Get a foreign operator

Should we invite a foreign operator, such as Hong Kong MTR, to run our train system?

52% of the people voting in The Wisdom of the Crowd said "yes" as we need real experts who know how to run the train system. Another 17% said that there is no hope with the available people in Singapore. This makes a total of 69%.

Read the detailed breakdown in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=310

Major train breakdown

Should should the train operator do when there is a major breakdown?

38% of the people voting in The Wisdom of the Crowd said that the operator should compensate $10 to each commuter to take alternative transport.

28% said that it should fire the people in charge.

Read the detailed breakdown in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=309

Upgrading the Bukit Panjang LRT

Transport minister Khaw Boon Wan said that the Bukit Panjang LRT was badly designed with many ups and downs and sharp turns.

But it has been operating for 18 years since 1999. We did not hear of commuters complaining about the dizzy ride. The minister did.

Was the LRt ride uncomfortable, or was the minister just exaggerating?

If there is a need to remove the ups and downs and sharp corners for some stretch of the LRT, it should be possible to build the replacement section and when it is ready, divert the LRT to use the new section instead of the old section.

This would require the system to be closed for a week or two, rather than a few years.

I wonder if such an option was being considered?

Three years to upgrade Bukit Panjang LRT?

There must be something seriously wrong with our Ministry of Transport and the Land Transport Authority.

It is surprising that an upgrading of the Bukit Panjang LRT line will take 3 years. We are now used to very poor standard of competence, but this is stretching the limit.

If we have to close down the LRT for upgrading work, it should not pose any issue. We only need to have feeder buses to run the route of the LRT

The minister may exaggerate the difficult of the job and maybe 70% of the public will believe him, but he is just trying to pull a fast one.

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/govt-mulling-years-long-shutdown-overhaul-bt-panjang-lrt-khaw?cid=emarsys-today_TODAY%27s+evening+briefing+for+Oct+17%2C+2017+%28ACTIVE%29_newsletter_17102017_today

It is disappinting to see Singapore in this ridiculous state.

Top heavy organization

He (Khaw BW) noted that it would be left to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) as to whether to impose a financial penalty on SMRT for the incident. But if it were up to him, Mr Khaw said "my preference is not to go back to this system of fines" because it "creates an adversarial relationship between operator and regulator".

http://www.straitstimes.com/…/smrt-lta-have-to-get-to-root-…

Herein lies the problem. It is easy for LTA to sit in their ivory tower and impose fine on SMRT for failing to perform up to standard.

In the old days, we did not have this kind of "empires". The government is an entity. It's role is to ensure that the public services are run efficiently and at lower cost.

Today, we have a body such as the LTA that sits as "lord and master" imposing penalties and fines.

Well, this is Lee HL's system of governance. it has broken down badly. It has too many emperors causing a lot of money to taxpayers and enjoying an easy life with high salaries.

Expensive child care

I saw these fees for child care.

Infant Care School fees Full-Day Programme $1,364.00
Childcare School fees Half-Day Programme $690.00
Childcare School fees Full-Day Programme $770.00
Registration Fee, Deposit, Uniform, .... not included

I know that the fees are expensive, but I did not expect them to be so expensive. There is government subsidy, but how much?

No wonder, families do not want to have children.

The fees are really out of this world.

And the government still does not want to introduce a minimum wage of just $1,200 for an adult? This is not enough to pay for the full day program for a child.

Something is seriously wrong in Singapore. Our costs and wages are seriously out of alignment.

Is the "culture" unique to SMRT?

I find it rather strange for the transport minister and the SMRT CEO to blame the "culture" of the employees in neglecting the proper maintenance of the train system.

I agree that the "culture" has an important bearing but I must point out that this "culture" issue is not unique to SMRT.

It is prevalent among Singapore organizations. It is even displayed by our top leaders in the PAP government.

What is this "culture" issue? I wish to point out the following:

a) a focus on SOP and unwillingness to go outside of SOP or to take initiative.
b) focus on scoring on KPI to earn performance bonus, leading to lack of cooperation..
c) an unwillingness to take responsibility and accountability.
d) lack of transparency.
e) a habit to find excuses and push the blame to other people.

Now, you tell me. Is this culture unique only to the maintenace team of SMRT?

If we wish to change the culture, our top leaders should step forward to take responsibility and to provide leadership. They cannot sit back and pretend that the problem belongs to somebody else.

SMRT's corporate culture

What is wrong with the corporate culture in SMRT?

Give your vote in www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg

Khaw BW's late apology

How do you react to Khaw BW's apology for the breakdown of the MRT service due to flooded tunnel?

Give your vote in
www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg

Wages and rental

If wages are increased, will it have an effect on rentals?

51% of the people voting in the Wisdom of the Crowd said that over the long run, it will achieved a better balance between wages and rental. It will be good for the economy.

35% said that the increased wages will translate into higher prices for consumers.

See the beakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=307

Collective sale fever

Is the collective sale fever good for Singapore?

59% of the people voting in The Wisdom of the Crowd said that it will lead to high property prices and make homes unaffordable.

23% said that it is wasteful to tear down condominiums that are still in fairly good condition.

A total of 82% said that this development is bad for Singapore.

See the detailed breakdown in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=306

Rejection of medical claim

Should the insurer reject a medical claim on the grounds of non-disclosure of past medical condition?

47% of the people voting in the Wisdom of the Crowd said that the insurer should check on the medical history at the time of application and should not be allowed to reject the claim on this ground at the time of claim.

22% said that the insured usually rely on the agent to help to complete the application form, so it implies that the agent should take some resonsibility.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=305

Private property market

What should the government do about the bubble in the private property market

Give your vote in
www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg

3 day training course on trading

Many promoters charge $3,000 to $5,000 for a 3 days courses purported to give training on futures and options trading.

A case was heard in the Small Claim Tribunal in 2010 on such a course. The report of the hearing in the SCT give an interesting insight into what happened in the 3 day course.

The SCT ruled that the organizer had to refund back the fees paid less $885, which it considered to be the "fair value" of what was taught.

Before you sign up for a similar course, you should read about this case.
http://www.fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=527

Bad for investors

I have added the opinion of two knowledgeable people about why dual currency investment (DCI) is bad for investors. They are good for the banks because they make the profit from the losses by their customers.

Read about how it works here:
http://www.fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=525

My dog Elliot - the Singaporean.

When I take my dog Elliot out for a walk in the morning, he walks in a haphazard manner - sometimes in the front, sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left. The worse case was when he walks behind me and then to the left, with the lease going round my back.

He did not realize that it was inconvenient for me. He only knew what was convenient for him.

His behavior reminds me of many Singaporeans. They know what is good for them, but does not if it is also good for others.

Elliot is also a Singaporean - born and raise in Singapore. So, it would not be surprising that he adopts the habits of many Singaporeans.

We call Elliot a useless dog. He does not bark at strangers. When the strangers came to the house, he runs and hide in the furthest corner he can find.

He is even scared of small animals and children.He is scared of the rain and of the sound of passing cars.

This behavior also reflects that of many Singaporeans who are fearful and paranoid about anything that is uncertain and not stated in the SOP.

They worry that any social activity could be breaking the law and they can go to jail. So, they prefer to be silent and avoid involvement in all social activity. They even avoid speaking out against social injustice.

It is very bad for many Singaporeans to behave in this shameful manner, without any backbone or conviction.

I hope that Singaporeans realize that they can and should be better than Elliot.

Ex journalists network

What is a good name for the news website for ex SPH journalist to submit their articles?

Give your vote in
www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg

Small cuontries should band together

Was it wise for PM Lee to make the statement that small countries should band together?

44% of the people voting in The Wisdom of the Crowd said that it was unwise for him to make this statement. 20% said that it is targeted at China and will be taken badly. Together they totalled 64%.

The remainder state that it was a fair statement or that it was necessary for small countries to make their views known.

Read the detailed breakdown in
www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg

Tray return station at Aperia Mall

I have taken lunch at Aperia Mall Food Court on several occasions. I was not aware that they have a tray return station. I did not see any signage to guide me.

Yesterday, my friend told me about the return station that was located beyond the food stalls and out of visible sight. It was easy to bring the tray there. They have two counters for "halah" and "non halal".

It is quite common to see poor signage in many places in Singapore.

Return trays at food courts

Should customers return trays so that there is no need for cleaners?

45% of those voting in The Wisdom of the Crowd said "no" as there is a need to create jobs for cleaners. 34% said "yes" as there is a shortage of cleaners.

You can see a breakdown of the results at
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=303