The Public Transport System

So Singapore's got a world class public transport system. We've got the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the NorthEast Line (NEL). We've got taxis; yellow tops, comfort blues, union gas reds, citycab, premier greys.....Then we've got the buses...SBS Transit and SMRT buses.

The prices of all forms of public transport has increased. Yet the quality of ride is not significantly better. Bus timings are still not on the dot. Lousy and rude bus drivers that ignore potential commuters and rush pass bus stops now have an excuse and that is we must flag early. They should open their eyes too.

Even after the alternate income from providing TV Mobile (they get money from advertising alright), the buses are still dirty and some air-conditioners really ought to get an overhaul.

Taxis still go into hiding at certain hours along certain areas. Have you ever tried taking a cab within Suntec City area in the evening?

But we've got a public that is far from world class using it.

Really the public using the buses, trains and taxis aren't that fantastic. We all have our pet peeves. So I list mine here.

OILY HAIR STAINS ON GLASS
This seems to be extremely prevalent in buses that ply through Little India. It's very gross. When hair lotion, sculpting cream, gel and sweat mix together, they form a vomit inducing mess. Usually you see them around the shoulder level of glass windows next to seats. Probably from a tired person who had his head leaning against the window. The stains, upon closer inspection usually has a curvature, possibly a result of the jerky motion caused by lousy bus driving.

CANNOT KEEP LEFT
I think the inability of commuters in MRT/LRT/NEL stations to keep left on escalators has less to do with education level than following the norm. I have no problem in the mornings when most of the users are going to work. But when it comes to the weekends or offpeak periods, nobody keeps left.

CELLULAR BOOMBOX
Using mobile phones capable of playing mp3s as portable stereosets is like a modern twist to the boomboxes that was prevalent amongst breakdancers in the 80s. No, I don't like hip hop (being black is not a state of mind) that much. Invariably the kids (and sometimes adults) will be playing some hiphop, rock, death metal, k-pop, j-pop, bubblegum pop, eurothrash or whatever else. I don't really care. But think about this, have you ever had someone playing Death Cab For A Cutie loudly, free for all on their handphones? Indie and emo kids are nice cause they are usually private too.

PUSHERS/SHOVERS/PRETENDERS
Alot of those who actually push and shove their way through to get to the front are usually the people from the 50 - 80 age group. I don't know if you all agree with me on this. But usually when there is someone standing in the yellow box, marked out so that passengers can get off first, they are usually some middle aged woman/man. Pretending to ignore the yellow box. It's worse along the NEL because there are not yellow boxes. And when the train doors open, they just bulldoze through. And if you get in their way...I pray for you. And when you stare at them for being so uncivilised, they pretend that they've not done anything wrong even though they have just shoved their elbows into your back and stepped on your toes, twice, while trying to find a seat or standing spot.

BLIND/SLEEPERS
I'm not talking about those who are actually visually handicapped. I'm talking those who ignore the very pregnant woman standing in front of them. Or the very frail and obviously toppling old lady...these inconsiderate idiots will glue their butts to their seats and not get up. Even if they are in a seat marked for the old, very young and pregnant. Some don't ignore. Some just fall into a deep slumber immediately when a pregnant woman is around them but will automatically awake when its their stop.

I bet there are more. But I shall stop here for now.