Category: Sosial

LTA Unveils Tender For Bus Routes In Punggol And Pasir Ris

The second package of bus routes under the government contracting model was today (April 15) put up for tender by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). But in contrast to the enthusiastic response that greeted the first package, the foreign and local operators that TODAY spoke to had little to say when asked about their interest. Of the six operators contacted, two said they plan to bid, two others were non-commital and the rest declined to comment.

Analysts said this was because the operators are awaiting the results of the first package, which would have a significant bearing on the operators’ plans. The results are expected to be announced by June, while the tender for the second package will close in August.

Last May, the Government announced the transition to this new model of operations, where it owns the bus operating assets while private operators compete for contracts to run routes.

The newly released package comprises 25 bus services — including three new routes — that mainly cover the Punggol and Pasir Ris areas, and will be operating out of the new Loyang Bus Depot.

The winning bidder will run the services for five years with the possibility of a two-year extension for good performance. It will also be required to operate, manage and maintain the government-owned buses, interchanges and Centralised Bus Fleet Management System.

Of those contacted today, SMRT Buses and French firm RATP Dev Transdev Asia (RDTA) expressed their interest.

Mr Tan Kian Heong, SMRT Buses’ vice president said: “SMRT Buses is pleased to participate in the Loyang package. We look forward to delivering a positive commuter experience to all residents served by the Loyang bus services.”

RDTA’s bid director, Mark Harbridge, said it is “very interested” in the package, which it is now studying.

“The bid process for the first package, which is being considered at the moment, was a very positive experience and it is one of many reasons that we are excited about the Loyang bus package,” he added.

Incumbent operator SBS Transit’s senior vice president for corporate communication, Tammy Tan, said it is unable to comment since it is a competitive tender. Mr Roger Wong, General Manager of Woodlands Transport, said it will evaluate the tender requirements before deciding whether to bid.

Transport analysts said operators could be waiting for the tender results of the first bus package to serve as a benchmark.

SIM University transport analyst Park Byung Joon said SMRT’s low bid price could have surprised its rivals. “If SMRT is going to win the first bid for that price, foreign companies may find that it may not be as profitable as they thought,” he said.

Eight of the 11 bids for the first package were shortlisted last month. Incumbent bus operators SMRT and ComfortDelGro — via its subsidiary SBS Transit — had the lowest bidding prices of S$93.7 million and S$125.2 million, respectively. The six remaining bids ranged from S$125.6 million to S$153.5 million.

National University of Singapore transport expert Lee Der Horng believes that interest in the second package is still strong among operators, adding that those who participated in the first tender are likely to throw their hats in the ring again.

“They just need to make some tweaks. Most of the content material (for the first bid) can still be applicable for the second bid. It wouldn’t make sense to walk away,” he said.

Source: www.todayonline.com

April 16, 2015
Former RGS Student Sues School For Failing To Protect Her From Bullying

A former student is suing Raffles Girls’ School (RGS), claiming that the school failed to protect her from being bullied and she was forced to study overseas.

Ms Cheryl Tan, now 18, wants RGS to pay not just for her pain and suffering, but also the $220,000 it cost to continue her studies at the prestigious Wells Cathedral School in England. She is currently completing her A levels there, said her mother, Madam Ng Wee Ching.

A spokesman for RGS, which is denying the claims, told The Straits Times yesterday that the school and its teachers “have always acted in the best interests of its students”, and ensured their health and safety within the school.

The case revolves around how Ms Tan fell out with fellow members of the school’s Chinese Orchestra in Secondary 3 in 2012.

That year, she was appointed secretary of the co-curricular activity (CCA). According to the suit, she was told by teachers that she would double as a student conductor, along with another student. This allegedly antagonised other CCA members, particularly its student executive committee (exco), which “ostracised and bullied” her at various points over 12 months from July 2012.

According to the suit, Ms Tan was seen as being “selfish” and “greedy” for taking up two positions.

Ms Tan, who joined RGS through the Music Elective Programme, claims that she was repeatedly badgered during practice by a particular student. She says she was also criticised online for bringing up the matter to staff.

She and her parents repeatedly informed the school about the bullying, according to the suit, but the abuse persisted and she left the orchestra in March 2013. She withdrew from the school at the end of July.

It is also claimed that the repeated bullying caused her eczema to worsen and skin on her hand to crack, affecting her ability to play instruments. She needed treatment at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

In RGS’ defence filed with the High Court, its lawyer, Senior Counsel Thio Shen Yi, has described the claims as frivolous.

It was pointed out that school policy defines bullying as involving “hurting, frightening or intimidating others using power of strength” while cyber bullying includes the sending of hateful messages.

The school found no instance of bullying after investigating Ms Tan’s complaints. The defence papers pointed out that RGS staff had frequently engaged Ms Tan’s parents over their concerns.

The defence also claims that Ms Tan had wanted all along to study overseas and had taken active steps towards this even before the supposed bullying.

Ms Tan, it was pointed out, was never told she was going to be a student conductor. Instead, she was chosen to attend a conducting course with another student. The CCA’s teachers-in- charge were considering the possibility of having two student conductors to cope with a larger number of events in 2013.

The CCA’s student exco was not told of this however, and on its own, voted for the other student. Ms Tan found out about this and it led to her parents becoming involved. According to the defence, some students in the exco then ended up feeling that the school was only considering a second conductor to give in to Ms Tan’s demands.

A High Court pre-trial conference is due today.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

April 16, 2015
Zara Apologises To Blind Woman, Fires Security Guard Who Did Not Allow Her Entry With Guide Dog

The distributor of Zara, RSH Limited, has apologised to a blind woman after she was prevented from entering a Zara store and was even hurled vulgarities at by a security guard, and has also fired him.

Counsellor Cassandra Chiu was with a friend who wanted to look at a dress in Zara, so she tried going into the store with her guide dog Esme.

However, the security scolded her and according to the Facebook posting under the name of Esme, “Security used the four-letter word twice on mama, and called her an animal.”

Ms Chiu tried explaining that she needed the help of her guide dog but the security guard “actually got more agitated and aggressive hurling abuses” at her.

Later, “A lady claiming to be the store manager confirmed that guide dogs were not allowed and that they were calling the police.”

Yesterday, RSH apologised to Cassandra.

“We sincerely apologise for the unpleasantness, disappointment and anger caused to Ms Cassandra Chiu, as well as members of the public,” it said in a statement.

RSH also said that guide dogs are welcomed at its stores and that there was an “unintentional misunderstanding regarding courtesy rules at our stores”.

Takashimaya Shopping Centre, where the shop is located, also explained that it is a a guide-dog friendly mall but said that it is up to its tenants to apply the policy accordingly.

However, Ms Chiu explained that she was not upset with being turned away but more shocked at the vulgarities that the security guard was using.

Source: http://therealsingapore.com

April 15, 2015
Biar Dicemuh, Makcik ‘Warden’ Setia Jalankan Tugas

Bukan sahaja bekerja seorang diri, termasuk di bawah cahaya matahari yang terik, malah ada kalanya ditohmah dan dicemuh orang ramai.

Itulah antara pengalaman Cik Rukinah Gyat bekerja sebagai warden tempat letak kenderaan.

Biar begitu, beliau selesa melakukannya kerana ia tetap pekerjaan penting lagi halal dan sudah memberinya rezeki selama 40 tahun.

Cik Rukinah, 58 tahun, mula bekerja sebagai ‘mak cik saman’ – gelaran yang diberi sebahagian pemandu – pada 1975, setelah tamat sekolah menengah.

Beliau tidak pernah terfikir mahu mencari pekerjaan lain antara lain kerana kawasan ‘rondaan’ beliau berdekatan rumahnya di Bedok North.

Ini walaupun ada kalanya beliau terpaksa menangani pemandu bermasalah di lebih kurang lapan tempat letak kenderaan yang diawasinya setiap hari.

“Sejak saya mula bekerja pada umur 19 tahun, saya sudah jumpa semua jenis pemandu, yang berkelakuan baik dan yang biadab terhadap saya.

“Cik pernah dimarahi tanpa henti oleh seorang pemandu. Apabila cik cuba terangkan tentang kesalahannya dengan baik, abang si pemandu pula keluar dari kereta dan marah cik di depan orang awam di situ,” ujar ibu dua anak itu.

Bahkan, Cik Rukinah pernah menangis kerana insiden-insiden begitu. Beliau memujuk dirinya dengan berkata ia sebahagian daripada lumrah pekerjaannya.

Beliau yang bekerja lapan jam sehari, dari 3 petang hingga 11 malam, lima hari seminggu, membawa pulang sekitar $1,200 sebulan.

Kini, kata-kata kesat dan cemuhan tidak lagi dipedulikan sangat kerana pada Cik Rukinah, beliau hanya menjalankan amanah.

Namun, beliau pernah juga berjumpa pemandu yang bukan sahaja bersopan setelah disaman, malah memberinya kata-kata semangat.

“Beberapa kali saya menemui pemandu yang mendorong saya supaya melakukan kerja saya dengan penuh sabar walaupun mereka sendiri telah disaman saya,” ujarnya beliau sambil tertawa.

Biarpun umur semakin meningkat, Cik Rukinah tidak ada rancangan bersara, antara lain kerana pekerjaan itu juga memberi beliau peluang bersenam.

“Saya boleh bersenam sambil bekerja kerana perlu berjalan dan menaiki tangga. Badan saya tidak mudah letih dalam usia sebegini. Selagi saya kuat, saya akan terus bekerja untuk mendapatkan wang sendiri,” katanya.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

April 15, 2015
Lorry Crashed Into Police Car At Pasir Panjang Road Carpark

A lorry crashed into a police car that was entering a carpark on Pasir Panjang Road on Tuesday.

The impact caused the police vehicle to slam into an electronic gantry at the carpark.

The police said the incident happened at about 3.30pm. Two officers who were in the car suffered minor injuries. They were taken to Alexandra Hospital.

The lorry driver was unhurt. Investigations are ongoing.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

April 15, 2015