Regular Flow upset by Lornie Viaduct

The highly anticipated Lornie Viaduct was opened last Monday to downstream jam. The viaduct was built at a cool tune of S$34 million over 4 years. Although the objective to improve the flow at the Braddell Road, Thomson Road and Lornie Road junction was met, the increased flow of traffice to Lornie Road towards Farrer Road caused jams at peak hours.

The introduction of new option into our Singapore road network will always see an immediate spike in usage before the regular users start to moderate their timing or route to get back to a stable flow. I am sure that it will happen over time but the question is how long will it take to do so.

I do not use that route and would ask for regular users to give their comments and updates of the Lornie Viaduct over the next few weeks. In the mean time, regular users are urged to be patient and avoid causing accidents since that will throw the flow convergence off.

COE Prediction - September 2008 1st Bidding Exercise

Looking at the previous result, it seems that the Hungry Ghosts did not scare car buyers off. The increase will lead to corresponding adjustment to the selling price, but dealers are probably minimizing price increase to encourage more sales in the current weak climate.

Update Aug 30: It was reported in the papers that the car population has been increasing in spite of the higher cost and it was mainly due to fewer older cars being taken off the roads as motorists are keeping their rides longer. Thus, LTA is likely to reduce the allocation of COEs in the next review. I got a strong gut feeling that motorists considering upgrading their rides will bite the bullet and buy now in anticipation of a raising trend. I am revising my prediction upwards accordingly.

Prediction on August 27:
Category A: $12,000-13,000
Category B: $12,000-13,000

Prediction on August 30:
Category A: $13,000-14,000
Category B: $14,000-15,000

Verdict on September 3:
Category A: $ 9,501
Category B: $13,389

COE Prediction - August 2008 2nd Bidding Exercise

My poll for visitors did not get any respondent yet.

Wondering why showrooms and showflats are relative quiet? Well, it is month of the Hungry Ghost festival and most Chinese will avoid holding major events or big ticket transactions. Moreover, many investors are spooked by the stock markets. The basic economic theory should apply - low demand coupled with a known and steady supply should result in a fall in price.

My prediction is that the COE quota premium will see a marginal fall in the next bidding exercise in both categories.

Prediction on August 8:
Category A: $11,000-12,000
Category B: $11,000-12,000

Verdict on August 20:
Category A: $13,289
Category B: $13,890

Orchard Cineleisure

MONDAY – THURSDAY

8am – 11.59am $1.28 First Hour
$0.32 / 15mins (or part thereof)

12pm – 5.59pm $2.14 First Hour
$0.54 / 15mins (or part thereof)

6pm – 7.59am $3.75 Per Entry

FRIDAY

8am – 11.59am $1.28 First Hour
$0.32 / 15mins (or part thereof)

12pm – 5.59pm $2.14 First Hour
$0.54 / 15mins (or part thereof)

6pm – 7.59am $3.75 First 3 Hours
$1.07 Every Subsequent Hour (or part thereof)

SATURDAY, SUNDAY, EVE OF PH & PH

8am – 7.59am $3.75 First 3 Hours
$1.07 Every Subsequent Hour (or part thereof)

Prices indicated are inclusive of 7% GST.
Prices may be subject to change.

Source: http://www.cathay.com.sg/cl_parking.html