Marina South

Marina South is the new CBD. There is an excellent opportunity to plan a light rail system or a personal rapid transit system at this early stage. This is the transport of the city of the future. We should avoid building roads for cars in the new CBD.

Feeder Bus Services

The Land Transport Authority wishes to promote the "park-and-ride" scheme. It is better to promote feeder services. These services should meet the following criteria:

1. Be frequent
2. Short travelling time
3. Be affordable.

The light bus system used in Hong Kong is the best model. It should be managed by individual operators and not big companies.

Double length bus used by SMRT

The double length bus used by SMRT should be disallowed on Singapore roads. They take too much space at the bus stops (i.e. taking the space of two buses) and make it difficult for other buses to use the same stop. These lenghy buses also take a long time to make a turn.

As these buses have double the capacity, their frequency will be doubled (as they have to fill up the bus as much as possible). The waiting time will be longer.

Feeder services should use the standard bus or a light bus (with fewer passengers). It allows them to move more agilely and also to have a shorter waiting time.

The bus service operators need to be considerate about people, and not insist of maximising profits.

Too much advertising

There are too much advertising in Singapore. Property owners are more interested to get the maximum advertising revenue, at the expense of the convenience of the customers.

Recently, I was at the underpass around Republic plaza, looking for the escalator to reach the street level. I cam across a section with many tables and eating stalls. I had trouble looking for the escalated, which was obscured by the eating places. There was so much advertising of the food, which obscured the sign to the escalator.

The advertising in the MRT stations is also overwhelming. The commuters sees advertising all over the place. It is difficult to find the signs and directions to get to a place around the station. The guide to the commuters is inadequate.

There should be a better balance. It is all right to have advertisements, but they should not crowd out the information needed by the commuters. Our businesses should be more considerate to the public. The regulators should exercise better oversight.

Poor signages in Singapore

The signages in Singapore is inadequate. I had a lot of trouble using the underpass from NTUC Building to Republic Plaza. When I came to a junction, I did not know which direction to go, due to inadequate signage. I had to walk down a few ten meters to find that I took the wrong turn and had to turn back.

It seems that nobody test the signages to make sure that they are adequate and placed at the right places. Too many senior people use the cars, and do not bother about the convenience of people who take public transport.

There are inadequate maps. I find maps to be useful to show distrances, roads, buildings and the turns to take.

There is also lack of direction signs. When I am on an unfamiliar road, I do not know which the direction to take. In many well-organised cities, the street sign will indicate the direction that is north, south, east or west. It is helpful.

The signages in Singapore need to be improved. Is this the responsibility of the Land Transport Authority, Singapore Land Office or other agency?

More hand-rails needed on MRT trains

The MRT trains are crowded most of the time. Many passengers have to stand near the doors, as the rest of the carriage is full. There are insufficient hand-rails in these areas. It is difficult to hold on to something to stop from falling down. Some passengers have to lean on the end of the carriage to get some balance.

This is a dreadful condition. I wonder why this deficiency has not been corrected for so many years. Perhaps the top people in the government and the land transport authority do not take trains, so they are not aware about this situation.

I hope that their staff monitor this feedback and pass it upwards.

Electronic signs at MRT trains

A few months ago, I suggested that MRT trains should provide electronic signs to show the current and next station for the train, and which side of the door will open at the next station. At that time, I got a reply that one part of the suggestion will be implemented.

I was surprised to observe the electronic signs on a MRT train today. They implemented both suggestions and in two different ways. At each door of a carriage, there is a sign to show the current and following stations, and the door that will next open. There is also a few electronic signs containing moving messages down each carriage.

During the intervening period, there was no attempt by either SMRT or Land Transport Authority to call and tell me about how they plan to implement the suggestion.

I hope that the people in power in Singapore will talk and engage the public, especially those who make suggetions for changes. This new culture needs to start from the top, from the people who make decisions.

Look at the total picture

I went to a machine to add value to my ez-Link card. It rejected by ATM card. I tried many times and gave up.

I went to the counter to add value to my ez-Link card. I told the station officer that the machine was not working. His reply was "The machine is owned by Transit-Link". It implies that this is not the concern of SMRT.

We need to encourage Singaporeans to think of the total picture, and not in terms of individual segments. It the machine is not working, the station officer could have taken the responsibility to pass the feedback to the relevant "owner".

Less crowded trains

I took the MRT train from Yio Chu Kang station at 9 am. To my surprise, the train was only half full.

I wonder if this is due to more train being put into service, or less passengers due to the economic recession?

Surprise - small MRT trains are now not packed

In recent weeks, I was surprised to find that the MRT train is not packed on some times of the day. I may not be able to get a seat, but at least I do not have to squeeze in a crowded train.

I suspect that the SMRT is now running more trains. Sometimes, if we are lucky, we can get a train that is not over-crowded. We might even be lucky to get a seat!

Poor signage in Singapore

I took the underpass from One Marina Boulevard (NTUC Building) to Republic Plaza. The signage in the underpass is quite bad. I had difficulty finding the right turn to take in a few places.

I took the wrong exit and found myself on the wrong side of Cecil Street. I had to return back to the underpass.

I find the signage in Singapore to be quite bad. There are inadequate signs. They are not prominent displayed. Often, I wish that there were maps to show the roads and buildings, but it seemed that maps are taboo in Singapore.

When I arrived at the basement of Republic Plaza, I had trouble in finding the escalator to get out. The area was filled with eating places. It seems that the commecially minded property owners are more keen to get the maximum rental from the available space, rather than help the people to find the escalators and stairs.

I expect our regulator to be more pro-people, rather than allow business to extract the last dollar of revenue. The convenience of the people should also be considered as being important.

Priority Seating

There is a sign in the MRT train that reads:

Be considerate.
Give up this seat to a
passenger with special needs.

I wish to send this message to the operator of the
MRT trains:

Be considerate.
Run more trains, so that more
passengers have the chance to have a
seat.

It is difficult to expect a passenger to give up a seat if it is available only once in a long, long time.

Public bus in Jakarta

I took the public bus in Jakarta. It is air-conditioned. I was able to get a seat, as it was during the office hours and there were not many passengers. The fare is 3,000 rupiah (SGD 0.50) for a 30 minute trip.

A few street musicians were in the bus singing songs. They pass the hat around for donations by the passengers. Most passengers give 500 rupiah (SGD 0.10).

Busway in Jakarta

I took the busway in Jakarta. It was an interesting experience - quite different from what I thought it would be.

The busway run on a dedicated lane on the road. The other lanes used by private cars are congested and slow. The bus run quite fast on the busway.

The passenger pays the fare before entering the station, similar to the MRT system in Singapore. A fixed fare of 3,500 rupiah (SGD 0.70) applies for each trip, regardless of distance.
You can change to another bus at an interchange station.

The buses are crowded, similar to the MRT trains in Singapore.

The busway is a low cost way of implementing rapid transit. It uses bus instead of trains.

Increase in fares for public transport

There are several articles and views from the public in this blog:

www.theonlinecitizen.com

Free public transport in 20 cities

Somebody said that 20 cities provide free public transport. Can readers help me to identify these cities, and the scope of their free transport:

> area covered
> how is the cost funded
> quality of service.

Adolf Hitller complains about the ERP and MRT

By courtesy of Loh Hon Chun:

Even Adolf Hitler complains about the ERP and MRT in Singapore.
http://hongjun.blogspot.com/2008/09/hitler-complaining-about-erp-and-mrt.html

Free bicycles and bus rides

Some cities offer free shuttle service within the central area. Some offer free bicycles that the public can use.

The cost of the free service is borne by the city through taxation. People are not likely to abuse free transport. They do not take transport for fun. It is necessary for work or to visit places.

I believe that a system of free public transport is efficient and useful. There is no need to worry about collecting fares and have gates and fences.

It is free to walk on the runs. It can be made free to take a shuttle bus or train. We only need to treat it as a social cost.

Free public transport during Beijing Olympics

My friend visited Beijing for the Olypmpics. The visitors, with the Olympic pass, were able to get free transport in Beijing. This makes it convenient for them. It adds to the wonderful experience.

Over-crowded trains

Our SMRT trains are over-crowded most times of the day and night. Passengers like to stay near the door, as they will find it difficult to get down the train, if they move inside the carriages. It is difficult for other passengers to get up or down the train, as they have to squeeze through these passengers crowding near the doorway.

I hope that the Public Transport Council will mandate that SMRT should run more trains, so that they are not so crowded. It is possible to use a benchmark based on the ratio between trains and passengers. In my view, the average occupancy should be 75%, based on passengers and train capacity (i.e number of trains X passenger per train).

If the average capacity is 75%, the trains should be 100% full during the busy hours and 50% full during the off-peak hours. At present, I suspect that the average capacity is closer to 85%, which leads to over-crowded trains.

As another indicator, I do not get the chance to have a sit for more than 80% of the trips that I take, even during the off-peak hours.

Reduce commuting

I wish to encourage people to live near their place of work or to work near their homes. This will reduce the time spent on commuting and will lead to a better quality of life.

My views are contained in this article:
http://www.tankinlian.com/articles/sustain.html

Use your brake more than your horn

To motorist,

Use your brake more than your horn.

If you see the vehicle ahead signal a change of lane or make a swtich at the last minute without warning, you can use your brake rather than your horn.

Sometimes, the vehicle in front may be unfamiliar with the road or overlook to move to the right lane in time. Be helpful and considerate. Give way.

Taxi fares in various cities

This comparision was made in January 2008. Here is a rough comparison of taxi fares for a 5 km trip during the peak hours.

London       GBP 9   SGD 30
Sydney       AUD 12  SGD 16
New York     USD 8   SGD 12
Singapore            SGD 7 (plus ERP and CBD)
Hong Kong    HKD 40  SGD 8
Taipei       NT 160  SGD 8

Taxi fares are no longer cheap in Singapore. The most expensive is London.

Taxi fares in Taipei

I was in Taipei at the beginning of 2008. I found their taxi fares to be as follows:

1. Starting fare for first 1250 m, NT 70 (SGD $3.50)
2. Surcharge after midnight, NT20 ($1)
3. Calling a taxi - no charge
4. Distance fare for 250 m or 84 secs of idling, NT5 ($0.25)

Fare for 5.11 km daytime, NT157 ($8)

The new fares, which took effect recently, was decided by the Taipei City Government based on three proposals submitted by interested parties. The decision was accepted by the taxi operators. The revised fare was necessary based to cover higher operating cost, due to higher oil prices.

Observation: The taxi fares in Taipei are much simpler than Singapore. The fares are regulated and produce a satisfactory outcome for commuters and taxi drivers.

Taxi fares

Singapore has a complicated system of taxi fares. The fares differ according to the taxi company.

In most cities, there is a uniform taxi fare. This is a fairer system to the commuters and to tourists.

SMS taxi booking

Some taxi companies now allow SMS taxi booking. But they continue to charge the high booking fee of $3.50 (peak period) and $2.50 (off-peak period).

With SMS, the cost should be lower, as there is no need for human intervention. If the taxi company reduces the booking fee, it will encourage more people to book a taxi (and not wait to flag down on the road).

Infrastructure cost of MRT and PRT

I suspect that the infrastructure cost to build a MRT is much higher than a PRT, to transport the same number of passengers. The PRT is modular and appears to be a more efficient system.

I think that there are studies on the relative infrastructure cost. I will be looking into it. But, the experts promoting the PRT are likely to be able to locate the answer for me.

Different fares for seated and standing passengers

Planes have first class, business class and economy class paying different fares. Long distance trains (i.e. not commuter trains) also have first class and normal class, with different fares.

I wonder if the MRT trains can also introduce 2 classes, a higher fare for people who wants a seat and a lower fare for standing passengers. This is how it can be done.

The front carriages have seats; the back carriages are for standing passengers only. If the passenger enter a front carriage, it is recorded in the smart card (ez-Link). On exit, a higher fare is charged.

This is just an idea. It is worth exploring.

Energy Efficiency of PRT - calculation

Someone asked me, "How can the PRT be more efficient than the MRT?" The MRT has economy of scale and should use less energy. I think that the PRT can be more efficient because:

1. the number of podcars can vary according to demand.
2. the podcars can go straight to the destination, without having to stop at the intermediate stops

A Transportation Enthusiast provided the following useful information for my calculations:

> Consider weight alone as a rough estimate of energy usage. This is not fully accurate, but can give a ballpark number for energy efficiency.
> According to Wikipedia, MRT trains weigh about 214,000 kg unloaded and can carry a maximum of 1920 passengers (492 sitting, 1428 standing).
> A ULTra PRT weighs about 700kg unloaded and carry 4 passengers.

I will approach the calculation in this way:

> Train 214,000 kg / 1920 passenger = 111 kg p passenger
> Podcar = 700 kg / 4 = 175 kg p passenger

Assume an average occupancy of 50% during the peak and off-peak hours.

> Train (50% occupancy) = 222 kg p passenger
> Podcar (50% occupancy) = 350 kg p passenger

We have to consider the energy used in starting and stopping the train. Assume that this adds to an additional 20% in energy use.

The final adjustment is for distance travelled. The podcar can take the direct route and cut down the distance. The train follows the same schedule and forces all passengers to travel longer. Assume that the difference in distance is 30%.

The final energy consumpiton is:

> Train 222 X 1.2 X 1.3 = 346 kg p passenger
> Podcar = 350 kg p passenger

Both train and podcars can probably consume the same energy.

The podcar beats the train in the following respects:

> Shorter travelling time, due to direct route
> All passengers in the podcar are seated.

If the podcar can be filled with 4 passengers (through pod-pooling, to reduce cost per passenger), the pod beats the train in energy consumption as well.

Disclaimer: This is just a simple calculation. It is based on assumptions that may differ in actual practice. Take the conclusion with a pinch of salt!

Sharing a pod

At the pod station, passengers who wish to share a pod to a popular destinatio, e.g. the train station, bus station or shopping mall, can wait in a certain queue. When 4 people have arrived in the queue, they can enter the pod. They share the cost of the ride.

On the return journey to the home, they can also stand in certain areas (according to their destination or zone). They can talk to the other people in the spot and identify who can share the pod back home.

SMS booking of taxi

I am working with a technology partner to introduce SMS booking of taxi.

A passenger can send a SMS with the postal code to a server. A SMS will be sent to the passenger within two minutes, giving the particulars of the taxi. The taxi driver will call the passenger shortly afterwards. They can communicate the pickup place. Tentatively, the fare is $1.50 for off-peak hours and $3 for peak hours.

The passenger can download a program into the mobilephone. This program allows the passenger to press a button to send a SMS to the server, with the current location (i.e. no need to enter the postal code).

If no taxi is available, the server will send a SMS back within two minutes. The SMS message will contain the LTA taxi booking number for the customer to call.

I hope that many people will find it to be more convenient to get a taxi to come to the doorstep and do not mind paying $1.50 extra. The taxi driver does not need to waste petrol in plying the road to look for passengers.

The passenger can also book a taxi at a lower booking fee of $1. If a taxi is available, the taxi driver will call the passenger. If there is no call within 3 minutes, the passenger can assume that the taxi is not available. There will be no SMS message to notify the customer about the status of the taxi.

Powering the pod

The pod operates on batteries. This is clean and efficient energy.

The pod should be designed so that when the battery level reaches a certain point, the pod will not take any more passenger, and will instead proceed to the battery station. A technician can insert a fully charged battery into the pod to replace the used battery. The used battery will then be charged.

When fully charged, the pod can be despatched to the next station where it is needed.

This approach ensures that all the pods are put to maximum use to meet the demand, and the charging of the battery is carried out as a separate off-line operation.

Manpower efficiency of various modes of transport

At one time, the MRT is more efficient in the use of manpower. The ratio of workers and passengers is quite low in the MRT. The highest ratio comes with the use of taxis.

The PRT changes the equation. It has the convenience of a taxi but does not require a driver. It is more efficient that the MRT.

Energy efficiency of PRT and MRT

Someone asked me, "How can the PRT be more efficient than the MRT?" The MRT has economy of scale and should use less energy.

I think that the PRT can be more efficient because:

1. the number of podcars can vary according to demand.
2. the podcars can go straight to the destination, without having to stop at the intermediate stops

Board the train last

Due to overcrowding, many passengers want to board the train first, in case the train is full.

If the passenger is taking a few stops, it is better to board the train last and stand near the door. Let the long distrance passengers can board the train first and move towards the center.

This will avoid squeezing pass passengers when the passenger wish to alight.

Encourage more people to take public transport

I read this article a few months ago. It was printed in the Straits Times.

http://www.tankinlian.com/articles/transport.html

I hope that someone in the Ministry of Transport or Land Transport Authority will consider and implement some of these ideas.

Manual override on a pod

Some people are worried about riding in a pod which is automatically controlled.

Actually, there should not be any serious concern. We already use the LRT and the Skytrain at the airport. They are automatically controlled.

Perhaps, the concern is that the pod can be travelling faster, and is smaller. Perhaps, it is travelling a longer distance.

This concern can be addressed by allowing a "manual override" in the pod. When this is activated, the pod will go to the nearest station and stop there. This allows the passengers to disembark.

If there is any mechanical problem in the pod, it can also move automatically to the nearest station.

This feature of "move to the nearest station" on mechanical problem or manual override can enhance the confidence in the PRT system.

Efficiency of PRT and LRT

Which is more efficient, a PRT (personal rapid transport) or LRT (light rail transport)? What is the difference?

A PRT operates like a taxi. It offers point to point transport. It is used exclusively by the initial passengers and does not stop at intermediate points to pick other passengers. The journey time is shorter. All passengers have a seat.

A LRT operates like a bus. It stops at all intermediate stops to allow passengers to embark and disembark. The journey time is longer, as the train has to stop at every stop. Some passengers have a seat; others have to stand.

The train (i.e. LRT) is less efficient as all the passengers have to make many stops, which takes up energy. If the train is replaced by 100 pads (say) and each pod is able to travel non-stop on its journey to its destination, it should save energy.

Studies have shown that the energy used to transport a passenger on the PRT is lower than the LRT or MRT.

Minibus in Hong Kong

Someone asked me about the operation of the minibus system in Hongkong. Is there a fixed schedule? Are the fares fixed?

From my research, the system operates as follows:

1. The minibus has to be registered and is required to run on a certain route. There is no control over schedule or fare.
2. The operator is allowed to charge his displayed fare and to run at any time. They can increase their fare on a rainy day.
3. There is no fixed schedule. The number of minibuses that ply a route will demend on the market demand. This is similar to the supply of taxis.
4. The minibus can drop and pick up passengers anywhere along the route, except for the busy town areas where they are restricted to the stops (for control of traffic and safety).

The minibus offers nearly the same convenience as a taxi, but at a considerably reduced fare. It improves the efficiency of the transport system.

Senior citizen fares

SBS provides concession for senior citizens (60 years and older) throughout the day. SMRT provides concessions during the off-peak hours. The maximum fare is around 66 cents, regardless of distance. This is a useful concession to senior citizen.

My friend, who is over 60 years, was not aware of this concession, although he has been using public transport over the years. When I told him of the concession, he applied for it and was surprised that it saved him some travelling cost.

Re-confirm the appointment

I arranged a meeting at 8 pm on Sunday night at my home. One of the attendees came to my home at 8 am in the morning. He misunderstood the time.

I faced the problem as well. Sometimes, the date, time or place has been changed, but some people were not notified or they forgot to update their scheduler.

Lesson: Before leaving your home or office for an appointment, give a call on the mobile phone to the other party to confirm the time and place. In making an appointment, always ask for the mobile phone number of the party that you are meeting.

Feeder service

We have to introduce feeder service like in Hong Kong. They are operated by small operators and given the freedom to run their service according to market demand. Many people find this service to be excellent.

More details in:
http://www.tankinlian.com/articles/express.html

Elevated guideway for PRT

A PRT requires the use of elevated guideways. Some people think that this is unsightly.

I have seen designs of the elevated guideways. It can be quite attractive. The guideways are narrow and light and does not need to carry a heavy load. It can be placed at the middle of existing roads.

When the pod arrives at a station, it can take a side guideway which can move to a elevated platform at the side of the road or to the second level of a building.

Parking charges at Suntec

I had lunch at Suntec City. The parking charges for 2 hours was $4.28. I found it to be quite expensive. I had to pay $1 ERP charge as well. It would have been better to take the bus from my office to Suntec City at $0.66 per trip.

ERP charges

This morning, I drove through 2 ERP gantries along the Central Expressway at 9.20 a.m. The charges are now displayed. I was surprised that the charge was $0.50 per gantry, or a total of $1 for two gantries. I had the impression that the charges were much higher. It is useful that the ERP charges are now displayed. It is not as painful as I thought.

Premium bus - higher fare, better quality

Some people are willing to pay a higher fare to get a better seat in an airplane. They are called first class and business class.

We can have the same arrangement for a bus. Certain buses can be designed as premium bus by a different color. They will charge 50% more in fare. As they are more expensive, some people will avoid taking the premium bus. Others who are willing to pay the higher fare can be assured of a seat and no crowding. The premium bus should run on the same route as the regular bus.

Automated controls in PRT

The PRT system requires the pod to move automatically, after the user keys in the destination. The challenge is to design the navigation and control system to ensure that the safety of the pods and the entire system.

There are many approaches to the design of the system. Some people are ambitious and want to have a sophisticated system - which is costly and may not be achievable.

I can think of a simple system that can operate efficient and is practical to implement. It comprises of two components:

1. The vehicle control system. This will ensure that the passengers are seated and secured safely. It checks that the pod moves at a safe speed and is able to slow down in tandem with the vehicle in front or if there is an obstacle. It also receives instruction from the central control system on the route to take.

2. The central system. This system is aware of all the pods in the network and will instruct each pod on the optimal route, after considering the traffic in the entire system. This will reduce congestion and ensures the smooth flow of traffic.

By adopting the dual approach, it will be possible to design a workable system that ensures a high standard of safety and efficiency.

Pods wait for people

A PRT uses a pod. It typically seats 4 people. It waits for the passengers and moves away when the passengers enters the pod. This is more convenient that a bus or train, where people have to wait for the vehicle.

A pod is used like a car. The car waits for the owner. The owner arrives, enters the car and drives away.

If 100 people drives a car, the 100 cars are parked in the parking lot. This takes up a lot of space and is quite wasteful. At any time, perhaps 10 pods can serve the needs of 100 people. Each person orders a pod and uses it to move to the destination. The pod is then available for another person to use. As the 10 pods are moving nearly all the time, there is little need for parking space.

The use of pods will be more efficient than cars. It will be more convenient and economical. As the pod is automatically driven, there is no need for a person to drive the pod. It is like a taxi without a driver.

I believe that PRT will improve the transport system tremendously, especially for local transport (i.e within a town).

Lower Petrol Price

I filled up my petrol tank. The petrol price is $2.03 per litre. One month earlier, it was $2.24 per litre. The price has dropped by 10%. I hope that this trend continues, and that the petrol price will come down to a more normal level.

Seat on MRT train

I took the MRT from Toa Payoh to Yio Chu Kang at 12.30 pm. It was supposed to be the lunch hour. The train was half full, and many seats were available. This was a pleasant surprise!

My concept of a PRT

Here is my concept of a PRT (personal rapid transport). The system uses a pod carrying 4 passengers. It operates like a taxi without a driver. It runs on elevated guideways and is computer controlled. The PRT has the following advantages, compared to cars and taxis:

1. One pod can replace 10 cars, as it can be take many trips a day
2. It reduces traffic congestion as it runs on elegated guideways
3. It can operate smoothly compared to taxis, as the pods do not compete for business
4. The guideways can be lighter than the tracks used for LRT or MRT
5. The PRT is useful to provide a feeder service within a town.
6. The pods run on battery or electricity.

I believe that the economics will favor the use of the PRT.

Crowded trains day and night

I find the SMRT trains to be crowded at all times of the day and night. During the off-peak hours, SMRT reduces the number of trains. It means a longer waiting time and packed trains all the way. Even if I travel at 10 p.m. at night, I hardly have the chance to find a seat.

In this type of condition, most passengers will not give up their seat to the elderly and to ladies. It is so rare to have a seat that they must hog it all the way.

Planning a journey

If I have to drive to a place that I am not familiar with, I get the journey guide from this website:

http://www.street.com.sg/

I provide my starting point (e.g. my home) and my destination. I can use the address or postal code. Within 5 seconds, the application displays a map showing the route and also the roads to take and the distance.

At the destination, I needed a bigger scale of the map. I was able to change the scale and view the "last mile" road in detail. This is helpful.

I like the fast speed of this website.

PRT proposals for other cities

Visit this website:
http://www.prtstrategies.com/

Can PRT (personal rapid transit) work

Why it can:
http://www.prtproject.com/index.html

Why it cannot:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~hause011/article/prt.html
http://users.csc.calpoly.edu/~dstearns/SchlohProject/problems.html

My view:
It can work. We have the technology. We can find the solution.

Does PRT just duplicate the road system?

Source: ??

Not really. In Seattle there are 1,691 centerline-miles of streets for the city's 78.75 square miles. PRT needs only about 2 miles of mainline guideway to serve a square mile, so a PRT system reaching every square mile would be only 157.5 miles of guideway— less than 10% of the length of the street system. And this means, obviously, that PRT guideway would not go down every street.

I heard this guy say that "we already have PRT, it's called the car." What about that? Cars aren't automated on their own track so as to prevent accidents and avoid congestion. Cars burn gas, PRT vehicles are electric. But the fundamental difference is that PRT vehicles are used and reused by different people 24/7. When you're not using your car, it sits idle in your driveway or in a parking garage.

If PRT is Personal, how much will buying a pod cost me? PRT is Personal, but that does not mean "privately owned." Rather, Personal refers to "PERSONALizing" the level of service—the individual, or small group of people traveling together. This basic assumption leads to the appropriateness of demand-responsive service, small stations and vehicles, and low-profile guideways with small spatial footprints.

But how can PRT replace cars if the rail doesn't go to your house? PRT is not a panacea; the goal is not to replace the car. PRT has been designed to be more convenient than buses and trains, and suitable for more kinds of travel. Think about what kind of trips you usually take by bus or train: it's usually the rush hour commute, just you and maybe a briefcase, to and from work. And maybe you even have to transfer along the way, or drive a car to a park-and-ride lot.

Under PRT, every location in the service area would be within easy walking distance of a station— access would just be a quick walk down the street. So in addition to your commute, it would be just as easy to take PRT to the movies, restaurants or events, anywhere in town (—that is, attracting a larger variety of journey types). This would reduce the number of occasions when people would need to drive.

PRT could even be used as a convenient way to reach light rail and intercity rail stations—helping the overall transit network function better.

Masdar in Abu Dhabi - World First Car Free City

http://www.masdaruae.com/text/news-d.aspx?_id=47

WWF and Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Initiative unveil plan for world’s first carbon-neutral, waste-free, car-free city“Masdar City” to be flagship of WWF One Planet Living Programme

Cities trying out Personal Rapid Transit systems

In 2008 construction of the first modern PRT system will be completed at London's Heathrow Airport; it will start carrying members of the public in 2009 after testing is completed. POSCO, the South Korean steel company, is testing a PRT system in Sweden. A second PRT test program is starting in Sweden, and sophisticated new concepts are being developed in Poland, Finland, and South Korea. Masdar, on track to become the world's first "green city," is planning a city-wide PRT system.

Today's leading PRT designs utilize a combination of commonplace, straightforward engineering, and off-the-shelf components. It is only a matter of time until it will be proven to the satisfaction of U.S. decisionmakers who are intrigued by PRT, but see political risks to being the first to try it.

Personal Automated Transport

Read more about this new system here:

http://www.megarail.com/MicroRail_Urban_Transit/Personal_Automated_Transport_PAT/

http://kinetic.seattle.wa.us/prt.html

Transport using electricity

With the high cost of petrol, many car manufacturers are looking at a new mode of transport using electric driven cars.

Some town planners are re-looking at using rail based systems for public transport, such as the MRT, LRT and trams.

There is a system called the PAT (personal automated transport). The vehicle carries 4 to 5 people and does not have a driver. It runs on rails and the route is controlled by a computer system. It operates like a taxi without a driver.

This type of system is being tested in some cities.

GPS Navigation System

I have a GPS Navigation system in my car. It is produced by Packard Bell. I have tried several devisces previously. I found the Packard Bell to be quite easy to use. It cost less than $500.

I use the navigation system all the time, including driving to my home. Although I know the way, I may overlook to take the right time due to lack of attention. The voice prompt will remind me.

Design of Expressways

A friend made this observation. The traffic along East Coast Parkway (ECP) was quite smooth. The traffic along the Central Expressway (CTE) was congested. Why?

ECP started at Changi Airport with fewer lanes. As it moved towards the city, additional lanes are added when the slip roads join the ECP. From three lanes, it became four lanes and five lanes. When the slip road takes traffic away from the ECP, the number of lanes reduced.

CTE was not designed in a similar way. He said, "We did not learn the lesson from the success of ECP". The number of lanes along CTE did not change in a similar fashion.

I do not know if his observation is correct. But it is a point worth exploring!

Double length buses

SMRT operates some services using double length buses. They occupy the space of two buses and crowds out other bus services at the bus stops. With double capacity, the bus can take more passengers. This means fewer buses to serve a certain demand, and double the waiting time for a bus. These buses are more unweildy and may cause traffic accidents.

I suggest that SMRT should use these buses for an express service with few stops. They should use the regular size bus for their normal services, which are expected to pick up passengers at many stops.

Expensive taxis

I took a taxi from Yio Chu Kang to Bugis in the morning and from Bugis to Changi Airport in the evening. Each trip cost me about $15, inclusive of the peak hour surcharge. A similar trip by train would have cost about $1.50. It is expensive to take a taxi, as it cost 10 times of the train.

Infrequent trains

I waited for the MRT at Bugis station at 7.50 pm (after the rush hour). The train was packed and some passengers could not board it. The next train arrived 6 minutes later. I changed train at City Hall station. The trains were at 5 minutes interval and were packed on most of the way.

MRT should have scheduled the train at intervals of 4 minutes during the off-peak hours to give passengers a more comfortable ride, instead of packing the train for most of the journey.

Unnecessary commuting

My friend lives in Woodlands and works at Changi Airport. Another friend lives in Redhill and works in Senoko (near Woodlands). Each person has to spend two hours each day, using their private cars, to commute to office and return home.

How wasteful! How much petrol is used each day? Surely, it is better to encourage them to live near their place of work and reduce the commuting time and cost?

Why don't they? They bought nice HDB flats and do not want to re-locate. If they change their residence, they have to pay up to $20,000 in stamp duty and legal fees. This is the negative aspect of our home ownership strategy.

Reduced commuting in Europe

My friend went on a tour of Europe. The tour guide said that in Europe, most people live within 3 kilometers from their place of work. This reduces the commuting time and cost. It is a more sensible arrangement. There is less need for public transport.

Mini-buses in Hong Kong

Source: Wikipedia

A public light bus is a common public mean of transport in Hong Kong. It mainly serves the area that standard bus lines cannot reach as efficiently. It is also colloqially known as a minibus or a van.

Minibuses carry a maximum of 16 seated passengers; no standing passengers are allowed (although some drivers allow a standing passenger in the stairwell if he or she is about to let off another passenger). Minibuses typically offer a faster and more efficient transportation solution due to their small size, limited carrying capacity, frequency and diverse range of routes, although they are generally slightly more expensive than standard buses. The popularity of public light bus services in Hong Kong is due to the high population densities which are needed to support the extensive network of minibus routes.

Overview
A passenger wishing to get on a minibus simply hails the minibus from the street kerb like a taxi. A minibus can generally be hailed down at any point along a route, subject to traffic regulations, although sometimes particular stops are marked out. To alight from a minibus, a passenger customarily calls out to the driver that they wish to get off. The driver then raises his hand to acknowledge him. Tourists are often confused by the calling system, as one must know the route somewhat well to know when to call.

Landmarks, intersecting streets, and even grocery stores such as Wellcome can be used. Some Green minibuses are now equipped with a bell similar to those that are found on the regular buses. Passengers who ride on minibuses equipped with such bells are encouraged to ring the bell if they wish to get off at the next stop. However, calling out to the driver is still the dominant method of letting the driver know that a passenger wishes to get off the minibus.

Mini-buses
There are two types of public light minibus, Green minibuses and Red minibuses. Both types have a cream coloured body, the distinguishing feature being the colour of the external roof, and the type of service that the colour denotes. In the past, the minibuses had a band of red or green painted around the body instead of colouring the roof.

Most of the minibus are Toyota Coasters, but a new and environmentally friendly Iveco Daily Green minibus has also been introduced to reduce air pollution. Most of the buses run on Autogas (liquefied petroleum gas or LPG). This type of fuel is not only cheaper, but also reduces emissions. The transport commission is making further efforts to reduce emissions by providing incentives for bus drivers to make the switch to even more efficient electric vehicles.

By 2005, there are 4,350 public light buses in Hong Kong, of which 1,660 are red minibuses (RMBs) and 2,690 are green minibuses (GMBs). The operations of these two types of services are regulated through conditions imposed by the Commissioner for Transport under the passenger service licences (PSLs).

Green minibuses
Green minibuses operate a scheduled service, with fixed routes and fixed fares. There are currently around 250 green public light buses routes with route numbers assigned. The exact fare must be tendered, or payment can be made by Octopus card. On some routes, passengers may pay a portion of the full fare (called section fare) if they are only travelling a section of the route. Sections are usually distinctive physical landmarks, such as crossing a tunnel or a bridge.

Red minibuses
Red minibuses run a non-scheduled service, although many routes may in effect become fixed over time. Red minibuses may operate anywhere where no special prohibitions apply, without control over routes or fares. The operation of red minibuses provides services according to market demand.

In most red minibuses, passengers pay just before they alight, and change for cash payment may be available, or may have a small amount deducted off the amount of change for the inconvenience (of giving change). Only a few red minibuses are equipped to accept payment by Octopus card. Red minibuses’ fares and timetables are not regulated by the Government, and so, may occasionally be more expensive than their Green counterparts.

As routes are not tightly regulated, the flexibility of routes is higher than green minibuses, since drivers may choose the optimum route to travel.

Problem
The greatest problem are with fares. As the minibuses do not have fixed fares, routes and timetables, the fluctuations in fares can be quite large. Some routes may reduce their fares to an unreasonable price in order to win more passengers, but when demand increases (e.g. during typhoons, when regulated buses and minibuses services are suspended), they can make increases in fares without limitation.

Another issue is speeding. From late at night to the early morning, in order to make more rounds during their shifts to earn more, drivers may risk speeding. A typically long journey can be dramatically reduced

Secruity check at Changi Airport

I dislike the security check at Changi Airport. Although I remove my keys, pens, wallets, coins and other metallic devices, the metal detector will always beep. I decided that there is no point in removing these items.

At other airports, the metal detector is set at a more sensible level. It does not beep for the normal things that a passenger will carry.

I hope that our metal detectors at Changi Airport can be set at a more sensible level. I am surprised that this situation has been continued for more than three years, after it was introduced. Surely there must be some feedback from passengers?

Support for Feeder Service

Dear Mr. Tan

I like the suggestion on the feeder service. In the past, back in the 1970s and 1980s, there were this privately operated bus services using small coaches and vans which used to even ply between housing estates and the city. I remember very well that I like to take those small little buses from MacPherson estate to the old National Library at Stamford Road. I really wonder how much it will cost now to travel from Tampines to Tanglin for work.

Before, my only concern was a $0.50 or $1.00 ERP at Stevens Road and the carpark charges at work but now I'm not sure how many gantries I have to pass before reaching work 9 and having to pay an increased carpart rate some more).

Anyway, I'm quite lucky. If I switch to public transport all I have to do is to walk less than 200 metres to a bus stop to take bus to Bedok, cross over (via underground walkway) to the Bedok Interchange and then take No. 7 to Napier Road.

Experience of commuter on our train service

Dear Mr Tan,

I totally agree with you that there is a serious need for our "World Class Transport System" to learn from the "Super Class Transport System" like Hong Kong and London. I have visited cities like many others and made fair observation of how user friendly their transport system can be with living population much larger or area much smaller than Singapore.

Making news about how "great" and "someone else in the World learning from our ERP, town planning, etc", in my opinion, LTA is simply making news about how popular they are but I seriously think that our transport system is a failure.

No.1: There is a totally lack of efforts to encourage commuters to take the public transport. Trains are pack everyday with frequency of 3 min - 5 min per train in the NE Line. Even the fines mted to SMRT does not help. What explaination can the commuters who are late for work that day explain to their bosses? Especially if the new graduate who is going to his first day of work?

No.2: My poor pregnant wife takes MRT to work because the high price ERP to Raffles place will make us poorer. But, no education what so ever has been set by the transport company to educate commuters to give up seats to really those who need it? In Taipei, when the designated seats is for those who need it, no one will even sit on it. What else is in the mind of SMRT, SBS, etc other than thinking of ways to increase cost?

Mr Tan, I hope my long email did not bored you, but I hope that this can be posted to your popular website or blogs so that more readers can share their views and to take neccessary actions than sitting back.

Ong

Shy of maps?

I took the train to Toa Payoh station. I wanted to visit a restaurant next to the Toa Payoh library. I search the station for a map or sign to tell me the direction to take to the library. I could not find any useful information.

I made a guess and decided to follow the sign to Toa Payoh Central. I asked a shop attendant, who gave me the direction to the library.

Why is there a lack of maps in Singapore. It seems that the Land Transport Authority does not like maps. They are not willing to display maps at the bus stops. They prefer to use a list of roads.

There is a locality map at the train stations, but it is not helpful. It does not show sufficient detail about the bus services to take to the locations (within 1 km) served by the station.

Many cities have excellent maps to help the locals and tourists to move around. I hope that the maps can be provided in Singapore at our bus stops.

Excellent public transport in Hong Kong

Hi Mr. Tan

I read your article on improving transport system in Singapore ....

I have been living in Hong Kong for almost 4 years and noticed that a few of your recommendations are actually live examples in HK... for eg, the minibuses, trams and express buses.... I must say that the HK transport system is very good.

Of the two offices I used to work in, scheduled buses brought me to work with door-to-door convenience... minibuses gave me short travelling times at a fraction of what a taxi ride would cost. And the express buses are great.... not to mention the cheap trams (at less than 40 SG cents) which give you the ease of hoping on and off along the main arteries in Central....

And there is one more thing that I add... something that wasn't in your articles.... condos here have their own shuttle bus services... they are affordable and provide express transport for residents who live further away the main centres of activities like Central..

My baby is one year old and I decided to move to Lantau for its open spaces and greenery... the distance is long... (I am almost at the HK airport) ...but the shuttle bus brings me to work within 45 mins... when I was living in Mid-levels... it was even better... no more than 30 mins... and if its winter... I could even use the escalator...which is free!

Best signages in Singapore

I consider the signages at Changi Airport to be among the best in Singapore. I find the signages at our train stations to be poor.

I hope that the Land Transport Authority and SMRT will find out the name of the signage consultant used by Changi Airport and get their help to improve the signages at our train stations.

Check in at Airport

I checked in at the airport for flight to Manila. There is a long queue at the check-in counter. The self-service check-in kiosks for Singapore Airlines was under-utilised.

Why?

Planners forget that customers have many things to take care of. They are not familiar with the use of self-service kiosks, unless they are regular travellers on the same airline.

It is better to have more staff at the check-in counters to serve customers. By cutting down on service staff, the airline hopes to reduce cost and make more profits. But, they are adding a burden to the customers.

World class transport system

Here are my views, published in the Straits Times Review:

http://www.tankinlian.com/articles/worldclass.html

Daily fee (in lieu of ERP charges)

I suggest that taxis should pay a daily fee (in lieu of ERP charges). This allows them to go to places where there is demand for taxis. It will improve the utilisation of taxis and lead to a more efficient system.

If there is a per-entry charge, the taxi drivers are unwilling to enter into the central business district as they may not be able to find a passenger. A "per day" charge will remove this uncertainty.

Does this mean that more taxis will congest the expressways and central business district? I think that this should be all right. I am told that New York City has plenty of taxis and most people do not drive their private cars.

Taxi Booking Fee

A large taxi operators charge $3.50 to book a taxi during prime time (7 to 9.30 am, 5 to 11 pm) and $2.50 during the non-prime time.

Many commuters find these charges to be too expensive. They prefer to flag down a taxi on the road. They will call a taxi, if they are in a hurry, is desperate or on rainy days.

If the taxi operator can reduce the booking fee to $2 (prime time) and $1 (non-prime time), many people will be willing to pay the extra fee for the convenience of having a taxi at their doorstep.

The booking fee can be reduced, by the use of SMS booking. This will bypass the need for a call center to receive the call and match the taxis. Taxi drivers do not have to ply the road to look for a passenger. They can wait under a shaded tree and wait for a SMS to be sent to them, indicating the contact number and location of the passenger.

Such a system is now being developed.

Fee to call a taxi

I carried out an online survey to ask respondents on the fee that they are prepared to pay to call a taxi to their pickup point. The results for 37 repondens are:

30% - prefer to call taxi on the road
60% - willing to pay $1 fee
10% - willing to pay $1.50 fee

60% are willing to pay a fee of $1. These are commuters who now flag down a taxi on the road. If the call fee is reduced to $1, many commuters will be willing to pay this fee for the convenience of a taxi arriving at their pickup point (i.e office or home).

If more people call for a taxi, there will be less cruising of taxi looking for passengers, and less diesel consumption.

New Fare Structure

The Ministry of Transport is introducing a new fare structure that is based on distance rather than the number of transfers. On the surface, this looks fairer to commuters who has to make transfers.

I am worried about the high cost of implementing this new system, which will probably be several tens of millions of dollars. This is an added cost that must be borne by the commuters through higher fares. A simpler approach is to give a higher rebate for a transfer. This will not require massive changes to the fare charging equipment on every bus and train station.

In my view, a better approach is to introduce competition in the feeder services. Let small operators provide the feeder services using small buses or passenger vans. With a smaller capacity, the small bus does not have to take a long route and make many stops to pick sufficient passengers. It will reduce the waiting and travelling time and make it more convenient for commuters to travel by public transport. Commuters should not have to wait more than 5 minutes to get into a feeder bus.

The big buses should be relieved from the task of picking up passengers at individual stops. They should be used to provide an express service with fewer stops on the journey. This will reduce the travelling time and lead to a more efficient use of the buses.

Driving instructions

If you have to drive in Singapore, and you need driving instructions to reach your destination, you will find this service to be excellent:

http://www.street.com.sg/

Tram system in Melbourne

My friend lives in Melbourne. He said that there are many trams operating in the city center. It is easy to get into a tram, which comes within 3 to 5 minutes. Many people use the tram to get around the city easily.

It is difficult to drive a car in the city center of Melbourne as the trams have the right of way, and they are "all over the place".

The trams also operate to the suburbs at lower frequency. They keep to a time schedule, so people can plan their journey. Many people find the trams to be more convenient.

The trams operate on electricity. It is more efficient than buses.

I hope that Singapore can have a tram system within the central business district and the housing estates.

Trains in New York City

New York City has a system of local and express trains. The local trains stop at every station. The express trains skip the minor four stations and stop at the major stations. They use the same platform. There are two separate rails for the local and express train.

This system is quite ingenious. A commuter can take the express train, which travel faster due to limited stops until it approaches the destination. The commuter alights from the express train and takes a local train for the last few stops.

This makes the system more efficient. Wonderful New York!

Abundant Taxis in New York

My friend observed that parking charges are expensive in New York - a few times of Singapore's charges. Many people do not drive in New York. They take the train or taxis. Taxis are abundant and easily available.

There is no ERP in New York. If people wish to drive in congested roads, it is their problem. The city Government does not need to impose charges to speed up the traffic flow.

In my view, it is better to have more taxis on the road than private cars. The taxi drivers are familiar with the road. They drop the passenger at the doorstep. There is no need to have a lotof parking space for many private cars.

The transport system can be more efficient, by having more taxis compared to private cars. In Singapore, ERP charges should be waived for taxis. Instead a daily flat fee of say $20 should be imposed on the taxi. This will allow for the taxis to be efficiently used, without the need to bother about paying ERP charges for each entry or collecting the ERP charges separately.

Feeder service

Some commuters said that they do not like to take a feeder service. This is based on their current bad experience with the system now used in Singapore.

A good feeder service system has the following characteristics:

> waiting time less than 5 minutes
> cost lower than the current charge
> brings the commuter to the MRT station or the boarding point of the express bus
> uses a light bus or passenger van
> have more stops at shorter distance
> does not have to make a stop if the bus is full

I hope that this new type of feeder service will be welcomed by commuters. It will make our public transport system to be more efficient. This will reduce cost and travelling time.

Review the taxi calling fee

A letter is printed in the Sunday Times suggesting that the taxi calling fee be waived. This will encourage commuters to call for a taxi. The taxi does not have to cruise around to look for passengers.

I think that the taxi calling fee can be reduced to $1. Many commuters will be willing to pay this fee for a taxi to arrive at the doorstep.

I have seen a automated taxi matching system using SMS. It does not need to have an expensive GPS system to locate an available taxi, or to have people to answer calls at the hotlines.

The SMS system can be operated economically. It is feasible to reduce the taxi calling charge to $1. I hope that some of the taxi companies will use this low cost, efficient system. I also hope that the Land Transport Authority will allow this a third party provider to offer this SMS based system to taxi drivers who wish to use this system.

Bus Interchange

At a large bus interchange, there are many boarding points for different bus services. A commuter taking a feeder bus to the interchange now has to walk a long distance to reach the boarding point for the required bus.

I hope that the feeder bus service will stop at each of the boarding points at the interchange, so that the walk will be shorter.

Give way on the road

Sometimes, as I am not familiar with some roads, I have to switch lane at the last moment. I gave a signal and usually get a loud horn from the car behind in the next lane. The car rushed up to the lane, to prevent me from making the switch. Often, it is a taxi. I hope that our drivers are more considerate and give way to allow the car in front to switch lane, even if it is done at the last minute.

Stressful journey by car

I used my car to attend a meeting which finished at 7 pm. I wish to avoid paying the ERP charges at Orchard Road and the Central Expressway. It was a bad idea. My journey home took one hour and was very stressful in congested traffic. It would have been better to pay the ERP charges and have a faster journey.

Crowded train during off-peak hours

I took a MRT train at 10 p.m. It was certainly off-peak hours. I waited a long time for the train (perhaps close to 10 minutes). The train was packed all the way from City Hall station to Yio Chu Kang station.

I hope that MRT will be more considerate to the commuters, by running more trains during the off-peak hours, so that the waiting time is shorter and that more commuters can have the chance of a seat during the off-peak hours.

They should not be purusing the "cut cost" and "make more profit" to the extent of disregard for the comfort of the commuters.

I hope that the Land Transport Authority and the Public Transport Council will make the public transport operators more considerate towards commuters.

Public transport is top issue

Two months ago, I carried out a survey on the issues that concern Singaporeans, such as:

> wages
> investment yield
> public transport
> health care cost
> and others

The issue that is voted of greatest concern is "public transport". It seems to affect everyone.

Reduce plying on the road by taxis

Taxis have to ply on the road to pick up passengers. This is wasteful. Petrol is costly.

We should encourage people to call for a taxi. The taxi can wait in a side road and wait for a call. To make this feasible, we have to reduce the charge to call a taxi. Most commuters find a booking charge of $2.50 to $4 to be too expensive.

We need a way to reduce the booking charge. Taxi companies now operate a call center to handle the taxi booking. This is expensive.

We have to introduce a new way of handling taxi booking entirely by SMS, without the need for any human intervention. This can reduce the cost of handling the taxi booking. If the charge can be reduced to $1 per call, many people may be willing to book for a taxi.

This will reduce the consumption of petrol - as the taxi does not need to ply the road to look for a passenger.

Hub and spoke for public transport system

We should introduce a hub and spoke system to improve the public transport in Singapore. I wrote this article, which was printed in the Straits Times a few months ago.

http://www.tankinlian.com/articles/transport.html

Look forward to your views.