All-day use of PMDs kicks in. Our reporter gives it a go

Yesterday was the start of a six-month trial by Land Transport Authority (LTA), allowing personal mobility devices (PMDs) and foldable bicycles onto public trains and buses all day.

So, during the morning peak hour, I took my e-scooter from home in Punggol onto an SBS Transit bus, then the MRT to Raffles Place station.

The journey was smooth, although I had trouble lugging around my 19kg MOBOT Freedom Chaser e-scooter which had to be kept folded during the commute on public transport.

My journey started at 7.55am when I boarded service 50 from my home to the temporary bus interchange in Punggol.

Fortunately, there were no passengers with foldable bikes or PMDs on the bus as regulations allow only one at any time.

Another regulation to take note of is that commuters are not allowed to carry PMDs or foldable bikes to the upper deck and fortunately, for me, the lower deck wasn’t crowded.

When I reached Punggol MRT station, I opted to take the lift instead of the crowded escalator as I did not want to inconvenience the other passengers.

In doing so, I had to take a longer route as the lifts were at the other end of the station and I missed one train; something I need to factor in for future trips.

I made my way to the train’s front carriage, as it is one of LTA’s guidelines, and was surprised to find that the other commuters did not have any problems with my e-scooter.

They even made way for me.

On the way to Dhoby Ghaut station, the train had jerked intermittently and I had to ensure my e-scooter did not hit the other commuters.

From Dhoby Ghaut to Raffles Place, passengers boarded the train to the point there was barely any room to extend my arms and, even then, they didn’t seem to mind my load.

By the end of the trip, my shirt was soaked with perspiration from lifting and rolling the e-scooter around. But it was a smooth process and I have no qualms about taking an e-scooter to work and back.

Dr Lee Der Horng, a transport researcher at National University of Singapore, said this trial was a more proactive way of getting people to take public transport and reduce congestion on roads.

He told The New Paper: “I hope commuters will be receptive of this trial… After all, more people taking public transport is a good thing.”

Rules and guidelines to follow

l Bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) are allowed on public transport at any time if they comply with the permitted dimensions and rules

l Bicycles and PMDs must be no larger than 120cm by 70cm by 40cm

l Foldable bicycles or PMDs must be folded at all times

l Motorised PMDs must be switched off on trains and buses

l Wheels of foldable bicycles or PMDs are to be covered if they are dirty or wet

l Protruding parts which may cause injury, such as handle bars or bicycle pedals, are to be covered up or retracted

l Only one foldable bicycle or PMD is allowed on a bus at any one time

l Foldable bicycles or PMDs are not allowed on the upper deck of a bus or on the staircase

l Commuters should not ride their foldable bicycles or PMDs within MRT or LRT stations and bus interchanges or terminals. Instead, they should push or carry their folded devices

l Commuters with foldable bicycles or PMDs are advised to board the next train or bus if the first one is too crowded

l Foldable bicycles or PMDs should not block the aisles and doors or other commuters

l Commuters with foldable bicycles or PMDs should use the first or last car of trains, use the wide fare gates at MRT stations, must be responsible for safety precautions and should hold or carry their foldable bicycles/PMDs

This article was first published on December 02, 2016.
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There was a slight drizzle yesterday morning outside the Raffles Place MRT station.

But that did not stop a crowd of commuters from braving the rain to get copies of The New Paper, which became a free newspaper yesterday.

Thousands lined up outside Raffles Place MRT station Exit A, with the queue snaking around surrounding buildings, to redeem an OWL Coffee goodie bag that was part of a TNP giveaway.

Those in the queue who had a copy of TNP also received a free micro USB mini fan, courtesy of social network app HeyBuddies.

Mr Tan Jun Kai, 27, a data analyst who was in the queue, picked up a copy of TNP because he thought its content mix is more relevant to him now.

He said: “I used to buy TNP quite a while back, but I stopped because I could always read the news for free online.

“I also prefer reading business-related news.”

To cater to professionals, managers, executives and businessmen (PMEBs), TNP has a new business section monitoring the ups and downs of the stock market, as well as keeping up with developments in the corporate world.

Mr Tan added: “It’s convenient because I can take the paper for free at the MRT and read it on my way to work, from Beauty World to Raffles Place.”

Madam Jennifer Tan, 51, who works in finance, agreed.

She told TNP: “I am so busy, have no time to read the news. The only time I can find to read the news is when I’m travelling to work, so I’ll just take the free paper at the MRT (stations).”

OWL International assistant general manager for advertising and promotions Joie Wong said she was happy to see so many people queueing for the new TNP and enjoying OWL coffee.

“We look forward to partnering TNP for more of such meaningful events in future,” she added.

Mr Jeremiah Ng, chief technology officer of HeyBuddies, said he was encouraged when he saw many young professionals grabbing a copy.

“We’ve partnered with TNP because it’s the paper to look out for in the coming future,” said Mr Ng, 32.

“It serves an important segment of the population – PMEBs. Now that it’s free, it reaches out to more people and the circulation is higher.

“It has a lot of potential, which we would like to tap into.”

GOOD START

Singapore Press Holdings chairman, Dr Lee Boon Yang, also stopped by Raffles Place yesterday to observe the paper being distributed.

“I think (the long queue is) a good start, but it’s still early days,” he said.

“There’s still a lot of work for us to do, to make sure that the new New Paper becomes a well-accepted and well-read newspaper in Singapore’s context. We will certainly do our best. The editorial team will ensure that the content is persuasive and interesting for readers.”

TNP editor Eugene Wee, who was there handing out papers to commuters, said his priority is the readers.

“For 28 years, people paid to read TNP. Now they are getting the same paper, and more, for free. I think our reader comes up as the biggest winner in our revamp,” he said.

“My hope is that with our new content mix, we can continue to cater to readers who have been with us all the way while attracting a brand new readership as well.”

This article was first published on December 2, 2016.
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Move to bring down drink-driving tragedies

A cabby whose stalled taxi was hit by a drunken driver’s car on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) died after being bedridden for eight months last year.

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Desmond Lee cited the case last evening in announcing a review to increase the penalties for drink driving.

He was speaking at the launch of the latest SGCarMart Anti-Drink Drive Campaign, organised in conjunction with the festive season by the Traffic Police (TP) and Singapore Road Safety Council at Zouk.

“In particular, we will seek to increase the penalties for offences that result in death or hurt to others, especially in cases where the drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or are repeat offenders,” said Mr Lee.

“We will also press for more severe penalties for such cases.”

Mr Lee highlighted that the number of arrests for drink driving had fallen this year. Up to September, the TP had arrested 1,540 motorists for drink driving, 13 per cent lower than the same period last year.

“While this drop is encouraging, drink driving still remains a concern,” he said.

Mr Lee noted that there were still 103 drink driving-related accidents in the first three-quarters of the year, which resulted in three deaths and 153 injuries.

For the PIE accident, Raymond Chiang, 29, was jailed in October for four months, fined $4,000 and disqualified from driving for eight years for causing the death of Mr Sim Beng Guan, 59.

Mr Lee said the accident had devastated Mr Sim’s family.

“When we think of the harm that has been caused to the victim and his family, and the irresponsible attitude of the driver, it is very clear that we need to take a tougher stance against such acts,” Mr Lee said.

Mr Sim’s son, software IT developer Sim Yin Chong, 29, told The New Paper: “My father lost his life because of drink driving.

For taking away someone’s life, the penalty is very light. I hope it won’t happen to anyone else.”

Currently, first-time drink-driving offenders can be fined $1,000 to $5,000 and be disqualified from driving for up to 48 months.

Repeat offenders can face a fine of up to $30,000, up to three years’ jail and up to six strokes of the cane.

Anyone who causes the death of another by driving a motor vehicle recklessly can be jailed for up to five years.

Mr Lee said the TP will continue public education programmes, enforce and deter such motorists through stiff penalties, and engage with stakeholders such as entertainment outlet operators.

Experts contacted by TNP welcomed the review.

Transport engineering consultant Gopinath Menon called drink driving “one of the most serious offences” that is unacceptable.

“You can kill yourself and others. The numbers have been brought down, but it is a good idea to send home the message that it is something we cannot tolerate,” he said.

Road safety expert Gerard Pereira, agreeing with the need for more severe penalties, said there is no reason to drink and drive with the availability of alternative transport options such as taxis or private hire cars.

In his speech, Mr Lee also mentioned how entertainment outlets can help to combat drink driving.

He said: “Entertainment outlets have a role too, to remind customers not to drink and drive, and provide options such as overnight parking and valet services.”

This article was first published on December 2, 2016.
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They were killed after a train hit them near Pasir Ris station.

Mr Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, 24 and Mr Nasrulhudin Najumudin, 25, were part of a team of 15 SMRT employees carrying out inspection works on the MRT tracks when the accident occurred at around 11.20am on March 22.

Yesterday, SMRT Trains and two of its employees were hauled to court for their alleged involvement in the deaths.

The then officer-in-charge, Lim Say Heng, 47, was charged with one count of performing a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide.

He is accused of failing to ensure necessary safety measures were in place to make sure trains would not enter the track before the team accessed the tracks.

Read also: SMRT sacks train driver in fatal track accident

SMRT Trains and its director of control operations Teo Wee Kiat, 40, were each charged with an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

They are accused of failing to ensure employees compllied with approved operating procedures when accessing the tracks, and failing to ensure the procedures of accessing the tracks passed safety audits, were documented and were disseminated.

A pre-trial conference for the three parties will be held on Dec 30. Yesterday, in a media statement, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said investigations were ongoing to determine if any other individuals might be liable.

In another statement yesterday, executive secretary of National Transport Workers’ Union, Mr Melvin Yong, said it will continue to provide support to Lim and his family.

Mr Yong added: “We will also continue to gather feedback from our workers, and work with the relevant agencies and stakeholders in the industry to provide a safe working environment for our workers.”

This article was first published on December 2, 2016.
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Take my life, but don’t harm my son – that was what Sheng Siong supermarket chief executive Lim Hock Chee’s mother, Madam Ng Lye Poh, told her kidnappers after she was abducted in January 2014.

Mr Lim told The New Paper yesterday: “That she was willing to sacrifice her life for me was true mother’s love. I was very touched.”

He spoke to TNP in a phone interview after Singapore’s first kidnap-for-ransom case in over a decade came to a close.

Sales executive Lee Sze Yong, 44, was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to be given three strokes of the cane.

His accomplice, Heng Chen Boon, 52, was jailed three years last year on a reduced charge of helping Lee in the abduction. He finished his sentence earlier this year.

When told of Lee’s sentence, Mr Lim said he believed it was fair and that justice was done.

Mr Lim said in Mandarin: “I believe in the courts and the judge, who represent the citizens and justice. I respect the sentence.”

He added that his mother, who is now 81, is coping well after the traumatic incident.

“Her health is fine. She’s still active, even though her legs occasionally feel weak,” he said.

“She still goes to the market in the morning whenever she can.”

Lee, who had harboured plans to kidnap someone rich in Singapore, did not deny he abducted Madam Ng in January 2014, reported The Straits Times.

TRICKED

He admitted he had tricked Madam Ng into getting into his rented car after telling her that her son had a fall in the office.

Lee also testified that he got Heng, who was his former lover, to help swop cars and guard Madam Ng.

He did so by threatening to expose their previous relationship.

Heng later drove the car with Madam Ng inside to a road near Sembawang Park.

Lee then called Mr Lim and demanded a ransom of $20 million, which was later negotiated to $2 million.

Madam Ng was released after Mr Lim dropped off a bag with the cash in Sembawang Park.

Lee was arrested in Ang Mo Kio shortly after, and he led the police to the bag he had thrown into bushes.

Yesterday, Lee, in a letter to the court, asked to be given the death penalty instead of “deprivation of liberty for the rest of my life”.

He wrote: “The endless mental torment of hopeless years ahead would hound me for the rest of my life. I fail to see a purpose in life…

“I (have) ruined my life. By dying, I hope that I have repaid my debt and to be at peace.”

He said he had asked Madam Ng for forgiveness, and would have liked to have spared her the trauma of testifying at his trial.

He said: “Having my mother about the same age as Madam Ng, I never have (sic) any intention to abuse or hurt her in any way.”

In sentencing, Justice Chan Seng Onn told him that he must not despair and that “there is still hope at the end of the day”, as the law allows for a review of his life term after he has served 20 years.

Mr Lim also thanked the public for their well wishes and the police for their help.

“This happened almost three years ago and we’ve moved on.

“I have faith in our police and trust them that our streets are safe and that this won’t happen again,” he said.

This article was first published on December 2, 2016.
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