Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, October 18
SINGAPORE: Starting from October 24, SMRT will add 112 train trips duringweekdays to ease morning and evening peak hour rush.
SMRT says this is the fourth significant train service enhancement it has made since February 2008.
However, this enhancement is not applicable to public holidays that fall on weekdays.
With the latest improvements, SMRT will have added about 900 extra train trips per week.
— CNA/ytSo now Ben doesn't need to leave the office at 7pm when he is suppose to leave by 6pm because he will definitely able to board the train. There were days he couldn't "squeeze" into the cabin and eventually he "missed" 3 trains.
Channel NewsAsia - Wednesday, October 15
SINGAPORE: Travel agencies are already anticipating the slowdown in the economy will affect travel plans.
One Singapore travel agent plans to slash non—peak season rates by a further 20 per cent, and says five—day tour packages tend to appeal most to holidaymakers.
Deputy general manager for outbound tour at Hong Thai Travel Services, Peggie Chung, said: "For the next year, we plan for a few different countries for special packages to Singaporeans, like S$500 to S$600 tour fare to Taiwan and Vietnam... — all these
packages to fit for Singaporeans.
"I think for this (past) ten years...for Singaporeans, they feel that it is part of their lifestyle... so maybe they are willing to try to keep to their budgets for tours to other countries."
Travel agents catering to a more upmarket segment do not expect their customers to cut back on holiday plans significantly, but say these customers expect quality for the price they pay.
Vice—president for leisure at UOB Travel Planners, Eileen Oh, said: "Overall for Singaporeans, they are in—bred bargain hunters, so they would expect airline prices, tour packages costs to come down during such trying times.
"And as travel agents, we must be ready to take advantage, as such offers from the airlines and hotels... will be low—inventory and short—lived.
"We also foresee that such servicing via online portals escalates. And with this, we will be launching our travel portal by November. Customers can expect a five to ten per cent savings when they do their travel arrangements online."
Oh expects strong demand for high—growth destinations such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali and Malaysia in 2009.
— CNA/ytOur 2009 Taiwan Family Trip is 70% confirmed going!
7 chirping:
Don't know how true for the SMRT part? I find their service sucks, can imagine the moment hit 9am, the train service is like 4 mins to next train *doh* Then expect hike in transport again. I felt sick & tired of all these hikes. Even petrol drip go down, see the S$0.30 subcharge is still there *blah*
hey, Ben left at 6pm today and he said," got improvement, I was able to board the train."
I wasn't aware of the 30 cents. Actually Ben and I are quite okay with the transportation fee in Singapore. We take cabs quite frequent too as we do not own any car at this moment.
Really! I should try the West side and see:p
Next time, you take care can notice that S$0.30. I cut down on cabs because I find some subcharge are just plain ridiculous on certain timing. I don't even intend to own a car because the Insurance, COE, Maintenance & etc are really a expense to me.
sam, i am like you, try to avoid during peak hour, it is ridiculously high (at least $8 more)! As for owning a car, it is a luxury and really extra to us right now.
Maybe we will get one if any little one comes along. I still remember telling ben(3 years back) that if his salary increase by $1k, we will get it but till now, is double but I am still hesitate and I actually save up the extra.*tongue*.(not that we cannot afford it, don't know why somebloody just like to say we don't have any car)come on, at least I don't use parents' money to pay any downpayments, not for my house, not for my reno and definitely not for my (future)car!
Some people are just sour grapes. What's the point to have a car yet financing it till you can't breathe right? My colleague also keep asking me to employ a maid or buy a car. I was like crazy I am always uncomfortable with a maid at home then car my place is just next to MRT. So I think it's already very convenient. I do not need to spend extra to make myself to have no spare cash. It's also not I am so tight cash till cannot afford even can finance by next year. I still wouldn't consider as it's still a necessity to me yet.
For goodness sake, we are not born with gold or silver spoon. If can rely on ourselves, why still need your parents to support you. At least, what we have now we feel proud cos is we pay for it ourselves.
I agreed with you. our unit is just 7 minutes from MRT.
I'll rather to RICH than asset rich.
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