Due to the high cost, car owners here sometimes have bizarre behaviours. Like scrimping on usage cost, eg parking fees, ERP etc to the extent of being exposed to dangers, etc to themselves and others in so doing.
Personally, I've never owned a car, not in Singapore or anywhere else, not even whilst I was in the US where the great distances mean owning a car is the norm rather than exception.
I've many friends who own cars. Sometimes they give me a lift when conveniently on the way; appreciated. Some of them are insurance and property agents who swear by their cars - they can't work or function properly in sales and service without their cars. However, they're other agents who could do without cars too.
So it all depends on individual preference to mode of transport. The agent who's doing well with a car has to do well enough to afford a car in the place. The agent who's doing well without a car is a user and customer for public transport, bus, MRT and taxi.
Then, there're people who must have their own private cars. VIPs, CEOs, high ranking coporate or government officials, dignitaries etc. It's just socially unimaginable and unacceptable for them to be seen in public transport, except perhaps in a Mercedes or Chrysler taxi. For attending official events, I'm sure that official cars ferrying them are provided, chaffeurs included. But being used to that in official events, then even for private events, they'd be used to the idea of avoiding the inconvenience of waiting for public transport and "losing face".
That's why I admire Tan Kin Lian, actually practising what he's preached. Get on a MRT when it serves well where no car is needed.
Since 1996, I have been taking my BMW to work, shop, and play. By the way, my BMW stands for Bus, MRT, and Walk.
ReplyDeleteDue to the high cost, car owners here sometimes have bizarre behaviours. Like scrimping on usage cost, eg parking fees, ERP etc to the extent of being exposed to dangers, etc to themselves and others in so doing.
ReplyDeleteMr Tan
ReplyDeleteYou must watch Micheal Moore's new movie : Capitalism.
There is a trailer here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhydyxRjujU
Hope they show it in Singapore
Personally, I've never owned a car, not in Singapore or anywhere else, not even whilst I was in the US where the great distances mean owning a car is the norm rather than exception.
ReplyDeleteI've many friends who own cars. Sometimes they give me a lift when conveniently on the way; appreciated. Some of them are insurance and property agents who swear by their cars - they can't work or function properly in sales and service without their cars. However, they're other agents who could do without cars too.
So it all depends on individual preference to mode of transport. The agent who's doing well with a car has to do well enough to afford a car in the place. The agent who's doing well without a car is a user and customer for public transport, bus, MRT and taxi.
Then, there're people who must have their own private cars. VIPs, CEOs, high ranking coporate or government officials, dignitaries etc. It's just socially unimaginable and unacceptable for them to be seen in public transport, except perhaps in a Mercedes or Chrysler taxi. For attending official events, I'm sure that official cars ferrying them are provided, chaffeurs included. But being used to that in official events, then even for private events, they'd be used to the idea of avoiding the inconvenience of waiting for public transport and "losing face".
That's why I admire Tan Kin Lian, actually practising what he's preached. Get on a MRT when it serves well where no car is needed.
However, the fare structure of taxis in Singapore certainly doesnt help.
ReplyDeleteThe fares are so complicated that i feel i am being taken for a ride every time i take a taxi.
Cant feel the value.
I try to avoid taxi as much as posiible in any country, not only in Singapore.
ReplyDelete