population lacks a few Good Men found in TOC.
Well done! Please keep up the good work for the community!

TOC has added a new dimension to the concept of People Representation.

For decades, this is what I have wished for. For the people.

Most singaporeans take the excuse that they are too tired and too busy with work and family to even voice up for the people. Look at TOC, they too are busy people.

TOC just need to focus on Accountability and Integrity, concept of Public Service to be able to have a good discussion for a long time.

Do not be mistaken. This does not mean singapore has no accountability.
Merely 1 of our greatest example exist by the name of Wong. He exemplified integrity and honesty plus accountability. The 3 basic characters of a public servant.

So, what I meant by what TOC should focus on is based on the fact that these factors : Accountability, Integrity and the idea of Public Service should always be in our minds and for each democratic citizen to play their part in Maintaining and / or Ensuring they exist before , now and the future for your children’s sake.

Berlin Wall showed that it takes many people’s effort to built it.
The statue of many ‘leaders’ also take time to build.

While I am not capable of contributing to TOC’s efforts, I am happy for the people to have now a new Voice to speak up for them.

Just 1 suggestion :
Please could you provide the same kinds of commentaries for all or most news published in our MSM ? Despite their artificial change of coloration and layout design, I am still bored by the news which is very world class I must say. ;)

Bravo to them.

“Good question about the train fare cost. He should provide the details in his blog.”

Here is the link. It is publicly available if Goh Meng Seng did a little more research to avoid any unintended misrepresented or misleading facts.

http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/eng/planner_index.php?spot=1&start=1&destin=68&x=51&y=11

You can type in any departure area and to the destination, a pricing table is made available for you to plan your trip if you are a tourist (including suggest route, the appox travel time and the schedule frequency of the train).

At moment S$1=HKD5.3 give and take +- 10%.

Hope this help to give you all an idea what is real first class transportation service looks like.