Singapore Flyer suspends operations due to 'technical issue

Singapore Flyer suspends operations due to 'technical issue', will remain closed on Friday

The Singapore Flyer suspended operations on Thursday morning (Jan 25) due to a "technical issue".

In a statement posted on Facebook, the Flyer said it will be conducting "a thorough check" before resuming the rides.

It told affected customers to check its Facebook page for the latest updates, and to call its customer service team on 6333-3311 for assistance.

A spokesman for the Singapore Flyer told The Straits Times that all 61 passengers on board were "brought to ground safely when the incident occurred at about 9am".

She added that they are working closely with relevant authorities and specialist professional engineers to find out the cause of the technical issue that occurred.

"We have informed affected passengers to contact us or our travel partners with any questions related to the cancellation of their flights," said the spokesman.

It is unclear when the Flyer will reopen to the public, however, the spokesman said the Flyer will remain closed on Friday. "Until we have more clarity on the technical issue, we continue to suspend flight operations," said the Singapore Flyer spokesman.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said it did not receive any calls for assistance.

This is not the first time that the Flyer has suffered a breakdown.

On Dec 23, 2008, a fire broke out in the wheel control room, causing 173 passengers to be trapped for about six hours.

In July 2010, the ride was shut down and more than 200 passengers were evacuated after lightning struck one of its electrical cables that supplied power to the air-conditioning systems.

The Flyer, which is 165m tall and has a diameter of 150m, was officially launched in 2008.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Cruise industry added $706m to Singapore's economy in 2016

Cruise industry added $706m to Singapore's economy in 2016

The Republic's cruise industry directly contributed $706 million to the country's economy in 2016, a 36 per cent increase from 2010.

This is according to latest data from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and does not include the indirect spending by establishments on land that cater to cruise tourists, such as restaurants that need to buy supplies to cook food for disembarking passengers.

STB announced this on Friday (Jan 26), a day after a joint Asean Declaration on Cruise Tourism was officially endorsed at this year's Asean Tourism Forum.

The declaration will give a boost to South-east Asia's aim to transform into a vibrant cruising destination.

It also marks the first major economic plan led by Singapore since it became the Asean chairman and provides guidelines for the regional cruise industry.

These include making cruise policies and regulations clearer, and creating fairer and more responsible business practices.

The declaration's endorsement takes place almost exactly a year after plans for the declaration were announced at the Asean Tourism Forum 2017.

The growth of the cruise industry is due to several factors, said tourism expert Michael Chiam.

"More cruises have made Singapore their home port and there is a growing demand for cruise holidays in the region," said the senior tourism lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Referring to Marina Bay Cruise Centre (MBCC), which opened in 2012, Dr Chiam added: "MBCC also provides the infrastructure for larger cruise ships to dock, and that has enhanced our position to attract larger cruise operators to Singapore."

Industry players said that while they welcome the growth of cruise tourism in the region, large hurdles remain.

Mr Michael Goh, senior vice-president of international sales at Genting Cruise Lines, said: "One of the greatest challenges is the lack of awareness and understanding of the concept of a cruise vacation among consumers. It's important for various stakeholders and cruise lines to work collectively to innovate steps to build consumers' awareness.

"The Asian cruise industry is still very much at its infant stage with enormous potential."

Royal Caribbean Cruises' managing director, Mr Sean Treacy, noted that Royal Caribbean International welcomed its millionth guest sailing from Singapore this week, which "underscores the strong growth of the cruise market here in recent years, at around 20 per cent annually on average".

However, he added: "The industry trend is increasingly towards larger ships being deployed here to meet the growing demand for cruising. Port infrastructure in many parts of the region needs to be upgraded urgently to accommodate these larger ships, which carry 3,000 to 4,000 guests and are at least 140,000 gross tonnes. This includes building proper cruise terminals for a more welcoming tourist experience."

Specifically, Mr Treacy hopes for such infrastructure to be developed in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Both Royal Caribbean and Genting Cruise Lines plan to either expand their fleet or ship itineraries in the region.

The industry hopes to see 4.5 million passengers cruising in South-east Asia by 2035, 10 times more than in 2016.

STB said that this would greatly benefit Singapore, the Asean lead coordinator for cruise development.

Mr Lionel Yeo, STB's chief executive, said: "The future of cruise tourism for both Singapore and the South-east Asian region is bright... Cruise development needs to be a concerted regional effort and Singapore will continue to actively engage with our Asean counterparts to encourage regional cruise development, and jointly promote South-east Asia as a cruising playground for the world."

The announcement was made on Friday, the last day of the Asean Tourism Forum, held this year in the Thai city of Chiang Mai.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Chinatown all lit up and ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year

Chinatown all lit up and ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year

Retiree Victor Yue, 65, has lived in Chinatown all his life and looks forward to the Chinese New Year celebrations in his neighbourhood every year.

The former engineer told The Straits Times: "This whole neighbourhood transforms every Chinese New Year and becomes very festive. During the celebrations, Chinatown becomes more bustling and busy and I really enjoy it."

Mr Yue was among the 60,000 people at Chinatown on Saturday evening (Jan 27) observing the official light-up and opening ceremony of the neighbourhood's annual Chinese New Year celebrations.

Guest of honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the event at 8pm, kickstarting 49 days of festivities in Chinatown.

The streets were then bathed in a sea of light from the many lanterns overhead.

PM Lee was accompanied by other VIPs including Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Heng Chee How, Central Singapore District Mayor Denise Phua, Jalan Besar GRC MP Lily Neo and MP for Potong Pasir SMC Sitoh Yih Pin.

Singapore will be welcoming the Year of the Dog next month.

Dog lovers can look forward to a dog-themed carnival as part of the celebrations. There will also be a dog costume competition on Feb 3 in Kreta Ayer Square, where pets can show off their best festive-themed outfits.

Other highlights include the 11th International Lion Dance Competition on Feb 2 and 3; a 420-stall festive street bazaar from Friday to Feb 15; a flower market which returns after a 10-year hiatus; the Chinatown Chinese New Year Countdown Party on Feb 15; and the Chingay 2018 @ Chinatown on Feb 25.

Unlike Mr Yue, Filipino caregiver Celen Bantey, 29, was part of the Chinatown festivities for the very first time on Saturday evening since arriving in Singapore in 2016.

She said: "I come from Manila and Chinese New Year is also celebrated in the city's Chinatown. From what I see, even though Singapore is very modern, it is still very traditional when it comes to celebrating events like this. I'm really enjoying myself."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Transtar JB - Singapore Cross Border Service

Toll charges at Woodlands Checkpoint

Temperatures rise to 27.5 deg C in some areas

Temperatures rise to 27.5 deg C in some areas, signalling end of cool spell

Temperatures across Singapore rose to as high as 27.5 deg C on Tuesday (Jan 16), signalling the end of the cool spell that fell over the island last week.

Changi recorded the highest temperature of 27.5 deg C, as reflected on the Meteorological Service Singapore website at around 10.30am.

Weather stations in Tai Seng, East Coast Parkway, Marina Barrage and Sentosa Island also recorded high temperatures of between 27 deg C and 27.5 deg C.

The lowest temperatures were recorded in the west of Singapore. Weather stations registered temperatures of 25.8 deg C in Jurong West and 25.7 deg C in Tuas South.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Sunday that the mercury is expected to rise to between 23 deg C and 24 deg C this week, after dipping below 22 deg C in some areas.

The brief cool weather was the result of a monsoon surge over the South China Sea, where the sudden increase in wind speed brings with it cool air from the winter chill in the northern hemisphere.

The last time Singapore recorded a temperature of 21.2 deg C was in 2016, but the mercury has dipped even lower before - to 20.1 deg C in 2014 and 20 deg C in 2013.

The lowest temperature recorded in Singapore was 19 deg C in Paya Lebar on Feb 14, 1989.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Malaysia and Singapore to sign RTS

Malaysia and Singapore to sign RTS

Malaysia and Singa­pore will sign an agreement on the Rapid Transit System (RTS) rail track linking Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore which is expected to commence in 2024.

The signing of the agreement tomorrow will be witnessed by the two prime ministers – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Lee Hsien Loong – after their eighth annual retreat here.

The RTS is another notch in connectivity links between Malaysia and its southern neighbour which will also see the High Speed Rail (HSR) between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore starting in 2026.

The RTS, first announced after Najib and Lee’s annual retreat in 2010, will integrate with public transport services in Johor Baru and Singapore. It was originally targeted to be operational by 2018.

Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Zulkifli Adnan in a media briefing yesterday said while waiting for the rail link to start operations, there must be efforts to reduce the congestion at the Causeway.

“We have seven more years to go, so what are we doing to address the present congestion?

“Transport ministers of the two countries have been discussing the possible solutions, including increasing the Tebrau bus shuttle service from 26 trips to 31 each way and reviving ferry links,” he said.

Najib, who is arriving today, will be accompanied by seven Cabinet ministers including Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Rahman Dahlan.

Zulkifli said a memorandum of understanding on educational cooperation will also be signed.

The Prime Minister will pay a courtesy call on President Halimah Yacob who was sworn in as the eighth president last year.

Lee and Najib will also launch the Marina One and Duo projects jointly developed by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek.

The two projects are part of a land swap deal for KTMB land in Singapore, with Marina One in the Marina Bay area and Duo in Ophir-Rochor Road boasting of office space, retail shops and luxury apartments.

~News courtesy of The Star~

South East Asia in the grip of chilly weather

South East Asia in the grip of chilly weather

Temperatures across South-east Asia have dipped beyond the norm in recent days, with non-stop rain and strong winds contributing to chillier tropics.

The thermostat has dropped to as low as 22°C in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and 17ºC in Bangkok, cold bouts have been reported in Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, and ice slabs have even been found in parts of Myanmar.

The weather has become so chilly that Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tweeted on Friday (Jan 12): "Wow, Malaysia's weather is really cold today, just like in Jeddah!" He had just returned from a trip to Saudi Arabia.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department attributed the chill to the north-east monsoon, but did not expect temperatures to dip further. The agency forecasts all-day rain to last until Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.

Thailand has been experiencing a cold snap since last month, with fog blanketing its northern regions and frost forming on mountains.

In Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, the temperature fell to as low as 8ºC, the lowest this winter for the city.

Though Cambodia was also struck by the cold weather this week, it was not as bad as last month, when the temperature plunge caused a sweater-shopping frenzy, and baby elephants had to wear hand-knitted coats.

The Philippines has been experiencing generally colder weather too, a result of the El Nino-La Nina weather dynamics, and the chilling Arctic air called the polar vortex. "We have seen a cold blast in the Pacific and Atlantic regions," said the local weather bureau's forecaster Nikkos Penaranda. The lowest temperature recorded recently was 12.2ºC in the northern city of Baguio on Jan 1.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said it recorded moderately lower-than-usual temperatures in the Riau Islands, an Indonesian province closest to Singapore, and in Nusa Tenggara Timur, east of the country's main tourist island of Bali. On Friday, the two locations registered temperatures of 23ºC to 25ºC.

All other provinces are seeing relatively normal temperatures, state weather forecaster Risda Novikarani told The Straits Times.

Over in South Asia, the northern parts of India were also in the midst of a cold spell, but meteorological officials said this was well within the range for winter months. "Temperatures have fallen and the cold wave condition is more severe in January than December," said Mahesh Palawat, director of private weather forecaster Skymet. "It is a normal winter."

According to India's Meteorological Department, minimum temperatures in most parts of northern India this week continued to be between 5ºC and 10ºC, and would remain so until Monday (Jan 15).

~The Straits Times/Asia News Network~

Temperatures in Singapore dip below 22 degrees Celsius

Temperatures in Singapore dip below 22 degrees Celsius amid rainy season

The weather in Singapore was chillier than usual on Friday (Jan 12) as the National Environment Agency (NEA) warned of a monsoon surge affecting the South China Sea and its surrounding region.

Temperatures in Ang Mo Kio and Pulau Ubin dipped below 22 degrees Celsius, while other parts of Singapore also experienced temperatures of below 23 degrees Celsius, according to data from the Meteorological Service Singapore at 7.07am.

The weather was chillier than usual on Friday (Jan 12). (Graphic: Meteorological Service Singapore)

NEA forecast on Wednesday that the monsoon surge will persist over the next few days, during which windy conditions with periods of moderate to heavy rain, at times with thunder, are expected over Singapore.

Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius during this period.

It has been cool and wet over the past few days, with the heavy downpour causing flash floods in parts of eastern Singapore on Monday. In the Kim Chuan Road area, about half of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in January fell in just four hours.

On Thursday, the mercury fell to 21.9 degrees Celsius in Ang Mo Kio and Admiralty at 10.30pm, according to the Met Service.

Source: Channel News Asia

Monsoon surge to bring more wet, windy weather

Monsoon surge to bring more wet, windy weather to Singapore

It's going to be rainy and windy in the coming days, due to a monsoon surge that's affecting the South China Sea and its surrounding region.

The monsoon surge is forecast to persist over the next few days, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Wednesday (Jan 10).

It added that windy conditions with periods of moderate to heavy rain, at times with thunder, are expected over Singapore.

Temperatures are expected to range between 22°C and 28°C during this period.

It's been cool and wet over the past few days, with the heavy downpour causing flash floods in parts of eastern Singapore on Monday. In the Kim Chuan Road area, about half of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in January in just four hours.

Source: Channel News Asia

Savings en route for Causeway users

Savings en route for Causeway users

Malaysians crossing the Causeway to Singapore cannot wait for February to come.

News of the republic revising and abolishing toll charges at the Woodlands checkpoint beginning next month has already thrilled many daily commuters.

They expect their savings to be substantial, with some estimating them to be as much as RM6,000 to RM8,000 annually after the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) toll was abolished on Jan 1 and Singapore’s toll revision on Feb 1.

For Ariffin Ahmad, the reduction in tolls on both sides was a good New Year bonus for many of those who travel to Singapore daily.

“This works out to about RM52.50 per day which is more than RM1,000 a month,” he said.

Ariffin, who works as an electrician, plans to use the extra savings to offset household expenses.

For 52-year-old businessman P. Viman, he hopes to save the money for his children’s education.

“I hope that the government on both sides will not impose any new road charges, which can be a huge financial burden for the people,” he said.

Viman, who travels to Singapore at least 26 times a month for work, hopes that the Government could also abolish the RM2.90 toll being collected by PLUS Bhd at the Johor side.

Meanwhile, Ephraim Ang, who commutes with his wife daily, said that both sides imposed higher charges more than a year ago and they were a huge burden.

“We had to carpool with three more people daily to subsidise the toll,” he said.

He hopes the Malaysian Govern­ment will not raise the road charge on foreign cars from RM20 now to RM40, as this will lead to Singapore following suit.

Ang and his wife usually leave their home at 6am and return home at 8.30pm daily.

“If there are any savings, then it will be for our family,” he said.

The couple have a four-year-old son and are expecting a second child.

Singapore revised the toll charges at the Woodlands checkpoint to match Malaysia’s removal of toll charges at the EDL.

The Land Transport Authority of Singapore said this was in line with Singapore’s long-standing policy of matching Malaysian toll rates.

Singapore toll charges for all vehicles (except motorcycles) leaving Singapore via Woodlands will be reduced, and toll charges for all vehicles (except motorcycles) entering the republic via Woodlands will be removed.

Currently, car owners pay S$3.80 (RM11.40) and S$2.70 (RM8.10) for leaving and entering Singapore.

Effective Feb 1, they will only pay S$1 (RM3) to leave the republic.

For now, vans and light goods vehicles pay S$5.80 (RM17.40) to leave and S$4 (RM12) to enter but from Feb 1, it costs S$1.50 (RM4.50).

Heavy goods vehicles currently pay S$7.70 (RM23.10) to enter and S$5.30 (RM15.90) to leave and from Feb 1, S$2 (RM6).

Taxis now pay S$1.90 (RM5.70) to leave and S$1.40 (RM4.20) to enter and from Feb 1, 50 cents (RM1.50).

Buses pay S$3.10 (RM9.30) to leave and S$2.20 (RM6.60) to enter and from Feb 1, 80 cents (RM2.40).

~News courtesy of The Star~

SIA to start charging credit card fees for flights departing Singapore

SIA to start charging credit card fees for flights departing Singapore

Some Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers booking flights departing from Singapore could soon incur a fee if they use a credit card to pay for their tickets.

From Jan 20, there will be a 1.3 per cent "service fee" based on the total cost of the booking, capped at a maximum charge of S$50 per passenger.

This currently applies only to tickets issued under its soon-to-be-launched Economy Lite category, said SIA on its website on Wednesday (Jan 3).

The credit card service fee will apply to tickets issued on and from Jan 20, and is non-refundable.

"Since November 2016, we have implemented a similar credit card service fee in Australia and subsequently in other markets," SIA said in response to queries from Channel NewsAsia. "The fee implementation in Singapore is therefore a progressive initiative," it added.

An alert informing customers that a new credit card fee will apply for Economy Lite tickets. (Screengrab: SIA website) Advertisement

The new service fee coincides with a tweak in airfare pricing structure announced by SIA last month. Effective Jan 20, SIA will replace, among other things, its current economy class categories with three new offerings named Lite, Standard and Flexi.

SIA explained on its website that the credit card fees are to recover "costs relating to the acceptance of credit cards".

The new fee will not affect passengers who use their KrisFlyer miles to book tickets and their credit cards to pay for any associated taxes and other charges.

The credit card fee also does not apply to added extras such as preferred seat selection or excess baggage.

EXISTING SIA CREDIT CARD SERVICE FEES

Currently, SIA charges credit card service fees for flights departing from Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand and United Kingdom. The fees vary for each country.

For example, tickets for SIA flights departing from New Zealand can incur a credit card fee of 1.7 per cent for each ticket. The credit card fee, which was implemented on Apr 3, 2017, is the highest out of all the countries the fee applies to.

The lowest credit card fee, at 1 per cent, applies to flights departing from the UK.

SIA's credit card surcharge is not unique in the competitive aviation industry.

Middle Eastern carrier Emirates, for example, charges a credit card fee for flights departing from the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Turkey, New Zealand and Australia.

At Air France, a flat rate of S$20 is charged for tickets booked using a credit card, with the exception of tickets for infants.

Singapore budget airline Scoot also includes a "processing fee" for customers paying for their tickets using credit cards.

There are no service fees for payment through debit cards or PayPal.

Source: Channel News Asia

More wet weather in first half of January

More wet weather in first half of January



Rainy weather is expected to continue in the first two weeks of January, the Meteorological Service said in a weather forecast on Tuesday (Jan 2).

Moderate and heavy showers with thunder can be expected on six to eight days in the afternoon. The showers and thunder could extend into the early evening on a few days, said the Met Service.

In the second week of January, a monsoon surge could develop and bring a few days of cooler temperatures, windy conditions and heavy rain to Singapore.

Rainfall for the first half of January is forecast to be above normal, the Met Service added.

Daily temperatures are expected to range between 31°C and 33°C in the day and from 23°C to 24°C at night.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Ceiling collapses at Resorts World Sentosa casino; 4 injured

Ceiling collapses at Resorts World Sentosa casino; 4 injured



A Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel is seen outside the casino at Resorts World Sentosa on Jan 2, 2018.

Four people were injured after a ceiling collapsed at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) on Tuesday morning (Jan 2).

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the incident at 10.13am and that three people were taken to the Singapore General Hospital. Those hurt had head injuries, abrasions and cuts, SCDF said.

A fourth person injured was treated at RWS' in-house clinic, Channel NewsAsia understands.

A visitor to the casino, John, said he saw one affected worker being helped out.

"I heard a loud sound," the 30-year-old said. "I think there was one person who was injured, but with very mild injuries. The security guard helped him out, but it’s not very serious. Probably the corner of (the ceiling board) hit him."

When Channel NewsAsia visited the scene at noon, at least four police vehicles were parked outside the casino.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~