INCREASED IN TAXI FLAG DOWN RATES

The largest taxi operator in Singapore, ComfortDelgro has recently announced that it would increase its flag down rate for its brand new fleet of Hyundai i40 taxis from $3.20 to $3.70.

SMRT has also announced a higher flag down for its Toyota Prius taxis which would cost $3.80 with effect from 25 October 2013.

The different flag down rates that is offered by each taxi operator has been a topic of discussion of late as some were for it while others felt that maybe a standardised flag down rate would be better.

How would the rise in flag down rates affect passengers particularly for students who travels to school or to work?

Polytechnic student, Ong Hui Ting takes a taxi to school at least twice a week when she in a rush. She shares that she spends nearly twenty dollars each time she takes a taxi from her house in Ang Mo Kio to her school campus.

The recent announcement on the increased of the flag down rate has certainly affected her to a certain extent as she now has to pay more for each trip.

The 17-year-old said: “I just hope that it would be the same, even like cheaper because I’m still a student and it is kind of hard for me to balance out.”

Her friend, Denyce Loo, 17, polytechnic student added: “I think actually it is ok but then as long as the price does not differ too much but other than that, I think it is okay.”

Another student who travels to her work place at least once a week did not welcome the recent increase in flag down rate.  

Zeng Pei Ru, 18, polytechnic student said: “I pay more for one trip which is still not really worth it.”

When prompted whether there should be a standardised flag down rates, there were split opinions on it.

Pei Ru explained: "But because you see, it's more on the companies with different policies so you can't really expect them to all have it at the same price but just try to lower down the rate."

BETTER CONCESSIONS FOR POLY STUDENTS

The Fare Review Mechanism Committee has recently proposed cheaper concession rates that would benefit most commuters including polytechnic students.

Concession fares for polytechnic students has garnered interest of late as these students are paying nearly twice as much as compared to their peers who are in junior colleges (JC) and Institute of Technical Affairs (ITE).

Currently, it cost $52 for a monthly bus concession, $45 for train travel and $97 for the hybrid pass under "tertiary concession category".

It is significantly higher in contrast to what JC and ITE students are paying under the "secondary concession category" - $27.50 for bus concession, $25 for train travel and $52.50 for the hybrid pass.

Amongst the grouses that most polytechnic students have are why are they required to pay such a hefty sum for their monthly travel journey and the segregation into different categories compared to their peers in JC and ITE who are in the same age group.

Most are in favour of this move which they felt should have been look into much earlier.

BREAKING NEWS IN PICTURES

MOE has just announced that from 2014, students would go through the 

National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) test for every alternate years
instead of annually.

The fate of ex-drug offenders now lies by the thread of their hair

as Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers could conduct tests to discover 

any forms of drugs used even after several months of consumption.

Protesters rallied against the Amnesty Bill by Yingluck Shinawatra's 

government, causing traffic jams in Bangkok's Central Business District.

WE WANT AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE: GEN Y

Gen Y - a whole new generation.

Across the island, most companies here are faced with the same problem – understanding the Gen Y and what they can do to retain this young generation.

More often than not, Gen Y has been labelled as being too demanding and are infamous for their tendency to job-hop, amongst other grouses mentioned by those interviewed.

Mr Frank Kuijsters, Director of Digne Consult Asia Pacific which specialises in organisations management development, said: “If you look, many managers are still of the generation that is a bit older and sometimes they do not know how to deal with this younger generation.”

He added: “And then, what do they do after a certain period of time? They leave the organisation because the manager doesn’t know how to deal with them.”

For companies with a multi-generational environment, understanding the needs of each employee is the key in ensuring efficiency within an organisation. Mr Kuijsters said: “Look for what the needs are for Gen Y related to benefits, what they are looking for, what are their needs and adjust to their needs.”

Nurhidayah, 21, a civil servant agreed: “People have this thinking that we are too young to do things at work so probably if you change the aspect and just see us as a worker as the same as the seniors, I think that would like benefit us a lot.”

A timeline of the different generation throughout the years.

Nebo NTUC Club, which has a dynamic environment with nearly 85% of its employees consisting of the Gen Y’s, has implemented strategies like sharing sessions, bonding activities and coaching from the start of their career to meet their needs.

Senior Manager of Nebo NTUC Club, Ms Gigi Low explained: “They appreciate coaching in their early years.”

When prompted on what do they hope to see in their organisation, most wanted an inclusive work culture where opportunities are given. 

Polytechnic student, Elizabeth Choo, 19 explained: “I think the culture of the workplace is very important like if there is a good culture like family kind of culture where everybody trusts and accepts each other and honesty is very valued and honoured.”

“There is somewhat an alignment of understanding like this is who I am and that’s who you are and you accept me as it is,” added Erica Eusliani Md Eunos, 25, a logistics executive.

Meanwhile, on their part, the Gen Y could also take initiatives to further enhance their relationship with their colleagues and ensure efficiency in the organisation.

“We are able to do well in certain aspects but for other aspects, maybe the older generations could do better, just the give and take in that sense,” said Gasper Chan, a 20-year-old Polytechnic student.

Ummi Thahirah, 23, an admin-account assistant added: “I mean you need to take the risk and sacrifice to actually get to where you want to be.”