He inches on in massive jam...

"...Only to be greeted by a magnificent ERP gantry with glittering lights, signalling a toll of $2.50."

MR WONG BHEET HUAN: "The morning of Sept 26 experienced unusually heavy rain, starting from 6.30am. Commuters and school children were caught in massive traffic jams, traffic light failures and train disruptions. It took me 30 minutes to move 30m along Keppel Road in front of the railway station. When traffic cleared at about 8.20am, I turned as usual into Tanjong Pagar Road, only to be greeted by a magnificent ERP gantry with glittering lights, signalling a toll of $2.50. Thank you, LTA."

Where are our 'uncles'?

"Do we really need foreign talent to help us pump petrol?"

MR NG KEI YONG: "Recently, I stopped at my neighbourhood petrol station for a top-up and was surprised to find the friendly 'uncles' were nowhere to be seen and in their place were young men and women from China. For some reason, I elected to fill up myself that day. As I drove off, I wondered where have all the 'uncles' gone? I have always thought hiring senior citizens as pump attendants was a gracious act by petrol companies to keep them gainfully employed, and give them some earning power and purpose in their senior years. Do we really need foreign talent to help us pump petrol?"

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Oct 4, 2008

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