Transportation Systems

Sometimes in Singapore the taxi here is fascinating. Especially in the morning when it rains *has been for the last 2 days*, there are no taxis around. Either they are hired or they are on call. Very seldom you can find 1 empty in the morning. Especially when it rains. Been waiting for 1 for more than half an hour just now in the morning before i can find 1, while standing in the rain drizzling raining wet on me. I think it is the same stories for all metropolis in any countries in the world. Just that i wanted to let out the frustrating just now. Better now. Hehe.

In China, taxi is called "zhu che", meaning rental car or "kereta sewa", meaning taxi in Singapore and Malaysia. Singapore has 1 of the best transportation system in 3 countries i've been, China, Malaysia and Singapore. The drivers are polite and safe, the bus do not rush over red light, taxis do not speed, cars will let you pass on the zebra crossing 1st at the traffic light and etc etc. Nice good secure feelings. Compared it to China and Malaysia, you will puke and "vomit blood" when you see how drivers drive vehicles, both buses, taxis, cars and bicycles in China. It is electrifying!

Have you ever wonder how comes there are more cars in KL compare to Singapore and Shanghai? It is really a surprise when you were to see for yourself the amount of cars on the road in KL, especially in the "Federal 'carpark' Highway" and the shopping complexes. You can see and make a test for yourself. Calculate how many person sitting in car on the road and you be amazed. More than 50% of the cars on the road is normally sitted with 1 person, which is the driver. No wonder it is quite normal to see in KL that there are more than 2 cars in each house. Husband driving the Toyota/Honda/Benz to work, wife driving another car for her own purposes to fetch kids to tuition and from school, to shop and for daily housechores, the son need another car to work and his activities everyday, the daughter need another car for her college everyday and etc. So they need more than 3 cars you see, even my family has a few cars for our disposal.

Why can't we have a better transport system such as bus network or MRTs to our door step such as in SG, whereby an housing estate has a few bus stops and the frequency of buses and taxis is so much that you do not need to worry that there isn't one for you. Plus, it is safe to walk around even alone as a lady walking at these estates. Aunties and young ladies, both studying and working, mothers carrying kids and babies will feel the safety even when walking alone. No motorcycles will passed by you making you feeling insecure and fear for your life.

I presumed it is due to the central government trying to weight down the options that is best for our countries. When Proton and Perodua sell more cars, the car manufacturer (government linked companies, GLCs) will make more $, local banks who specialized in car loans will get the hire purchase business with interest rates charge for 7-9 years total up to 36% of the car price, petroleum companies will make a buck from there as well and etc. When all these big GLCs such as Proton and Perodua make $, Malaysia will stand proud in front as a well-run company and the pioneer car manufacturer in the region and the employees subsequently, which mostly comprises of localized cheap labor will benefit from it as well and of course then economies will grow indefinitely. Banks will get the business and will not go out of business as a result of these assistance. These banks have no muscle to fight against foreign banks if they were be left own their own. Hence, no wonder all these mergers and acquisitions (M&As) happening around the countries. They need more assets and financial muscles to be strong and be competitive. The power of Big Numbers!

Go figure and think both side of the coins. Everything has pros and cons. Yin and Yang...So how? Any ideas to improve our transportation system?