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Public transport – addressing some issues

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This is a letter which Leong Sze Hian had sent to the mainstream press. It has not been published so far.

I refer to SBS and SMRT’s application to increase transport fares.

In conjunction with the two transport operators’ application to increase fares, it was separately announced at the same time that $10 million has been set aside over three years to help the needy cope with fare increases.

If the same $20 transport vouchers that was given in the past is applied, $10 million which is $ 3.33 million a year, will provide $20 vouchers to 166,666 needy people.

As the bottom 10 per cent of non-retiree households with per capita monthly income of just $160 is already estimated to be about 324,000 needy people (estimated 90,000 households x average 3.6 residents per household), helping just 166,666 people, may not be enough.

As the reason given for raising GST is to help the needy, I would like to suggest that this amount be more generous.

$20 transport vouchers despite increasing fares

Over the last 5 years, fares have increased 4 times. Transport vouchers were only given in the same amount of $20 to offset the fare increase for just one year. Shouldn’t transport vouchers be increasing at $20 per year to offset all the years’ increases, instead of just one year ?

Since the PTC has yet to make the decision whether to approve the fare increase, how is it possible that an announcement can be made separately on the same day of the fare increase application, that $10 million has been set aside for three years to help the needy cope with fare increases ?

I was somewhat amused by two different media reports on the same day, about improvements to bus services.

Waiting time

Instead of the current 15 minute intervals standard during peak hours, buses will have to arrive every 10 minutes, at least during weekday peak hours, 80 per cent of the time. This revised standard will be phased in two years from now. Also, fines of between $100 (per day per bus service) and $ 10,000 (per month per standard will kick in from October, if operators fail to comply.

The other improvement is that the Land Transport Authority has rolled out a pilot project to provide real-time bus arrival information at selected bus stops.

Since bus operators will have to re-schedule buses to 10 minutes or less intervals during peak hours, what’s the point of spending over $1 million just to let commuters know whether the bus is coming in say 5 or 10 minutes, or the occasional over 10 minute wait which may be quite rare because of the penalties imposed ?

These improvements may actually cause more problems for commuters, because the problem is not so much that every bus service number must arrive within 10 minutes, but rather whether the bus is full when it arrives.

By requiring all bus service numbers to arrive within 10 minutes, less buses may be deployed for those service numbers that are always full.

Which is more important to commuters ?

Being able to board the bus when it comes, or knowing when it is expected to come ?

For the majority of commuters, what difference does it make ? When the bus is late, most would still have to wait, because if they can afford to take a taxi, why would they be waiting for a bus in the first place ?

How do you know whether walking to the taxi stand may not be an even longer wait for a taxi?

Will fines and penalties be passed to commuters?

Fines of $100, $10,000 may really be “peanuts” to bus operators. A more effective measure to raise service levels maybe to include service standards in the PTC’s fares increase formula, which now only takes into account wage increase, inflation and productivity.

Will the cost of adding 100 plus buses to meet the 10 minute interval standard, fines and penalties be passed on to commuters by way of higher fares in the future ? In this connection, both transport operators cited rising costs as the main reason for their application to increase fares this year.

I wonder whether the people who made the decisions for these two improvements take buses regularly.

How about improving the transparency and accountability of the decision making process for bus services, by telling us?

 

Update:

Referring to Straits Times report of Aug 15 pg h25:

ComfortDelGro has been ranked 29 out of 389 companies that have reported
their half-year results ended June 30, 2007.

Why is a transport operator which is essentially a monopoly of essential
services so profitable? – the above ranking is in order of the “biggest
profit-makers”.

Will SMRT’s results be as profitable when their equivalent results are
announced?

Why is it that the results are normally announced shortly after the fare
increase application deadline?

In view of this timing of the results and fare application, will the
PTC take into account the latest data that I believe were not
submitted by the transport operators in support of their application?

Are the reasons of rising costs (which affect profits?) still justified?

Visit Sze Hian’s website for more of his writings.


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Indonesia

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The Miss Universe Organization severs ties with Indonesia franchise due to harassment claims. Malaysia edition canceled.

Women allege body checks before pageant. Investigation launched. Safety prioritized.

Indonesia winner to compete in November finale. Height requirement controversy.

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WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition.

In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.

Their lawyer said Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken.

“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.”

It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organization’s priority.

Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched.

The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks.

“I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.

She added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”

The Jakarta competition was held from 29 July to 3 August to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.

In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”

— AFP

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Malaysia

A Perodua service centre in Kuantan, Malaysia went viral for its strict dress code, Perodua responds

A dress code for vehicle servicing? A Malaysian car brand’s service centre dress code signage has puzzled netizens, raising queries about the need for attire rules during a routine service.

The manufacturer responded with an official statement after a flurry of comments, seeking to clarify and apologize.

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MALAYSIA: A dress code signage positioned at a service centre belonging to a prominent Malaysian car brand has sparked bewilderment among Malaysian netizens, who question the necessity of adhering to attire guidelines for a simple vehicle servicing.

The signage explicitly delineates clothing items that are deemed unsuitable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, abbreviated pants, and distressed jeans.

The car manufacturer swiftly found itself flooded with comments from both inquisitive and irked Malaysian netizens. This surge in online activity prompted the company to issue an official statement aimed at clarifying the situation and extending an apology.

In a post that gained significant traction on the social media platform, politician Quek Tai Seong of Pahang State, Malaysia, shared an image to Facebook on Monday (7 Aug).

The image showcased a dress code sign prominently displayed at a Perodua Service Centre in Kuantan. Within the post, Quek posed the question: “Is this dress code applicable nationwide, or is it specific to this branch?”

The signage reads, “All customers dealing with Perodua Service Kuantan 1, Semambu, are requested to dress modestly and appropriately.”

Adding visual clarity to these guidelines, the sign features illustrative graphics that explicitly outline clothing items deemed unacceptable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, short pants, and ripped jeans.

Delineating the specifics of the dress code, the signage stipulates that male visitors are expected to don shirts accompanied by neckties, opt for long pants, and wear closed shoes.

Conversely, female visitors are advised to don long-sleeved shirts, full-length skirts, and closed-toe footwear.

Perodua’s dress code sparks online uproar

Following the rapid spread of the post, Perodua’s official Facebook page found itself inundated with comments from both intrigued and frustrated Malaysian netizens, all seeking clarifications about the newly surfaced dress code policy.

Amidst the flurry of comments, numerous incensed netizens posed pointed questions such as, “What is the rationale behind the introduction of such regulations by the management? We demand an explanation.”

Another netizen expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing against the necessity of the rule and urging Perodua to take inspiration from the practices of other 4S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey) automotive dealerships.

A concerned Facebook user chimed in, advocating for a more lenient stance, asserting that attempting to dictate customers’ clothing choices might not be in the company’s best interest.

Someone also commented in an angry tone, “Oi what is this? Going there for car service, not interview or working, right.”

As the discourse unfolded, it became evident that while some inquiries carried genuine weight, others chose to inject humor into the situation, playfully remarking, “If I wanted to buy a Myvi, I should buy or rent a formal attire first.”

“I sell economy rice at a hawker centre, I have never worn a long sleeve shirt and a tie… I guess I will not buy a Perodua car then.”

“I guess they will not serve those who wear short pants.”

Perodua addresses dress code controversy

As reported by Chinese media outlet Sin Chew Daily News, the manager of Kuantan’s Perodua Service Centre had acknowledged that the images on the dress code signage were misleading.

In response, the manager divulged that discussions had transpired with the head office, leading to the prompt removal of the signage to prevent any further misconceptions.

The manager clarifies, “We do encourage visitors to adhere to the dress etiquette, but we won’t go to the extent of restricting their choice of attire.”

He also revealed that currently, no complaints have been directly received from the public.

However, feedback from certain customers was relayed through Perodua’s agents.

Perodua also released an official statement by chief operating officer JK Rozman Jaffar on Wednesday (9 Aug) regarding the dress code on their official Facebook page.

The statement stated the dress code etiquette is not aligned with their official guidelines and they are currently conducting an official investigation on the matter followed by corrective measures to avoid the same incident from happening.

Perodua also extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

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