Strida+MRT+Raffles Place

[miloboi]

Today is the first day I brought my Transformer to work. Rode to the MRT station, quickly fold up and got into the station. Took the lift up to the platform, went to the other end to avoid the MRT staff patrolling on the platform. No one stopped me and I successfully got onto the train. hahahaha...

But getting out of the Raffles Place MRT was challenging...everyone rushing...squeezing...so i took the stairs instead of the escalator. Phew...just bringing it to office makes me sweat already.

My colleagues were curious and haha...they gathered round to check the bike out...

Rode the bike home after JP Morgan run...still find it a bit to control esp when on pavement and got pedestrains or on coming bikes. Ran into the grass 2, 3 times. Strida is kinda weaker on grass too.

Need to find an alternative route to avoid Geylang...i need to pass by the stretch where there are a lot of fruit stalls and i ended up cycling on the road side, which is quite dangerous given the kind of traffic in Geylang. Any suggestions?

[coolthought]

You never told us which other MRT station did you use, your intending route, where you stay and what time do you usually ride. How can we give you any piece of good advice?

[davidtch]

Miloboi, it seems like u take MRT from Kallang Station.  Why don't u take from Alljunied MRT?  That will allow u 2 avoid those fruit stalls.

[coolthought]

Maybe he really stay in Geylang?? Maybe, he is really taking the train from the Aljunied Station...coming down from Geylang lor 40 side?

Another option... why don't you just ride all the way to work? This way, everyday you will save about $1.50... I think. Which is about 22 x 1.50 = $33 a month and 52wks x 5days x $1.50 = $390 saving a year!! (not counting public holiday or leave) You have earn back the cost of a Strida in 2 years time. For a 30 years working life = 30 x 390 = $11700 saving in your whole working life!!

Rex ride all the way to work. Check out this thread http://stridasingapore.com/forum/index.php?topic=249.30

[awcute]

Yo man!
If you want to calculate like that use taxi fare lah, then the amount is bigger and the savings will be more impressive hahaha.

[coolthought]

If you are taking taxi to work then what is the point of taking your Strida along??
But assuming you are replacing your taxi travel with a bicycle like Strida, below is the calculation of savings you will make.

Assuming a travelling distance of about 5.5km for a route from Geylang Fruit stalls to Raffles Place MRT.
Flagdown rate for a Comfort cab $2.40
Surcharge for peak hour travel is $1
Surcharge for CBD area travel is $1 between 5pm to 8pm
$0.10 per 225m for the first 10km... Therefore (5500/225) x 0.10 = $2.50 (roundup)
2nd assumption, working time from 8:30am to 6:00pm. Therefore ERP charges for entering CBD between 8:05am to 8:30am is $2
Current booking charges $2.80

Assuming you are able to flag down a cab.

Cost for travelling to workplace = flag down charge + distance travel charge + peak hour charge + CBD ERP charge
                 = 2.40 + 2.50 + 1 + 2
                 = $7.90

Cost for travelling to home = flag down charge + distance travel charge + peak hour charge + CBD travel area charge
           = 2.40 + 2.50 + 1 + 1
           = $6.90

Daily cost to travel on flagdown taxi = 7.90 + 6.90 = $14.80
Assuming you have to make current booking for a cab for both way travel = 14.80 + (2 x 2.80) = $20.40

Yearly cost for travelling on flagdown taxi = 52wks x 5days x 14.80 = $3848
Yearly cost for travelling on booked taxi = 52wks x 5days x 20.40 = $5304

Cost for travelling on flagdown taxi for a 30years working life = 3848 x 30 = $115,440.00
Cost for travelling on booked taxi for a 30years working life = 5304 x 30 = $159,120.00

Time taken to earn back the cost of a $750 Strida (flagdown taxi) = 750/14.80 = 51 travelling days (roundup)
Time taken to earn back the cost of a $750 Strida (booked taxi) = 750/20.40 = 37 travelling days (roundup)

[awcute]

what about savings per year? savings in entire life? 

[miloboi]

haha thanks for all the calculations on the costs...

ok i stay in Sims Drive, hence nearest mrt is Aljunied MRT. I don't intend to cycle to work yet because i sweat easily and I've got no place to shower...I've got no gym membership....unless someone wants to sponsor me one? 

I was looking at the roads as i took the MRT to work today, I think I can take an overhead bridge next to Blk 20 upper boon keng and somehow find my way to Majusri Sec sch and then somehow cut in between the housing estate...this will help me avoid cycling along Geylang roads.

[coolthought]

See lah.... now it is easier to give advice.

You can get a rich girl friend who is working near your area and then get a gym membership together near your working place loh. She might even own a car to fetch you to work and home loh. Then no need to cycle or enjoy the morning rush hour squeeze with other commuters!!

If you really want to take MRT from Kallang station, take the road past Manjusri Sec Sch, get past block 41 Sims Dr and car park to the overhead bridge with superlong ram for bicycle over the KPE to Block 19 Upper Boon Keng Road. Go west down Upper Boon Keng Road to junction Geylang lor 1 turn left go straight, reach traffic light then cross the road using the pedestrian crossing at traffic light and now you are at Kallang MRT station.

Alternatively, if you hate using overhead bridge, take the road past Manjusri Sec Sch, get past block 41 Sims Dr and car park turn left at the overhead bridge but not crossing it. You will travelling between Manjusri Sec Sch and the KPE towards south using the pavement. Turn right at first traffic light junction, go straight down using the pavement. If not, you will be going head on into on coming traffic. This path will be going parallel to the MRT track towards the Kallang MRT station and join the usual route that you are taking to get past the fruit stalls but they are already behind you then.

If my instructions are too complex... then maybe I can show you loh..... my humble abode is in the neighbourhood.

Aiyah!! Just go find a rich girlfriend and everything will be simple. Hmmm.... life may be going to be a little bit more complex though....

[coolthought]

what about savings per year? savings in entire life? 

You do the maths loh... $3848 or $5304 multiply by the number of years you wish to live....err wish to travel on taxi in your life. For example... if you decide to spend a hundred years of your life travelling on taxi then it will be $384,800.00 or $530,400.00 savings. More than enough to pay cash up front full payment for a HDB 5 room flat in a mature estate with substantial leftover for a lavish renovation. Btw, currency used is in Sing dollars as I am only taking into account of the local context.

Oh yeah... there is also another assumption in my calculation that you have sold your soul to your company and won't be changing your job till you retire. Therefore, you will be in the same office for as long as you work. The location of your dwelling is also assumed to have no change too. No en-bloc. Maybe just upgrading only.

[miloboi]

cool thought working in the financial sector? hahaha

anyone got gym membership wanna sell off? maybe i can consider if i can find a bargain to transfer to me...

[coolthought]

cool thought working in the financial sector? hahaha

anyone got gym membership wanna sell off? maybe i can consider if i can find a bargain to transfer to me...

Not working in the financial sector. But been able to do our own finances is an important skills. It is very important especially when one have a tight budget like me.