March 8, 2008 · 2:54 pm

Quick Chinese Lessons and Crowded Midnight Bus Rides

Haven't been feeling the greatest since the onset of the great PMS this week, but managed to drag myself to town in support of Edna's Timbre night yesterday. Ironically, we didn't even get into Timbre as it was simply way too crowded. We ended up at a Rab Bar in Boat Quay, shooting some pool and having a couple of drinks. Edna, Alina, Irene and me headed to Party World to join Vonny, Peifen & Rafel after that. Was surprised to realise that I hadn't been to KTV since Indu's birthday last year. Two and a half months since. Must really attempt to go more often. Miss singing...

Poster on the stairway of Rab Bar

In the spirit of boycotting taxis, Irene and I took Nightrider home both last night and tonight. We were commenting, when we took the bus at 3:30 am last night, that it was shocking the bus was so crowded that some people had to stand. Yeah well, since we took the bus at 1:30 am tonight and got on at Dhoby Ghaut instead of Orchard, we were the ones left standing. Fortunately, the ride is just under 30 minutes.

Front of the bus at 1:30 am

Packed all the way to the back

It just goes to show how much the taxi fare hike has affected the general population. The entire conspiracy to force people to take public transportation is definitely working. MRTs are more crowded than ever. Alot of people I know are now boycotting taxis in favour of cheaper alternatives. The bus ride home cost us a total of $6 whereas a taxi ride would have cost us $20. This not only applies for midnight rides. Even rides in the day time, especially in the city during peak hours, have doubled in price, sometimes costing as much as $10 once you get on the cab. It's no wonder that there are tons of green lighted taxis on the streets now while the buses and MRTs are packed to the brim.

Once again, a new policy that benefits the huge corporation(s) and makes the little people suffer. Well done!

Historical comments (1)

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HMoody · 3/10/2008 2:13 AM

Actually if you look at it from another perspective, taking a taxi has become a luxury that can only be afforded by the well-heeled or those people who really need them (executives who have to see clients on short notice, people who have to take cabs for work purposes(all claimable from company), people who have to go to hospitals for emergency reasons) and there will be no reason for a shortage of cabs when it comes to booking or hailing for one.

Otherwise there should be no reason to take a taxi.

I say leave the fare hike on taxi fares as it is, but also increase the frequency of buses and trains.