tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14885676198686127222024-02-19T21:48:31.748+08:00Singapore Motoringwhat’s driving us NUTs?skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-15211344282099585412022-04-08T21:18:00.001+08:002022-04-14T10:42:41.104+08:00Deliberate braking after overtaking<p>Now that Covid-19 restriction is eased in Singapore, rush hour traffic has increased. This incident occurred on Monday morning 4 April 2022 on the West Coast Highway. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nYCgYlZlW1M" width="320" youtube-src-id="nYCgYlZlW1M"></iframe></div><p>Although all the trailing vehicles managed to avoid any accident, I am aghasted by the reckless action of the driver. How can he endanger the lives of others over a slight delay from the truck hogging lane 1?</p><p>Should the driver be jailed? Banned or suspended from driving? Even though it was a near-miss especially for the car behind the truck, I felt that he should be disciplined for the rash act. </p><p>In a <a href="https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/man-gets-fine-driving-ban-deliberately-braking-front-cabby" target="_blank">similar incident</a> a few years back, the offender was fined $1,000 and suspended from driving for 3 months. Based on the <a href="https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/RTA1961?ProvIds=pr64-#pr64-" target="_blank">Road Traffic Act section 64(2C) Reckless or dangerous driving</a>, a first time offender can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to 12 months.</p><p>However, the calm side of me ponders if the driver is a sole breadwinner and his job depends on driving. I hope he repents and not commit any such rash act in future. </p>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-9251909524825564862022-03-19T18:12:00.003+08:002022-04-03T17:47:07.159+08:00Bullied by AMZN<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apology as this post is not related to motoring but I just have to rant about the bad experience ...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My excitement turned to dismay when I received the Amazon delivery - the box was way too light for the Garmin watch that I had ordered. So I took a video of the unboxing. I thought I could ask AMZN to send me a replacement - I was wrong!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CQkEqcZyLpk" width="320" youtube-src-id="CQkEqcZyLpk"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I lodged a case with AMZN to re-ship the watch and was refused. I requested escalation to management since the watch was stolen before the box was shipped. After waiting for some time, I tweeted the following:</span></p></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9eb568e7-7fff-e8fb-924d-2c315acc607b"><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQXuXuJCAy5Sn32yIYepctE9R9tbbROD-Swp_bJ8c3mjKf_rWf-W2GmZ0fuNIZ9TuVDGUQEBQulV8H5PeNvUoSMx3Narr6OeSPxWQiYrZlqu3Ee5JCGcsOvkrQxPd7o2XOUFnSwuUbGylp1AVKcCuZha_ik2YkURZ1KwKY0m1bVj8mJwwFcmb8SM4B=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="702" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQXuXuJCAy5Sn32yIYepctE9R9tbbROD-Swp_bJ8c3mjKf_rWf-W2GmZ0fuNIZ9TuVDGUQEBQulV8H5PeNvUoSMx3Narr6OeSPxWQiYrZlqu3Ee5JCGcsOvkrQxPd7o2XOUFnSwuUbGylp1AVKcCuZha_ik2YkURZ1KwKY0m1bVj8mJwwFcmb8SM4B=s320" width="176"></a></div><br><span style="font-size: 11pt;">AMZN responded very quickly and I had to explain about the incident again. However, the refund was forced onto me shortly after an email notification at 2:04am my time. </span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihn-uDk_CxHl5qv_6tTWvkpDNnF59EX-PHbBAxF_5gXhyUdkdknTiRO30F7cdjnRqRhoFZlN65gH8BzdQBnrjZKnRYbo9JnKPCXsq0u3IM-Q1inEipc2WslBNFiCpfFS14ZkkceqMAiCrcVbWMfGYcFst-qnBNAGg5US-zZY33a9xdyoCFXTS1Gf7l=s902" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Email correspondence with AMZN Customer Service" border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="902" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihn-uDk_CxHl5qv_6tTWvkpDNnF59EX-PHbBAxF_5gXhyUdkdknTiRO30F7cdjnRqRhoFZlN65gH8BzdQBnrjZKnRYbo9JnKPCXsq0u3IM-Q1inEipc2WslBNFiCpfFS14ZkkceqMAiCrcVbWMfGYcFst-qnBNAGg5US-zZY33a9xdyoCFXTS1Gf7l=w400-h318" title="Crappy AMZN Customer Service" width="400"></a></div><br><span style="font-size: 11pt;">AMZN also refused to price match my order even though the item is still in stock. I am aghast with the lack of customer service even though the episode was caused by an internal control failure and AMZN is still claiming to build Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company (see their email signoff above). What a contradiction of action versus vision!</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I had cancelled my Amazon Prime membership since AMZN discriminates its international customers from its local ones - there were instances of re-shipment made in America. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In closing, please be careful when unboxing high value items delivered by AMZN as I cannot imagine the pain that I would have to go through to explain the missing watch without the video of the unboxing.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></div>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-20489279241701597902018-12-05T22:25:00.004+08:002018-12-05T22:25:40.177+08:00Renew your COE?<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
If you have bought your current ride at low COE quota premium about 10 years ago and the COE expiry is approaching soon, I guess that you may be toying with the idea of COE renewal. It is the lowest financial commitment option to sustain a car. However, you should carefully consider these following three aspects.</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
1. Road worthiness of your joyful ride - is your ride in a good shape to last another 5 or 10 years? Most cars should last long if they are maintained reasonably well. You can check with your regular mechanic on the cost of preventive maintenance and replacing worn parts. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Do you still feel the joy of your ride? If you dread driving your ride, then you need not read further. The reliability of a new ride will definitely give you little or no headache for the first few years. Moreover, some dealers bundle service credits into the purchase. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
2. Increased operating cost - you have to factor in the higher road tax (surcharge of 10-50% for vehicles aged more than 10 years), higher fuel consumption and higher maintenance cost when compared to a new ride of similar capacity. Newer technology tends to produce better fuel efficiency. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
The upfront capital cost is your biggest consideration as the good feeling and smell of a new ride probably last only the first few weeks. For your current ride, the Preferential Additional Registration Fees (PARF) rebate will also be forgone in the COE renewal if it is less than 10 years old. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
3. Renew for 5 or 10 years - pay the half the Prevailing Quota Premium or the full sum? Do note that the 5-year COE is non-renewable and your ride will be de-registered when it expires. Go for the 10-year COE if you can afford it since you can get back the balance for early de-registration. You can also continually renew more 10-year COEs if so desired; especially for vintage quality cars.</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
The final decision is the timing of when you should renew the COE. The Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP) has been falling steadily since the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) is fully enforced from July 2018. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
You should receive the LTA letter about 6 weeks before the expiry of your COE. If you renew your COE in the month of expiry, the new COE starts on the day after the current COE expires. If you renew your COE a month or even several months before your current COE expires, the new COE starts on the first day of the PQP month. The balance of the current COE will be written off since this period is overlapped by the new COE.</div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Why renew earlier before your COE expires? PQP for month M+1 is computed based on the average of QP for 3 months ie. M-2, M-1 and M. The lowest PQP in the history are <span class="m_-3486517031811666491money">$3,004</span> Category B COE for March 2009 and <span class="m_-3486517031811666491money">$3,864</span> Category A COE for April 2009. These are the only instances when the PQP fell below 5 digits ever since the PQP rose above $10,000 from May 1992. The highest ever was the $93,497 Category B COE for March 2013. Thus, you know your COE cost per month (just divide by 120) and should proceed to renew if there is high likelihood that PQP is going to raise rapidly in the next few months. However, the recent PQPs are listed below and today's 1st bidding exercise for December 2018 indicates that the downtrend is persisting. Hang on if you can ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf6YThV19-q42qqnVBG3oE9xxvjynAMvLuov-g-pudoLbq3Dasg1vgOclbCNfeai2yD2hg83imik_Q8J7BwollP131g8ecLd1PEU4pPuYjE885SkNoHRjHQlgdGYp1tYX-aCt9r5wUpI/s1600/COE+PQP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="941" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf6YThV19-q42qqnVBG3oE9xxvjynAMvLuov-g-pudoLbq3Dasg1vgOclbCNfeai2yD2hg83imik_Q8J7BwollP131g8ecLd1PEU4pPuYjE885SkNoHRjHQlgdGYp1tYX-aCt9r5wUpI/s320/COE+PQP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Gee ... I had just noted that my last post was more than 3 years ago! COE Quota Premium have been very well supported over the 3 years so it was not until the upcoming expiry of my ride's COE that I re-started to monitor the COE bidding exercises.</div>
skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-62304611742545345732015-07-05T20:02:00.001+08:002015-07-05T20:02:28.416+08:00End of Free Parking at NParks<div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ir7ttZBv0MgQ01RnC18Yva_vjT6jI1Z0PUnF4lhW1SEKyH3Yfpx9FtonOmzGRIKXSK2aC2ZemvInN2tTdYW9NTjoytW445ijEoRJTCEZZZvb97O0rISDvT77FfLWUi4FS-_vYv4qQ5M/s640/blogger-image--817852744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ir7ttZBv0MgQ01RnC18Yva_vjT6jI1Z0PUnF4lhW1SEKyH3Yfpx9FtonOmzGRIKXSK2aC2ZemvInN2tTdYW9NTjoytW445ijEoRJTCEZZZvb97O0rISDvT77FfLWUi4FS-_vYv4qQ5M/s640/blogger-image--817852744.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am shocked to see Wilson put up the banner and the gantry at the car parks at West Coast Park. Sigh! </div>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-19712531594575668352014-02-11T20:43:00.001+08:002014-02-11T20:43:55.013+08:00Abandon or Abroad?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2H0mX9kTxqSIPd01TUOhQsiCNljyupSAsAH8t1LXUxQsjqR25IbjL8oWWf_29ePDG2fXOlwk1GFLIP5QrnDabzoZgjm6EGAe1V3GJ9Ylf6wp09j1ShxP7NoovZ7FLMJzmXEFqxJ9OCI/s640/blogger-image-1848194323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2H0mX9kTxqSIPd01TUOhQsiCNljyupSAsAH8t1LXUxQsjqR25IbjL8oWWf_29ePDG2fXOlwk1GFLIP5QrnDabzoZgjm6EGAe1V3GJ9Ylf6wp09j1ShxP7NoovZ7FLMJzmXEFqxJ9OCI/s640/blogger-image-1848194323.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was amused to see a plant and grass growing beneath this car. I told my boy that the car is likely to have been abandoned but he thought otherwise - who in the right mind will thrash a vehicle in Singapore? He reckoned that the owner is abroad for a couple of months and have parked the car at this free parking lot to save some $$$ during his extended absence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What do you think?</div>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-9725783696579254662014-02-01T13:02:00.001+08:002014-02-01T13:02:14.977+08:00马年快乐<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28cGWpwudsOkhHnsJoGVOXAwo7XkEFXJzhBWloCRR0q-lX15MF8F37TP0LsqRTusiSDe4icj62s3b5Z-Pn3EVUTXzepbQcsXSMm1KZ7Atn0fQIqSPYEuKNuvd10NT3BJ5ydQPLvlD8Ik/s640/blogger-image--474427380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28cGWpwudsOkhHnsJoGVOXAwo7XkEFXJzhBWloCRR0q-lX15MF8F37TP0LsqRTusiSDe4icj62s3b5Z-Pn3EVUTXzepbQcsXSMm1KZ7Atn0fQIqSPYEuKNuvd10NT3BJ5ydQPLvlD8Ik/s640/blogger-image--474427380.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy Lunar New Year to you! With effect from the February 2014 first open bidding exercise, COE categorization will be based on Horse Power. Category A is for cars with engine capacity up to 1,600 cc and Maximum Power Output up to 130 bhp (97 kW) while Category B is for cars with engine capacity above 1,600 cc or Maximum Power Output above 130 bhp (97 kW).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Do you think the quota premium will fall for Category A? Now many luxury makes are bringing new diesel model with lower Horse Power to qualify for Category A. Let's observe the outcomes in the next few bidding exercises.</div>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-12673997160962656452014-01-19T18:45:00.001+08:002014-01-19T19:00:01.968+08:00Beautiful Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4OU-8ufD3Hs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
My ride has just turned 5 years' old and I took a close look at it after the car wash. The multiple tiny dents from knocks by wide-opened door of neighbouring-parked cars and scratches from accidental and intentional incidents make my beautiful ride looks somewhat dated. Alas, I also looked wrinkled from my reflection in the side wing mirror as I tried to remove the scratches using Autoglym Super Resin Polish. <br />
<br />
I was driving to work in the morning when I heard this song Beautiful Ride on Lush 99.5FM. It reminded me to be appreciated of it as I see around the nice cabin illuminated with the morning sunshine beamed through the windscreen and sunroof. I felt very relaxed then cruising on the East Coast Parkway.<br />
<br />
Do you enjoy your ride? Here I another rendition that I have found on YouTube:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2aqzL0Id95M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tried to reach you yesterday</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">To lie the lion down beside the lamb</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tried to find the words to say</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I tried to put the white dove in your hands</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I'm happy to take my turn</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I'm happy to live and learn</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I'm happy to let this slide</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Till you come around</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Cause it's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">As long as we're living</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I don't mind if you're willing</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Cause you and I</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Circle in the same sky</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">You and I could fly side by side</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">On this beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">We're living with the tapestry</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">The energy of everything we've done</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">A little bit of you in me</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">A little bit of hope in everyone</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I'm happy to make it right</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I'm happy to stay all night</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I'm happy to let this go</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Until you come around</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Cause it's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">As long as we're living</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I don't mind if you're willing</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Cause you and I</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Circle in the same sky</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">You and I could fly side by side</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">On this beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Yeah, you and I</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Circle in the same sky</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">You and I could fly side by side</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">On this beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">As long as we're living</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I don't mind if you're willing</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Look out your window</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">As long as we're living</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a beautiful ride</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's peace and forgiving</span></div>
<br />
<br />skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-47103276276670763932014-01-12T14:40:00.001+08:002014-01-12T15:02:06.335+08:00Smarter GPS on Smart Phones<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ-CXavPU3EM7vXauaZOsIjNR946LLol16TnjnIIo2kllmf_qVvOdPvX11nfYKOMyCKKAMyZUOyrpktcDXP7FrFe9tml0htcuJ8eV7xQt_1i2dF6m4JeZOJRzWEIaAVqQXUzb_26HVn4/s640/blogger-image-622878677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ-CXavPU3EM7vXauaZOsIjNR946LLol16TnjnIIo2kllmf_qVvOdPvX11nfYKOMyCKKAMyZUOyrpktcDXP7FrFe9tml0htcuJ8eV7xQt_1i2dF6m4JeZOJRzWEIaAVqQXUzb_26HVn4/s640/blogger-image-622878677.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Do you have a built-in GPS device in your ride or got a dedicated GPS device like the Garmin? Now that almost everyone of us is using a Smart Phone, you can easily download a GPS mobile app from Apple App Store or Google Play. I am using Waze (pronounced as <i>ways</i>) which is developed by an Israeli firm that was bought over by Google in 2013. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The feature that I appreciate most is the capability to recommend a faster route when the system detects from other users' location data that the current route is jammed up. Here's a real example that I encountered earlier this week:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysM2ak8_Nf9rgtrUaosMEW6DagzECw_zjuD4nJk4bRSFeawA0pb2C1XL71V1cFe-ksBPELwhXKpo2kLuewT7t4HmGdI2K8iq-MnfNrDZ_4yiTPEeg7_qaDz9MsEUlsArbTrFZR1zSbC0/s640/blogger-image-1659705972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysM2ak8_Nf9rgtrUaosMEW6DagzECw_zjuD4nJk4bRSFeawA0pb2C1XL71V1cFe-ksBPELwhXKpo2kLuewT7t4HmGdI2K8iq-MnfNrDZ_4yiTPEeg7_qaDz9MsEUlsArbTrFZR1zSbC0/s640/blogger-image-1659705972.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I now use it regularly as I will know the estimated arrival time and can let my friends and family know ahead if I will be late. This reduces the stress of rushing in traffic and in turn, makes it a safer commute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In relation to my previous post about the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE), I think GPS users contributed to the congestion in the East-West traffic as most GPS devices or mobile apps were not updated when the East Coast Parkway (ECP) no longer connects to Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) from 29 December 2013. In fact, Waze was also not updated until 5 January 2014.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchhuXHSBwNpZE9is49k5SxXGg_1kvMJR9ZuZGrhylXZPcqklwIjmEazFYZUIljPf-WGqoc-3qLW2U_vXoxmfVNzAdn-kKeJhl7EkoSUuEDLX2UxP6qKyTzrZLg4ExW5avabLtw1ofiaA/s640/blogger-image-974570550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchhuXHSBwNpZE9is49k5SxXGg_1kvMJR9ZuZGrhylXZPcqklwIjmEazFYZUIljPf-WGqoc-3qLW2U_vXoxmfVNzAdn-kKeJhl7EkoSUuEDLX2UxP6qKyTzrZLg4ExW5avabLtw1ofiaA/s640/blogger-image-974570550.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The wrong route did not impact me as I was traveling West-East and just continue onto the MCE but I had to rely on the directional sign to exit MCE to join ECP. Other than that initial usage feeling unfamiliar, I find the change does not make much difference to the daily commute to work except that I miss the nicer scenery from the Benjamin Sheares Bridge.</div><br></div>I find that GPS is becoming a technology that is integrated into my motoring life. What about you?</div>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-67868870568006225492014-01-01T23:21:00.001+08:002014-01-05T18:41:31.959+08:00Happy New Year 2014!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQwr5pY3PABopLwQeTlYIz7HCyRuXXF271YcSqCi7Q96-Aay7luiiyx4OlOWgeVD6tZ9saY_TlkM5I0Hx28oLGQE3iuoemoHQ5Og37v1EC9iXk2F4VcO5xq0YPFbszStPkcS0R0WtEp8/s640/blogger-image-1235245970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQwr5pY3PABopLwQeTlYIz7HCyRuXXF271YcSqCi7Q96-Aay7luiiyx4OlOWgeVD6tZ9saY_TlkM5I0Hx28oLGQE3iuoemoHQ5Og37v1EC9iXk2F4VcO5xq0YPFbszStPkcS0R0WtEp8/s640/blogger-image-1235245970.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What an exciting start to 2014 with the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) in its 4th day of operations! We saw a major crawl of traffic coming from East Coast Parkway (ECP) into the city on Monday 30 December ... Apparently many motorists forgot or did not realize that the ECP no longer connects to the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) and they missed turning left to join the MCE and ended up with traffic bound for the Central Business District. LTA added two more lanes for Central Boulevard and more directional signs to ease the traffic snarls.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I am surprised that the communication for the change management was not extensive eg. there is no printed flyers distributed at petrol stations near the two affected expressways and the remediation of diverting absent-minded west-bound motorists missing the MCE was not planned for (temporary u-turn at the termination of the ECP could have been setup).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I have only made one post in 2013 and hereby apologize to my blog visitors for the tardiness. My 2014 New Year resolution is to make weekly posts to the blog. Well, let's see if I can fulfill the resolution. Stay tuned.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
[4 January 2014] LTA has gotten its traffic advisory into the local papers daily since 2 January. I don't think we will see a repeat of the bottlenecks on Monday 6 January as the recent media reports have got the message through to most motorists.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjyi7UwF0WYVHpUc0y3XTxYPLnW1xNCKY1BEzNDJ2FaEhC7nAqcnzbToIT58DrGiBVbWWHpoSV0dv24ME9J9b8Xy5Of0RfAQkDPdhczN0nNasArKrIXV_YPluDkekdWr80mUlbq8cQqs/s640/blogger-image-2145730711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjyi7UwF0WYVHpUc0y3XTxYPLnW1xNCKY1BEzNDJ2FaEhC7nAqcnzbToIT58DrGiBVbWWHpoSV0dv24ME9J9b8Xy5Of0RfAQkDPdhczN0nNasArKrIXV_YPluDkekdWr80mUlbq8cQqs/s640/blogger-image-2145730711.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-66611817936490359082013-08-27T23:27:00.000+08:002013-08-28T11:09:31.745+08:00COE Debate - Single Private Car Category with OMV Multiplier for Quota Premium <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlJXkNym35yTd44aJXlUFN1BRYCWnUeJ7JDDlQkHGgbS9aMDMPD3i1Z_pLiBk5jDCRJVVh2Mi54WaZY2iFRKk6TzQG_s6r84HM3b1mruoxByxhzBXboqw26EuHTfv8VyxRtUwyziy8oM/s1600/IMG-20110816-00085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlJXkNym35yTd44aJXlUFN1BRYCWnUeJ7JDDlQkHGgbS9aMDMPD3i1Z_pLiBk5jDCRJVVh2Mi54WaZY2iFRKk6TzQG_s6r84HM3b1mruoxByxhzBXboqw26EuHTfv8VyxRtUwyziy8oM/s320/IMG-20110816-00085.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It will take LTA another few weeks to finalize the tweaks to the COE system from the feedback from more than 3,700 people in the public consultation exercise. Much of the discussion centred around how the different COE categories for private cars should be changed.<br />
<br />
Most are in favour of moving from the existing criteria of engine capacity to a car value-based categorization. However, this will not address how to fairly allocate the limited certificates to each category. I would prefer all private car COEs (categories A, B and E) to come under one single category since it is impossible to please both the mass market buyers and luxury-make buyers if allocation across more than one category is required. The tweak is that the final payable quota premium will be multiplied by the OMV.<br />
<br />
COE bids will be made for a base of $10,000 OMV value. Let's consider the successful winning bid for the exercise is $30,000.<br />
<br />
A mass market buyer of a car with OMV of $16,000 will have to pay the computed quota of $48,000 (16,000/10,000*30,000)<br />
<br />
A luxury-make buyer of a car with OMV of $40,000 will have to pay the computed quota of $120,000 (40,000/10,000*30,000)<br />
<br />
In this way, there is no complex matrix to categorize cars which may result in luxury-make dealers importing models that meets the lower category criteria. In the long run, the quota premium will come to a stable state.<br />
<br />
Doing away with the Category E Open will also forced all buyers to go through the same process and stop any fast-track purchase by paying a premium for dealers' stock of Category E certificates. This category is taken as a benchmark for dealers to set their selling price. I would even go a further step to separate car price from COE bid amount so that buyers are certain about what they are paying for. Buyers should sign for an agreed car price and the maximum bid amount. In that case, dealers will not get any windfall from a sudden drop in quota premium when they set a low COE rebate.<br />
<br />
LTA can also take a leaf out from the property cooling measure of Seller Stamp Duty (applicable to residential property sold within a year of acquisition) to introduce a special duty for vehicle ownership transfer during the first year to deter dealers from bidding and registering vehicles like the "double transfer" deals in the past.<br />
<br />
I hope LTA will provide a fair and efficient method to resolve the madness after the stormy 23-year of the current COE system.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-28347959268378821332012-09-11T19:18:00.003+08:002012-09-11T19:18:50.831+08:00Collision or Accident?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkyPhgNYbQN4YGIF4QsAk4sl49epv6nIL1KzhMlszx9BEYNvrvuUFFqSVB8SSjYf9uE7ssvV36SPQwP-AhSk9-9NGqBti3I3twt6Fz5z039Gkuy2dNm14NHvbgOCDWtsrPSB5zwrM8j4/s1600/Accident1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkyPhgNYbQN4YGIF4QsAk4sl49epv6nIL1KzhMlszx9BEYNvrvuUFFqSVB8SSjYf9uE7ssvV36SPQwP-AhSk9-9NGqBti3I3twt6Fz5z039Gkuy2dNm14NHvbgOCDWtsrPSB5zwrM8j4/s320/Accident1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Insurer AXA has rejected the claim for the Ferrari crash at Rochor Road as reported by <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/rochor-road-ferrari-crash-payout-rejection-test-case-axa-20120909">the Straits Times</a>. If the insurer is successful in up holding its position, it can claim from the driver's estate for all third-party compensation paid to the victims. <br />
<br />
Do you think the court will rule in favour of the insurer? I would support so if it is proven that the speed was significantly over the allowed limit and that the driver had beaten the traffic light in the case. This will send the right message to owners of high-performance cars that reckless driving is NOT condoned especially if the collision resulted in fatality of innocent victims.<br />
<br />
Related post: <a href="http://singaporemotoring.blogspot.sg/2012/05/ferrari-smashed-taxi.html">Ferrari smashed Taxi</a>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-10453985195571513822012-07-28T00:24:00.002+08:002012-07-28T13:36:02.048+08:00Category T (Taxi) COEs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC6pp8oNZoW5eI3epIsgPreN_UoMuW-c2tGxKUje9VnrIkrf8vISvPYhs1utJ9hAx6GYDegcT4h-EBCDjmUyquW6iwrEtvsUuFCtq9wJGDqZ2vqbSEbFob41pWUvXiH9CbYbENfWdP5k/s1600/image020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC6pp8oNZoW5eI3epIsgPreN_UoMuW-c2tGxKUje9VnrIkrf8vISvPYhs1utJ9hAx6GYDegcT4h-EBCDjmUyquW6iwrEtvsUuFCtq9wJGDqZ2vqbSEbFob41pWUvXiH9CbYbENfWdP5k/s1600/image020.jpg" /></a></div>
Today is the start of the London 2012 Games and it reminded me about the Olympics Lane we had two years ago when the YOG was held here. Designating lane for the Game does ease anticipated congestion for the athletes and officials but it causes horrendous commuting for the locals. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=5u7864m4f0821ii75s9rkw4eijucnryvz4m0zg489zmggadp4u">LTA</a> has also published earlier today updates for Taxi COEs:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Taxi-related COE Changes</u></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana;">
</div>
<br />
<ul style="font-size: 11px;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">As we move towards a lower vehicle growth rate, LTA will also make changes to how taxis obtain their COEs, taking into consideration recent COE trends and feedback from both the public and the motor industry about the influence that taxi operators may have on COE prices. First, taxis will be taken out of the COE bidding process from August 2012. They will pay for COEs based on the Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP) of CAT A under the Vehicle Quota System (VQS). This is irrespective of whether the new taxis are intended to replace deregistered taxis or to add to the existing fleets. Allowing taxis to pay the CAT A PQP maintains a concession given to taxis for their public transport role.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Second, the COEs used for taxi fleet expansion will be extracted from the Open Category (CAT E), which can be used to register vehicles in any COE category. This is more reflective of the role of taxis in our public transport system and it is more equitable to use CAT E quotas that are contributed by all vehicle types, rather than drawing solely from CAT A quotas. This also reflects the current situation in which taxi companies register a variety of vehicles as taxis, including both CAT A and CAT B models as well as some minibus models.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">LTA is in discussion with the taxi operators on the proposed taxi availability standards and COE related changes. LTA will finalise the details and provide information on the COE related changes in early August, before the start of the next COE bidding cycle. It will provide details on the taxi availability standards in the fourth quarter of 2012.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The COE quotas already announced for the next 6 months (August 2012 to January 2013) will not be affected.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;">With this latest change, the buck is passed to Category E which is usually used to register larger private cars. The obvious effect is that the Category B COE quota premium will eventually move up in tandem with the reduced Category E COE quota from 2013. Category A COE quota premium should fall without the competition from the taxi companies evident from late bids submitted in several of the past month's bidding exercise. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I wonder if the noise source will shift to larger car buyers. </span></span>In the same press release, LTA will require taxi companies to comply to the new Taxi Availability (TA) standards from 2013 which may require them to put more taxis on the road. I am sure that the analysis of the impact will be conducted soon and the gap will force the increase their fleet size and consumed the Category E COEs. My bet is that Category E COE quota premium will hit $100K soon.</div>
<br />skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-88961874983643420812012-06-13T22:19:00.000+08:002012-06-13T22:25:42.976+08:00Fewer Cars Scrapped<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItt4wq4kgBfL1t1ajYgxaeksKNHWmrWhr9tA8NawNOrj9sbpqWfiw-dGO9_kb2l02fSVP0LvNmlVdlT4pSWcn8KqSPs5Rkxi3Tap32Kvmc_ZXZj5Aa2PKvM_QUxXeZZj1dctQTRqZr6E/s1600/Busy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItt4wq4kgBfL1t1ajYgxaeksKNHWmrWhr9tA8NawNOrj9sbpqWfiw-dGO9_kb2l02fSVP0LvNmlVdlT4pSWcn8KqSPs5Rkxi3Tap32Kvmc_ZXZj5Aa2PKvM_QUxXeZZj1dctQTRqZr6E/s320/Busy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://cars.st701.com/articles-cars/motoring-news/scrap-rate-for-vehicles-stays-flat-in-may/a/70033">Business Times</a> has reported today that the scrap rate for vehicles was flat in May 2012 and dealers anticipate that COE quota premium for small cars will hit $80,000 and big cars will test the 6-digit $100,000 mark.<br />
<br />
The demand for Category A COEs for small cars will be fuelled by the competitive taxi companies and premium makes with more powerful smaller engines. It seems that the mass market makes may be priced out if LTA limits the "cooling" measures to the followings:<br />
1. The deferment of the planned cut in allowable annual vehicle growth rate. The rate will be cut to 1% from August, instead of 0.5% which will be effective from February 2013.<br />
2. An exercise to reduce COEs to compensate for the oversupply in 2008 and 2009 is delayed to July 2013.<br />
3. Open category COEs will be made up of smaller contributions from the other categories.<br />
<br />
The next six-monthly quota will depend on the scrap rate up till June 2012 and it is not looking rosy with the May figure being flat.<br />
<br />
Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew stated during Parliament on May 14 that a "Pay As You Bid" system to curb excessive bidding for COEs was not feasible. He mentioned that feedback gathered from industry members and academics at the 1999 review revealed that the PAYB method has several drawbacks but he did not elaborate on what were the drawbacks. He shifted the focus to PAYB method having less merit since the open bidding system for COEs was implemented in 2001. Open bidding means that the public are aware of the current COE bid prices so there is no incentive for bidders to put in bids higher than what they are prepared to pay for.<br />
<br />
I completely disagree as I deduce that the reason for not implementing the PAYB method is the high cost of maintaing the bidding system that is able to cope with the anticipated high volume in bid price changes lodged near the 4pm closing time. I am sure that nobody wants to appear stupid in overpaying for the COE and thus, will not be overly aggressive on early bids. And LTA also does not want to face angry bidders (mostly dealers) who failed to change their bid price to secure the COEs.<br />
<br />
Will the extra windfall from the additional premium (difference from the minimum winning bid) collected from the higher PAYB bidders pay for the system upgrade? It is very unlikely since most will become responsible (smart) bidders. Thus, it is almost certain that we will not even see a trial of PAYB method since it does not make economic sense to LTA (or the government) for paying more cost and reaping less revenue. Sigh ... I wonder if we will ever get a Transport Minister that will support the PAYB method ... probably NOT in my lifetime. A parting note for LTY ... I do not mind eating my words 8-)<br />
<br />skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-61674130109486015352012-06-06T21:12:00.001+08:002012-06-06T21:12:54.981+08:00Make a Profit from Driving?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAQVGyYiXjXTbcwj39rifULU_aeunvCN4WP7VYhyTLa3ihymKA6OaEhF2RHDW2GHADNYYE09ofFXvOoWjKsI_FWCxzxmKIlKWggLZG6dfjdHmXqN_t8bcFglGqas_So-_Wa9SLEjF4bY/s1600/smmain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAQVGyYiXjXTbcwj39rifULU_aeunvCN4WP7VYhyTLa3ihymKA6OaEhF2RHDW2GHADNYYE09ofFXvOoWjKsI_FWCxzxmKIlKWggLZG6dfjdHmXqN_t8bcFglGqas_So-_Wa9SLEjF4bY/s320/smmain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Motoring in Singapore got featured on Bloomberg yesterday with the article <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-04/singapore-family-sedan-matches-cost-of-a-u-s-home.html">"Singapore Family Sedan Matches Cost of a U S Home"</a>. Here is an extract:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Confident Buyers</b></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Job security has made people more willing to buy cars, helping drive prices higher, said Song Seng Wun, an economist at CIMB Research Pte in Singapore.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“There’s a certain degree of speculation,” Song said. “Due to the COE, you can make money by buying a car and selling it one year later. In most other countries, we’d say a car is a depreciating asset.”</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Song said he takes trains and buses, and “whoever wants to drive and pay through the nose, go ahead.”</blockquote>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I find Song's comments amusing and clearly contradictory - he claimed that you can make money from buying and selling of cars and then he dismissed those driving next.</div>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-24947616016135749152012-05-21T21:12:00.002+08:002012-05-21T21:12:35.842+08:00Ferrari smashed Taxi<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8JfAaOABk4g" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
This must be the most tragic local traffic accident in 2012 resulting in three death - the Ferrari driver, the taxi driver and the taxi passenger. Two others were injured - the Ferrari passenger and a motorcyclist who was dismounted by the taxi from the force of the crash.<br />
<br />
The investigation into the cause of the accident is still in progress. It is strange that the Ferrari was so late in beating the red light. There is a pedestrian crossing about 30 metres before the cross junction where the accident occurred; perhaps the Ferrari driver had mistakenly relied on the green light of the pedestrian crossing and missed the red one when going at such a fast speed. <br />
<br />
Is the accident avoidable? Let's wait for the official investigation result before making any speculation. In the mean time, put on your seat belt and drive safely.skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-59087243100522577022012-05-06T12:59:00.000+08:002012-05-06T12:59:08.626+08:00COE Scheme in the Spotlight<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKIxARRz_q4x2-r421LOvpfsDuGAme1dybioSHWATQbzfGj8xaSIpNMbqijbIEv7f4tSsBMFxxoVRdtIAfk_MUg-P3gcPAOHll4usFpYPlr7TK2TcH7SU8RbxdTbVHp5O4fjdvpbSXno/s1600/Road+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKIxARRz_q4x2-r421LOvpfsDuGAme1dybioSHWATQbzfGj8xaSIpNMbqijbIEv7f4tSsBMFxxoVRdtIAfk_MUg-P3gcPAOHll4usFpYPlr7TK2TcH7SU8RbxdTbVHp5O4fjdvpbSXno/s320/Road+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I read this article on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/">The Straits Times</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">published on 30 April 2012 which offered a good analysis into whether the quota system has effectively manage our vehicle population over the 22 years:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/PrimeNews/Story/STIStory_794012.html">Time to Rethink COE System?</a></b></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
by Christopher Tan</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
IF THE purpose of the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system was to slow the growth of Singapore's vehicle population, it hasn't been working all that well. At least, not when it comes to cars - the main target of the quota system.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The system, officially called the Vehicle Quota System, was put in place in May 1990 as the Government deemed the prevailing vehicle growth rate of 3.5 per cent unsustainable in the long term.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The system was to cap growth at 3 per cent per annum, to be in line with the pace of road network expansion and me-dian income growth of Singaporeans.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
An analysis of growth trends 20 years before the system was introduced in 1990, and 20 years after it, shows the car population has, on average, been growing faster post-COE than pre-COE.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
According to data from the Registry of Vehicles and the Land Transport Authority, the average growth rate was 3.5 per cent per annum from 1971 to 1990. It rose to 4 per cent from 1991 to 2010. The growth rate after COEs were introduced was 14 per cent faster than before.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Why? Here's one theory: Before the quota system, consumer behaviour was influenced more acutely by factors such as economic slowdowns, oil crises and changes in tariffs. But with a quota system in place, consumers become shielded from natural market forces. While the quota system put in place a growth ceiling, it also established a 'floor' that prevents the market from collapsing - even in the depths of recession.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
An example of the latter was well demonstrated in 2004, when Singapore sank into a deep recession. Car sales grew 19.2per cent that year.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The year before, when the country was in the throes of the Sars epidemic, sales grew 29.1per cent.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But what would have happened if there had been no quota system in place? Would Singapore have become as gridlocked as cities like Jakarta, Manila and Bangkok?</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Maybe. Then again, maybe not.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
While growing income tends to fuel the desire to own cars, there comes a point when the pattern goes into reverse.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A paper written by United States transport researcher Joyce Dargay and economist Dermot Gately (Income's Effect On Car And Vehicle Ownership Worldwide: 1960-2015) asserts that car ownership grows slowly when income levels are low. When a country reaches 'middle-income' status, the ownership growth rate becomes twice as fast. And when income goes beyond a certain level, the car ownership growth rate actually reverses.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The global car market today confirms this. Car sales in developed markets such as America, Europe and Japan are slowing, while sales in China and India are in the fast lane.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Singapore's per capita gross domestic product ($63,000 last year) is among the highest in the world. So, even if its car ownership growth rate was relatively fast in the 1990s (assuming the COE system was not in place), the pattern could well have gone into reverse gear by the mid-noughties.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Today, when COE premiums are heading towards record levels, the quota system causes unintended ill-effects too. High inflation is one. Ironically, public transport fare adjustments are influenced greatly by the inflation rate.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The other major ill-effect is social discontent. Like all auctions, the COE system favours those who are most able to pay. When the supply of certificates is constricted (as it is now), COEs invariably end up mostly with wealthy consumers, who buy bigger and costlier cars.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Interestingly, this contrasts with a common criticism of the high ad valorem taxation regime preceding the quota system. When car registration taxes added up to more than 220 per cent of a vehicle's open-market value (OMV, or roughly its pre-tax cost) before 1990, well-heeled buyers complained that the system placed an inordinately high penalty on bigger, pricier cars.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Car taxes today amount to 120 per cent of OMV.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If there was an attempt to incorporate social equity into the quota system by segregating COEs according to car engine size, it is now negated by an increasing number of premium brands with small-engine models.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In the first quarter of this year, brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Audi accounted for 45 per cent of sales in the up-to-1,600cc COE segment. Five years ago, they had a mere 0.3 per cent slice of the segment.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This only serves to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So, after 20 years, perhaps it is time we took a long hard look at the COE system, to examine its relevance and to see if it can be improved upon.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In doing so, it might be useful to look at how other cities without a quota system have coped - Hong Kong, for instance.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hong Kong has 59 cars per 1,000 residents - half of Singapore's 117. Taipei has 250 cars per 1,000 residents, but the annual mileage of cars there is half that of those here. Ditto Tokyo.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
New York is another example. The Big Apple is one of the wealthiest cities in the US, but its car ownership rate is among the lowest (230 per 1,000 residents).</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
These cities share a common denominator: a superior rail network and limited parking facilities. In the case of New York's Manhattan, 60 per cent of work trips are made by public transport. In Hong Kong, the figure is 90 per cent.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
None of them has a quota system, or even high taxes on cars. They rely instead on letting the motorist bear the brunt of driving: jams and the frustration of not being able to find parking.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That, however, exerts a huge environmental cost. Singapore can do better. We have electronic road-pricing. All we need now is a policymaker brave enough to expand the gantry network and treble or quadruple ERP rates.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
After all, it is ultimately congestion we are tackling. ERP, if priced right, will be more efficient at controlling congestion than a vehicle quota system.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And if a quota system is deemed still necessary, we should have one without the sharp supply fluctuations that send premiums to $90,000 in one year, and $5,000 in another.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
--- end of article ---</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
While I agree that allowing motorists to bear the blunt of driving (jams and parking woes), our economy may have grown at a lower rate as a result of the inefficient transportation if the vehicle quota system was not implemented. Would LTA have invested more to quickly grow the public transport infrastructure? </div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I have experienced the ups and downs of the vehicle quota scheme as I have paid nothing (before the COE scheme), a high of $43K and a low of $2 for COEs. It is increasingly challenging for a middle-class motorist to plan for car ownership and much worse for those aspire to buy their first vehicle.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
One good suggestion was received from a reader and I concur with him on the opinion about the "boom and bust" cycle. LTA should just smoothen out the supply of COEs over 10 years and make only minor changes from the actual deregistration to cap the vehicle population. Otherwise, those who are caught in a high COE quota premium will stay in the same cycle in 10 years' time. Ouch! That is a vicious cycle ... </div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_795447.html">How to Fix the COE Scheme?</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Published on 5 May 2012</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
While the certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme is fundamentally sound in controlling vehicle population, its inherent problem is the direct linkage between new COEs being issued and the deregistration of older vehicles.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Between 2004 and 2009, there were more than 90,000 COEs available for cars annually. The COE prices for small- and large-car categories dipped under $5,000 as recently as early 2009.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
At the current monthly quota rate, just over 30,000 COEs will be available this year. Of course, with so few COEs available, prices will increase.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This leads to a 'boom and bust' cycle. When prices are high, fewer people will deregister their cars, thus fewer COEs are available. This continues until the vehicle population ages sufficiently for cars to be 'forced' off the road as their 10-year COEs expire.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Then, as more COEs are released, prices drop. This encourages drivers of newer cars to consider deregistration to buy new cars with lower COE prices, making yet more COEs available.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
To suggest that the current high COE prices are a reflection of the healthy state of the economy, rather than supply and demand economics of the COE system, is inaccurate.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Simply put, prices are high because there are not many COEs available.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The only way to stop dramatic price changes is to ensure that the same number of COEs is released in every bidding exercise.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The current car population is just over 600,000. Without allowing for any growth in car ownership, this will mean 60,000 COEs being issued each year, over a 10-year period; that is, the same number being released every month.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The only factor influencing prices will then be market forces, not fluctuations in the number of COEs.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The only loophole in this proposal arises when owners choose to deregister their cars before the 10-year lifespan is up.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This can largely be stopped by not offering any COE rebates for deregistered cars, and managing traffic through other measures such as Electronic Road Pricing. People will then keep their cars longer.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Removing the 'boom and bust' cycle of COE pricing would lead to a much fairer system, while still controlling the total car population in land-scarce Singapore.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Nick Fellows</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Managing Director, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Vertix Asia-Pacific</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"><div>
<b><br /></b></div>
</span>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-20057895151104055902012-04-18T21:26:00.000+08:002012-05-06T12:59:21.250+08:00Coming Soon? $100K COE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe/images/2012/Apr2/catE_graph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe/images/2012/Apr2/catE_graph.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Graphic source: <a href="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe/">ST701</a><br />
Certificate of Entitlement Quota Premium for both the Open and Large cars categories has surpassed $90,000 in the latest bidding exercise earlier today. These categories see the highest jump in premiums, rising $7,420 and $7,300 respectively to $92,010 and $91,000.<br />
<br />
<br />
All other categories also see rises since news that COE supply will be further cut from August. The Small cars category COE goes up $5,700 to $64,201. Quota premiums for commercial vehicles rose $3,600 to $57,589 while the COE for motorcycles inched up $28 to $1,924.<br />
<br />
Gee, $90,000 is a lot of money! How long would it take for you to save $90,000? With Singapore 2011 per capita GDP at $63,050 (source: <a href="http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/economy/hist/gdp.html">Department of Statistics Singapore</a>), the average Singaporean will find it hard to afford to pay for the COE of a small car at $64,201. It is no surprise that there were three Luxury car makers in the top five newly registered cars in 2011 (source: <a href="http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/lta/Corporate/doc/MVP02-2%20(New%20Cars%20by%20make).pdf">One Motoring</a>):<br />
<br />
1. BMW - 4959<br />
2. Mercedes Benz - 4166<br />
3. Toyota - 3,562<br />
4. Volkswagon - 3,204<br />
5. Audi - 2,111<br />
<br />
Will the other mass market makes exit from the Singapore market in future? Only time will tell ...<br />
<br />skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-23678062691564926442012-04-10T21:41:00.000+08:002012-05-06T12:59:38.972+08:00Buckle Up to Stay Alive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://aux.iconpedia.net/uploads/23350786046720735.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://aux.iconpedia.net/uploads/23350786046720735.png" /></a></div>
I was sad to read about the accident that occurred on Saturday which a mother and her two sons were flung out of the car on the North South Highway after a holiday in Malacca (reported on <a href="http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/1048684/womans_last_act_of_motherly_love_saves_her_sons_life.html">STOMP</a>). The mother and her elder son died while the younger son was injured, saved by her mother's hug. <br />
<br />
The deaths could have been prevented if all the back seat passengers had worn their safety belts. It takes just a few seconds to buckle up. The safety belt may be uncomfortable at times but it essentially keeps you intact when an accident occurs and the vehicle goes from 110km/h to an abrupt halt. You do not want any human cannon balls fired from your car. As a responsible driver, you should ensure that all passengers wear their seat belts.<br />
<br />
Always Buckle Up to Stay Alive!skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-15595552180488217522012-02-18T17:40:00.000+08:002012-02-18T17:40:26.937+08:00D-I-Y Headlamp Bulb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://a.yfrog.com/img858/2308/jm8ud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://a.yfrog.com/img858/2308/jm8ud.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I managed to change the H4 bulb for my left headlamp after doing some "research" ... I searched for "H4 bulb" on the local forum for my car make/model and found a kind soul "NSMan" has uploaded photos in sequence how to D-I-Y. <br />
<br />
I bought the bulb from a nearby Esso petrol station, got a torch and follow the simple instructions. The challenge is accessing the limited space to replace the bulb. The instructions on removing the connector, rubber guard and pin holding the bulb helps tremendously. There is no such instruction in the car manual.<br />
<br />
So how many men are required to change a car's lightbulb? Just one - either the mechanic or the owner with internet access 8-)skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-16949901206104944062011-05-22T11:38:00.002+08:002011-05-22T12:08:24.785+08:00Make Roads Safe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.makeroadssafe.org/" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="69" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvZEMK1-QFEkrgiahQqrrFEayp565REox_2hgNgFDIwJHZR7RkZR3VZ7Mqw92QeCKaWPx35LNQKDH-3NUE3hQZgMXo8pKMFJtabwIDg7gBrlEhbC33ePkm0oFm0oQorQMUhomkVRKPr0/s400/MRS.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Every 6 seconds someone is killed or seriously injured on the world’s roads. With 1.3 million road deaths each year this is a global epidemic comparable to Malaria or Tuberculosis. And like those killer diseases, road crashes prey on the young, the poor and the vulnerable. Yet by comparison to other global killers, road injury is utterly neglected. <br />
<br />
Watch the video below and visit the official FIA site <a href="http://www.makeroadssafe.org/">Make Roads Safe</a> for more information about this decade-long campaign. You can help to support this cause by adding a web button link to the official site. <br />
<br />
For my Twitter visitors, you can retweet RT Make Roads Safe - I pledge to slow down and be cautious in school zones.<br />
<br />
<object style="height: 280px; width: 400px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aY4F9p9yxiY?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aY4F9p9yxiY?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="280"></object>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-43252778546136707282011-05-01T01:10:00.002+08:002011-05-01T01:30:47.679+08:00Drivers at General Election 2011<a href="http://www.ge.sg/" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="75" width="220" src="http://www.ge.sg/images/sgelogo.gif" /></a><br />
Image source: www.ge.sg<br />
<br />
The analogy using motoring was launched by Opposition MP Mr Low Thia Khiang in the first Workers' Party rally on April 28 (Source - <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_662422.html">The Straits Times</a>):<br />
<blockquote>WP chief Low Thia Khiang, speaking at the party's first rally in a field in Hougang Central, said: 'A co-driver is essential, especially when the road gets tougher to navigate. The co-driver is there to slap the driver when he drives off course or when he goes asleep.<br />
<br />
'But, of course, if the driver is friendly and drives responsibly, we just keep talking to him to keep him awake.'<br />
<br />
Describing the WP as someone without a driving licence, Mr Low said whether it could get a licence depends on the voters.<br />
<br />
He cautioned that without co-drivers, Singaporeans would continue to be taken for a ride.</blockquote><br />
The analogy from Mr Low is very apt for describing the current political landscape and a series of rebuttal from the ruling party was spawned.<br />
<br />
His motoring analogy has triggered my assessment of the state of local motoring for the last five years. I subscribed whole-heartedly to the <a href="http://app.lta.gov.sg/ltmp/index.asp">Land Transport Masterplan</a> (2008) that strives to meet the diverse needs of the people. I also personally felt that it is extremely difficult and complex to balance between the demand of the people and the available resources (supply) like road and transit networks, vehicle population control, etc. <br />
<br />
The biggest issue that sticks in my mind is the COE Allocation Formula. Please read my previous post on <a href="http://singaporemotoring.blogspot.com/2011/04/messed-up-by-formula.html">Messed Up by Formula</a>. The Transport Minister Mr. Raymond Lim seems to keep a low profile and I even had difficulty recalling his name. After the change to the Vehicle Quota System (VQS) Methodology in March 2010 (<a href="http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=p66ynmbgdeyuq369f24rmd9t76bh1s172h0315j6ydswsl8gfe">Source: LTA</a>), his deputy, the Second Transport Minister Ms. Lim Hwee Hua dismissed lightly that the spike in certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums and car prices that week was not caused by changes to a formula to determine the number of replacement COEs (<a href="http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20100330-207664.html">Source: AsiaOne</a>). The flaw in the formula was acknowledged but I did not recall seeing any "apology". You should read how Ms. Lim disproved the correlation of the revised formula to the premium spike - I was simply amused. <br />
<br />
The Motor Traders Association of Singapore (MTA) has written to Transport Minister Raymond Lim, in January 2011 to suggest the removal of taxis from the Category A COE quota, and doing away with Category E (open category) COEs (<a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1104182/1/.html">Source: CNA</a>). MTA said taxi operators currently compete with the private car buyer for a COE as they are required to bid for a Category A COE to register their new taxis which add pressure on the Category A COE premiums and taxi operators are in a better position to bid more for COEs being business enterprises. The Transport Ministry said taxi companies made up only a small proportion of about 7% of the total successful bids for Category A COEs from July to December 2010. The ministry added that taxis are allowed to bid for COEs in Category A in recognition of the fact that they are part of the public transport spectrum, albeit at the high end. It said taxi companies replacing their fleet also need not necessarily bid for a new COE. They have the option of renewing expired COEs by paying the Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP). <br />
<br />
If recommendations from MTA (made up of expert practitioners in the industry) cannot drive changes at the ministry, the voice of individual motorist is just a whisper in the wind. But on Polling day 7th May, my vote will be counted ...skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-8313261734633942742011-04-17T12:30:00.001+08:002011-04-17T12:35:20.785+08:00Messed up by the Formula<a href="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe/" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" width="400" src="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe/images/2011/Apr1/catA_graph.jpg" /><br />
Source - ST701</a><br />
<br />
The Straits Times reported on April 16 that <a href="www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_657470.html">Second-hand car market in high gear</a> - Tight COE supply sees used-car sales on track to hit 10-year high. POWERED by a meagre COE supply, used-car sales are continuing to rev up. In the first quarter of this year, 15,441 cars changed hands, a figure that is more than twice the 6,900 new cars sold, going by figures from the Land Transport Authority.<br />
<br />
Sigh ... so how many of you are facing a situation which your current ride's Certificate Of Entitlement is expiring? The statistics indicate that more and more motorists have resorted to buying pre-owned cars. The critical question is whether the COE allocation formula can be tweaked for a balance between demand versus supply and what is the basis for the equilibrum point. <br />
<br />
In LTA's <a href="http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/doc/COE_Quota_Allocation_RV.pdf">current formulation for the quota system</a>, the following are salient points<br />
(a) The vehicle population growth rate has been set at 1.5% per annum for 3 years from 2009 to 2011. <br />
<br />
Is this a reasonable target aligned to the population and GDP growth set by the government? Isn't it too low since the Electronic Road Pricing scheme is implemented to charge by usage rather than ownership?<br />
<br />
(b) Taxi operators pay the prevailing quota premium (PQP) to replace their taxis within 6 months of de-registration of their taxis. If the taxi is not replaced by paying PQP, the de-registered taxis would be recycled as replacement COEs.<br />
<br />
Why is this option not given to citizens but only to taxi operators? I would be glad to pay the PQP to register a new car and deregister my old one when the COE expiry approaches. <br />
<br />
(c) COEs that have been successfully secured by bidders but were not utilised during their validity period were recycled.<br />
<br />
There were about 250 certificates that were secured but had gone to "waste" as it made business sense for the dealers to forgo the low $5,000 deposit and bid for a lower priced COE in a downtrend. <br />
<br />
(d) Category E receives 25% of the de-registrations from in each category.<br />
<br />
We will eventually see an increase of luxury cars as most Category E COEs are used to register such cars. I am of the opinion that a single category based on quota premium per 1000 cc should serve the market better. If I register a 1,000 cc car, I pay the quota premium of eg. $10,000. For an expatriate getting a 4.8 l luxury sports car, he will have to pay $48,000. <br />
<br />
(e) Adjustments for over-projections in Quota Years 2008 and 2009, as well as expired COEs from 2009 are spread over 22 bidding months from Apr 2010 to January 2012. An adjustment of -3,188 was factored in the 1st 4 months quota (Apr-Jul 2010), and the remaining -9,577 adjustments will be adjusted the next 12 months' quota (Feb 2011 - Jan 2012).<br />
<br />
Thus, the tightening will continue until the start of 2012. For prospective upgraders, I would recommend holding out until then if your COE is not expiring. <br />
<br />
In the mean time, we should all take good care of our rides and make them last as a new ride is an expensive option for now.skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-72331468021011162152010-12-26T10:57:00.004+08:002010-12-26T11:26:39.667+08:00The Bidders must be Crazy<a href="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe" TARGET=_NEW><img border="0" src="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe/images/2010/Dec2/catB_graph.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Chart source: http://www.st701.com/cars/coe<br />
<br />
In complete contradiction to my last post that COE Quota Premium is flattening out, we have seen the meteoric rise of the COE Quota Premium past the $70K mark (for Category B and E) over the recent bidding exercises have put "COE" on the top of Yahoo's trending.<br />
<br />
<a HREF="http://www.straitstimes.com/" TARGET=_NEW>The Sunday Times</A> 12 December published a good article "The COE Story" by Christopher Tan (article is reproduced <a HREF="http://xinkaishi.typepad.com/a_new_start/2010/12/st-coe.html" TARGET=_NEW>here</A>) that looks at the history of the Vehicle Quota System and traces the ups and downs of Category E (Open) quota premiums. However, the piece that caught my attention is the graphical illustration to the article (text by Feng Zeng Kun and graphics by Marlone Rubio).<br />
<br />
Here are the key highlights:<br />
April 1990 - Start of the Vehicle Quota Premium<br />
<br />
October 1991 - Car (except Commercial and Open categories) and motorcycle COEs made non-transferable to stop speculators buying and selling them later for a profit.<br />
<br />
January 1993 to November 1994 - Most experts believe the rise in COE prices across all categories is fuelled largely by speculation. Some speculators even use the non-transferable COEs to register vehicles and then resell them.<br />
<br />
December 1994 to March 1995 - COE prices fall in anticipation of new government measures after quota premium has broken the $100K mark. Between January and March, the government rolls out a slew of measures to stop speculation. These include disallowing reselling of new vehicles within 3 months of purchase and imposing an additional fee for resale in the next 3 months.<br />
<br />
January 1998 - Asian Financial Crisis hits Singapore and quota premium dropped from over $70K to the $30-40K range in early 1998.<br />
<br />
April 1999 - COE supply formula revised to correct supply and demand time lag. Previously, the number of COEs for any year was determined by how many vehicles were deregistered the previous year. The new system estimates how many will be deregistered for the current year and issues that number of COEs. Revisions are made every six months to correct over- or under-projections.<br />
<br />
July 2001 - An open bidding system is introduced for greater transparency. For the first time people can see the number of bids and the quantum of each bid. The COE quota each month are divided equally between the open and closed bidding systems.<br />
<br />
April 2002 - The open bidding system completely replaces the closed bidding system.<br />
<br />
January 2005 to March 2010 - Over-supply of COEs leads to faster-than-expected growth in vehicle population.<br />
<br />
January 2010 - COE prices start to soar in anticipation of sharp supply cut and new quota formula.<br />
<br />
March 2010 - Government announces new supply formula, reverting to basing COE quotas on past vehicle deregistrations. But this time, quotas are set every six months, instead of annually.<br />
<br />
April 2010 - COE prices reach highest levels in 10 years with premium hitting $49K.<br />
<br />
December 2010 - News of another quota shrinkage sparks panic bidding, sending premium to $76K.<br />
<br />
After anti-speculation measures and limits to car loans are rolled out in the first quarter of 1995, COE prices headed south. Besides the blips in 1997, the downtrend lasted more than a decade.<br />
<br />
So what is causing the COE quota premiums to soar in 2010? Here are the top three causes in my opinion:<br />
<br />
1. COE supply formula - the reversion to basing on actual deregistration has sharply brought down supply and that causes a vicious cycle of existing vehicle owners delaying their replacement purchase.<br />
<br />
2. Car population growth allowance - the government reduced the allowable annual growth rate for vehicle population to 1.5% from 3.0% in 2008. The subdued rate simply cannot support the influx of new buyers and aspiring upgraders. Quota premiums have already started to creep up in 2009. <br />
<br />
3. Singapore population growth <a HREF="http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=wb-wdi&met=sp_pop_totl&idim=country:SGP&dl=en&hl=en&q=singapore+population+chart" TARGET=_NEW><img SRC="http://www.google.com.sg/chart?cht=lxy&chd=s:ABCDEGHIJLMNOQRSTVWXYabcdfghiklmnpqrsuvwxz01245679,UUVVWXXYYYZZaabbbccddegghhhhijlmnopqsuvwxyyyy01378&chds=0.0,1.0&chs=160x101&chco=287bf5ff&chls=2.0,1.0,0.0&chxt=x,r,x,r&chxs=0,333333,0,0,tl,333333|1,333333,0,-1,tl,333333|2,000000,11.5,-1,tl,333333|3,000000,11.5,-1,tl,333333&chxtc=0,2|1,2|2,0|3,0&chm=h,cccccc,0,1,1,1|h,cccccc,0,0.5,1,-1&chxp=2,0,82|3,5,50,95&chxl=0:|1960|2009|1:|0|2.5M|5M|2:|1960|2009|3:|0|2.5M|5M"></A> - The <a HREF="http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/people/hist/popn.html" TARGET=_NEW>latest 2010 census</A> counted the population at 5,076,700. With about 1.3 million foreigners working here, there should be many professionals who can afford luxury cars. Do you know that Mercedes and BMW are in the top three makes for new registrations? The data is available at <a HREF="http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/doc/M03-Car%20Regn%20by%20make.pdf" TARGET=_NEW>onemotoring.com.sg</a>.<br />
<br />
It is extremely complex to balance usability, affordability and fairness in the Vehicle Quota System. We will definitely see new measures in 2011, especially with the General Election anticipated in the second quarter.<br />
<br />
The option of changing the bidding system to pay what you bid is mentioned by the chairman of the GPC for Transport in a <a HREF="http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC101224-0000147/Rises-in-COE-premiums--Were-speculative-elements-the-cause" TARGET=_NEW>recent interview</a> - I was wondering if he has gotten the idea from my recent blog post <a HREF="http://singaporemotoring.blogspot.com/2010/04/time-for-pay-as-you-bid.html" TARGET=_NEW>"Time for Pay as You Bid?"</a>. I feel that it should only apply to dealer's bid since individual bidder should not be penalized. It is also not possible to ban dealers from bidding as some buyers do not know how to bid by themselves (related post: <a HREF="http://singaporemotoring.blogspot.com/2009/02/bid-for-your-own-coe.html" TARGET=_NEW>Bid for your own COE</a>)<br />
<br />
Here's wishing you a Happy New Year and welcome 2011!skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-89930305473986924832010-10-23T22:26:00.000+08:002010-10-23T22:26:07.632+08:00COE Quota Premium is Flattening Out<a href="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe"><img border="0" src="http://www.st701.com/cars/coe/images/2010/Oct2/catB_graph.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Chart source: http://www.st701.com/cars/coe<br />
<br />
Category B COE Quota Premium is now fluctuating between the narrow band of $40-45K for the last seven bidding exercise. With the limited number of COEs at each bidding exercise, there are many motorists waiting on the sidelines to decide if they want to upgrade their rides. The phenomenon of such flat-line is associated with the lack of news and events to influence the market to rise or fall.<br />
<br />
Is this good or bad news to potential buyers? Well, it is neither as there is really no news. I took a closer look at the Category A and Category E - they are consistent with Category B and do not give any clue to where COE quota premium is heading. <br />
<br />
However, Category C is trending downwards which indicates that businesses are not rushing to replace ageing fleet, so business sentiment is somewhat cautious. Category D for motorcycles is trending upwards which indicates that the cheaper mode of transport is the only option for motor(cycl)ists priced out of the four-wheel markets.<br />
<br />
What is my gut feel? It is unlikely to see a crash back to 2009 level of sub-$10K but I think the market will stay flat and may soften into 2011 as the world economies sputter under uncertain condition. For Category A buyers, you can consider it when quota premium is between $20-30K. For Category B buyers, you should be able to afford to go in even at current level.skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1488567619868612722.post-44140913158338589922010-08-15T15:54:00.000+08:002010-08-15T15:54:04.152+08:00Give Way to YOG<object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8chA_lVl3Gs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8chA_lVl3Gs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>skxlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605656934820549494noreply@blogger.com0