SINGAPORE - In Part 1 of a RazorTV interview, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew shares on why it is so hard to get people to give up cars and take public transport instead.
He also reveals how he copes with criticism directed at his ministry, and reflects on his political career.
Why is it so hard to get people to give up cars and use public transport?
Understandably so. Behavioural changes are typically the most difficult and for any person who is accustomed to behaving in a particular way, in this case driving a car or using a private vehicle, it is not so easy to convince him or her to make that shift to public transport.
Hopefully, if we have better connectivity to where they need to go to, if we have a higher quality of service, I think we can make public transport a more viable alternative for more Singaporeans."
I like Minister Lui as I believe he is a sincere guy trying to do a very difficult job in environment that is increasingly growing impatient and unforgiving, for some good reasons one may say.
Lessons for me are, and I speak strictly for private vehicle here only:
1. for those existing private car owners, it is a very difficult transition to go from owing and maintaining a car to going without one as it has become unaffordable. It is indeed a behavioral change.
The most sincere reason to offer to them is: private car is a luxurious item in Singapore.
As for those who aspire to own a private car as a symbol of 'I have arrived', owing one will indeed validate the claim that: 'you have SOMEWHAT arrived' since it is a luxurious item and ONLY those who can really afford to own and maintain one get one!
2. the long term goal is definitely worth purusing and explaining to Singaporeans. That eventually, one will live within 10 mins walk of a MRT station that connect to every corner of this little Red Dot seamlessly. Also, couple with the Ministry of Natioanl Development master plan, everyone will be living, working, studying, playing and getting medical care for the elderly within their respective Regional Center! In this case, owing a private car is really not necessary and only as a 'status' symbol! That will be nice. Maybe in another 10 years time?
3. the short term and immediate fix of the overcrowing, not infrequent breakdown of services, etc with the billion being threw at it will hopefully achieve quick relief. I have been using the MRT and the bus services recently to go to the CBD area and find them to be adequate. Not overly crowded unlike in the peak hours of Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Keep up the good work and keep your feet on the ground. Listen with a tender heart works for me Minister Lui. No need to have thick skin if you are doing what you believe are the right things for the benefits of the majority. Just be there and listen with a tender heart!
He also reveals how he copes with criticism directed at his ministry, and reflects on his political career.
Why is it so hard to get people to give up cars and use public transport?
Understandably so. Behavioural changes are typically the most difficult and for any person who is accustomed to behaving in a particular way, in this case driving a car or using a private vehicle, it is not so easy to convince him or her to make that shift to public transport.
Hopefully, if we have better connectivity to where they need to go to, if we have a higher quality of service, I think we can make public transport a more viable alternative for more Singaporeans."
I like Minister Lui as I believe he is a sincere guy trying to do a very difficult job in environment that is increasingly growing impatient and unforgiving, for some good reasons one may say.
Lessons for me are, and I speak strictly for private vehicle here only:
1. for those existing private car owners, it is a very difficult transition to go from owing and maintaining a car to going without one as it has become unaffordable. It is indeed a behavioral change.
The most sincere reason to offer to them is: private car is a luxurious item in Singapore.
As for those who aspire to own a private car as a symbol of 'I have arrived', owing one will indeed validate the claim that: 'you have SOMEWHAT arrived' since it is a luxurious item and ONLY those who can really afford to own and maintain one get one!
2. the long term goal is definitely worth purusing and explaining to Singaporeans. That eventually, one will live within 10 mins walk of a MRT station that connect to every corner of this little Red Dot seamlessly. Also, couple with the Ministry of Natioanl Development master plan, everyone will be living, working, studying, playing and getting medical care for the elderly within their respective Regional Center! In this case, owing a private car is really not necessary and only as a 'status' symbol! That will be nice. Maybe in another 10 years time?
3. the short term and immediate fix of the overcrowing, not infrequent breakdown of services, etc with the billion being threw at it will hopefully achieve quick relief. I have been using the MRT and the bus services recently to go to the CBD area and find them to be adequate. Not overly crowded unlike in the peak hours of Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Keep up the good work and keep your feet on the ground. Listen with a tender heart works for me Minister Lui. No need to have thick skin if you are doing what you believe are the right things for the benefits of the majority. Just be there and listen with a tender heart!
No comments:
Post a Comment