Dashcam footage shows moment car fell into sinkhole
Dashcam footage shows moment car fell into sinkhole
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Independent Singapore
5 days ago
- Independent Singapore
COE dreams: Can Singapore make car ownership fairer for the middle class?
SINGAPORE: In the city-state, buying and keeping a car is a tough act for a lot of people. For countless middle-class families, what was a difficult but likely objective—owning a car—now appears to be virtually impossible. As Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices escalate, even a rudimentary automobile can be as pricey as a tiny condominium in specific areas of the region. Frustration is on the rise. On platforms like Reddit, Singaporeans are expressing the feelings that many have shared for years: The system appears to be stacked against the average person. The broken dream of car ownership A recent Reddit post captured the prevailing sentiment: 'COE prices in Singapore have been climbing nonstop, reaching absurd levels that are pricing out the average middle-class family. Owning a car has now become an unrealistic dream for many.' It's not just about convenience. For some families, a car is necessary to transport children to school, take care of elderly parents, or manage work shifts where public transport is limited. Thus far, under the existing structure, these needs vie in the same COE pool as those purchasing their second, third, or even fourth luxury car for weekend relaxation. Efficiency vs. fairness The Lion City's vehicle ownership system, focused around the COE, is known for efficiently regulating road bottlenecks and handling the number of automobiles, but the unrelenting query is — at what cost? Some Singaporeans are speculating if it's time for more well-adjusted procedures, maybe encouraged by the property market's Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) system. If housing speculation and hoarding can be minimized via a segmented revenue system, why not ponder a similar tactic for vehicles? Imagine a strategy where purchasing a second or third car comes with higher taxes, or where processing a car purchase under the name of another family member to dodge expenses comes with financial consequences. Such a scheme could produce an impartial environment for first-time consumers and dampen unnecessary spending by those with substantial funds. Not a call for cheap cars—just fairer access The Reddit user behind the original post made it clear: This isn't about making cars cheap. 'If every household could afford a car, Singapore's roads would become even more congested than they already are,' he noted. Rather, the intention is to find an equilibrium—one where those who truthfully need a car don't get priced out, while demand for extravagant vehicles is kept in check via policy procedures. 'Car ownership is not a right' Not everyone approves, and the reactions demonstrate an eclectic array of views. One commenter referenced a previous statement by SM Lee, who drew a clear line between housing and car ownership: 'The government considers that housing is a right and that transport is a right, but car ownership is not a right.' From this perspective, the COE isn't meant to be fair; it simply aims to control demand. In practical terms, it works. Roads stay judiciously clear, public transport gets favored handling, and owning a car becomes an indulgence, just like owning a Birkin bag or a first-class plane ticket. Others directly stated that 'The end game is to make car ownership not equitable,' and that 'You just need to earn more.' These comments signify a more profound societal disquiet. Is a system genuinely fair if it only benefits the wealthy? Implementation hurdles, not so simple Even among those who support the idea of a car tax similar to the ABSD, doubt exists. 'There are many cars registered under different family members for various reasons,' one commenter pointed out. 'Tracking real ownership or intent is difficult.' See also COE prices decline in final bidding of 2023 In a city-state where the number of cars is carefully regulated, any new policy would need to be tightly controlled to avoid misuse. A new way forward? Ultimately, this discussion is not just about cars. It's about access, justice, and the type of society Singapore intends to create. While some argue that the current system is functioning—roads are clearing up, public transport is growing, and luxury signals remain clear—others believe that a system where only the wealthy can own cars increases inequality and disconnects everyday Singaporeans. Is there a means in the current model to present more targeted equality? Can guidelines be made to distinguish between necessity and indulgence without crushing the system? That is still vague. Nevertheless, as COE prices keep growing, the conversation has changed from just about prices and outlays. It's now about values, and whose needs the system truly serves.
CNA
08-08-2025
- CNA
U can't pay this: MC Hammer sued over delinquent car loan
Baggy pants-wearing rapper MC Hammer is being sued in a US court for allegedly failing to pay off a car loan. The man behind the 1990 megahit U Can't Touch This is facing a lawsuit from JPMorgan Chase claiming he has stopped making payments on a luxury Land Rover. The suit, filed in a California court last week, names MC Hammer and U Can't Touch This LLC as defendants in the case, claiming the bank loaned them US$114,000 (S$146,000) to buy the vehicle in 2023. But after allegedly missing a number of monthly payments, the rapper and his company still owe more than US$76,000. Hammer, whose real name is Stanley Burrell, broke onto the rap scene in the 1980s, but became a global figure with U Can't Touch This. The rapper's signature "Hammer Pants", coupled with his rapidly moving elastic legs, made for a dance move that was copied all over the world. Despite a tie-up Mattel figurine and the Hammerman cartoon, his stardom waned and by the mid-1990s, Hammer was going through bankruptcy.
CNA
07-08-2025
- CNA
Why are major car-sharing firms not stepping into the point-to-point void amid BlueSG's pause?
SINGAPORE: With BlueSG pausing its services, several major car-sharing firms told CNA they would not be filling the point-to-point void for now, although one did not rule out moving into that space in future. Car-sharing operators GetGo and Tribecar said a point-to-point service would be operationally more challenging and that they are focusing on enhancing their current offerings, while Drive Lah said it is "possible" they may consider such a service in future. BlueSG is suspending its operations from 11.59pm on Friday (Aug 8), in what it calls a 'strategic pause' as it prepares for a relaunch next year. The company is the only car-sharing platform that offers point-to-point services in Singapore. This allows users to pick up a car at one location and return it at another. Experts said its move to suspend operations was likely influenced by losses caused by an ageing fleet. OPERATIONALLY CHALLENGING GetGo's chief executive and co-founder Toh Ting Feng said a point-to-point car-sharing model would present "significant operational challenges". 'It requires a substantial investment in infrastructure, such as dedicated parking and charging stations across the island, and a complex logistical network to ensure vehicles are properly distributed and maintained,' he told CNA. "Our current model, which focuses on a 'point A to A' service, is a strategic choice that allows us to provide a reliable and consistent experience for our users without these complexities." GetGo said that since its launch in 2021, it has seen "sustainable growth" – from over 400 vehicles and 10,000 users, to around 3,000 cars and half a million users in three years. Similarly, Tribecar's co-founder Adrian Lee said it would be operationally more challenging and labour-intensive to offer point-to-point services, as cars could be parked in many different locations across Singapore. "The primary challenge is that the current regulatory and infrastructural framework does not support the entry of new players into the point-to-point space," he said. "Without a change in policy, it is not possible to launch such a service." When asked if Tribecar may have plans to offer point-to-point services, he said the company's primary focus is to ensure users in heartlands have sufficient vehicles that are readily available. Tribecar is only allowed to park registered cars that are specifically tagged to individual carparks that allow season parking. The company has a fleet of 1,400 vehicles, an increase from an initial 350 vehicles five years ago. Mr Lee said Tribecar has seen a 35 per cent year-on-year increase in users over the past five years and described the car-sharing sector as a "competitive market". Drive Lah's chief executive and co-founder Dirk-Jan Ter Horst said expanding into the point-to-point space was not on top of their list at the moment, but he did not rule out the possibility. Drive Lah's peer-to-peer model means car owners and commercial providers can rent out their vehicles on the platform, and users can lease these cars. Describing the company as an 'Airbnb for cars', Mr Ter Horst said the platform now has 275,000 users and about 2,000 cars. Explaining why moving into the point-to-point space was not currently a top priority, Mr Ter Horst said its model means owners want their cars to be returned to their homes. "We see the type of use cases where people take it a little bit longer, not just for half an hour but from point to point, but they return it. 'And actually, from a cost point of view, it still makes sense – because the cost for one day or renting for six hours may still be worth it instead of doing two point-to-point trips,' he added. When asked if Drive Lah may in the future own a fleet to provide point-to-point services, he said this was "certainly possible". Transport analyst Dr Terence Fan said he does not think car-sharing operators will move into the point-to-point service space immediately. The assistant professor at the Singapore Management University (SMU) noted barriers to entry, such as securing parking lots in sought-after locations and taking the time to grow to a "reasonable presence". 'The competition has grown significantly over the past few years. Now almost every medium-to-large housing estate has one or more dedicated car parks used by car-sharing operators,' Asst Prof Fan said. 'New entrants need to offer something more to be competitive.' ACCREDITATION There were 97 complaints about car-sharing services in the first half of this year, said the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) on Tuesday. These complaints included pre-existing defects, poor maintenance, billing issues, high insurance excess and service reliability. The watchdog said it was working with operators to develop a CaseTrust accreditation scheme for the sector. This is aimed at raising standards and giving customers peace of mind, said CASE president Melvin Yong. "Consumer education will also play an important role as more people use car-sharing services. CASE will work with the industry to educate consumers on how to safeguard their rights and prevent disputes when using car-sharing services," Mr Yong told CNA on Thursday. Car-sharing services are private commercial arrangements and are not regulated by the Land Transport Authority. All three car-sharing operators told CNA they supported the accreditation scheme. Tribecar's Mr Lee said it would "formalise the role of car-sharing as an integral part of Singapore's sustainable transport ecosystem and provide a clear set of standards for the industry". "We have advocated for tough, comprehensive standards that will not only challenge us but also our peers and future entrants," he added. "This is because we firmly believe that elevating the entire industry is the only way forward to ensure sustained growth and public trust." Similarly, Mr Toh believes accreditation and guidelines would provide consumers with greater transparency and confidence. GetGo is also working with CASE to develop the accreditation framework. 'GetGo fully supports any initiative that aims to raise industry standards and protect consumers,' he said. 'An accreditation scheme would formalise the high standards we already adhere to,' Mr Toh added. "It would provide consumers with greater confidence and transparency. We view this as a positive development for the entire carsharing industry." Mr Ter Horst welcomed the accreditation, but hoped there would not be too much administrative work involved for the private car owners on Drive Lah's platform. "What you don't want to do is to scare people off ... you want to reduce the barrier as much as you can," he added. Asst Prof Fan also supported the "proactive move" by CASE, saying it could provide incentives for operators to behave in a "transparent and responsible manner" if done properly. "I hope the proposed accreditation won't simply (be) biased towards incumbents, and can shield operators from unjustified comments (or) complaints," he added. MAINTENANCE Some users have complained about the condition of cars they used on car-sharing platforms. Both Tribecar and GetGo said their vehicles undergo regular maintenance at intervals recommended by the manufacturer, besides adhering to LTA's inspection requirements. GetGo's Mr Toh said the company also conducts routine checks and has a system in place for users to provide real-time feedback. Tribecar's Mr Lee said its cars are taken out of service to be maintained typically at 10,000km to 15,000km intervals as recommended by the workshops. Almost all vehicles in the company's fleet also undergo annual inspections, he added. Besides reports by users on vehicle issues, Tribecar also proactively contacts 'super users' in specific areas for their input on the vehicle's condition, Mr Lee said. Mr Ter Horst said Drive Lah does not face frequent reports of dirty vehicles or poorly maintained cars on its platform. Although the company does not fully control how people maintain their cars, Drive Lah may block owners from offering their car on the platform if an issue has not been fixed, he added. Mainly, owners who rent out their cars on Drive Lah keep them clean for their own use and personally maintain them, he explained. "And also, if I'm renting your car, I feel that I need to be a little bit more careful when I use the car and that means issues like dirty cars – we hardly see it," he added.
