Sydney track line seems to be functioning much better than our MRT system though its more than 50 years old.
I have stayed in Sydney for about four years before and not once did I encounter any train break down like ours.
Their track line also has regular scheduled weekend maintenamce and free bus services to popular destinations will then be provided.
Its clear that our track line frequently broke down due to a lack of turn-around time to properly maintain our busy line.
Its known that we only have less than five hours to properly prepare the track for maintenance and some technical fall - out may occur.
Sydney also recently introduces the Opal link card which is like our EZ link card.
A A$60 weekly pass will allow you unlimited travel for one week for all modes of public transportation.
A one-way ticket on the train will set you back by $A5 on average and a return ticket costs A$7 to A$8 depending on where you are going - so buying the one-week ticket looks like real value.
A bus ticket can set you back by A$3 though they have the BusTen - a discounted ticket which you can use to travel for ten trips.
There are a total of six zones and the most expensive Bus Ten is A$36 whereas the cheapest is A$19.30.
Bus drivers are known to be well paid to the tune of A$4000 a month as its a tough and unpopular vocation due to its shift work nature.
Cars are also cheap here and most families have a family car to move around though parking can be expensive. Brand new Japanese cars cost less than A$30,000 and some families could afford to own two cars.
There is no COE here.
There is also no road tax here though toll charges do apply on some highway.
They say that its cheaper to drive than take the public transport and I agreed with them.
For ease of moving around in a very big country, a family car is almost a must as some buses don't operate on weekend and the frequency can be irregular.
Gilbert Goh
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