This is the way how the PAP gov. control the media inorder to suit them in reporting. But they forget that now we have internet and other form of communication to spread the news faster. So TOC, keep up with the good work and guys please share this web to as many people as possible. Especially the young ones. Thank you.

by the way…didn’t a few years back the ex-lta minister was thinkin of shuttin down the redplate thinggie? so many NUTS inside lta mey?

“3. Inflexibility and inability to adapt. Anywhere else, if something leaks, everyone picks it up. It is already public. Only in Singapore would the press continue to ask for permission to cover something that is public. Only in Singapore would the government have the gall to say “no” initially.”

You forgot that Val Chua, a TODAY reporter, was sacked and TODAY’s editor was summoned by MM Lee’s press secretary for a scolding because Val had ACCURATELY reported on MM Lee’s speech in which MM recounted his experience in London when his wife suffered a stroke.

Singapore’s newspapers are rated 156th in the world by Freedom House …………

No need to wait for 6 million. Already, the MRT and buses are congested not just during peak hours but sometimes close to midnight and also on weekends.

BUT… if you recall, some months ago the $m,mmm,mmm Transport Minister cited STATISTICS in Parliament which say that, even at the peak of peak hour in the most crowded section of the NS MRT line, the MRT is still not crowded enough and can accommodate about 100+ more passengers per car.

The ST even carried an illustration showing how spacious and comfortable the MRT is during peak hours, with just four (if I remember correctly) persons per square metre, compared to Tokyo, HK etc that are much more packed.

Imagine yourself, after being unable to board three MRT trains, finally get on the 4th to find yourself packed like sardines… and then (with great difficulty) you bring up your newspaper to read this report and see the “cartoon” drawing.

The Minister has to have thunder…in announcing this news…what bullshit….ST has to panic…LTA do not know what to do…hey wake up guys…..

Shows how silly and petty you boys are getting. And

Raymond Lim….better wake up as well..the MRT is getting too crowded….can’t even stand. Bus routes are wee bit too long, let them take the expressway.

“may i know what’s the difference between the initial OPC scheme and the new enhanced OPC scheme? ”

See below – Enhancements To The Off-Peak Car (OPC) Scheme
http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=2181

Extract:
1. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is pleased to announce that it has completed its review of the Off-Peak Car (OPC) scheme and will be implementing the following three initiatives to enhance the OPC scheme:

(a) e-Day Licence to replace the current paper licence, which offers greater flexibility with more channels for purchase and post usage payment;
(b) Revisions to the OPC scheme to allow unrestricted usage on Saturdays and on the eves of 5 public holidays; and
(c) Cash Rebates for conversion of normal cars to the new OPC scheme of up to $1,100 for every six months’ registration as an OPC.

With the incentive to drive all day on Saturdays, we can be assured of a big rise in weekend cars but do not expect a reduction in demand for the non red-plated cars.

In other words, the government’s aim is to increase car ownership (1st, 2nd, 3rd car, etc) which will fill the carparks and of course the roads. In due time, carpark charges will increase, more road tax, registration, ERP, etc, etc, etc, revenues.

Remember we are heading for a 6 million plus population. The road ahead for us will be full of congestion even on weekends.

They work for the same boss, remember?

The next GE must be pretty close. The party is now rolling out all the ‘feel good’
schemes and ‘offers’ to buy votes. Just sit back and watch more ‘goodies’ being
rolled out. It cannot indulge in last election tactics of giving money away since
its a bad period and the PM’s wife who was so powerful (5th, if I remember correctly) she could make billions disappear overnight!

I wonder what’s next, or whose (ministry) turn it is next?

This incident brings to mind a word that I had long forgotten about: GABRA!

LOL! Can imagine a;; the “Gabra-kings” at LTA as well as ST, not knowing what to do. This is a sad state of affairs. Without permission from the Minister, people are lost.

An editor with balls would have just published the story and attributed it to the source – the LTA website. Instead, like a gabra-king army recruit, the person stood at attention and shouted out loud: “Permission to carry on, SIR!!!!”