Boon Lay or Bukit Batok?

[the lynx]

I will focus on Boon Lay so.. Even if from posts Bukit seems more funny to live in.
By the way, is it easy to find taxis in Tuas at 5-7.00PM?

Not so easy, you will need to call in a cab if you're in a hurry. There are odd buses plying through Tuas area but it depends on which bus number.

[Marlipal]

Boon Lay / Tuas by taxi is around 12S$, on that I add peak hours and phone booking round 17s$... 680S$ a month!
By bus (#254), 80S$/month....
=> Taxi only for those lazy days... Hoping not too much such days!!

[Nailah]

Most (if not all) cabbies will not go to Tuas unless its a passenger's destination. Order away...

[sundaymorningstaple]

Many years ago, (in the '80's) the taxi drivers would not go to Jurong either. In fact, even if you flagged on down on the street the taxi driver would usually roll down the window and ask you where you wanted to go. If you said Jurong they would say no and drive off.

The solution to that problem was to not speak to the driver from outside of the taxi. We had to get into the taxi and then tell him where we wanted to go. Even then they would try to not take us. I'd tell 'em "You have a choice, I'm not getting out of the taxi. You can take me to Jurong or to a local police station where you will eventually lose your vocational driving license by the time I get done. Your choice.:

It always worked.

[x9200]

Boon Lay / Tuas by taxi is around 12S$, on that I add peak hours and phone booking round 17s$... 680S$ a month!
By bus (#254), 80S$/month....
=> Taxi only for those lazy days... Hoping not too much such days!!

Consider buying a motorbike. I did it exactly for that reason.

[x9200]

Many years ago, (in the '80's) the taxi drivers would not go to Jurong either. In fact, even if you flagged on down on the street the taxi driver would usually roll down the window and ask you where you wanted to go. If you said Jurong they would say no and drive off.

The solution to that problem was to not speak to the driver from outside of the taxi. We had to get into the taxi and then tell him where we wanted to go. Even then they would try to not take us. I'd tell 'em "You have a choice, I'm not getting out of the taxi. You can take me to Jurong or to a local police station where you will eventually lose your vocational driving license by the time I get done. Your choice.:

It always worked.

And it's good to know this as apparently not much changed in that respect from the 80's.

[sundaymorningstaple]

As a footnote to the above anecdote, A couple of years ago (probably 10) I got off the MRT at the Yio Chu Kang station and crossed AMK Ave3 to catch a cab to go home in Serangoon North. I got into the Taxi and told the driver where I wanted to go as I was in a hurry (hence not my normal taking the 70 bus). When he was getting ready to pull away from the curb, he then informed me he wanted to go to the Kopitiam to get some food! I told him I was in a hurry so please go directly to my destination. We got into a row and I told him the usual, take me directly where I want to go or to a police station. He took me to the AMK Police Headquarters which is just around the corner from the MRT Station, near the AMK Industrial Estate. When we got there, a patrolman asked him what the problem was. I spoke up and told him. Then he told the driver to take me directly to my destination without any foolish monkey business and he told me to call him if he doesn't and gave me his card with particulars to do so.

It works.

[Nailah]

Many years ago, (in the '80's) the taxi drivers would not go to Jurong either. In fact, even if you flagged on down on the street the taxi driver would usually roll down the window and ask you where you wanted to go. If you said Jurong they would say no and drive off.

Nothing've changed, same story last night... stood with a heavy schoolbag for God knows how long... it sucks whenever I try to take a cab home after night lectures from my city campus.

Slightly better now is that operators will not ask where you are going when you order a cab. Few or no cabbies will respond.

The solution to that problem was to not speak to the driver from outside of the taxi. We had to get into the taxi and then tell him where we wanted to go.

Many lock the doors and will just drive off if you refuse to tell them where you're going...

[sundaymorningstaple]

That's when you grab the tag number and report them directly to LTA.

[Nailah]

That's when you grab the tag number and report them directly to LTA.

Unless I was in a taxi queue, think no case if I haven't actually sat my butt in the cab...

[Marlipal]

Taxis are also capricious here, when they don't want to be hired they just drive off, or try to negociate in advance much more money than the meter would display...

Consider buying a motorbike. I did it exactly for that reason.

Can be interesting.. And found quite affordable second hand scooters, sold with the COE. I found almost all I need on internet, just miss the following:
What is 2B diving license cost?
what is the petrol cost for an approx 30km daily commute?
What is the assurance cost (second hand vehicle, new 2B holder)?

(May be I should post this to another section..)

Thanks!

[x9200]

What is 2B diving license cost?
what is the petrol cost for an approx 30km daily commute?
What is the assurance cost (second hand vehicle, new 2B holder)?

You mean the cost of taking the course and exams?
http://www.bbdc.sg/bbweb/CoursesAvailab ... ourse.aspx

- Don't remember exactly how much I paid for this but I believe it was in the range of $S400-600
- Assume 3-4l per 100km and ca $S2 per liter
- ~$S300 a year

[Marlipal]

So, based on data above (thanks x9200!), and adding road tax, provision for maintenance/periodic inspection (50S$), cost is 125S$ a month (I exclude licence, vehicle purchase and associated taxes).
I will be a biker in SG !

[zzm9980]

So, based on data above (thanks x9200!), and adding road tax, provision for maintenance/periodic inspection (50S$), cost is 125S$ a month (I exclude licence, vehicle purchase and associated taxes).
I will be a biker in SG !

Bikes are nice, but be wary of the occasional (every 1-3 days on average?) major downpours which will require you to wait out in your office or under a bridge somewhere.

[thismyvoice]

I will choose Jurong East. There are a couple of shopping options such as IMM. There is also the science centre, parks, etc.

If you stay in Boon Lay, there is Jurong Point - pretty decent with cinemas and lots of shops and eating place. The hawker centre at Boon Lay shopping centre is very good, if you are staying around that part of Boon Lay. As Lynx mentioned, there are lots of foreign workers in some area.