"If Taiwanese can queue in orderly way, why can't S'poreans?

kilua SG

The State Propaganda persistent attempts to portray our neighbours as incompentent and inferior is easily foiled by the internet. The States Times takes every oppourtunity to portray them badly but those who have travelled there know otherwise.

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/viewContent.jsp?id=28547

kilua SG

Check out my earlier post on a trip to taiwan in 06. My only regret is that i didnt take photos for the things i mentioned.

http://www.sgforums.com/forums/10/topics/225768

Last month i went to Taipei, a under a supposed "inferior form of governance" for a short holiday, I was surprised that it was better than Singapore in many ways.

1.The streets are relatively free of litter despite the fact it does not have fines for littering.

2. The transport system is relatively good and cheaper than Singapore.

a) The bus has a Flat fee of 15 Yuan ($0.70) which you can take from one end to another end.

b) MRT fare starts from 20 Yuan ($0.95)

There can be further discounts if you use an Ez link card like Singapore.

3. The service standard is better. The sales staff are polite and every 7-11 Store you go, they would greet you with "Huan Yin Kuan Ling" This could be due to cultural influence from Japanese.

4. The Taiwanese give seats to elderly readily. When using escalators, people naturally keep to one side, to give way to those who want to climb. When entering the MRT doors, the people give way to passengers who are leaving.

5. Because Taiwanese do not legislate laws at their whim and fancies, the authorities are better at persuading its people to change. They get celebrities like Jolin Tsai and Lin Yilain to record Radio ads to persuade people to give seats to elderly.

6. Taiwan has a more entrepreneur friendly environment. Because they are a little more chaotic, its easier to set up a street stall and be rich from doing small business. In Singapore, the hawkers and shops owners give most of their takings away in rent. Its also easier and cheaper to make your business known as billboards are plastered all over the country.

7. Taipei is the first Asian city that has a comprehensive wireless nationwide network while Singapore is playing catch-up.

Can good governance produce these results? Or when the day good governance cannot fine our people, the country will be filled with litter?

FireIce SG

oh, cos u neber see the way the can step on one another during sales
we is no fight wor

eagle SG

ya, I was surprised the last time I went Taiwan.

But to be fair, it is usually the elder generation, or the very small kids, or what I saw before, some Banglas, that still block the way when pple exit. Can't blame them though... the elderly might not even hv read the 'teachings', the kids might not even have bothered, and the banglas might not understand the language properly... Other than that, I can usually see people giving way to exiting passengers at train stations, so overall still not too bad la.

maurizio13 SG

don't line up nevermind, worse part is before commuters inside has a chance to alight, some will block the entrance, while others will try to rush in already.

so most of the time the door is shrunk to half it's size.

if you want to make them line up, impose a fine lor.

all confirm line up in straight line.

wonderamazement SG

taiwanese is taiwanese, singaporeans are singaporeans... emulate people for what. although there is need to be more "orderly".

kilua SG

But one thing that puzzles me in taiwan is that the private bus companies in Taipei can make a profit charging a flat rate of $0.70 cents for a bus ride. The $0.70 cents allows a passenger to take from one bus Terminal end to the other. On the other hand, our Public Transport Council have to hike our fares time after time. One wonders why.

In a study by Mercer, it shows the average cost of Bus/Subway ride for

Singapore ($1.26),Korea ($1.06), Hong Kong ($0.72), Taiwan ($0.63). Singapore has the most expensive public transport after Japan.

Source :Mercer Study, Business times

Fantagf SG

But one thing that puzzles me in taiwan is that the private bus companies in Taipei can make a profit charging a flat rate of $0.70 cents for a bus ride. The $0.70 cents allows a passenger to take from one bus Terminal end to the other end. On the other hand, our Public Transport Council hike our fares time after time. One wonders why.

In a study by Mercer, it shows the average cost of Bus/Subway ride for

Singapore ($1.26),Korea ($1.06), Hong Kong ($0.72), Taiwan ($0.63). Singapore has the most expensive public transport after Japan.

Source :Mercer Study, Business times

That is because they have to be accountable to the shareholders.

maurizio13 SG

But one thing that puzzles me in taiwan is the private bus companies in Taipei can make profit charging at a flat rate of $0.70 cents for a bus ride. The $0.70 cents allows a passenger to take from one bus Terminal end to the other end. On the other hand, our Public Transport Council hike our fares time after time. One wonders why.

In a study by Mercer, it shows the average cost of Bus/Subway ride for

Singapore ($1.26),Korea ($1.06), Hong Kong ($0.72), Taiwan ($0.63). Singapore has the most expensive public transport after Japan.

Source :Mercer Study, Busines times

Who do you think profits from the super normal profits?

SMRT, SBS, Taxi Companies.

Ultimate shareholder is Temasex.

It's interesting to note that countries like Australia, maybe Hong Kong also, have monthly fare cards where fares are charged lower than what commuters would have to pay daily (they are priced much lower to help the working class commuters). SMRT has not implemented such a scheme. Why? Simple, it will erode their profits, the main objective of Temasex is to make lots and lots of money.

Cowbaycowboo SG

wat has stomp's cbcb gotta do wif here?

Sv_190 SG

First time seeing a reasonable article in STOMP..

I went Taiwan before , also asked myself "if taiwanese can queue in orderly way why cant singaporean queue properly?"

gangsterkillar SG

I have to add.....

If Taiwanese can demonstrate(protest), why can't S'poreans?

If Taiwanese can have free elections and democracy, why can't S'poreans?

If Taiwanese can have checks and balances, why can't S'poreans?

If Taiwanese can have human rights, why can't S'poreans?

If Taiwanese can bash straying wifes(legally), why can't S'poreans?

Pitot SG

Because taiwan is taiwan, singapore is singapore.

Nica_TW SG

I'm a Taiwanese...thanks a lot!!

If there are no these comparisons, I don't know that I live in such a lovely country...

Beautiful951 SG

Culture probably

Pitot SG

wo ai tai mei!

cuddles SG

this one I totally agree with TS. I was in taiwan and I was really impressed. the courtesy is there.. be it at train platforms or even in shops.

stop the singapore is singapore, taiwan is taiwan... this is a good aspect we should learn from.

*edit* at macdonalds, clearing your own trays and also the waste are disposed as classified to recycle-able or not.. can see that they have environmental-friendly efforts in their culture..

Pitot SG