Increase bus ridership to save money
The Works Minister stated that private vehicle users could have seen toll charges rise by as much as 83% at those expressways if not for the government's decision to postpone the planned toll hike ('Nanta: Toll charges could've risen 83% without govt intervention', The Star; July 30; online at bit.ly/star_tollrates).
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Indulge in sweet, savoury treats
MUCH like Cheers, the 90's sitcom bar 'where everybody knows your name', diners at a Plaza Damas 3 cafe can expect a warm welcome, with regulars being greeted by name by its friendly chef-owner. At the heart of Real Sweet Treats cafe is Renee Soliano Tan, a chef by training who has over 10 years of baking experience under her belt. Real Sweet Treats cafe in Plaza Damas 3 saw its business improve after introducing a hot menu with savoury options. She started Real Sweet Treats as a side hustle at the age of 16. Baking was also how she survived during the Covid-19 pandemic, as her job was put on hold during that period, explained Tan. At the heart of Real Sweet Treats is Tan, who started the business at the age of 16. — Photos: JAROD LIM/The Star 'I ran a home-based baking business for two years during the pandemic and participated in pop-up bazaars when movement restrictions were eased, before venturing to open my own cafe in April 2023.' Tan said her business' name pays homage to the RST acronym she shares with her four siblings and also reflects her passion for baking, although she admitted that it also gives people the impression that her pastries are 'really sweet'. (Clockwise from top left) Ruby Berry Chocolate Chip Cookie, RST Banana Cake, Caramel Banana Cake, Raspberry Chocolate Tart and Maple Pecan Carrot Cake are in the July tasting box. — Courtesy photo The 27-year-old credits her culinary education and hotel job training for the planning, preparation and management skills required to run her business, which also takes orders online. 'I trained in culinary arts and was given an opportunity to work as a pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. 'My mentors trained me to craft pastries quickly, while ensuring they looked appealing and tasted nice,' said Tan, adding that she still holds to the 'do it fast, do it nice' motto. The cafe typically offers 20 types of baked goods daily, including at least one type of brownie, tart and banana cake, all of which are Real Sweet Treats' signature items. Blue Nana topped with banana compote, chantilly cream and fresh blueberries is the cafe's signature buttermilk waffle option. The menu, she said, changes weekly, as she crafts the pastries based on what she feels like eating. It can be Earl Grey tea, or a pastry item with seasonal ingredients like South Korean strawberries, she added. 'I make an effort to use good quality ingredients in my pastries, some of which are imported. 'If there are customers who question my price point, I try to educate them on what it takes to craft quality baked goods.' The cafe's daily lineup of pastries offers something for everyone with the RST Banana Cake, Orange Flourless Cake and Maple Pecan Carrot Cake being our personal favourites. Emerald Pesto Pasta features sweet basil, garlic, roasted almonds and beef bacon. Other items spotted included Strawberry Vanilla Tart, Blueberry Lemon Tart, Rainbow Cheesecake, Vanilla Cloud Cake, Raspberry Lemon Meringue, Strawberry Panna Cotta, Blueberry Earl Grey Loaf and tiramisu (alcohol-free). For customers who want an introduction to its pastries, Real Sweet Treats has a monthly tasting box featuring some of its bestsellers and seasonal goodies. One box is priced at RM85 via pre-order and RM90 via walk-in. The first year of running a cafe was challenging, as Tan had to deal with multiple challenges on top of handling payroll, purchasing and social media posts. 'The business improved when I introduced a hot menu with savoury options. Strawberry Vanilla Tart with juicy South Korean strawberries is a signature item. 'About 70% of dine-in customers opt for the hot menu.' 'Thanks to my strict culinary training, I have separate chillers and sinks for my sweet and savoury items to prevent cross contamination.' Tan is assisted by a team that includes cafe partner Bryan Ong, who cooks the hot food. The cafe's bestselling hot meals include Cozy Meal (grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough bread, served with house-made roasted tomato soup), Orchard Chicken (a blend of Granny Smith apples, citrus-infused mayo and shredded chicken served on sourdough bread), Emerald Pesto Pasta (a dish featuring a blend of flavours and textures with sweet basil, garlic, roasted almonds and beef bacon), and Sausages and Eggs. Silky, smooth Mango Panna Cotta. 'We use three types of cheese in the Cozy Meal – Gouda, American cheddar and mozzarella,' she said. 'It became so popular that we introduced half portions for customers who couldn't manage a full plate. 'The sausages used in our hot meals are Italian herbed chicken sausages provided by a supplier that also sends them to hotels,' said Tan, adding the cafe works with halal-certified suppliers and ingredients. Besides toast, pasta, all-day breakfast and salads, the cafe also offers made-to-order buttermilk waffles, with Blue Nana topped with banana compote, chantilly cream and fresh blueberries as its signature option. REAL SWEET TREATS, C-0-15, Plaza Damas 3, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 011-1770 8055. Website: Business hours: 9am-4.30pm (Tues-Fri); 10am-5.30pm (Sat and Sun). Closed on Mon. Pork-free. This is the writer's personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
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No plans to fully liberalise cross-border ride-hailing services between Singapore and Johor: Singapore Land Transport Authority
There is an existing cross-border taxi scheme, which allows a licensed fleet of up to 200 taxis from each country to ferry passengers to and fro. These taxis are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at one designated point in each country – Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru for Singapore taxis, and Ban San Street Terminal in Rochor for Malaysian taxis. — THOMAS YONG/The Star SINGAPORE: The local authorities are open to ideas that can improve the commute between Singapore and Johor, but have no plans to fully liberalise cross-border ride-hailing services. In a statement on Aug 3, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) made this clarification following an Aug 1 meeting between Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Johor state's chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi. A cross-border ride-hailing service was among several proposals discussed during the meeting, said Datuk Onn Hafiz in an Aug 1 Facebook post. On Aug 3, Siow said in his own Facebook post that the two ministers discussed many issues. These included cross-border transport, as well as the importance of safeguarding the interests of drivers and platform workers, and how LTA has been enhancing enforcement against illegal passenger and delivery services. Following the ministers' meeting, some Malaysian media outlets had reported that Singapore and Johor had proposed introducing cross-border ride-hailing services as an alternative transport option for commuters. LTA said in its statement that while ride-hailing was discussed at the meeting, no decision was made. The authority noted that there is an existing cross-border taxi scheme (CBTS), which allows a licensed fleet of up to 200 taxis from each country to ferry passengers to and fro. These taxis are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at one designated point in each country – Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru for Singapore taxis, and Ban San Street Terminal in Rochor for Malaysian taxis. 'Today, the existing quota of the CBTS is not fully utilised,' said LTA. 'In view of commuter demand for more convenient cross-border travel, we will encourage full take-up of the quota of licensed taxis.' The authorities are considering increasing the number of boarding and alighting points in each other's country, and the use of ride-hailing apps to book cross-border trips on licensed taxis, said LTA. 'In any adjustment to our cross-border point-to-point transport regime, our key priorities are to better meet commuter demand while safeguarding the interests of our taxi and private-hire drivers,' it added. In his Aug 1 Facebook post, Onn Hafiz said that allowing ride-hailing as a cross-border transport option could potentially reduce congestion, while opening up income opportunities for Malaysian drivers. 'It could also serve as a catalyst for a more user-friendly, safe and competitive transport system, while strengthening integration between both countries' public transport networks,' he said in remarks carried in Malaysian reports. Separately, LTA and Singapore bus operators are also reviewing a request from Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency to start operating cross-border bus services from Johor Bahru an hour earlier, at 4am instead of 5am. In its Aug 3 statement, LTA said it is assessing whether the operating times of these services can be adjusted to help address bus crowding early in the morning. 'A key consideration is that the first buses should match the starting time of our local bus and MRT services when they arrive in Singapore,' said the authority. SBS Transit currently operates service 160 from Johor Bahru Checkpoint, with departures starting at 5am on weekdays and 5.50am on weekends or public holidays. It also runs service 170 between Larkin Terminal in Johor Bahru and Queen Street Terminal near Jalan Besar, with departures starting from 5.20am on weekdays and 5.30am on weekends or public holidays. SMRT operates service 950 across the Causeway from Johor Bahru Checkpoint towards the Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange. No information on the starting times for its Singapore-bound service is publicly available, but the Johor Bahru-bound service departs from Woodlands at 5.30am every day. Besides SBS Transit and SMRT, some private bus operators also offer cross-border bus services. LTA said it is 'exploring with cross-border bus operators the possibility of bringing forward the bus start times slightly, as well as engaging private bus operators on their interest to operate earlier services at higher fares'. - The Straits Times/ANN
