Singapore 2006

Hmm... the biggest event of the year is coming soon in a week's time. So much rumblings heard round the island city in the past months.

4 million smiles welcome the foreign delegates and their entourage to Singapore.

Outdoor street protests are ban but indoor one are allowed. BUT only if you are the represntatives from the 200 odd accredited Civil Soceity Organisation and participants must register with the police and protest only at designated area.

Hmm...read an article in Bloomberg News

"We cannot allow processions, demonstrations in the streets," said Goh, a former prime minister. "It got out of hand in Seattle, it got out of hand in Hong Kong and this is Singapore. We will not allow that. Lives must not be disrupted"

Hmm...lives not disrupted? Yah sure....as any obedient citizen, I have been trying out alternative routes as recommended to go to work from East Coast to Shenton Way as I can't use Nicoll Highway (ERP charges: $2.50 - 1 gantry) and advice not to use North Bridge Road (ERP charges: $2.50-$3.50 - 2 gantries) during 10-20 September. So here are my findings:

Leave home at 8.00 am.

Traffic is slightly heavy on roads like Victoria Street and Hill Street going into Tanjong Pagar but many traffic light junctions...ERP charges: $2.50-$3.50 (if the traffic is heavier, will be charge at both gantries else first gantry (Kallang) is free) - 2 gantries - 40 mins

Traffic is heavy on ECP as usual going into Tanjong Pagar....ERP charges: $5.00 (2 gantries - Fort Road : $2.50, Keppel : $2.50) - 35-40 mins

Hmm...these findings are my experience for the past few days without any traffic accidents and normal traffic condition, no diversion to these alternative routes yet. So I cross my fingers on the effects of the closures and pray hard no accidents during the period of WB and IMF meetings.

Hmm...with the road closures of Nicoll Highway, Temasek Boulevard, Raffles Boulevard and lane closures of Bras Basah Road and restricted entry into to SUNTEC area for the most period of the WB and IMF Meetings, I wonder how are our lives not disrupted?

Cost and time to travel to work is definitely going to go up (like many other things after May 06). So our lives are not disrupted? Hmm...will the ERP charges and our working hours be adjusted and concessions be given if I smile?

Hmm...Singapore Dreaming 2006...