First is CM7, then the mega MRT plan, and the next will be....

[Laguna]

From CM6 to CM7, there is a major shift in the Govt thinking of making the ownership of second property for Singaporeans, and first property for PR become much more costly. This is a very interesting shift and one needs to think of the logic behind, particularly with the low interest rate, high inflation and huge GLS supply.

Next, is the mega MRT plan. Such mega plan is to support a big population, and a huge population is needed to support the running of such mega MRT network.

So, if I read this two together, the last piece of the puzzle is the population policy. PM Lee and DPM Teo have both hinted on the needs of more heads in Singapore. We need growth, We cannot be like Japan, super low birth rate, no growth, and ageing nation. It is asking for deep trouble in future.

So, my take is population policy will be the next one, and follow by the master plan 2013.

This round, the intake rate, I guesstimate, will be in the region of 100,000 to 120,000 per year. And the focus is to convert them into new citizen and have their first property. Definitely, Govt is now much more choosey.
HK is targetting 10m from existing of 7m. If we don't take the good ones now, we will left with nothing.

[thomastansb]

Even if the lines announced are fully operational now, it is just enough only for the current population. You have to wait 3 to 4 trains everyday now. Sometimes, 5-6 trains. The queue starts from the MRT gantry before the escalator. That is how bad it is now. Don't believe me, try Eunos, Kallang, Hougang, Jurong East, Bishan.

From CM6 to CM7, there is a major shift in the Govt thinking of making the ownership of second property for Singaporeans, and first property for PR become much more costly. This is a very interesting shift and one needs to think of the logic behind, particularly with the low interest rate, high inflation and huge GLS supply.

Next, is the mega MRT plan. Such mega plan is to support a big population, and a huge population is needed to support the running of such mega MRT network.

So, if I read this two together, the last piece of the puzzle is the population policy. PM Lee and DPM Teo have both hinted on the needs of more heads in Singapore. We need growth, We cannot be like Japan, super low birth rate, no growth, and ageing nation. It is asking for deep trouble in future.

So, my take is population policy will be the next one, and follow by the master plan 2013.

This round, the intake rate, I guesstimate, will be in the region of 100,000 to 120,000 per year. And the focus is to convert them into new citizen and have their first property. Definitely, Govt is now much more choosey.
HK is targetting 10m from existing of 7m. If we don't take the good ones now, we will left with nothing.

[myfirstpc]

Even if the lines announced are fully operational now, it is just enough only for the current population. You have to wait 3 to 4 trains everyday now. Sometimes, 5-6 trains. The queue starts from the MRT gantry before the escalator. That is how bad it is now. Don't believe me, try Eunos, Kallang, Hougang, Jurong East, Bishan.

I believe you. In Bukit Batok, it is 3-4 trains before you can squeeze yourself in. Referring to morning rush hour. Soon, those living near the mrt interchange stations will find that there is no value. 1 station to interchange station is the worst location you can have. Peak hour takes 20 minutes to travel 1 station to
interchange station! Wonder if pple will start avoiding properties located 1 station away from the mrt interchange stations ! especially if you need to go to the interchange station to travel to work. I will.

[proper-t]

From CM6 to CM7, there is a major shift in the Govt thinking of making the ownership of second property for Singaporeans, and first property for PR become much more costly. This is a very interesting shift and one needs to think of the logic behind, particularly with the low interest rate, high inflation and huge GLS supply.

Next, is the mega MRT plan. Such mega plan is to support a big population, and a huge population is needed to support the running of such mega MRT network.

So, if I read this two together, the last piece of the puzzle is the population policy. PM Lee and DPM Teo have both hinted on the needs of more heads in Singapore. We need growth, We cannot be like Japan, super low birth rate, no growth, and ageing nation. It is asking for deep trouble in future.

So, my take is population policy will be the next one, and follow by the master plan 2013.

This round, the intake rate, I guesstimate, will be in the region of 100,000 to 120,000 per year. And the focus is to convert them into new citizen and have their first property. Definitely, Govt is now much more choosey.
HK is targetting 10m from existing of 7m. If we don't take the good ones now, we will left with nothing.

Could all these announcements and cm7 be the consequence of the by-election knowing that housing and transport issues would be foremost on the minds of the voters? If questioned during the rally, wouldn't these serve as steps being taken to alleviate the issues?

[Laguna]

Could all these announcements and cm7 be a consequence of the by-election knowing that housing and transport issues would be foremost on the minds of the voters? If questioned during the rally, wouldn't these serve as steps being taken to alleviate the issues?

I doubt it is becos of by-election especially for the MRT lines, it needs lot of time of planning.

CM7 on private properties came as a big surprise to me. It was too soon just after CM6, and too much, too harsh. So there must be a bigger agenda behind.

[Lovelle]

with a home near mrt, it provide you with an option / alternative then driving or take a bus.

it is not only YOU stay in your home. think abt your children and old men who travels at non-peak hours. They can make use of the MRT...while you can jolly well drive around ...even with high COE, didn't you notice roads are jam up everywhere ?

population problem is not the only problem. it is how efficient n effective is the planning of rail network. If there is only one track, there is nothing you can do t o distribute the load of passengers....think abt it...

[Laguna]

Even if the lines announced are fully operational now, it is just enough only for the current population. You have to wait 3 to 4 trains everyday now. Sometimes, 5-6 trains. The queue starts from the MRT gantry before the escalator. That is how bad it is now. Don't believe me, try Eunos, Kallang, Hougang, Jurong East, Bishan.

I only can say, our MRT is not up to standard. You look at HK, u clear by the second train at most. During peak, they are running at per minute.

Perhaps, we shall follow Tokyo, just push everyone in. Somehow, a lot of people just simply refuse to move inside, be it in buses or in train.

BTW, I don't take train or bus during peak hours. It is about time for me to get a senior citizen pass.

[myfirstpc]

From CM6 to CM7, there is a major shift in the Govt thinking of making the ownership of second property for Singaporeans, and first property for PR become much more costly. This is a very interesting shift and one needs to think of the logic behind, particularly with the low interest rate, high inflation and huge GLS supply.

Next, is the mega MRT plan. Such mega plan is to support a big population, and a huge population is needed to support the running of such mega MRT network.

So, if I read this two together, the last piece of the puzzle is the population policy. PM Lee and DPM Teo have both hinted on the needs of more heads in Singapore. We need growth, We cannot be like Japan, super low birth rate, no growth, and ageing nation. It is asking for deep trouble in future.

So, my take is population policy will be the next one, and follow by the master plan 2013.

This round, the intake rate, I guesstimate, will be in the region of 100,000 to 120,000 per year. And the focus is to convert them into new citizen and have their first property. Definitely, Govt is now much more choosey.
HK is targetting 10m from existing of 7m. If we don't take the good ones now, we will left with nothing.

For me, it is a clear signal that the policy makers are chasing after the 6mil population (via immigration), and need to hit this KPI in the next 5 years. Also, the recent changes in E-passes, the P1 pass criteria is asking for a monthly salary of $12K. Soon, there will be more higher paid foreign workers that the locals. P2 pass is $4.5K per month. Most of us employed, will never see salary of $12K (P1 pass) per month ! Long time ago, I heard that 8mil population was the target! could be another moving goal post.

[minority]

From CM6 to CM7, there is a major shift in the Govt thinking of making the ownership of second property for Singaporeans, and first property for PR become much more costly. This is a very interesting shift and one needs to think of the logic behind, particularly with the low interest rate, high inflation and huge GLS supply.

Next, is the mega MRT plan. Such mega plan is to support a big population, and a huge population is needed to support the running of such mega MRT network.

So, if I read this two together, the last piece of the puzzle is the population policy. PM Lee and DPM Teo have both hinted on the needs of more heads in Singapore. We need growth, We cannot be like Japan, super low birth rate, no growth, and ageing nation. It is asking for deep trouble in future.

So, my take is population policy will be the next one, and follow by the master plan 2013.

This round, the intake rate, I guesstimate, will be in the region of 100,000 to 120,000 per year. And the focus is to convert them into new citizen and have their first property. Definitely, Govt is now much more choosey.
HK is targetting 10m from existing of 7m. If we don't take the good ones now, we will left with nothing.

Agree.....

[phantom_opera]

PAP must change it profit driven mindset on public transport ... such thing as airport express train is already available in HK ... in Singapore no one dares to mention it

and it is only recently LTA requires operators to have train every 5 mins during off peak hours

[minority]

Even if the lines announced are fully operational now, it is just enough only for the current population. You have to wait 3 to 4 trains everyday now. Sometimes, 5-6 trains. The queue starts from the MRT gantry before the escalator. That is how bad it is now. Don't believe me, try Eunos, Kallang, Hougang, Jurong East, Bishan.

I take train from hougang and town in peak hours its not as bad as u put it.

[proper-t]

I doubt it is becos of by-election especially for the MRT lines, it needs lot of time of planning.

CM7 on private properties came as a big surprise to me. It was too soon just after CM6, and too much, too harsh. So there must be a bigger agenda behind.

No doubt there is a lot of planning involved but isn't the timing of the MRT announcement a bit coincidental ? Why not announce the CRL and JRL when the full master plan is revealed.

For CM7, yes, agree with you on your point.

[Lovelle]

PAP must change it profit driven mindset on public transport ... such thing as airport express train is already available in HK ... in Singapore no one dares to mention it

and it is only recently LTA requires operators to have train every 5 mins during off peak hours

totally agree .. if we have one express track and another normal track then all those going from west to town can simply use express track. Pay a bit more but faster and relieved the crowd fr normal track..

[eng81157]

Could all these announcements and cm7 be the consequence of the by-election knowing that housing and transport issues would be foremost on the minds of the voters? If questioned during the rally, wouldn't these serve as steps being taken to alleviate the issues?

why not? the MRT plans should have been casted in stone for quite some time, and now brought out to be used as a political tool to sway votes

[cnud]

The timings for both CM7 and MRT is coordinated.

Imagine the other way round..

THINK!

[gfoo]

assuming laguna is right, what will this mean for property prices down the road? will cm7 have as big an impact and to what extent?

[minority]

For me, it is a clear signal that the policy makers are chasing after the 6mil population (via immigration), and need to hit this KPI in the next 5 years. Also, the recent changes in E-passes, the P1 pass criteria is asking for a monthly salary of $12K. Soon, there will be more higher paid foreign workers that the locals. P2 pass is $4.5K per month. Most of us employed, will never see salary of $12K (P1 pass) per month ! Long time ago, I heard that 8mil population was the target! could be another moving goal post.

Aiyah ask for lower pay FT people say supress local pay potential. thus it was raised.

[proper-t]

The timings for both CM7 and MRT is coordinated.

Imagine the other way round..

THINK!

Yes SIR ! your avatar very apt....

[phantom_opera]

totally agree .. if we have one express track and another normal track then all those going from west to town can simply use express track. Pay a bit more but faster and relieved the crowd fr normal track..

actually they can dig under NSL / EWL to have the express train that stops only at interchange stations

of course .. not profitable one loh

[Lovelle]

just need someone to trigger this question in STimes or Meet MP gathering...

[minority]

PAP must change it profit driven mindset on public transport ... such thing as airport express train is already available in HK ... in Singapore no one dares to mention it

and it is only recently LTA requires operators to have train every 5 mins during off peak hours

how far is the airport in HK to HK city and how far is our airport to city ? how to justify airport express.

[eng81157]

assuming laguna is right, what will this mean for property prices down the road? will cm7 have as big an impact and to what extent?

there are two separate issues. CM7 is for the now - to cool the current market, not to tamper with population growth or demand.

the writing is on the wall when goverment announced plans to develop tengah, simpang (wherever on earth that is) and bidahari. the only thing that caught me by surprise is that they didn't make any announcements about ERL

[minority]

there are two separate issues. CM7 is for the now - to cool the current market, not to tamper with population growth or demand.

the writing is on the wall when goverment announced plans to develop tengah, simpang (wherever on earth that is) and bidahari. the only thing that caught me by surprise is that they didn't make any announcements about ERL

ERL is announced just got to wait for the actual stations.

[cnud]

Properties in SG is for long term. Minimum 5 years.

The longer you hold the better it is.

Population growth is needed to fund this lines. GLS will not be cheap. They need the money.

But the balance is tilted towards 1st timers. And potential SC candidates will think doubly hard to get their pink IC.

[wtpooh]

You must understand that the government is very focused once the decision is made. And all seems that they are convinced the best way forward to safeguard economic growth is a larger population. Once this approach is cast in stone, all efforts (housing, transport, immigration policy, fiscal policy ...) will push towards this target. The recent announcements support this ...

the question remains - what is the target? 6M 8M or more?

[RCT]

For your information, those lines are ready by 2030.. Now we are in 2012... But I feel those lines are actually mean for our GDP... With the the casino completed and alot of housing going to TOP soon, we will need something to maintain our construction sector. So government to be build MRT and roads.. Just my view...

And also it is really bad at JE during peak hours... The platform is almost full... Lucky we have the door now.. Last time really scary if u stand in front... To be frank, our infrastructure is still lagging our current population now.. All the major expressway are like car parks during peak hours. I feel the government will be slowon population growth as they scare lose another one or two GRC. What make them fair so badly in the last election? The population growth. For them it is impt to be elected.. Whether we have 1% growth or 20% growth does not matter to them. Unless the people say ok to another population boom, I don't feel they will have big changes to the population thing again. Did u even heard the government say the 6 million target anymore after the election?

[proper-t]

there are two separate issues. CM7 is for the now - to cool the current market, not to tamper with population growth or demand.

the writing is on the wall when goverment announced plans to develop tengah, simpang (wherever on earth that is) and bidahari. the only thing that caught me by surprise is that they didn't make any announcements about ERL

Yep...agree with you on the first point but wouldn't it also dampen demand?

On yr second pt, the political brownie points of an ERL station announcement is way less than the current announcement as it does not directly tackle the congestion and disruptions in the train services in the current lines. If you saw the TV interview (check out http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video...g_mrtlines.flv), the minister stressed that that " it will be a more resilient network to mitigate disruptions".

[phantom_opera]

how far is the airport in HK to HK city and how far is our airport to city ? how to justify airport express.

airport express can stop at major interchanges e.g. EWL express

JE - Buena Vista (CCL) - Outram Park (NEL) - Raffles Place/City Hall - Paya Lebar (CCL) - Tampines (DLT3) - Changi Airport

this will also divert peak hour traffic

of course ... too expensive loh

[eng81157]

ERL is announced just got to wait for the actual stations.

ERL announced, but no drawings or powerpoints. CRL/JRL already has powerpoint with swee-swee colours.

[eng81157]

Yep...agree with you on the first point but wouldn't it also dampen demand?

On yr second pt, the political brownie points of an ERL station announcement is way less than the current announcement as it does not directly tackle the congestion and disruptions in the train services in the current lines. If you saw the TV interview (check out http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video...g_mrtlines.flv), the minister stressed that that " it will be a more resilient network to mitigate disruptions".

try getting on a train at bedok mrt during peak hours, and tell me if it's congested.