27 Sept 2014 Hong Lim Park Event – YMCA and “Return our CPF” Protest

I was intending to go to the Hong Lim Park today to see the chain of events happening in Hong Lim Park today but in the end I did not turn up. I came to know about the crash of the events two days ago (26 Sept 14) after Han Hui Hui complain in the facebook that grassroots’ leaders are intimating her against holding her protest on 27 Sept 14.

At the later stage, I came to know that the event held there will be YMCA annual event and being organized by volunteers. YMCA is a Non Government Organization (NGO).

As what had happen on 26 Sept 14, nobody knows except those few people involved including Han Hui Hui. I should not said anything here but highly suspicious of the intention of Han Hui Hui.

How could the events be better managed?

1) Npark are the ones approving these two events  but failure to recognize the seriousness of these two event held on the same day.

Although these two events are approved on two different dates, Npark should have kept a record of event that happening on the same day and should have advise the organizers accordingly.

If Han Hui Hui had been informed about the clash of event, I believed that she would not want to held the event on the same day with YMCA. Rather she would have chosen another date for the protest.

2) Npark director should have better prepare himself when approaching Han Hui Hui as shown in the Video. With the seriousness of chain of event, he should at least prepare himself with the firepower with rules and regulations not waiting for his man to provide him with the information.

While I respect the Police IO his calmness on handling of the situation which he advise Han Hui Hui accordingly.

What happen can be avoided and this is  a total failure from the NPark!

In event day itself, videos from Yahoo, another video here. The chain reaction was a careful planned by Han Hui Hui. Whether had she sought the advise from lawyer on the planned collusion is in question.

But what happen today is a sad day from activists as what had shown in the videos had shown what she had done through the “hooligans” way of protest. It’s also sway away the fence-sitting voters away from the alternatives parties. While a lot of activists are helping the alternatives parties in gaining votes but it all wash down the drain within one day of collusion.

All along I had declared that I’m not the fan of Han Hui Hui or Roy Ngerng. But now I shall openly declared that I have no dealing with these two activists and will not support their events (past or future).//

Tips for getting a taxi during Formula One Singapore period

This Year Formula one is here again. I have reblog this for your information again… All remain the same with some changes:

ERP Gantry
Non Operation Dates and Time

New Bridge Road
18 September (Thursday) &
19 September (Friday)
between 6pm and 7pm

South Bridge Road
Temasek Boulevard
18 September (Thursday) &
19 September (Friday)
between 12pm and 8pm
20 September (Saturday)
between 12.30pm and 8pm

Singapore Affairs

Getting a Taxi is always a nightmare during the Singapore Formula 1 period. As a Taxi Driver, I would give tips and loopholes to get a taxi during the period.

Here we goes….

1) Let see a statement from LTA:

Non Operation of ERP Gantries during Race Week
As the ERP gantries may interfere with sensitive video transmission equipment used for the race, the following ERP gantries that are within the proximity of the race circuit will not be in operation. Vehicles going under these gantries during the specified dates and time will not be charged:

ERP Gantry	Non Operation Dates and Time
New Bridge Road	19 September (Thursday) & 20 September (Friday) between 6pm and 7pm
South Bridge Road
ECP (eastbound) from Ophir Road	19 September (Thursday) & 20 September (Friday) between 6pm and 8pm
Temasek Boulevard	19 September (Thursday) & 20 September (Friday) between 12pm and 8pm and 21 September…

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Disappearing Act by taxi drivers angered Commuters

It’s been the long time that I had written in the blog as I had concentrate my posting in my facebook. With the recent article in the straits times, It probe me to continue writing here.

The articles: Are taxis doing a “disappearing act” just before peak-hour surcharges kick in? Or is it simply a case of demand outstripping supply? What are the ways to improve taxi availability? 

What the report said have some valid points. Commuters and Taxi Drivers have their own point of views.

On the commuters’ side, It’s a pain in the neck during these hours:
1) 7.30am to 10.30am (Monday to Friday except Public Holidays)
2) 5pm till 7.30pm (Monday to Friday except Public Holidays)
3) 9.30pm till 10.45pm (Everyday)
4) 9am till 6pm (Weekends and Holidays)

Why is it pain in the neck during this hours mention above? The only reason that I can offer is, everyone needs a taxi during these hours. Remember, there are currently only about 28,000 taxi plying the roads daily.

Assuming 5% of the population looking for a taxi at these timing, 250,000 commuters are looking for taxi. How many can the taxi take a one go? There is always a timing that the commuters are expected to wait a longer than usual before boarding a taxi, coupled with traffic conditions that taxi drivers have to navigate through.

Being a taxi driver for the last three years, it taught me lots of things and I learn from the trade. The few problems that are causing the slow turnovers in my own perspective view are the followings:

1) Uneven geographical location for taxis. Higher demand in the Housing estate going to CBD or industrial estate, resulting shortage of taxi in the estate further away from the mentioned locations. In the evening, higher demand is on the opposite, higher demand in the CBD and Industrial estate. The government had in facts trying to distribute out the prime location to different areas like IBP, CBP etc, but the taxi drivers are not benefiting is as yet. And sorry, I had been digging my brains for the past one year and I had failed to offer any solutions on this problem yet.

2) LTA had a rule or law that requires Taxi Drivers to follow the commuters instructions on which route to take or take the shortest possible route.  This rule comes about is to ensure that taxi drivers do not take a longer route in order earn the extra dollars which I fully agrees. But this rules might not be applicable during the peak hours as there are jam along the route which resulted in slower turnover of the taxis or taxi being caught in the jam. Sometime by taking a longer route which will enable the commuters reaching the destination faster and sometime cheaper (based on the commuters that commented on the route I had taken).

Due to this rule, taxi drivers are afraid to make any recommendation to their commuters for afraid that they will complain against him especially the CDG Drivers. They will just follow the instruction given. Being caught in the jam will cost the commuters to pay more while taxi drivers earning less.

To solved this problem, the rules should be amended to the following:  Taxi Drivers to follow the commuters instructions on which route to take or take the shortest possible route, suggest whichever possible route to get to the commuters’ destinations.

3) The third reason which I’m going to give might anger some taxi drivers, but I need to be fair on the commuters side too… Master your trade well and you should know where to find commuters in the shortest possible time even in the middle of the night. Take pride with what you do and offer no regrets. New Drivers, do not over depend on GPS and know your route as fast as possible.

Taxi drivers are self employed, they do want to earn the highest possible return in the shortest possible time. It’s the same in any trade, the boss would want to earn the most with the least cost and wages. Commuters, please put yourself in the taxi drivers’ shoe and you will understand why.

Lastly, public transports infrastructure needed to ramp up as fast as possible. With better public transport infrastructure, people will tend to drive less and less traffic congestion on the road which will offer the best solutions for everyone.