Belt Up for School Mini-Bus

After the 8-year old boy was recently killed in the mini-bus accident with two cars, there is much discussion on requiring seat belts in mini-buses and the operators are concerned about how to fund installing seat belts in existing vehicles. Is there a price to safety? How much would you pay for the protection of your child's life? Any parent would gladly pay for the peace of mind.

I strongly feel that LTA should at least amend the code to require new school buses of all sizes should come equipped with seat belts and leave the existing bus operators to decide with the schools and parents. There is no one funding model that will work for all existing operators so all the stakeholders should work out a solution.

COE Prediction - May 2008 1st Bidding Exercise

The bigger fall in the Category B Quota Premium came as a surprise to me and I wonder if the recent inflation has made many motorists think twice about spending on this big ticket item. I have seen rebounce in COE Quota Premium after each fall last year but it seems that the sentiment remains negative with high oil and rice prices. Many are also cautious since the end of the U.S. subprime crisis is not ascertained yet. I predict that the COE Quota Premium for both categories will stay flat.

Prediction on April 30:
Category A: $15,000-16,000
Category B: $17,000-18,000

Verdict on May 7:
Category A: $11,009
Category B: $15,889

COE Prediction - April 2008 2nd Bidding Exercise

Once again, I have to apologize for being tardy in posting my prediction as I am moving house and spent much time packing.

With the elapse time from the last exercise back to 2 weeks, the demand for Category A COEs should be flat while the Category B COEs will test the $20,000 mark. I think that there is a high likelihood of breaking the $20,000 mark as the more well-off motorists are less affected by general inflation and thus, willing to spend.

Prediction on April 21:
Category A: $16,000-17,000
Category B: $20,000-21,000

Verdict on April 23:
Category A: $15,600
Category B: $17,510

Afternote: I am surprised by the drop for Category B since there are new models such as the Honda Accord. Perhaps motorists are more careful with the high inflation reported.