Malindo Air launches KL-Singapore flights

Malindo Air officially welcomed at Changi to mark recent launch of KL-Singapore flights


Malindo Air's plane parked in Changi Airport. The Malaysia-based airline was officially welcomed at Changi Airport on Monday morning to mark their recent launch of daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Malaysia-based airline Malindo Air was officially welcomed at Changi Airport on Monday morning to mark their recent launch of daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Since Nov 3, the carrier has operated three daily flights in each direction on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route, on new Boeing 737s. This has added 6,800 return seats weekly to the route.

The three hour-long flights from Singapore leave at 10am, 1.40pm and 7.55pm daily, while those from Kuala Lumpur leave at 8am, 11.45am and 5.55pm.

On Monday afternoon, passengers arriving at 12.45pm from Kuala Lumpur were greeted by Malindo Air chief executive officer Chandran Rama Muthy and Changi Airport Group's senior vice president of market development Lim Ching Kiat, who presented them with garlands.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

JB - Woodlands KTM shuttle train

wef 1 Dec 2014

2 S'pore-JB bus services raise their fares

Two Singapore-JB bus services raise their fares


Commuters boarding Causeway Link bus at Kranji MRT station, heading towards Larkin Terminal in Johore Bahru on Oct 3, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI

Two cross-border bus services are raising their fares following the implementation of higher toll charges by Singapore on Oct 1.

Handal Indah, which runs the Causeway Link bus service between Johor and Singapore, will raise its fares by up to 80 cents from next Monday.

Passengers boarding the yellow buses at the Queen Street station will be ticketed $3.30 if they pay cash, up from $2.50 now.

"It's just unfortunate," said Handal Indah's station manager in Singapore, Mr Johnny Low. "We did not increase the bus fares drastically at all for about 10 years."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha

Smooth traffic on Causeway as new toll charges kick on the S'pore side

Smooth traffic on Causeway as new toll charges kick in on the Singapore side


Drivers on the Seletar Expressway were reminded of new toll charges through overhead electronic signs, as the fee hike kicked in on the Singapore side on Oct 1.

Traffic was smooth on the Causeway in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the first day the revised toll charges on the Singapore side come into force.

It appeared to be business as usual when The Straits Times visited the Woodlands Checkpoint at 5.30am, with the new charges kicking in without a hitch.

Pumping petrol at Mesra petrol station was Mr Muhd Shawal, 40, one of those hit by the hike. The Singaporean businessman who lives in Johor was on his way to send his two children to school.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Singapore - Malaysia Causeway Toll

Singapore to increase toll charges from Oct to match Malaysia's hike

Singapore Toll (wef 1 Oct 2014)

 

Malaysia Toll
 

新加坡关卡过路费 10月1日起调整

新加坡关卡过路费 10月1日起调整

随着马来西亚从上月起调高新山关卡车辆过路费，我国陆路交通管理局宣布将从10月1日起，相应调整新加坡关卡所征收的过路费，并同马国一样也从原本的单程收费改为双程收费，所有进入新加坡的车辆（电单车除外）需付入境费。第二通道的收费则保持不变。

从新加坡出境的私家车 的收费将从1元2角上调至3元8角，入境新加坡的私家车则需支付2元7角。小货车出境的过路费则从1元9角调高至5元8角，入境收费4元。重型货车出境新 加坡得付7元7角（目前为2元6角），入境新加坡则得付5元3角。德士出境得付1元9角（现为6角），入境付1元4角。巴士出境付3元1角（现为１元）， 入境付2元2角。

~联合早报网~

Singapore - Malaysia Causeway Toll

Leaving or entering Singapore? Note the change in cash you can carry

Leaving or entering Singapore? Note the change in cash you can carry

From Sep 1, those carrying large amounts of money in and out of Singapore must declare this to authorities if it is S$20,000 or more. The current threshold is S$30,000.

Travellers coming in and out of Singapore with that amount of money - whether in Sing dollars or foreign currency - must fill in a form and submit it to any immigration officer at the Customs Red Channel or immigration counter.

The rule applies to cash or bearer negotiable instruments such as traveller's cheques. A statement from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Tuesday (Aug 26) said the amount is in line with the recommendations made by the Financial Action Task Force, of which Singapore is a member of.

"Criminals and terrorism financiers around the world have been known to use cash couriers to move physical funds across borders either to finance their illicit activities or to launder their ill-gotten gains. As an active and integrated member of the global economy, Singapore could also be susceptible to such illegal activities," the SPF stated.

Cross-border cash movement reporting thresholds in the United States, Australia and New Zealand are $10,000 in their respective currencies.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Expect to pay total Causeway tolls of about $12.80

Expect to pay total Causeway tolls of about $12.80



Motorists will soon have to pay higher toll rates on the Singapore side of the Causeway, after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday that it will match Malaysia's new levies in the next few weeks. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Motorists will soon have to pay higher toll rates on the Singapore side of the Causeway, after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday that it will match Malaysia's new levies in the next few weeks.

With the adjustment, drivers of private cars will likely have to pay about $12.80 for a round trip to Malaysia, compared to $2.30 before the changes at the Malaysia checkpoint set in yesterday.

The Malaysian authorities raised the toll rates yesterday for vehicles entering Johor from Singapore, and introduced a new toll for those driving in the other direction. Cars pay a toll of RM9.70 (S$3.80), up from the previous RM2.90. Those travelling from Johor to Singapore previously paid no toll, but are now subject to a new charge of RM6.80.



~News courtesy Of Straits Times~

S'pore will match Malaysia’s new toll charges

S'pore will match Malaysia’s new toll charges in next few weeks: LTA

The Government will match Malaysia’s new toll charges in the next few weeks, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Friday (Aug 1), in a statement issued in response to Malaysia's increase in toll charges for vehicles travelling from Singapore to Johor, and to the implementation of new Causeway toll charges on vehicles travelling from Johor to Singapore.

Malaysia's increased toll charges for all vehicles, except motorcycles, travelling from Singapore to Johor through the Causeway and its new Causeway toll for all vehicles travelling from Johor to Singapore both took effect today. The LTA understands that these changes are different from Malaysia’s earlier announcement to impose an entry fee on foreign-registered vehicles entering Johor.

The move to match these new toll charges would be in line with Singapore's long-standing policy of matching its toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia, and Malaysia is aware of this policy, said an LTA spokesman.

"As details of Malaysia’s toll revisions were not made known to Singapore earlier, LTA would need some time to operationalise the changes," the spokesman added. Noting reports that the Malaysian authorities would be reviewing the tolls, the spokesman confirmed that "should Malaysia reduce or do away with the toll charges, Singapore will follow suit".

The LTA statement also pointed out the difference between Singapore’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and Goods Vehicle Permit (GVP) Fees, and Malaysia’s new Causeway toll charges:

VEP and GVP fees are not intended as revenue generators or to charge vehicles for the usage of the Causeway, Second Link or other roads. Instead, they seek to equalise the cost of owning and using a foreign-registered vehicle in Singapore, with that for a Singapore-registered vehicle. The need to revise Singapore’s VEP and GVP fees arose from the fact that this cost difference has widened in recent years.

Based on 2013 data, the VEP fee increase will only affect about one in 10 foreign-registered cars. Other foreign-registered cars will not be affected as they enter and stay in Singapore on VEP-free days or during VEP-free hours.

Buses, taxis and motorcycles are not affected by the increase in Singapore’s VEP and GVP fees.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of a community event on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam also reiterated the rationale behind Singapore's decision to raise the VEP fees for foreign-registered vehicles entering the country. "It is to make sure that Singaporeans don't pay disproportionate to what others pay, and that foreign vehicles are charged an amount that's proportionate to the usage in Singapore to make sure that congestion is reduced." Mr Shanmugam said he believed that Johor's toll fee hike will not affect ties between Singapore and Malaysia.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Selamat Hari Raya

700公里纵贯东海岸 建狮城通丹州新大道

700公里纵贯东海岸 建狮城通丹州新大道

中央政府已知会吉兰丹州政府，将建设一条从新加坡沿着东海岸，直通吉兰丹的“东海岸———新加坡高速大道”，纵贯新、柔、彭、登及丹州，全长估计超过700公里。

连接新马中三国

《南洋商报》探悉，计划中的东海岸———新加坡高速大道，是从新加坡连接到拟议中的马新第三大桥，再进入柔东、东海岸，乃至接近马泰边境的彭加兰古堡，最终目的地是通往中国。

该条跨国高速大道一旦落实，将衔接东协5国，包括新加坡、马来西亚、泰国、缅甸、越南，以及中国。

如果这条高速大道建设完成，料可加速带动及刺激东海岸三州及柔东经济发展。

大道起点在狮城白沙浮

目前东海岸及柔东的重点建设计划包括马中关丹产业园、关丹深水港、柔东边佳兰石油综合中心（PIPC）、拟议中可能落在柔东的马新第三大桥及首相拿督斯里纳吉今天宣布的边佳兰独立深水码头等。

“东海岸———新加坡高速大道”的起点是在白沙浮（Pasir Ris），位于新加坡东北部樟宜机场一带，接近柔佛州边佳兰“石油化工城”。



～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

泰国以牙还牙 大马旅巴客车禁入泰5府

泰国以牙还牙 大马旅巴客车禁入泰5府

泰南宋卡府府尹和交通部会议决定，不批准大马旅游车从泰南4个关口进入泰国5府的决定，超越这些地方都必须租用泰国旅游巴士或冷气休闲车，否则将被当局展开取缔行动。

大马旅游界人士今天对此新措施极感震惊，并促请泰国当局关注这起严重影响大马旅游巴士业者的正常营运的措施，希望与泰国交通部商讨尽快解决此事，以免使到马泰旅游业两败俱伤，成为大输家！

据了解，该新措施被怀疑可能是大马陆路交通局对泰国旅游车展开取缔行动，泰方作出的反击的一项行动。

据悉，吉州陆路交通局日前起在黑木山一带展开多天的检举行动中，取缔了54辆滥用国际通行证（ICP）运载游客至我国的泰国休闲旅行车，并时时刻刻对于入境到我国的泰国休闲旅游车进行严格守关，一旦发现违例者，将采取行动对付他们。

我国陆路交通局也规定，运载游客入境到我国的泰国休闲车，在边境的2公里范围内就应让游客下车，再由我国的士运载游客，但泰国客货车司机却没有这么做，违例了我国陆路交通法令。

消息对本报说，其实上述措施早已存在，惟没有严格执行，泰马两方在达致共识的情况下，皆允许两方旅游车进入马泰境内，惟我方交通局近期对泰国旅游车展开严格的取缔行动，导致泰方展开对抗行动。

~光华日报~

亚航入驻吉隆坡第二国际机场

亚航入驻隆第二国际机场　乘客登机流程順

亚航(Air Asia)正式完全入驻新启用的吉隆坡第二国际机场，乘客登机流程井然有序。

根据亚航周四发布的文告，指该航空在“搬家”前夕已经让数个航班率先降落新机场，进行热身。

而 在周五，占据我国廉价航空乘客流量约92％的亚航，首趟航班为凌晨5时35分飞往广州的AK112班机；而亚航长程的首趟出发航班为早上8时飞往首尔的 D7504；印尼亚航则在8时45分飞往棉兰；而泰国亚航则在10时40分飞往曼谷；至于亚航飞龙则是在11时20分飞往马尼拉。这也意味着，亚航航空集 团的子航空已在9日早上，顺利完成所有首发航班。

根据记者观察，随着亚航入驻新机场，大部分亚航乘客都遵循亚航提醒，在出发前3小时抵达新机场，确保登机顺利。和之前其他廉航如马印航空、飞萤航空率先提早迁入的冷清情况相比，今日的乘客数量热络了整个机场购物广场和终点大厦。

持“问我”指示牌解答

新机场新环境，乘客最爱问什么？新机场比之前的廉航机场大3倍，因此大马机场公司也做足协调功夫，无论是机场的购物广场抑或出入境终点大厦，当局都安排人手驻守机场各个角落，并手持“问我”（ASK ME）的指示牌，为乘客解答。

本报也向相关人员和机场咨询柜台了解，发现大部分乘客都询问“如何前往登机手续办理柜台”、“厕所在哪里？”等，甚至也不少人问从移民局关卡到登机口需要多久时间，原因是这些乘客希望在新机场走走。

~光华日报~

Silkair to start flights from Singapore to Hangzhou from June 27

Silkair to start flights to Hangzhou from June 27


SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines will fly to Hangzhou in eastern China from June 27. -- FILE PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN

SilkAir will fly to Hangzhou in eastern China from June 27.

It will operate services four times a week using its A-319 and A-320 Airbus aircraft which features both business and economy class cabins, said SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, in a press release on Wednesday.

Hangzhou, the capital of the Zhejiang province, is known for its scenery and cultural sites. The city is centred largely around the West Lake and is famous for its Longjing or Dragon Well Green tea.

It is SilkAir's eighth destination in China, after Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Xiamen. The airline first began operations to China in 1993.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Changi wins best airport award - again

Changi wins best airport award - again

CHANGI Airport has been named the world's best airport in an annual global survey of travellers - its second consecutive win.

South Korea's Incheon International Airport came in second while Munich Airport bagged the bronze.

The World Airport Awards are based on a survey by London-based research firm Skytrax. This year, the firm received 12.85 million nominations from air travellers of 110 nationalities. More than 400 airports worldwide were evaluated.

The survey evaluates customer satisfaction across 39 key performance indicators, including shopping, check-in, and security and immigration.

Skytrax's chief executive officer, Mr Edward Plaisted, said: "Changi Airport offers a travel experience in itself and continues to develop its quality standards to be named the world's favourite airport again."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Hazy conditions persist in Singapore

Hazy conditions persist in Singapore

Hazy conditions continued to affect Singapore on Thursday, with the 3-hour PSI hitting a high of 87 at 8pm - the highest so far this year.

But there could be some reprieve on Friday.

The National Environment Agency website forecasts showers over southern and western Singapore in the late afternoon.

NEA said on Tuesday that the haze could be attributed to smoke plumes from the hot spots in southern Johor, blown in by the prevailing northeasterly winds.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

11月起接收梦幻客机 酷航票价有望下调

11月起接收梦幻客机　酷航票价有望下调


酷航11月迎来第一架787-9型梦幻客机，预计将用在新加坡－东京、新加坡－台北或新加坡－澳大利亚的航线上。（图／酷航提供）

酷航总裁威尔森（Campbell Wilson）昨早在记者会上说，酷航订购的20架波音787型梦幻客机（Dreamliner），其中9架明年中以前会陆续运抵。届时，酷航将让目前所拥有的6架波音777-200型客机停止服务。

酷航目前的营运成本中，约50％是燃油费。使用梦幻客机可节省约20％燃油成本，相等于营运成本的10％。酷航因此可以在继续扩充飞行版图之余，无需上调机票价，反而可以下调票价。

所有新波音客机（10架787-8及10架787-9）预计在2018年交到酷航手中。酷航将是继新西兰航空公司后，全球第2家采用787-9型客机的航空。

乘客可以在新客机里使用无线上网服务。此外，机组在飞行时可以控制天空特色舱顶的亮度和颜色，例如当乘客需要休息时，舱顶可模拟美丽的夜色。

机身舷窗不采用隔板，而是用电致变色的原理来调整明暗，减少窗外射入的眩光及维持透明。

新客机最远可直航至英国，有望让酷航开拓直飞欧洲的长途航线。但威尔森表示，酷航目前会专注在5至9小时航程范围内的中途航线市场。

另一方面，酷航目前正等待新加坡竞争局的批准，允许它与虎航有进一步的合作，包括让顾客在一个平台上购买酷航和虎航的衔接航班机票等。

～以上新闻转载自我报～

Happy Chinese New Year!

马新两国同意增巴士双边服务

马新两国同意增巴士双边服务

深受关注的马新捷运系统，马来西亚依斯干达特区部长级联合委员会将于今年底达致共识，两国也同意增加巴士双边服务，从现有的16趟次增加至20趟次，加强双边的巴士网络系统。

该委员会（JMCIM）今日在新加坡乌节路假日酒店今日召开第10次会议。这项会议由首相署部长拿督斯里阿都瓦希及新加坡国家发展部部长许文远共同主持。出席者包括柔佛州务大臣拿督莫哈末卡立丶新加坡交通部部长吕德耀等人。

交通连接工作小组也在交通连接合作上取得进展，并同意增加巴士双边服务，从现有的16趟次增加至20趟次。此外，也会重新检讨新的停靠站，以加强双边的巴士网络系统。

委员会表示，在2013年2月份，马新两国领袖新加坡总理李显龙和马来西亚首相拿督斯里纳吉在双边会谈中，将往返吉隆坡和新加坡的马新高速铁路（HSR）项目交由该委员会去探讨细节和形式。

马新高速铁路工作小组自2013年12月组成后取得很好的进展，商讨工作已经在今年一月份展开。

此外，委员会表示，工业合作小组会展开4个领域共同合作，包括先进机械工程丶电子业丶创新服务及食品业。

委员会也持续关注马新两国通关的提升进展，其中2009年自动通关系统设立至今，已有37万1916名人士申请使用有关系统。单在2013年，申请通关的人数就多达12万7012人。

委员会也指出，马新两国联营的保建城计划顺利按照进度进行，相信可以在2015年完工。在保健成计划下所兴建的首期排屋，预料将于今年上半年推出市场。

～以上新闻转载自东方日报～

Traffic crunch expected at S’pore-M’sia land borders

Traffic crunch expected at S’pore-M’sia land borders over Lunar New Year weekend

Expect a traffic crunch going to and from Malaysia at Singapore's land borders over the coming Lunar New Year weekend.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has advised motorists to adjust travel plans if possible, with traffic expected to be especially heavy from January 28 to February 2.

The ICA said vehicle build-ups are inevitable, as it seeks to improve clearance efficiency without compromising security.

With a recent incident that saw a Malaysian woman slip past checkpoints, authorities will be watching every vehicle closely; add in the usual inspections, and delays will be likely.

If necessary, canines will be called upon to sniff out any suspicious activity.

Immigration and auxiliary police officers work together to facilitate smooth and orderly border clearances, and authorities have asked for travellers' understanding, especially in situations where motorists converge at checkpoints at the same time.

For now, motorists are bracing for the traffic crunch, or may even avoid it totally.

Businessman Tan Chee Seng said: "I’m not coming to the Causeway because the traffic is too (heavy)… the jam is three hours!"

Lee Cheng Hwi, a draftsman, said: "Maybe come out early, plan your time well, before you actually cross the border."

Tay Wee Khoon, a production line leader, said: "I want to avoid the (traffic) jam, that's why I don't want to cross over the bridge."

So for motorists still planning on making the road trip -- be prepared, or consider alternatives such as car-pooling.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Bangkok state of emergency

Bangkok state of emergency

The Thai government has declared a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok and surrounding areas to cope with protests aimed at forcing the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, from power. Chalerm Yubumrung, Thailand's labour minister, announced that the restrictions would last 60 days. "We need it because the protesters have closed government buildings, banks and escalated the situation, which has caused injuries and deaths. 

The government sees the need to announce the emergency decree to keep the situation under control," the minister said. The decree will allow security agencies to impose curfews, detain suspects without charge, censor media, ban political gatherings of more than five people and declare areas off-limits. Yingluck said police, not the military, would mainly be used and her government had no intention of confronting the protesters.

~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~

Happy New Year 2014