Changes in your EZ Link Card

The Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) next-generation e-payment system for public transit, Symphony for e-Payment (SeP), is ready for implementation. The new system which is built on the Singapore Standard for Contact less ePurse Application (CEPAS), allows any smart card that complies with the standard to be used with the system and in a wide variety of payment applications.

With SeP, commuters will be able to use cards issued by any card issuer for transit purposes as long as the card complies with the CEPAS standard and includes the transit application. Commuters can eventually use CEPAS-compliant cards for Electronic Road Pricing payments in vehicles fitted with the new generation In-vehicle Unit, Electronic Parking System carparks and other electronic payment systems that support the CEPAS standard.

Unlike the existing ez-link card, the new CEPAS-compliant ez-link card will not have requirement for a travel deposit. Commuters will have full use of the stored value of the card for transit and non-transit purposes. To ensure commuters are familiar with the no-deposit feature and use of the CEPAS-compliant card, LTA is launching a public education programme for commuters from 2 December 2008.

Posters highlighting the no-deposit feature of the new card will be put up at MRT stations and bus interchanges/stops as well as on trains and buses. These posters also remind commuters to ensure that they have sufficient value in their cards to complete their journey before entering the transit system, and to top-up their cards when the balance is low (i.e. less than $5) as there is no travel deposit to tap on.

When SeP is launched this December 2008, the new system and the existing Enhanced Integrated Farecard System (EIFS) will run concurrently to allow commuters ample time to replace their cards.

REF: http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/pt_travel.htm#ezlink

Online Street Guide - Singapore

In Singapore, To plan for any traveling, there are lot good sites to guide you. SMART bus guide will guide you on route and there is online street map i found very useful and recent few meetings and visit to new places, i used this web site. Hope it will be useful for any one traveling in Singapore.

http://www.streetdb.com/

MRT travel time

I was looking for Singapore MRT travel duration between different locations. Normally any one can see board in MRT station. However for any travel planning, it is good to access from web. Here link

http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/documents/RailTravelTimes61.pdf

China Melamine Scandal - How bad do business with Infant's Life

It was really sad story that most of people heard about infants affected in many thousands numbers in China due to contaminated milk which has melamine in considerable amount.

What is "Melamine" ?
Melamine is a chemical rich in nitrogen that is used in making plastics, glues and whiteboards.

However, Don't panic if you already had milk or milk related foods which has melamine. So, Far no issues.. It is really fine for Adults and no harm in significant. it based on level and usage also. However main issue identified for infants as for them milk is main food and if they had more melamine percentage milk items, they will get suffer with kidney failures and related diseases. So, Be careful for infants mainly.

Check more on : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine
And China's recent Melamine issue on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Chinese_Milk_Scandal

As i have seen, Singapore government taking serious action plan to save its people and you can get updated details from web site http://www.ava.gov.sg/

And there you will able to see the listed food items which has banned to due to melamine. keep mointoring it. And FAQ and details also there.

Please pass this post details to every one who has infants in family and living in South / South East Asian Countries.