I would like to suggest ways to attract people more to public transport. The amount of traffic on the expressways in the morning is creating traffic jams. I would like to suggest giving incentives to people who use public transport and who do not own cars. This incentive can be something that would attract people to take public transport more. It could be a cash rebate or even a bonus.
I think that it would be great if there're more bus lanes, esp in peak hour. this will cut short the travelling time for people who take public transport, making it a great incentive to take public transport during peak hour.
Last friday night, i gave up driving to take a bus instead.
i waited 35mins for a bus. I was at a bus stop that was 6-7 bus stops away from the interchange. Imagine the long waiting time for a bus at a bus stop that is so near the interchange. The bus driver told me that the traffic was heavy on friday night.
I know that the traffic will never be heavy in my estate and i was right. After boarding the bus and travelled for 3 bus stop, another same bus service zoomed past. From the way the driver is driving, i know why he requires 35mins to travel 7 bus stops...
Conclusion: I wouldnt give up my car for public transport with such lousy service quality
I agree with lab4games with regards to the inconsistent driving speeds of bus drivers.
Correct me if I am wrong, I believe there's a schedule that the drivers are supposed to adhere to. So when they are way ahead of their schedules, they tend to drive really slow. This do get on the nerves of many passengers, which turn people off public transport.
Such situations often take place when the roads are clear, which inevitably cause many other vehicles to overtake and increasing the possibilities of accidents.
I'm a driver. After driving for so many years, you can accuse me of being "spoilt" but whenever I have to take public transport, especially MRT during peak hours to work, I dread having to squeeze like sardines in the train. Makes it worst when I see inconsiderate passengers not giving up seats for elderly, pregnant woman, or parents with children in arms. The worst of behavious in S'poreans shows up. Comfort level? Very low.
Unless the transport companies can do something about overcrowding, increase the number of buses/trains during peak hours etc, I doubt anyone who can afford it (regardless how expensive is ERP or road tax or COEs) will give up cars for public transport. I know I won't.
The key problem why LTA and the transport operators have so far been unable to solve this problem is because the decision/policy makers themselves DO NOT take public transport. Worse, some of them are chauffeured and can no longer comprehend the stress and agony facing Singapore drivers everyday. The recent farce and eventual U-turn over the policy on taxi stands within the CBD is one good example; how can you effectively solve a problem you do not fully understand?
Such 'remote control' policy making should be tempered with sufficient feedback from the people who would be affected the most. I once had this wild idea to film down my (very) arduous journey home (just one day would do). This homemade video will feature:
1. The long walk to the nearest MRT,
2. The squeeze at the station,
3. The long wait for trains (despite the recent claim by SMRT that they have increased train frequencies),
4. The number of packed trains I have to miss before I can actually squeeze into one,
5. The sardine experience within the train throughout a large part of the ride,
6. The long wait for the bus at the interchange,
7. The terrible conditions on our buses, eg, cleanliness and comfort (or lack of them).
Then I thought, heck, why not just invite the transport minister and his pals at SMRT and SBSTransit to join us on our journey home? Just one day, for that 1+ hr and then get them to answer this question: Would you give up your car to go through this EVERYDAY?
Think the answer then would be quite clear and we might even get things done properly thereafter. If you ever need someone to guide them on the journey home, I would be first to volunteer, seriously. Any other volunteers? =)
Thinkinky, I give you 5 stars! You should really film the journey, post it on Youtube, sure will get alot of coverage haha. Can title it, A day in the life of a miserable commuter.
I think we have enough incentives to take public transport. Or rather, enough disincentives to drive (i.e. ERP, Road Tax..etc). However, many of us will drive no matter how much you tax us. I think driving is a privilege many are unwilling to give up. Imo, increasing taxes is only a temporary solution.
Hmm. Maybe we should build more roads. I think it makes most sense. Population increase, Number of cars increase, Number of roads should increase. :D
Let me share my experience. I travel to Hong Kong for Business frequently.
It is good and fair to compare Hong Kong with Singapore as both cities are similar in many areas.
Airlines -flying to HK
I choose to fly with Singapore Airline after experienced the services of both Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines. The Singapore Airline is providing much better services from on-the-ground (ticketing/schedule) to in-the-air (on-board).
I want to salute SIA for the best service they have provided and I agreed SIA is world class and not just advertised.
Public transport (MTR versus MRT)
I will choose to commute with the MTR in Hong Kong over the MRT in Singapore if I have the choice.
The MTR train frequency is 2 minutes during peak hours. Even though it is crowded, I don't feel frustrated as I don't have wait long for the train.
The MRT train frequency is 5 minutes during peak hours. I was frustrated for the waiting and when the train comes it was so crowded. Even worse, sometimes I was unable to board and have to wait for another 5 minutes.
Public transport (Taxi)
I will choose taxi service in Hong Kong if I have the choice. There is always plenty of taxi in the City area for the passenger. I have never experience unable to find a taxi during commute in the City center for the passed 8 years of travel to Hong Kong.
Public transport (Bus)
I will choose the bus service in Hong Kong if I have the choice. There are so many mini-buses supporting the main bus services. I have always find seat when board a bus.
To sum-up
I am confidence that Singapore can do the same if Hong Kong can do so well in their public transport as both cities share certain similarity. There are many things that the HK government is learning from us but let us learn from them in the public transport.
thanks Thinkinky for the funny suggestions. Perhaps policy makers are unaware of blind spots and their effects that offsets the benefits they planned for?. Thanks kuan for the comparison and analysis of the systems. Looks like efficiency and comfort level of te transports themselves are the focus at the moment, instead of the cost :)
Joshua: I've not been to HK for a while, but I do not think the public transport there is more expensive? Perhaps Kuan would like to shed some light on that?
I suppose the main reason why I suggested what I did was because I felt the transport operators do not really understand the real reason why people are complaining about their services. Instead, they spend tons of money doing things that look good superficially but adds no real value whatsoever, when they should have focused on addressing key issues first.
Some examples:
1. Rude and racist drivers - Every fare-paying commuter should be treated equally, whether they are locals or foreign workers. I often witness bus drivers who would shout rudely at commuters just because they are (obviously) foreign labour.
2. Lousy driving skills - This applies to both taxis and buses. I don't understand how stepping hard on the gas and then jamming the brakes, or abrupt tapping of the brakes can result in comfortable rides.
3. Dirty buses - People now do not eat and drink (as much) on the buses. Yet even without the food wrappers and empty drink cans on the floor, have buses become cleaner? Don't blame it on commuters for littering the bus when it is already dirty enough from the dirt and grime it picked up along the roads each day.
4. Use of IT simply for the sake of it - "Hi-tech" electronic signboards telling you when the next bus will arrive are a complete waste of money. I don't want to know how long more I have to wait. I want to SHORTEN THE WAIT.
5. (Do I need more?)
I suggest LTA and the transport operators sit down and do a thorough and brutal review of the transport system with the people on the ground. Even a small focus group session with them, where participants not only raise their concerns and complaints but also work together to find solutions would be a great start.
If we can gather a group of vocal and willing people from Project 101 who are willing to take part in such a focus group, we can proceed with inviting the various operators and government ministries to sit in.
The cost of public transport between Singapore and HK are almost the same.
Here is the cost comparison of public transport for both cities:
About the same distance, 1 stop:
Singapore MRT -- Raffles place to City Hall -S$0.90
Hong Kong MTR -- Sheung Wan to Central -HK$4.00 = S$0.76(exchange rate 0.19)
Singapore taxi -price start at S$2.60
Hong Kong taxi -price start at HK$15.00 =S$2.85 (exchange rate 0.19)
I do not have the actual cost for the bus services but it should be not much different.
When we think about cost comparison, we should also take into account general cost of living plus the wealth factor. If say an average singaporean is earning $2000 a month and a HK wage earner brings back in Sing terms (taking into account exchange rates), only $1000, then his transport cost may be higher than ours. I have no idea how much a HK worker earns. Anyone can help?
Just one of the things we need to keep in mind when doing comparison. cheers
There is not a need to compare and argue and fight and killing each other. What we need is to come up with ideas - workable ones and submit to our policy makers and they are smart people, i believe they will do whatever is necessary to improve.
We are Singaporean, we must stand together to improve. By the way, i do not work for the Government. Personally, i think we should think and propose "workable ideas and plans". Remember why we have two ears and one mouth. To listen and think; providing constructive ideas and plans which help our people in Singapore, not to complain, argue and provide criticism.
Be positive and constructive and most importantly be contented.
