Is there a need to increase public transport fares?

It was announced that MRT fares will be unchanged but bus fares will go up by one to two cents on Oct 1. Youth give their views.

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Nationalise public transport sector

THE current economic structure of our public transport industry results in private operators focusing on pursuing profit.

These operators should be commissioned as statutory boards.

As autonomous government agencies, they will continue to enjoy flexibility in their operations. The upside to nationalisation is that operators will now be directly accountable – for both their performance and revenue – to the public through Parliament.

In the spirit of public service, they would be encouraged to leverage other revenue streams such as advertising to defray their cost of operations.

Furthermore, they will not be subjected to regular shareholder pressure of meeting profit targets or issuing dividend payouts.

These merits translate into sustained affordability, as fares will be administered by responsible providers, and any increase will be made only when it’s fair and necessary.

Sanjiv Nanwani, 20, will be reading government and economics at the London School of Economics

Most dependent are hardest hit

BUS fare hikes have been justified to cover rising fuel and manpower costs.

However, according to SBS Transit’s annual reports, after-tax profits have remained fairly consistent – averaging $50 million a year for the past six years. In fact, profits increased by $4.6 million between 2005 and last year.

Public Transport Council statistics show that public transport fares have been increased every year since 2000 – with the sole exception of 2004.

However, the 2007 Budget Statement indicates that the per capita income of the lowest 20 per cent of households has risen only slightly since 2000.

Ironically, what seems to be a fair formula for determining fare revisions has resulted in this: Those who are most dependent on public transport are the hardest hit by fare increases.

Relief packages do not appear to be a viable long-term solution if public transport fares follow the current trend and continue to rise.

Chew Zhi Wen, 20, has a place to read law and economics at the National University of Singapore

Smooth operation justifies hike

PUBLIC transport can make or break a city and in my opinion, Singapore’s has made it.

One great aspect of our transport system is its reliability. Have Singaporeans experienced transport strikes that shut down the system for days or even weeks?

In December 2005, the three-day New York transit strike left millions of commuters without subway or bus services. London and Paris too have experienced numerous strikes by public transport workers.

Such chaos is enough to make agitated city-slickers seethe, and a Singaporean caught in such situations can only reminisce wistfully of clean and dependable MRT trains.

The recent fare increases will not be universally welcomed but at least we get what we pay for.

Melissa Khong, 20, is a third-year music student at the Manhattan School of Music

Promote cycling as an alternative

WHILE we increase our use of public transport and seek to have fewer cars on the road, let us not neglect cycling as an alternative means of commuting.

Cycling is pollution-free, requires less maintenance, reduces traffic congestion and contributes to a healthy lifestyle, among other benefits.

Countries such as Holland and Denmark already have pro-cycling policies in place. For instance, they have separate lanes for cycling on main roads.

In Singapore, cyclists are barred from cycling on pedestrian pavements and expressways. Yet on main roads, they are vulnerable, and reportedly accounted for the 510 cyclist accidents last year – 20 were fatal.

Perhaps the Land Transport Authority should review its current policy on cyclists and take steps to promote cycling in Singapore.

Kenny Tan, 22, is a second-year economics student at the Singapore Management University

Try a dose of perspective

THE statistics provided by the Public Transport Council show that only half of all bus trips will be affected by the rise in fares. The increase will be – hold your breath – one to two cents.

My solution? Don’t buy Toto for the week. The $1 a person saves (I’m very conservatively assuming you buy two boards of 50 cents each) will offset the increase for at least 50 rides.

If you took six bus rides a day, that’s still only 42 rides in a week – a savings of 16 cents.

As for those who insist on complaining that prices are ‘sneakily” being raised in small amounts by operators, I recommend they experience the public transport of our South-east Asian neighbours.

It gives a fresh dose of that miracle drug called ‘perspective’.

Edward Choy, 27, is a postgraduate Theatre Studies student at the National University of Singapore

Does a school environment nurture guile?

Can top students develop guile outside traditional hot-house schools? Mr Ngiam Tong Dow, a former civil servant and currently chairman of Surbana Corporation, suggested they might. YouthInk writers speak up.

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School of hard knocks

STREET smarts, a cunning mind and being business savvy are some habits that can be associated with the trait, guile. It is no books-only learning, but knowledge gained from experience. Guile is also a skill that is practical, best mastered when applied, over time, and with constant innovation.

It encompasses exposure to real-life situations, and may involve failure in the process – like objects in an experiment which behave differently in various settings.

Outside the hot-housing of a top school and being closer to the ground puts student subjects in a situation which forces them to explore every opportunity in order to excel.

It’s sneaky, but isn’t it also true that you can only defeat your enemy when you know and can anticipate his next move?

Ephraim Loy, 24, is a second-year social science student at the Singapore Management University (SMU)

Family upbringing is vital

I REFER to Mr Ngiam Tong Dow’s proposition that Chinese-educated students have more ‘guile’ and tend to be ‘doers’ relative to their English-educated counterparts. This is a largely archaic generalisation that is irrelevant in today’s world.

Increasingly, as schools become obsessed with differentiating themselves through unique programmes and initiatives, it is the parents and families of students who shape their values and character, thereby instilling such traits.

Moreover, a child’s defining attributes are often imbued at a tender age, when children spend more time at home than at school, thereby making them more impressionable when they are away from the classroom.

While the Chinese school environment may encourage qualities often associated with the Chinese, it is the family’s role as our foundation for growth, development and support which remains chiefly influential.

Sanjay Nanwani, 20, will be reading philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University

A lifelong learning experience

ACADEMIC qualifications are a measure of business acumen if guile can be picked up in school.

Warren Buffet and Ho Ching graduated from university and may have picked up their business guile through their experience at school.

If so, then where did Steve Jobs and Sir Richard Branson, successful entrepreneurs in their own right, pick up their business acumen?

They may lack the paper qualifications, but their sharp business savvy is undoubted. They must have had picked those skills of judgment somewhere else.

As epitomised by Jobs, who once asked ‘Why join the navy if you can be a pirate?’, guile can only be developed by viewing the world in a different light.

This perspective change is achieved through the various lessons we learn through our life experiences.

The possibility that guile can be learnt in school should not be underestimated, but it is necessary to view school life simply as one of our many life experiences.

Owen Yeo, 19, has a place to read social sciences at SMU

Competition is king

FORMER United States president Herbert Hoover once said: ‘Competition is not only the basis of protection to the consumer, but is the incentive to progress.’ Instead of placing the onus on students to compete, why not let the schools compete instead?

With competition, schools, in their pursuit of improved results, credibility, and status as preferred institutions, will have to vie for talent by developing attractive and rigorous programmes for their students.

Schools are encouraged to relentlessly rejuvenate themselves, with the ultimate consumers of education – the nation – benefiting directly from the improved quality.

If Singapore wants to genuinely advance the ideals of a meritocratic society, it cannot afford to buy into preconceived notions and flawed beliefs.

Guile, and all other academic qualities, can characterise schools and teachers, too.

Sanjiv Nanwani, 20, will be reading government and economics at the London School of Economics

Little difference between schools

MY LATE grandfather would tell me anecdotes of how privileged the English-educated were compared to those who came from Chinese-medium schools.

Back then, proficiency in English was an indispensable prerequisite for a comfortable and well-paying job. Many of the Chinese-educated had to settle for lesser paying jobs.

The Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools of today are so much different from the Chinese-medium schools of 40 years ago.

Not only has the divergence in the curriculum and quality of education in both types of schools narrowed, there are many students from SAP schools who are effectively bilingual.

Whether we send our children to English- or Chinese-medium schools, they will have equal opportunities to succeed in a society that thrives on meritocracy and hard work.

Kenny Tan, 22, is a second-year economics student at SMU

How 9/11 has affected S’pore youths

On the eve of the sixth anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, YouthInk writers consider the impact on their lives.

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Numbed by media attention

THE constant media onslaught in recent years covering terrorist events, from car bombs in Iraq to anthrax scares in the United States, has numbed us to the facts.

The United States State Department said in its 2006 global survey of terrorism that about 14,000 attacks took place last year, claiming more than 20,000 ‘non-combatant’ lives – a record high on both counts.

Furthermore, the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism’s Terrorism Knowledge Base reveals that there are now 58 terrorist groups that have committed attacks in Asean countries.

The threat we face now is more daunting than ever before.

Singaporeans must realise that media coverage is essential in aiding our understanding of the global terrorism climate, and its repetitive nature must not be allowed to paralyse our minds.

Sanjay Nanwani, 20, will be reading philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University

Don’t silence other viewpoints

THE day after 9/11, my teacher branded my classmate a ‘monster’ in class. We were then Secondary 3 students asked to pen our reflections on the incident.

In his response, my classmate argued that the victims were no different from the thousands who had suffered from ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, or from Hamas campaigns in the Middle East.

He believed the reason the incident was deemed tragic was because it happened on American soil, to American people.

I didn’t disagree with him. His point of view was different, but no less true.

Perhaps we shouldn’t hasten to apply labels of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ to opinions on highly normative issues.

It is imperative that Singapore listens to and seeks to accommodate the myriad views of citizens – they should have a say in moulding the society in which they live.

Detachment would only serve to sow discord and disillusionment.

Andre Oei, 21, is a third-year government and economics student at the London School of Economics

Our lives are still ours

THE devastating images of Sept 11 do not fade. Six years later, the memories still linger at the back of my mind.

Few people can possibly claim to be unaffected. Even the carefree and optimistic will eventually be stepping into an uncertain future.

However, I have learnt something from my time spent in New York. This city has suffered, yet it does not hide or cower in fear.

Airports remain crowded and people fill the streets as always.

We live for the present, confidently, even nonchalantly, as the city continues to rebuild and recover.

Although the feeling of helplessness can be incredibly overwhelming, the spirit of the people has not crumbled. It cannot afford to.

The future may be bleak, but we can be sure that each of our lives remains full, complete and ours.

Melissa Khong, 20, is currently a third-year music student at the Manhattan School of Music

Paranoia creates climate of fear

THERE is a saying about how crises can bring out both the best and the worst in people.

In Singapore, international terrorism probably brought out a long-buried negativism.

In our efforts to be vigilant citizens, the call to be alert about one’s circumstances may have resulted in unwarranted suspicion towards others.

Suddenly, the athlete taking public transport is eyed with suspicion by other commuters, simply because his oversized soccer training bag is thought to conceal explosives.

Singaporeans may have valid concerns following a seemingly endless spate of terrorist attacks in the news. However, it should not be an excuse to overreact, especially because such actions have the propensity to stir up antagonistic sentiments.

Education has already taught us not to discriminate racially, but heightened sensitivity over the most trivial of matters is equally detrimental in building relationships within our heterogeneous community.

Keep this up, and even if international terrorism does not break us down, national insecurity will.

Alicia Ng, 23, is a final-year accounting student at the Singapore Management University

Time for youth to step up

SIX years after 9/11, many young Singaporeans remain sheltered and protected, possessing only a superficial understanding of terrorism.

Our country has been blessed with an effective government and a resilient adult population – people who have created a conducive and liberal environment for youth development and progress. Youth seamlessly lead their lives, blissfully unaware of critical predicaments faced daily by our leaders.

This double-edged sword begs the question: we have enjoyed tremendous comfort; but when the course of time dictates that we mature into responsible community and corporate leaders, will we be able to rise to the challenge when disaster strikes?

In order to heighten awareness and inculcate a sense of ownership, young people should also be involved in the decision-making process, and actively engaged in public consultation exercises on terrorism-related issues.

Sanjiv Nanwani, 20, will be reading government and economics at the London School of Economics

Other crises hijacked by terror

I FIND some anniversaries quite pointless. It’s nice to remember the past, but if one does not treasure the present, it’s all fluff.

Only the most optimistic can say we have moved on as an international society since 9/11. Hostage crises, suicide bombings and terror alerts provide a constant reminder of the saliency of the issue.

And the biggest shame is that this pointless conflict has overshadowed equally pressing agendas.

Global poverty is still at crisis levels – The Millennium Development Goals (MDG), meant to alleviate poverty by 2015, could be as many as 85 years behind schedule, according to figures presented by the United Nations MDG Report 2007.

This is widely accepted by politicians to be due to a lack of financial support, and a situation that is costing millions of lives.

The United States Congress has, since 9/11, approved spending US$610 billion (S$931 billion) on the war against terrorism – and this is just US figures.

I am not saying this money is not necessary. But if all of us had an appreciation for the present, this money could have gone to a cause that would genuinely make a better world.

Goh Wen Zhong, 25, is pursuing professional legal training in London

Before the new NUS college town is designed…

What will it take to make a really great university town? YouthInk writers weigh in with their views on what they think should be the dos – and don’ts – of this masterplan.

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Consult Clementi residents

MY FIRST thoughts concern the potential impact this development will have on residents in Clementi.

An obvious one is a mini economic boom – shops will definitely benefit from the increased business brought by the university students.

Less predictable will be the socio-cultural impact.

Will the old uncle be denied his usual kopi-o spot by a ‘milo dinosaur’-chugging NUS student after his early morning run?

Will the wonton mee stall give way to ‘Pastamania Clementi’ in anticipation of a different customer base?

Granted, the proposed site is some distance from the main housing areas.

However, the creation of a university town will inevitably have a noticeable effect on surrounding areas.

If it has not already been done, Clementi residents should be consulted.

Angela Xu, 22, will read for her Master of Law at University College London

Still a financial barrier

SCHOOL is back in session and for most undergraduates, the upcoming weeks will burn a deep hole in their pocket with tuition payments due and academic material to be bought.

Even if one studies at NUS and lives in the most affordable hall on campus, it still means shelling out an additional $680 in accommodation costs each term.

Meanwhile at the SMU hostel, a double room goes for $1,350 for a 15-week tenancy. Varying meal plans and registration fees have yet to be added to those figures.

It hardly seems economically viable for Singaporean students to pay for additional accommodation with home and family just a number of MRT stops away.

Ultimately, the limited availability of rooms in the universities creates financial barriers – where students who qualify for a dormitory room also need to be financially capable of paying for it.

Hostel living may strengthen collegiality among residents. However, it will be a shame this widens the divide with non-hostel residents, especially with those who cannot afford it.

Alicia Ng, 23, is a final-year accounting student at Singapore Management University

Don’t leave polys behind

WITH the current developments at the universities, it seems the polytechnics have been left behind.

In building a university town, there is less need to worry about availability of lodging for NUS students.

In contrast, my school struggles to accommodate foreign students on campus due to lack of accommodation, let alone provide Singaporean students with the hostel ‘experience’.

As plans for the site are drawn up, could there be accompanying developments at the other tertiary institutions?

If the universities and polytechnics can cooperate in development schemes that involve sharing facilities and experiences, it will be a win-win situation for all involved.

Cheryl Tan, 19, is a final-year interior architecture and design student at Temasek Polytechnic

Opportunity for cultural exchange

I AM heartened by NUS plans for a university town at the former Warren golf course.

A university should no longer be just academics-based, where students are moulded merely in classrooms and through exams.

They should also gain insights by living with both Singaporean and foreign students and through cultural exchanges.

I hope to see modules where one has to learn more about the cultures and countries of one’s foreign roommates.

At the same time, participants in these activities must be willing and able to juggle them with their schoolwork, and not be compelled to do so.

Hence, NUS should be stringent in selecting hostelites for the university town.

Eisen Teo, 23, is on exchange at the University of North Carolina

Are luxuries really necessary?

RENT on accommodation at the university town could be two to three times more than what is charged at a Kent Ridge hostel.

Is comfort really necessary? Wouldn’t it be ironic if students choose their flats solely for the facilities?

For example, the cluster lifestyle at NUS Prince George’s Park Residences is meant to offer opportunities for interaction.

But students are known to apply there for the convenience of a gym and mini-mart.

To a great extent, the lack of luxury facilities in halls suggests a better chance for NUS’ objective to be achieved.

Berton Lim, 19, has a place to read business administration at the National University of Singapore

Foster bonding between students

THE concept of the new NUS college sounds impressive but it may not have the desired effect of promoting interaction between Singaporean and foreign students.

Even with the higher Singaporean-to-foreign-student ratio, students of different nationalities may prefer to spend time with those from their own country and culture.

This may happen even if occupants, comprising students from different cultures, find themselves living under the same roof.

There must be residents charged with responsibility to foster bonding and a sense of community between the occupants in an apartment or across different apartments.

Only then may the aims of the college be achieved.

Kenny Tan, 21, is a second-year Economics student at SMU

Best Of The Rest

Visible Change In System

THE Warren colleges proposed by NUS will put education on a whole new platform; having a knock-off effect likely to bring about the much talked about academic reform that Singapore needs.

Many Singaporeans look to studying abroad for a holistic education after slaving away for years in the academically-oriented local system. If this novel concept of an all-rounded education can be introduced by Singapore’s oldest university, then who’s not to say that this approach will be adopted by the rest of the country’s schools and tertiary institutions?

Those who complain about the money this project requires must question which is more important – finally a visible change in the Singaporean education system or tiny steps to reform that may take years to visibly manifest?

Ruchika Tulshyan, 20, is a second-year government and history student at the London School of Economics

No More Debacles

THE 40% foreign residents cap on the proposed university town means that Singaporeans will have to be receptive to the initiative for it to be a success. The question is will they be willing to forgo the comforts of home and fork out money for accommodation?

Will they want to have to put up with the hassle of daily chores such as preparing meals and doing their laundry, on top of managing their studies?

Even the claim of facilitating of interdisciplinary learning falls under scrutiny as that role can easily be fulfilled by the myriad of CCAs the university already offers. Perhaps NUS wants to emulate other world class universities with this new development.

However, it may be blindly doing so without taking the local social context into consideration. We don’t need another UNSW Asia debacle.

Saw Lidong, 23, is an arts student, majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies, at the University of Queensland