Satisfaction with public transport dips
CUSTOMER satisfaction with Singapore's public-transport system, in particular trains and buses, has taken a hit.
The latest quarterly figures released by the Institute of Service Excellence (ISES) of the Singapore Management University yesterday put the Customer Satisfaction Index for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system at 64.1 points out of 100 in the last few months, down from 67 last year.
The index for public buses fell to 61.1, down 1.8 points.
The ISES, which also released figures for education yesterday, said the public-transport sector's score might have fallen on the back of the switch to distance-based fares, and also because of overcrowding.
Distance-based fares were introduced on July 3, upsetting those commuters who found themselves paying more. Industry watchers said that the security breach at SMRT's Changi train depot in May could have also led to negative sentiments.
Dr Marcus Lee, ISES' academic director, said: "The dip is due to a drop in perceived value of the service, which means that commuters do not feel they are getting (enough) bang for their buck."
He added that the opening of the Circle Line could also have led to an overall lower score for the MRT system.
This may sound counter-intuitive, he said, but explained that when commuters get a new line that is less crowded, it makes them less satisfied overall "because they compare their commuting experience on old lines with the new one and expect more".
-News courtesy of Omy-
Friday 27 August 2010
Saturday 7 August 2010
Singapore opens consulate in Batam
Singapore opens consulate in Batam
Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo visited Batam on Friday for the official opening of the Singapore Consulate in Batam.
The consulate in Batam is Singapore's third representation in Indonesia.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the establishment underscores Singapore's strong ties with Indonesia, and in particular, the Riau Islands Province (KEPRI).
Besides providing consular services to Singaporeans in KEPRI, the Consulate will also help to promote and enhance exchanges between Singapore and KEPRI.
Mr Yeo also attended the Singapore National Day reception as Guest-of-Honour.
He met KEPRI Acting Governor Muhammad Sani, Vice-Governor-elect Soerya Respationo and guests at the National Day reception and discussed how Singapore and KEPRI could continue to strengthen their existing cooperation.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo visited Batam on Friday for the official opening of the Singapore Consulate in Batam.
The consulate in Batam is Singapore's third representation in Indonesia.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the establishment underscores Singapore's strong ties with Indonesia, and in particular, the Riau Islands Province (KEPRI).
Besides providing consular services to Singaporeans in KEPRI, the Consulate will also help to promote and enhance exchanges between Singapore and KEPRI.
Mr Yeo also attended the Singapore National Day reception as Guest-of-Honour.
He met KEPRI Acting Governor Muhammad Sani, Vice-Governor-elect Soerya Respationo and guests at the National Day reception and discussed how Singapore and KEPRI could continue to strengthen their existing cooperation.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Iranian jailed for stealing chips at IRs
Iranian jailed for stealing chips at IRs
AN IRANIAN stole chips amounting to $200 in value from a roulette table at Resorts World Sentosa just before noon last Tuesday.
Four hours later, he was up to his old tricks at the Marina Bay Sands casino. But this time, Aminijam Amin, 30, was nabbed. He was sentenced to jail yesterday for a week.
A district court heard that the Iranian was at the Sentosa casino when he noticed a player placing a $100 chip on number 36 at the roulette table.
When the player went to another table to check on his wager there, Amin moved the chip to another bet on "Red" instead. It won and Amin pocketed the $200 in chips and left the casino soon after.
At about 4pm, he was in the Marina Bay Sands casino. When a $100 bet placed by another player on the colour "Black" won, he took the bet as well as the winnings.
The player who had gone to the next table soon returned, and complained about his missing chips to casino staff.
Amin was detained and $200 worth of chips were found on him. He admitted to the thefts and was charged in court.
A third charge of stealing a $100 chip from another player in the Sentosa casino was taken into consideration by the judge in sentencing.
-News courtesy of Omy-
AN IRANIAN stole chips amounting to $200 in value from a roulette table at Resorts World Sentosa just before noon last Tuesday.
Four hours later, he was up to his old tricks at the Marina Bay Sands casino. But this time, Aminijam Amin, 30, was nabbed. He was sentenced to jail yesterday for a week.
A district court heard that the Iranian was at the Sentosa casino when he noticed a player placing a $100 chip on number 36 at the roulette table.
When the player went to another table to check on his wager there, Amin moved the chip to another bet on "Red" instead. It won and Amin pocketed the $200 in chips and left the casino soon after.
At about 4pm, he was in the Marina Bay Sands casino. When a $100 bet placed by another player on the colour "Black" won, he took the bet as well as the winnings.
The player who had gone to the next table soon returned, and complained about his missing chips to casino staff.
Amin was detained and $200 worth of chips were found on him. He admitted to the thefts and was charged in court.
A third charge of stealing a $100 chip from another player in the Sentosa casino was taken into consideration by the judge in sentencing.
-News courtesy of Omy-
Monday 2 August 2010
Lower toll charges when using 2nd Link
Motorists enjoy lower toll charges when using Second Link
Starting Sunday, motorists will enjoy lower toll charges when they drive into or leave Singapore using the Second Link.
Some coach operators were worried that the lower charges would encourage more to use the link, which could cause jams.
They pay a toll of S$3.90 at the Second Link.
One operator, Grassland Express, is taking a wait-and-see approach.
That is because it said the toll does not form the bulk of operating costs.
Instead, it said that rising fuel costs could offset the 30 per cent or S$1.70 toll reduction.
But another coach operator is happy that toll has been reduced. Transtar told Channel NewsAsia that it plans to bring down fares by about 10 per cent.
Destinations that could possibly enjoy such reductions include Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Taiping in Perak and Alor Star in Kedah.
Transtar hopes that the move can make coach travel more attractive.
Sebastian Yap, executive director, Transtar, said: "Low cost carriers have been affecting us a bit. This will be a good opportunity for us to have some free area to adjust ourselves to be more competitive."
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Starting Sunday, motorists will enjoy lower toll charges when they drive into or leave Singapore using the Second Link.
Some coach operators were worried that the lower charges would encourage more to use the link, which could cause jams.
They pay a toll of S$3.90 at the Second Link.
One operator, Grassland Express, is taking a wait-and-see approach.
That is because it said the toll does not form the bulk of operating costs.
Instead, it said that rising fuel costs could offset the 30 per cent or S$1.70 toll reduction.
But another coach operator is happy that toll has been reduced. Transtar told Channel NewsAsia that it plans to bring down fares by about 10 per cent.
Destinations that could possibly enjoy such reductions include Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Taiping in Perak and Alor Star in Kedah.
Transtar hopes that the move can make coach travel more attractive.
Sebastian Yap, executive director, Transtar, said: "Low cost carriers have been affecting us a bit. This will be a good opportunity for us to have some free area to adjust ourselves to be more competitive."
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
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