New Route to work?

I chanced upon a friend when I was taking the MRT yesterday and she recommended me to take the Circle-NE line combi instead as it would be faster.

I wasn't so sure if it would since it meant changing twice (Bishan and Serangoon) instead of the normal switch at Raffles Place. But I was curious to find out if it actually would be.

So I tried it today.

From my usual door on the NS line, the walk to the Circle platform was probably less than 100 steps. Even during peak hour at 8am, the Circle train was astonishingly empty and I could get a seat with plenty of empty ones around me.

But it was a different matter at the Serangoon station though. Having boarded the Circle train at the last train carriage's door, it meant walking the entire train length to take the escalator to travel in the direction of the NE platform. Thankfully, the Circle line, being a medium capacity transport, has only 3 cars and not the full 6 car lengths like the NS/EW/NE ones. Even though escalators were available liberally en route, it was much further on foot compared to the switch at Raffles.

The NE, now more established and passing through the "developing" towns of Punggol, Sengkang and Potong Pasir, is visibly more congested compared to the Circle at this point in time.

Timing-wise, it seems quicker in reaching my station as the ride is far more pleasant (I typed this entry during the ride) compared to the one on the NS/EW line. I will reserve judgment on whether it is quicker during normal working days.

Financially, it costs the same as I exit from the same station.

A bonus of switching to this route is that I'd be able to have continuous 3G coverage throughout my trip compared to the paltry GSM one that the NS/EW offers, which is quite tempting.

Will try it again at a more 'realistic' time as I'd be on leave during this holiday season.

Stay tuned ;)

Cow or Cart

It's getting damn crowded in the MRT.

Ever since the double whammy of rising fuel prices and erection of multiple ERP gantries, the trains are getting harder to get on, much less expect to reach the desired destination in time. Personal space is reduced with reprieve hardly in sight.

I'm sure our Transport Minister is glad to know as he cruises to office in his preferred mode of transport (whatever that may be) that the measures implemented have been resoundingly successful.

Without a doubt, one who aspires the Singapore Dream of owning his/her own car, instead of sharing one with a number of strangers through a strange scheme, will gladly leave his treasured possession at home and go to work via public transport. If you look at the statistics and rationale, why not? Why let your car get stuck in the gridlock or risk getting into an accident when it is being driven around on days that you need to work (I initially thought weekdays, but I realise there's more people working every single day of the week)? Leaving your treasured car at home, wiping and washing the dust off during your free weekends should be the best way to appreciate the true value of the Singapore Car.

Just as I wrote as the title of this entry, do you want to take the cow (you can ride in it alone or with a friend) or you can take the cart (sure, you can enjoy the ride with more people, but it might be a bit more squeezed, not to say uncomfortable). Whatever your choice, it's going to be a slow ride to your chosen destination.

As for me, I just want to be left in peace as I take the train to drool as I sleep or write meaningless stuff such as this blog entry. Regardless of the fact that my dear wife and son run the gauntlet every weekday for his classes, which will continue for the next few years until he can appreciate the value and benefits that public transport brings as he comes of age for the Singapore Education.

That, of course is another story...

New Bed for Caeden

Caeden got himself a new bed on Sunday.

Not just an ordinary bed, but a Thomas train bed.

My wife discovered this bed was offered at $189 at Spotlight and we went to get it last Sat.

There were also Dora the Explorer, Elmo and Cars sets; Caeden wasn't into Cars and we thought Elmo was fine for a toddler but not a primay school kid, so we got the Thomas train set.

The only problem was that the mattress support rails on this bed were quite wide apart and there was no mattress included.

Doing some preliminary research, we found that a single-sized mattress costs abt $200. IKEA had one with wooden backing at $189, so off we went to Tampines.

When we got there, we discovered that the 'bed' in question was more of a Ottoman cum dayseat than a bed.

Fortunately we found a spring mattress there (at IKEA) at $69 and paid $15 for a couple of plywood pieces at Art Friend (we went Bras Basah) to support the mattress.

So, after 2 days of buying, the bed was assembled and ready for 'occupation'.

Was it worth the effort?

Average market rate : $400-500 (plain bed)
Total cost of our bed : $273 (Thomas theme)

25% savings - not too bad considering it's a character bed. Heard from Ivy that most cost above $400+.

Caeden has been sleeping nicely in his new bed for the past few nights and seems to be quite happy with it.

I just hope this bed can last until he gets into primary school.