Fare Adjustment

I will like to comment about "Fares up – but not as much as last year" by Tor Ching Li of Today in which bus and train fares will go up by between 1 to 3 cents from Oct 1.

SBS Transit spokesperson Tammy Tan has been quoted that the fare adjustment will only provide partial relief for the increased cost pressures faced by her organisation without elaboration.

I hope that SBS Transit will elaborate further these "cost pressures" for the sake of the consideration of Singaporean commuters. I believe even an increase in advertising budget for the recruitment of business captains can also be deemed as cost pressures.

If reasonable, I am sure the PTC and Singaporean commuter will not begrudge an even higher fare increase in the future. Singaporeans will make informed decisions once the facts are laid bare and there is more accountability.

Online Version Of Singapore Encyclopaedia

I will like to make a suggestion about the landmark "Singapore: The Encyclopaedia", the 640-page reference book that contains both well-known historical facts and little-known trivia of Singapore.

An important reference of this nature should also be made available online. I hope the publisher can put the content as a searchable online database so that students (both in
Singapore and overseas) can get access through their school intranet. This follows the concept of wikipedia. The current print volume could be too heavy and unwieldy for students to carry around.

Maybe as a momento, each IMF delegate in Singapore should also get a complimentary copy too!

Traffic Information On Radio

Every morning when I tune in to the radio while driving, I hear during the daily traffic report about the whereabouts of the traffic police who have activated their speed cameras.

Instinctually, I try to be extra careful when passing through the affected roads. I heave a sigh of I leaving these roads.

Then I realise the problem; Wouldn't road users tend to be more reckless in the unaffected roads? Then hasn't the traffic announcement been detrimental - which is furthest from its original intention?

Pesticide

I like to comment about the recent judgement of India's Supreme Courtop court that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo disclose the ingredients in the soft drinks they sell. This is
following allegations that they contain high levels of pesticide.

The soft drinks of these 2 companies are readily in schools and hospitals.

I will like to enquire if the relevant Singapore governmental agencies are carefully monitoring the situation. Or are the allegations proven groundless?

Missing Bins

I will like to make an observation about the lack of bins in my neighbourhood 24hr kopitiam in bishan north.

To dispose of a small item like a used tissue, a customer has to walk a distance to a bin at the neighbouring void deck that is provided by the town council.

It is no wonder that customers will leave their used items on the tables which create an unsightly mess for the next customer. I have also witnessed how cleaners use the
discarded tissue to wipe the table!

Does the NEA have guidelines about the provision of bins in the privately-run kopitiams? The eating tables may be an unknown source of transmission of diseases to unsuspecting customers and children.