5 ms·

I moved to Singapore a few months ago. Frankly speaking, the venture sounds ridiculous. * the public transport is probably one of the best all over the world (

I moved to Singapore a few months ago. Frankly speaking, the venture sounds ridiculous. * the public transport is probably one of the best all over the world (even though the locals keep complaining), with completely driverless trains and accuracy that would make the Germans and the Swiss cry in envy. * like elsewhere in Asia, it's mostly about the price. Nobody except for the hipster expats gives a hoot about going green, Singapore is green enough already. Grab is kicking Uber's ass, even though the app is buggy and the support is poorly organised. Uber is considered somewhat of a "luxury" service. * Grab, Uber, and the local taxis are available everywhere at a couple of minutes notice. * because the cars are so expensive, driving skills are not at all universal. * again, the price. There are traditional rentals companies, SMove.sg (https://www.smove.sg https://www.smove.sg - a local equivalent of ZipCar, but integrated with the public transportation payment system), and scooter / bicycle sharing everywhere. Now regarding the self-driving cars in SG. I was very enthusiastic and curious about that one, but was disappointed when I learned more. These guys (nuTonomy?) have their tests around the one-north area where all the startup kiddies are. There is even a sign proudly proclaiming "Autonomous Vehicle test @ one-north". They apparently let outsiders try it out. My associate took one, and it turned out that: * it's a closed loop, not a real street * it's slow, golf cart style * there is a backup car following you with a live driver and engineers at all times Kinda sad. I was hoping these thingies will go live around 2020. I wonder why nuTonomy even bothered coming all the way here.

brisance 9y ago
>* the public transport is probably one of the best all over the world (even though the locals keep complaining), with completely driverless trains and accuracy that would make the Germans and the Swiss cry in envy.< Train service is one of the top electoral campaign issues for the past 3 cycles (about 12 years). I don't know the metrics for European countries but my anecdotal experience in Japan is that the Singapore system is not even worthy of discussion. Don't even get me started on the quality of Japanese roads. Since you're a relatively newcomer, you would not have believed what Singapore was like in the 80s when LKY was in power. I never saw a pothole in my life until I went abroad. Completely serious. >* because the cars are so expensive, driving skills are not at all universal.< It's definitely tougher than in the US. Haven't sat for a license exam in Europe so unable to form a frame of reference.
- vadimberman 9y ago
  > I don't know the metrics for European countries but my anecdotal experience in Japan is that the Singapore system is not even worthy of discussion. That's strange, while I liked the Tokyo JR system, I think Singapore's overcrowding is better managed. No people pushing passengers into trains. I know it was considered an issue and every single Singaporean complains about it. Which is really, really puzzling. You guys should be sent to New York or Boston for a tour.
  - hboon 9y ago
    If you compare Singapore's MRT system to similar systems in every city in the world, it will rank among the top. But it's a matter of expectation. But if you include the massive hype and expectations set over the years — and the performance of the MRT system for the first 10 years — the current breakdowns, delays and obvious negligence in maintenance and how they are currently handled is what makes people here complain about it all the time.
    - vadimberman 9y ago
      That makes perfect sense.
    - sho 9y ago
      > if you include the massive hype and expectations I think you've hit the nail on the head here. One thing that no-one has mentioned is the implicit social contract in place in Singapore - give the PAP basically total power, and everything will run perfectly. This rightfully sets an extremely high expectation, moreso than in other countries where a little government incompetence is tolerated, even expected. I think this explains Singaporean's higher expectations/complaining vs other countries (in my experience).
    - brisance 9y ago
      I'm not sure the MRT would be rated at the top. HK's MTR and Japan's rail operators handle higher volumes so if we take that into account it's more likely they'll come out ahead. But I agree that there is anger because lowering our standards is not in our national consciousness since everyone has been brainwashed to expect only the best from Singaporean Exceptionalism™.
emmanuel_1234 9y ago
>* the public transport is probably one of the best all over the world (even though the locals keep complaining), with completely driverless trains and accuracy that would make the Germans and the Swiss cry in envy. Try Hong Kong trains. A notch better, serving a much higher density population. I also recently moved to Singapore and must admit I'm a bit disappointed with the low frequency, short trains that Singapore deployed.
- philliphaydon 9y ago
  > I'm a bit disappointed with the low frequency, short trains that Singapore deployed. Could you explain this a bit more please? I've lived here for 6 years now, been to Japan and Taiwan, consider Taiwan the best of all 3, but cannot compare to Hong Kong as I've never been there. Taiwan trains are a bit slower than SG, but they are much smoother, where in SG sometimes the older lines (green / red) which still have drivers I believe, are fast and break suddenly that you MUST hold onto something if standing to prevent yourself falling over. So I'm curious what you mean?
  - emmanuel_1234 9y ago
    Hong Kong trains (and consequently, platforms) are a lot longer, meaning a train can fit a lot more people. They also run more frequently, especially during traffic hour. Mind you, Hong Kong trains also gets full doing rush hour (it's not rare to have to wait a train or two to get in, meaning 5 minutes top). What annoys me in Singapore, especially with the East West line, is that there are so many people in the morning, yet the trains are tiny and run every 4 or 5 minutes only. You actually have to fight your way to get in and squeeze. I know the Downtown line doesn't seem to suffer as much, as there seem to be a lot less traffic (I assume the wealthier people who live along this line take their car?). Hong Kong is bound to fail at some point though. They can't add more trains during rush hour, it's too late to make the station and trains longer, and some station are at saturation already. One of them, Admiralty, offers to commute on the same platform (i.e.: exit the train, walk straight to meet your correspondence). There are so many people that you sometimes hardly can exit the train, as the platform is too packed by people trying to get to the other train. The density of population in Hong Kong (for the actually populated area, not the land as a whole) is staggering though, in my experience / feeling, a lot higher than Singapore or Tokyo/Yokohama.
jesterson 9y ago
You clearly need more time to spend here, your excitement will definitely go down. >> the public transport is probably one of the best all over the world (even though the locals keep complaining) Did you hear what are they complaining about? There is a lot of thing to complain. >> with completely driverless trains On Circle, DT/DT2 and Purple lines only, so not "completely". >> accuracy that would make the Germans and the Swiss cry in envy. This is so LOL ) MRT issues are happening very often, can't remember any other country with such amount of MRT problems. >> Uber is considered somewhat of a "luxury" service. Excuse me, WHAT? luxury service?? Speaking of the main topic, I do believe that vehicle sharing is our future and definitely going to give BlueSG a try.
- vadimberman 9y ago
  > Did you hear what are they complaining about? Yep. > There is a lot of thing to complain. Nope. Not in comparison with the rest of the world. > MRT issues are happening very often, can't remember any other country with such amount of MRT problems. Have you ever ventured outside of Singapore, I wonder? Are you even aware that the 3-5 minute interval between trains, air conditioning, seamless connections with other transport, no rubbish on the ground, no graffiti, trains less than 10 years old is not a rule but an exception? I am not even talking about the sorry American subways. Go with the middle of the way level, say, Melbourne in Australia, Lisbon in Europe, or better standard, Vancouver, Munich, Amsterdam. The only downside I am aware of is, it closes early. Ah yes. Whiny people. But that has nothing to do with the MRT.
  - jesterson 9y ago
    > Nope. Not in comparison with the rest of the world. It's a very bold statement for someone who spent 2 months in Singapore. Maybe it worth listening to what local people are saying? And yeah, it depends on what you mean under "rest of the world". If you compare to Africa (with all due respect!) then yea, I would agree. > Have you ever ventured outside of Singapore, I wonder? Are you even aware that the 3-5 minute interval between trains, air conditioning, seamless connections with other transport, no rubbish on the ground, no graffiti, trains less than 10 years old is not a rule but an exception? Mate, you're not the only one travelling, chill ) I don't care about graffiti or train age, all I need from transportation system is to deliver me from point A to point B with maximum speed and comfort. Let me ask you one question - do you know any country where metro goes down for hours quite regularly? I'm not saying Singapore transportation system is bad - it is definitely among best, but it's way too early to call it the best, especially after train collision with 28 injured last month, tunnel flooding because of negligence, few incidents that leaded to MRT closure for hours.
rorykoehler 9y ago
Singapore has a long way to go before it is "green enough".

brisance 9y ago

>* the public transport is probably one of the best all over the world (even though the locals keep complaining), with completely driverless trains and accuracy that would make the Germans and the Swiss cry in envy.< Train service is one of the top electoral campaign issues for the past 3 cycles (about 12 years). I don't know the metrics for European countries but my anecdotal experience in Japan is that the Singapore system is not even worthy of discussion. Don't even get me started on the quality of Japanese roads. Since you're a relatively newcomer, you would not have believed what Singapore was like in the 80s when LKY was in power. I never saw a pothole in my life until I went abroad. Completely serious. >* because the cars are so expensive, driving skills are not at all universal.< It's definitely tougher than in the US. Haven't sat for a license exam in Europe so unable to form a frame of reference.

vadimberman 9y ago
> I don't know the metrics for European countries but my anecdotal experience in Japan is that the Singapore system is not even worthy of discussion. That's strange, while I liked the Tokyo JR system, I think Singapore's overcrowding is better managed. No people pushing passengers into trains. I know it was considered an issue and every single Singaporean complains about it. Which is really, really puzzling. You guys should be sent to New York or Boston for a tour.
- hboon 9y ago
  If you compare Singapore's MRT system to similar systems in every city in the world, it will rank among the top. But it's a matter of expectation. But if you include the massive hype and expectations set over the years — and the performance of the MRT system for the first 10 years — the current breakdowns, delays and obvious negligence in maintenance and how they are currently handled is what makes people here complain about it all the time.
  - vadimberman 9y ago
    That makes perfect sense.
  - sho 9y ago
    > if you include the massive hype and expectations I think you've hit the nail on the head here. One thing that no-one has mentioned is the implicit social contract in place in Singapore - give the PAP basically total power, and everything will run perfectly. This rightfully sets an extremely high expectation, moreso than in other countries where a little government incompetence is tolerated, even expected. I think this explains Singaporean's higher expectations/complaining vs other countries (in my experience).
  - brisance 9y ago
    I'm not sure the MRT would be rated at the top. HK's MTR and Japan's rail operators handle higher volumes so if we take that into account it's more likely they'll come out ahead. But I agree that there is anger because lowering our standards is not in our national consciousness since everyone has been brainwashed to expect only the best from Singaporean Exceptionalism™.

emmanuel_1234 9y ago

>* the public transport is probably one of the best all over the world (even though the locals keep complaining), with completely driverless trains and accuracy that would make the Germans and the Swiss cry in envy. Try Hong Kong trains. A notch better, serving a much higher density population. I also recently moved to Singapore and must admit I'm a bit disappointed with the low frequency, short trains that Singapore deployed.

philliphaydon 9y ago
> I'm a bit disappointed with the low frequency, short trains that Singapore deployed. Could you explain this a bit more please? I've lived here for 6 years now, been to Japan and Taiwan, consider Taiwan the best of all 3, but cannot compare to Hong Kong as I've never been there. Taiwan trains are a bit slower than SG, but they are much smoother, where in SG sometimes the older lines (green / red) which still have drivers I believe, are fast and break suddenly that you MUST hold onto something if standing to prevent yourself falling over. So I'm curious what you mean?
- emmanuel_1234 9y ago
  Hong Kong trains (and consequently, platforms) are a lot longer, meaning a train can fit a lot more people. They also run more frequently, especially during traffic hour. Mind you, Hong Kong trains also gets full doing rush hour (it's not rare to have to wait a train or two to get in, meaning 5 minutes top). What annoys me in Singapore, especially with the East West line, is that there are so many people in the morning, yet the trains are tiny and run every 4 or 5 minutes only. You actually have to fight your way to get in and squeeze. I know the Downtown line doesn't seem to suffer as much, as there seem to be a lot less traffic (I assume the wealthier people who live along this line take their car?). Hong Kong is bound to fail at some point though. They can't add more trains during rush hour, it's too late to make the station and trains longer, and some station are at saturation already. One of them, Admiralty, offers to commute on the same platform (i.e.: exit the train, walk straight to meet your correspondence). There are so many people that you sometimes hardly can exit the train, as the platform is too packed by people trying to get to the other train. The density of population in Hong Kong (for the actually populated area, not the land as a whole) is staggering though, in my experience / feeling, a lot higher than Singapore or Tokyo/Yokohama.

jesterson 9y ago

You clearly need more time to spend here, your excitement will definitely go down. >> the public transport is probably one of the best all over the world (even though the locals keep complaining) Did you hear what are they complaining about? There is a lot of thing to complain. >> with completely driverless trains On Circle, DT/DT2 and Purple lines only, so not "completely". >> accuracy that would make the Germans and the Swiss cry in envy. This is so LOL ) MRT issues are happening very often, can't remember any other country with such amount of MRT problems. >> Uber is considered somewhat of a "luxury" service. Excuse me, WHAT? luxury service?? Speaking of the main topic, I do believe that vehicle sharing is our future and definitely going to give BlueSG a try.

vadimberman 9y ago
> Did you hear what are they complaining about? Yep. > There is a lot of thing to complain. Nope. Not in comparison with the rest of the world. > MRT issues are happening very often, can't remember any other country with such amount of MRT problems. Have you ever ventured outside of Singapore, I wonder? Are you even aware that the 3-5 minute interval between trains, air conditioning, seamless connections with other transport, no rubbish on the ground, no graffiti, trains less than 10 years old is not a rule but an exception? I am not even talking about the sorry American subways. Go with the middle of the way level, say, Melbourne in Australia, Lisbon in Europe, or better standard, Vancouver, Munich, Amsterdam. The only downside I am aware of is, it closes early. Ah yes. Whiny people. But that has nothing to do with the MRT.
- jesterson 9y ago
  > Nope. Not in comparison with the rest of the world. It's a very bold statement for someone who spent 2 months in Singapore. Maybe it worth listening to what local people are saying? And yeah, it depends on what you mean under "rest of the world". If you compare to Africa (with all due respect!) then yea, I would agree. > Have you ever ventured outside of Singapore, I wonder? Are you even aware that the 3-5 minute interval between trains, air conditioning, seamless connections with other transport, no rubbish on the ground, no graffiti, trains less than 10 years old is not a rule but an exception? Mate, you're not the only one travelling, chill ) I don't care about graffiti or train age, all I need from transportation system is to deliver me from point A to point B with maximum speed and comfort. Let me ask you one question - do you know any country where metro goes down for hours quite regularly? I'm not saying Singapore transportation system is bad - it is definitely among best, but it's way too early to call it the best, especially after train collision with 28 injured last month, tunnel flooding because of negligence, few incidents that leaded to MRT closure for hours.

rorykoehler 9y ago

Singapore has a long way to go before it is "green enough".