Tag: Singapore

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
Hotter And Wetter Singapore Expected In The Future

In the latter part of the 21st century, Singapore could face hotter and wetter days, if no global action is taken to curb greenhouse gas emissions. In a worst-case scenario, daily temperatures could spike to 32°C, while sea levels could rise by more than a metre.

This is according to findings from the first phase of the Second National Climate Change Study, which was released by the Meteorological Service Singapore’s (MSS) Centre for Climate Research Singapore on Wednesday (Apr 15).

The study made use of models from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report and scaled it down for it to be relevant to Singapore. It used a baseline period of 1980 to 2009 and projected it on the period between 2070 and 2099.

Daily temperatures, for example, could increase from the baseline average of 27.4°C to as much as 32°C – or a 4.6°C rise – should there be no concerted effort to tackle the greenhouse gas emission issue, according to the report.

The study also showed that the hot weather commonly experienced here between February and May could be exacerbated.

In the historical baseline period, there were about 25 days when temperatures hit or exceeded 34.1°C. In a less aggressive projection, Singapore could see between 74 and 108 days with such temperatures, but the worst-case scenario would see such temperatures become the norm here, the study found. Higher temperatures, coupled with the humidity, could result in more heat stress incidents for those working outdoors.

Singapore could also see more rainfall during the wet months of November to January. The percentage of contribution to annual rainfall from very wet days for the less aggressive projection is between 21 per cent and 35.3 per cent, while the other scenario would see a contribution of between 21.5 per cent to 44.1 per cent, the study found.

Meanwhile, the dry Southwest monsoon season could see between 12 and 30 per cent decrease in rainfall under the two scenarios.

February 2014 was the driest month for Singapore in 145 years, with little rain and parched weather conditions. Going forward, while experts said Singapore will not experience this on a yearly basis, such conditions may become more frequent.

Experts point out that rainfall patterns can also be affected by naturally occurring weather cycles.

“Not many people would doubt that some part of the temperature change we have seen for Singapore is due to climate change. But for rainfall, it is a tricky question to say how much of this can be attributed to climate change. It wouldn’t ever be saying it is due to climate change. It would be more of a question of a certain amount of that trend could be due to climate change.”

The findings will go towards the study’s second phase, which will examine the impact of climate change on infrastructure and water resources.

The study was commissioned by the National Environment Agency (NEA) together with the Met Office Hadley Centre in the UK. MSS said the second phase of the study is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

April 16, 2015
HDB Survey Finds More Eyeing Bigger Flats Or Private Homes

Upgrading aspirations have risen over the years, with fewer Housing Board (HDB) households content with smaller flats and more aspiring to bigger flats or private property.

But even as they wanted bigger homes, most were happy with the state of public housing here, with nine in 10 saying their flats were value for money.

These findings were captured in the latest HDB Sample Household Survey, which is conducted once every five years.

The report, which surveyed 7,800 HDB households in 2013, tackled issues related to public housing ranging from HDB residents’ satisfaction with their physical surroundings, to their family ties and aspirations.

Of those surveyed, 57.5 per cent said they were content with their present flat type.

But 35 per cent would be content only with better housing, up from 28.6 per cent in 2008.

Households headed by someone younger than 35 had the highest aspirations.

Three in 10 of such households aspired to own private property, compared with the overall average of 15.9 per cent.

Existing home owners’ aspirations may have risen along with house prices, said R’ST Research director Ong Kah Seng.

“Many buyers understand that the flats they own have seen paper gains due to increases in flat prices, so they would like to cash out and top up ‘a bit more’ for a better living experience.”

But while many continued to believe that flats were good value for money, pride in their homes slipped. Seven in 10 said they were proud of their homes, down from eight in 10 five years before.

The study also found that one in five young married couples under the age of 35 chose to rent instead of buying their first home.

Experts said this could be due to couples waiting for flats to be completed or to be able to afford an ideal home, and did not indicate that they were shunning home ownership.

With about 3.06 million Singaporeans living in public housing – or about eight in 10 Singaporeans – the survey findings closely tracked the overall demographics of the country.

Households were getting older, with the median age of HDB residents at 39, up from 37 in 2008.

Households also had more income earners. On average, there were 1.8 income earners per household in 2013, slightly higher than the 1.7 in 2008.

Four-room units were the most common type of flat sold, making up 41 per cent of the total stock.

The study also showed that bonds in families staying in HDB estates remained strong.

Nine in 10 married children visited their parents at least once a month, with 19.5 per cent doing so on a daily basis.

Similarly, filial piety in the form of financial support for parents remains a virtue in many households.

Nearly three in four younger married residents provided regular financial support to their parents in 2013, up from 70.2 per cent in 2008. The average quantum given to their parents went up from $336 to $400.

The generally positive reviews of public housing come even though the population density has risen, noted the HDB.

“Despite the increase, survey findings showed that residents liked most aspects about the HDB living environment,” it said.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

April 16, 2015
SMRT And OMGTEL To Cooperate On Bid For Singapore’s Fourth Wireless Telco Carrier Licence

Transport operator SMRT has announced that it has entered an agreement with OMGTEL (OMG) to work exclusively with OMG in connection with OMG’s bid for Singapore’s fourth wireless telecommunications (telco) carrier licence.

OMG is a company incorporated by local tech firm Consistel on Oct 20, 2014, for the purpose of bidding for the telco licence. It had originally announced its intentions to be the Republic’s fourth telco in October.

Under the announcement posted on the Singapore Exchange on Wednesday (Apr 15), SMRT and OMG will collaborate on the provision of goods and services, and will seek to leverage SMRT’s extensive media presence and commuter reach.

“The above transaction is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s financial performance for the financial year ending Mar 31, 2016,” SMRT said.

The transport operator also announced that it was offered an opportunity to invest up to S$34.5 million via an option to subscribe for shares in OMG. The exercise of the option will be at SMRT’s election, and subject to OMG obtaining the telco licence, satisfactory due diligence on OMG, and the execution of definitive agreements between SMRT and OMG, among others, it said.

“OMGTEL believes SMRT will make a significant and strategic contribution to making OMGTEL a success in the years to come,” said OMGTEL chairman Masoud Bassiri in a statement on Wednesday.

In preparation for the bid, OMG said it has appointed an advisory board, which includes former Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, former Commissioner of the Singapore Police Force Khoo Boon Hui, as well as former deputy CEO of the Media Development Authority Michael Yap.

The company also announced that in addition to its tie-up with SMRT, it has also entered into a mobile backhaul services agreement with SP Telecommunications, which it said, offers “established optical networks”.

“OMGTEL will be a true Singaporean alliance to be of service to all Singaporeans for many years to come,” said Mr Masoud. “It will build a cutting edge telecommunications network and provide exceptional service to its members, building on many years of knowledge and expertise acquired in Singapore as well as in other countries.

“OMGTEL is in discussions with potential shareholders, private and institutional, and other strategic partners, including technology experts and infrastructure funding providers.” Mr Masoud said OMG expects IDA to announce licence bid conditions in the near future.

OMG-SMRT VS MYREPUBLIC

Forrester Research analyst Clement Teo said he thinks the OMG-SMRT partnership stands an equal chance of getting a licence, as broadband provider MyRepublic, which first announced its intentions to occupy the fourth telco spot last June.

“Neither side has ever built a full telco network, so in terms of experience, they are both almost zero,” he said. “OMG will probably get access to the train tunnels, and that might give them better coverage. But right now, it is everybody’s game. It all depends on who can handle the challenges of the industry – such as pricing, talent and IDA’s expectations – better.”

But he said more details on the bid are needed to assess its merits. “We don’t yet understand the arrangement – who owns the network, and who builds it?

“If everything is in order and they have already established the foundation, including the size of market capture, how are they planning to differentiate themselves? If they are going to be the cheapest, well, price doesn’t move a lot of people – they will need to have value-add.”

Source: www.channelnewsasia.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