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Bill on plastic bag charge tabled, shoppers to pay 5 cents or more at most supermarkets from mid-2023 SINGAPORE – From mid-2023, shoppers at most supermarkets will need to pay at least five cents for each disposable carrier bag. Two-thirds of all supermarket outlets in Singapore – including NTUC FairPrice, Cold Storage, Giant, Sheng Siong and Prime – will impose the charge on all materials of disposable bags, including plastic and paper. The upcoming carrier bag charge is among several proposed amendments to the Resource Sustainability Act tabled in Parliament on Monday. The aim of the proposed changes is to reduce packaging and food waste in Singapore. Only 6 per cent of all plastic waste was recycled in Singapore in 2021. The carrier bag charge was first announced in early 2022. The larger supermarket operators that will carry the charge have an annual turnover of more than $100 million and are better resourced to implement the requirements. But smaller operators are encouraged to voluntarily implement their own bag charges, and many such retailers have already done so, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in a joint statement on Monday. These include The Body Shop as well as Cheers and FairPrice Xpress outlets, which started charging 10 cents for plastic bags per transaction in 2022. “The minimum charge has been kept low to moderate the cost impact on shoppers, while encouraging them to be mindful of the number of disposable carrier bags they take,” the agencies said. For accountability and transparency in the use of the carrier bag charge proceeds, supermarket operators will be required to publish information on the number of bags given to shoppers, the amount of proceeds received from the charge and how the proceeds are used, such as for the support of charitable or environmental causes, they added. In furthering the recycling rate of drink bottles and cans by mid-2024, each beverage will likely cost 10 cents to 20 cents more. This deposit can be refunded when consumers return their used bottles and cans. This is part of the proposed beverage container return scheme. The refund will likely be in the form of a cash or digital transfer, and beverage container return points will be set up at all supermarkets that are larger than 200 sq m. For instance, more than 130 FairPrice stores will participate in the scheme, said a spokesman for the supermarket chain. A public consultation on the proposed return scheme, which had a report published in late 2022, proposed that the scheme include containers that are between 150ml and 3 litres. The bulk of the used cans and bottles is likely to be returned through smart reverse vending machines. The scheme will also support the development of Singapore’s recycling industry, noted NEA and MSE. As part of efforts to tackle food waste, industrial and commercial premises will be required to segregate their food waste, also starting in 2024. These buildings account for about 40 per cent of the food waste generated each year. They will also be required to measure and report the amount of food waste they have segregated for treatment. In 2021, Singapore generated 817,000 tonnes of food waste, of which 19 per cent was recycled. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/carrier-bag-charge-at-larger-supermarkets-to-begin-in-mid-2023

Been noticing this KF Seetoh giving more and more ridiculous suggestions. This is the PAP way style of offering solutions to crowd control, fixing congestions. Look at the newly opened Jewel. In order to "control crowd" you are expected to pay up to SGD 56 if you want to go 4 of the paid attractions. There are other ways to limit crowd. Reserving free ticket online first come first serve blahhhhhh. Then now there's peak period surcharge for hawker centres. Many of these people who patronize hawkers during lunch time even in CBDs are also people who are just drawing a decent salary just like you and me. Why punish these people? Founder of Makansutra? Super out of touch with the average Singaporean. No doubt overhead very high for hawkers. In fact I think they pay a darn ridiculous price just for rental, cleaning etc... KF Seetoh should campaign for lowering rental costs for hawkers instead of penalizing the consumers.

From my recent experience with taxi I am of the opinion, this surcharge system is open to massive abuse 1. taxi driver drive slowly so to enter the "surcharge period" 2. before midnight cannot find taxi, suddenly after midnight taxi starts to appear. 3. Not only elderly person but people like us can be confused and not sure if it right type of surcharges added. I really dont mind paying for a taxi but not with all these confusing surcharges and open to abuse that make me uncomfortable to confront the taxi. One taxi driver (ah Pek) tell me CNY leh the other side issue, went to friends condo to visit, the indian security guard ask me for ang pow cant believe it is time so bad or just the way society has been conditioned to think nothing but money only your comments please thanks any similar experience and how to convince authorities to change

https://twitter.com/ChannelNewsAsia/status/...858454848135168

SINGAPORE: Those who wish to buy more than one car in Singapore may need to fork out more cash on top of their Certificate of Entitlement (COE) in future. The government is considering imposing a surcharge for the second car onwards - owned by the same person. The move aims to better spread car ownership more evenly, given the limited COE supply. If implemented, the surcharge will not apply to existing multiple car owners. Buyers of mass-market cars who are currently competing for COEs in Category A with buyers of luxury cars may also see some relief. The government is looking at factoring engine power as a way to better delineate Category A from Category B to improve the COE system. It is understood that about 50 per cent of COEs under Category A are currently taken up by luxury cars. The government will begin seeking views from the public and motor dealers on the possible changes next month. The process will likely take about two to three months. - CNA/fa

been a long time i went to orchard, so when i was checking park-a-lot apps on Paragon parking rate, i was disappointed that they implemented per entry surcharge ($2 daily) on top of the regular hourly fee. sooner or later, more mall/building will follow suit...... car owners really suck thumb http://paragon.sg/directions do you agree with me?

The Straits Times www.straitstimes.com Published on Jun 2, 2012 http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Breaking...ory_806201.html More taxis soon with new data-sharing computer system? Proposed system allows companies to pair up available cabs and drivers By Janice Tai More taxis may be on the road if a new data-sharing computer system among taxi companies is put in place. The system is being discussed by a tripartite committee comprising the Land Transport Authority, the National Taxi Association (NTA) and taxi companies. The committee was revealed by NTA adviser Seng Han Thong on the sidelines of a book launch on Friday at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The bilingual book, Taxi Tales In Singapore, is about the taxi industry here. Mr Seng said the data-sharing system would allow taxi companies to link up their relief drivers with single-shift drivers, so that more taxis can be made available for riders. Copyright

Premier Taxis has announced that it will implement a 50-cent fuel surcharge to its fares, starting from next Wednesday Premier Taxis, which sees about 2,000 cabs, will start charging passengers 50 cents more starting from next Wednesday, in a move which it says will help its drivers cope with rising fuel prices. Other companies are expected to follow suit, but most said they have no immediate plans as yet to implement the surcharge. Mr Teo Kiang Ang, managing director of Trans-Cab, the second-biggest operator here, said: "We should [implement the surcharge], because fuel price is so high. We're waiting for 'big brother'," referring to the biggest player, ComfortDelgro, which has indicated that it has no plans as yet to impose the surcharge. Premier Taxis managing director Lim Chong Boo explained that diesel prices have increased by 22 cents a litre since a year ago, which translates to a $9.90 increase in daily fuel costs for its drivers, and the new surcharge will help its driver cope with the rising fuel costs. They are covering with this lame excuse when they know that oil futures are rising in part due to speculators and even with the largest oil producer Saudi Arabia promising to ramp up production if needed... If they need to cover their ass from the recent COE hikes they need to come up with a better excuse to cover up!!! This sort of news is enuff to make the dead stir... No wonder their big brother CEO have been worshipping some other ppl's dead parents Karma man!!!!h

TAXI fares are going up on the back of a fuel surcharge that one cab company is introducing from next Wednesday. Premier Taxis, which has about 2,000 cabs here, will charge passengers 50 cents more per ride. Observers expect the other players to follow suit - but probably not immediately. There are six other companies here, accounting for a total of 26,000 cabs. Though none of them said they had plans to impose a fuel surcharge, most are mulling over it. Mr Teo Kiang Ang, managing director of Trans-Cab, the second-biggest operator here, said: 'We should, because fuel price is so high. We're waiting for 'big brother'.' He was referring to market leader ComfortDelGro, which yesterday said it had no plans yet to impose a surcharge. Prime Taxis general manager Tan Soon Chye said the company has been in discussions with its drivers, and expects to make a decision in a week's time.

Anyone here know if theres a minimum surcharge for bank loan. I took a 20k loan over 2 years and I was charge $200 through a finance broker because he says minimum car loan is 30k. He also said it would be reflected in the bank statement. But when i receive it i did not see such surcharge on the statement. Would anyone here with experience please clarify thanks in advance

That should be the correct way to curb COE prices and reduce no. of cars on the road. Many rich mofos have more than 1 car and husband drive one, wife drive another, child drive another...... 3 cars occupy the road from just 1 family. So, there should be a surcharge for those who own more than 1 car. COE for 2nd car should be at least 500% higher and the same for road tax. 3rd car 1000% higher and so on. If they are rich and can afford 10-20 million for a car, by all means (very few of them so they don't contribute to congestion anyway). discourage people from owning multiple cars and clog the road. Allow gahment to earn more money also.

hoho....the milking begun VISITORS to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) will have to pay a premium to take a taxi from the integrated resort when it opens next week. Four taxi companies have confirmed that they will impose a $3 surcharge for trips that begin at the IR. Premier Taxis will be the first - it will start charging on Jan 18 - followed by SMRT on Jan 20 and Prime Taxis on Jan 28. Trans-Cab will follow suit, but has not confirmed a start date. Smart Cabs said it will join in, if most of the other companies impose the surcharge. The lone exception: ComfortDelgro, which is far and away the largest taxi company in Singapore. The companies that are imposing the surcharge say they are doing it to ensure taxi drivers will find it worth their while to cross into Sentosa.

If you haven't been keeping up with the news lately, Malaysia just started a new rule for foreign registered cars. From today onwards, foreign registered cars will not be allowed to pump more than 20 litres of petrol within 50 kilometres of border areas. Put a cap on those tear ducts because it's not all that bad. Unless the Malaysian authorities have found a way to measure the amount of petrol you've pumped, you can just easily pump 20 litres at this petrol station then go on to the rest to top off your tank. Assuming you're that determined. True that it's an inconvenience but only a minor one for those looking for half-priced petrol. Be warned though. If you're caught flouting this rule, there'll be a heavy price to pay. Literally, in the region of RM$100,000. I'm sure corrupt Malaysian officials will be having a field day with this one for a while to come. Personally though, I think the Malaysian government (as usual) are implementing a rule that's going to end up shooting themselves in the foot. Considering that border towns like Johore are going to feel a steep drop in revenue with Singaporeans finding less reasons to drive up North. It's not unlikely that the Malaysian government won't reverse this rule if they suddenly find it unpopular with the locals and (most definitely) foreigners. Unfortunately, there is some confusion regarding this new rule. Some are misinterpreting it and assume that the Malaysian government expects Singaporean cars to leave JB with only 20 litres of petrol in their tanks. Does it mean the excess fuel has to be siphoned out of the tank and burned? The more prudent motorists out there would understand that this rule only limits the amount of petrol you can buy before re-entering Singapore. Nevertheless this is a dark day for those who frequent the North for a quick pitstop. It's just a shame my little Swift never got a chance to sip half-priced petrol. Sigh...

read from the papers that there is going to be a fuel surcharge of $0.30-$0.40. as the taxi industry is derregulated, there is no need for them to seek Public Transport Council's approval. More good years ahead, according to the son of that ELITE.

'Hey...want to take cab? No surcharge for peak hours' Passenger drought after fare hike forcing cabbies to come up with strategies to draw customers. -ST Mavis Toh Sun, Jan 06, 2008 The Sunday Times AS MR A.L. Tan's cab comes into sight, an A4-size handwritten sign on his dashboard is what a potential passenger will see first. 'Not 35% surcharge peak hour', it says. He has resorted to waiving the surcharge after last month's cab fare hike. 'I used to make up to $130 during peak hours,' said the cabby of 15 years in Mandarin. 'Then the customers were scared off and I couldn't even make $10!' Cabbies complain that passengers are disappearing during morning and evening rush hours. What used to be a $2 flat surcharge for travelling between 7am and 9.30am, or 5pm and 8pm, is now calculated as 35 per cent of the metered fare. A passenger travelling from Ang Mo Kio MRT station to Choa Chu Kang's Lot 1 Shopping Centre pays about $14 outside peak periods. Slap on the surcharge during peak hours and the fare is now $19. Although cab companies are optimistic that the recent fare changes will raise drivers' incomes, cabbies themselves are not so sanguine. Most of the 20 cabbies The Sunday Times spoke to say that passengers are more receptive to the 30-cent higher flag-down fare, but baulk at paying the peak-hour surcharge. Of the 10 passengers The Sunday Times spoke to, seven said they now avoid taking cabs whenever possible, especially during peak hours. The others said that they still take a cab at least once a day. Property agent A.C. Yeo, 54, said she now takes the train to work instead. A cab ride from her Bishan flat to her office in Toa Payoh used to cost her $6.50 during peak hours. Now, it has gone up to about $8. To encourage more passengers to catch taxis during peak hours, some cabbies such as Transcab's Mr Tan have come up with their own strategies. Comfort cabby B.P. Pang, 52, is giving out discounts together with his business card in the hope of increasing his passenger base. For a $27.40 trip from Tampines to Cecil Street, including peak-hour and Electronic Road Pricing surcharges, Mr Pang charges his passenger $21, giving him a 23 per cent discount. He usually gives discounts only to customers whose fares exceed $20, in the hope that they will call for his cab in future. 'I used to get at least six customers during peak hours, now I don't even get two,' said the cabby of three years in Mandarin. Comfort cabby Jack Ng, 47, admits to touting at bus stops for potential passengers. Down goes his windscreen as he drives by and yells out: 'Taxi, taxi, no surcharge.' He said in Mandarin: 'Many people have turned to buses and trains since the fare hike. So I try my luck at bus stops and tempt them with my cheaper fare, without the surcharge.' Even with his new tactic, Mr Ng says he takes home about $80 a day, a 30 per cent dip from before. But he is optimistic that business will pick up as more customers are asking for his phone number and calling him when they need rides. Sales manager Maria Woo, 35, for example, has become Mr Ng's regular passenger, ringing him for a ride during peak hours. She takes a cab at least five times a day for business meetings. 'He doesn't charge me the 35 per cent and the on-call charges, saving me up to $65 a week!' she said. Asked if it was legitimate for cabbies to offer customers discounts, a spokesman for Comfort, Singapore's largest taxi operator, said that cabbies are essentially their own businessmen. She added: 'It is their prerogative to give discounts to their customers should they so desire.' While some cabbies are fighting the passenger drought, others are using the lax period to take longer breaks at coffee shops. SMRT cabby S.K. Tang, 50, said: 'Driving around looking for passengers is just costing me more diesel.' Comfort cabby D. Ghing, 60, said cabbies are now trying to 'out-drive' each other for passengers. 'Customers are like Hollywood stars now - one passenger flags, four cabs will zoom in,' said the cabby of 25 years. 'It's a dog-eat-dog world here.'

Whats your choice?

RM20 Levy On Foreign Cars Unlikely To Affect Arrivals From S'pore By Jackson Sawatan SINGAPORE, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The proposal to impose RM20 levy on foreign cars entering Malaysia is unlikely to affect arrivals from Singapore, the country which contributed the biggest number of tourists to Malaysia, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said. He said that it was just a matter of getting used to paying the levy. "I believe Singaporeans will still come to Malaysia even after the imposition of the levy. It's just RM20 which is not a big amount if you convert that into Singapore dollar... I think you'll get used to it," he told a news conference, here Monday. Tengku Adnan is in Singapore to attend the Asean Tourism Ministers Meeting which is one of the key meetings in conjunction with the ongoing Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2007. Tengku Adnan said that cars from Malaysia were also being charged S$20 to enter Singapore and he had not heard of complaints from the Malaysian motorists even though the amount was huge if converted into the Malaysian ringgit (S$1 = RM2.28). Tengku Adnan would not say when the authorities would begin to collect the fee or who would be tasked to collect it. "The matter is currently being finalised by the Attorney-General's Chambers." Tengku Adnan was also asked whether the target of 10 million tourist arrivals from Singapore this year, is achievable given the various issues such as crime rate in Johor Baharu and the possible haze this year, which may affect the travel plans of Singaporeans. Tengku Adnan said that the state of crime in Johor Baharu was not as bad as was made out to be by the media here. "The crime statistics for the whole of Malaysia have gone down, including those in Johor," he said. Out of 20 million trips that Singaporeans made to Malaysia annually, only 0.005 per cent of the trips encountered problems, he said. "I'm not saying that it's good (statistics). We certainly don't like what is happening and we are working very closely to the authorities to look at this matter seriously," he said. Security is being beefed up to bring the rate further down and to make sure the safety of tourists are taken care of, he said. Malaysia has targeted nine million tourists from Singapore last year. As of October, Malaysia already recorded 7.9 million arrivals from the island state. A total of 72 companies from Malaysia's travel and trade industry participated in the ATF 2007. --------------- http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=244046 tis guy also another one trying to massage the numbers. out of 20 million trips made by Spore, 0.005% encounter problem. but then go on to say only 7.9mil spore recorded. cow head no meet horse mouth.