Wednesday, June 27, 2007 @11:08 PM

my very naive views on public transport-bus.

so we do take bus often.feeder bus very frequent.those long journey buses also very frequent.but express buses seldom n night rider rarely.

but dun u find it extremely frustrating when u are waiting so so so long just for a bus ride?maybe a 30 mins bus ride or so,but u need to wait like 15 mins or more?or when u are in a hurry to work,to sch,to meet frens,but the bus just seem to be nvr coming when u just miss one right in front of u?dun u tink so?
and just when the prices of the bus rides increase every almost half a yr,i began to wonder,then y is this happening?wat is realli wrong?
first thing first.just a 10 to 20 dollars top up of fare card,it's not difficult to realise,it's actualli being used up simply for just perhaps 4-8 rides?
and it's quite common to see the so call one and only special tv mobile always hang like a 486 mhz computer when the bus jerks,brakes,under tunnel or even stops for passengers to alight/board.
and looking at the board at the bus stop.peak frequency,4-10 mins.off-peak-5-15 mins,i actualli very stupid for i cant see the difference when the off peak feels like peak,peak feels like off peak for the bus freq is always like more than 10 mins?
so looks like i am very not the happy with with bus services.
on the other hand,i am actualli quite proud for them to change the structures of the bus to accomodate physically disabled ppl.it's realli a good idea and greatly improve their accessibility.
However,in order steps and small signposts are built to address the safety issues and these steps will no doubt hinder the movements of wheelchairs.Hence,isn't it a contradiction?

So,readers,some will probably say,"aiyar,u ah...living so comfortably,still complain,u dunno we have one of the BEST and Efficient public Transport ah?still complain.give u tv to watch on journey u watch u complain.give u air con while u travelling u complain.raise abit money only for such a comfortable journey u complain like as if the increase is 5 dollars when it's just ten cts or more?u gotta be more mature lar."

yes yes,indeed.BUT,dont u agree,small accumulates to BIG BIG.If not,y do we still use the ex-link card like water draining off from a tap like that when we top up so much $$$ in it and we only use it like travelling to and fro once only?and dun u agree also that,despite the improved air conditioned in bus,it's still very warm in at least 20% of the bus?and the faulty Tv mobile simply is an unjustified reason for any particular price hike if it's ever used.

and most importantly,dun we always strive for better progress,better improvement.and if we keep saying and praising ourselves that we are the best,how are we going to improve when we are already the best when i also dun tink so?So,it's best to review the system.and hence,u may probably say again,"aiyar,talk so much,where got use,complain noe how to complain,u suggest ideas lar!"

ok,then pardon mi for my shallow and naive ideas and advices.
1.remove the tv mobile system.most of the ppl already have their very the own entertainment from their electronic devices.listen to music for mp3 player.play game for nintendo ds,gameboy or even psp.got books to read or even sleep.they probably dun need a tv mobile system when there's mobtv for them to watch repeated telecast or something.by removing,will probably cut some cost.

2.increase the frequency of buses during peak hours significantly esp for ppl to get to work,sch and especially to those industrial areas where the bus services are very limited.perhaps from the current 4-10 to 4-7 mins.do consider that it's pretty packed and crowded in the bus and this will cause those not in bus to be late or so if there's no increase in frequency.i believe this can be achieved because this will attract more ppl for buses and increase the revenue in a long run as this will attract more ppl if they know that the increase frequencies will decrease the chances of being late.decrease the frequencies during late nites so as to allow more ppl to catch the last few buses hm.the concept behind is same as MRT.decrease,so that more ppl can race against time for the bus.

3.review the structures and layout of the busstops so as to compromise with the new design of bus.This is to improve the accessibility for the physically disabled ppl and also to address the safety concerns in a broader aspect.

4.review the system of ezlink.notice that there is this symbol indicatin not to tap and when is to tap,it will show the time also.it's quite meaningless actualli to show the time only for a few seconds.hence,add in the time with the dash with the circle symbol so that it can show time at all times.
also,make the can tap signal available from probaly 500 metres away.this will help ppl to tap early and not waste time at the exit there.for i am one such example that will wake up from wonderland and busily and gan chiongly finding my wallet to tap and alight.and the bus driver will think i am not alighting-.-

5.review the fares again.if there's up and down for the prices of diesel due to the competitions in the oil companies,why is there only up and up for the bus fares?that's something a fool like mi cant understand.

last but not least,u may ask,so many disatisfactions,y nvr write in?read again.with my powderful eng-ger-lish,they may be probably lauging their asses off and rolling on the floor before the content of this gp essay is given any serious considerations.

in conclusion,i am merely making suggestions.so no offence and do forget and forgive if i wrote too bluntly.

o-m-o-i