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Have you seen this new vehicle on the road?

Yes indeed, this is the new fleet of bus models presented by SBS Transit. It does really look pleasing both in the interior and the exterior.

However, do you know what’s the special traits of this bus that other models of such doesn’t posses?

Bingo! This is a wheelchair-accessible bus. Meaning that they are slightly wider than most other buses in Singapore, also they have a nice position at the standing area for the wheelchair-bounded. There is also a special bell built just for them.

So, how many of you out there have truly seen someone in a wheelchair board such buses. Let me share my experience.

I was at YCK Bus Interchange waiting to board bus 76, there was this wheelchair bound lady also waiting to board bus service 76.

Alright, here’s the start of story..

When the bus arrived, the bus captain had to refuse entry to passengers who are boarding the bus. Just in case there are people who do not fatefully tap their EZ-Link card without someone keeping an eye on the machine.

The captain then had to open the door at the rear, and manually deploy the ramp that enables the captain to wheel her up the bus. After that, the captain will situate her comfortably in a nice and safe position in the designated area.

Then the captain had to assemble back the ramp and allow entry to the other passengers. The whole process takes about 1-2mins.

Thats for the entry part. When the lady wanted to alight, she would press the “special” bell, which sounds different from the norm.

Upon stopping, the captain would then repeat the whole process again. Refuse entry, deploy the ramp…

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This whole thing might not seem as good as it is deemed to be.

Firstly, if its the peak hour. The number of passengers on the bus would be high, which makes it difficult for the bulky wheelchair to maneuver around.

Secondly, the time taken for the whole process. Imagine you are rushing for time. I bet you would curse and swear.

Thirdly, due to space constrains, it only allows 1 wheelchair.

What i think of this is that, the biggest barrier for these physically handicapped people would be that they think of themselves as a burden to the society. Even with the new arrangements, they might still feel ostracized.

I guess its all about being considerate and tolerant to the people around us. In order to make Singapore a more gracious society, these are the efforts that we have to put in to make things come true. Maybe we should have more people like Sebastian and Poh Boon around.

I wanted to blog about some stories today, but Kian Hwee sprunged me with a big surprise. He raved about receiving his enlistment letter, and he’s going in at end of Nov(he was lying).

I too was excited about it, i went down to open my mailbox… AND THERE IT IS, lying there quietly waiting for me..

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The Enlistment Act letter from MINDEF. I opened it with great fear, fearing that the date is very very near.. Something out of the ordinary appeared, i was posted to the Police Academy.

Alright i admit, i’m kind of in a loss now. See those dates and numbers. Scary aren’t they? I’ve decided to post these to curb the curiosity of many, considering the fact that i am one of the few around that’s not posted to Tekong.

Somehow, i felt a little disappointed. I thought i was able to join in the life as a real NSmen. But now it seems like i might have to end up behind computers in police stations. Just Joking.

But after hearing about stuffs like PA is more slack and the bunk is much better, with better prospects makes me feel a little better.

Anyone with ideas of what life there is all about? Please leave me a comment thanks.

For those who haven’t gotten their enlistment yet, give yourself a nice sleep tonight, you might just find it on your door the next morning.

Shucks, i think i can’t sleep tonight!

Today’s Run: 17KM

Timing: 1hr 48mins

Venue: Bishan Park

I’m so proud of my new achievement. It was a great hike from my previous record of 14KM, and also considering the presence of the blisters from yesterday’s 11KM run at the track in school. It must have been the outrage of endorphin produced during the run that kept me going.

Generally, the first 14KM was rather alright, with a good pace of 10km/h. The last 3km was the most arduous� part of the journey, it was really a battle of determination. Devil Daryl was psyching me to stop and rest, while on the other hand Angel Daryl was pushing me on, not to give up.

Obviously Devil Daryl succumbed under the powerful Angel to make me push on that last 3KM. Actually, it was a pacer that made my last 2KM a great one. He was more or less about to overtake me already, when i pushed myself to pace up with him all the way to the finishing point.

While running at the park, its quite obvious that someone is trying to pace up with you or vice versa. There are only 2 outcomes out of it. One would be that he thins you are trying to compete, and do all means to outrun him. The other would be to pace. In order for the latter to happen, it would be best that a conversation is being strike.

Mere words of encouragements are more than enough, normally people don’t talk much during runs considering the already lack of breath. Surprisingly the last sentence he asked me was..

“So you running for the Standard Chartered Marathon?”

Obviously yes was my reply and there he went ahead with his run. For extensive runners, Stand Chart Marathon could probably be one of the greatest event of the year for them. It’s rather obvious that people (in the nice SC singlet) are getting intensive on their trainings recently, with the fact that its only 50plus days left for the event.

Alright, my entries are getting mundane and boring with run , run and more run. Shall share something that I’ve read next time. Time to get Angel Daryl to put me on work.

Till then,

Work!

Thanks to Glenn’s recommendations, i have a new spot for running; the MacRitchie Reservoir.

All along, I’ve know that place to be a great place for Cross Country. But now, I’ve truly understand and experience the joy of running there. Its really a perfect place for running in my point of view.

After all the kind of places I’ve ran at; roads, treadmills, track, park, sand.. By comparison, MacRitchie is really awesome.

• Firstly, the air is superb. High oxygen level with little pollution. Eases running and reduces chances of bad breathing. Unlike roads and parks that are near the road and with inconsiderate people smoking.

• Secondly, the heat. As mentioned in the first point, the high level of oxygen makes the air cooler. With addition, the canopy of the tall trees makes heat difficult to penetrate through.

• Thirdly, the terrain. There are many upslope and downslope route, which makes the run more challenging and interesting. Also, the land is gravel and some soil and stones. This gives the run an extra push as one has to concentrate in order not to fall.

• Fourthly, the routes. There are many different kinds of paths and routes that one can take upon reaching there. There’s the HSBC Treetop Trail, the Jeultong Trail, and many more. The furthest one is the trail to Bukit Timah Hill, its 11KM. Thats my target for the week and the upcoming or so. With these different routes, running can never be interesting enough. There are also nice scenery and interesting creatures like squirrel and monkeys around for you to spot them!

• Fifthly, the MIND. As mentioned by WaiSze, this is an important X-Factor that determines the journey. One doesn’t tend to give up easily while running there because of the yet to reach destination.

I managed to complete about 4KM in the trail, and the journey back home with Glenn today. It’s time for him to increase his training at Bishan Park before hitting back there again, all the best.

A word of caution, for those intending to run the trail. It is best that u leave the trail to the main road by 1845. If not it would be terribly dangerous as there are no lights in it and it will be pitch dark. Surely you wouldn’t want to get lost in it do you?

Run with a watch and keep track of the time especially if you are running in the late afternoons. Best is get a partner and not push one’s limits when its getting too dark.

So, anyone want to join in the trail?

Till we meet again,

Happy Belated Children’s Day (Gerald’s Birthday)