Lee Hsien Loong: "No one will be left behind."

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Forum: Boatman refused to take us from Ubin unless we paid more​

Sep 01, 2025

Pulau Ubin is touted as a rustic getaway with thriving biodiversity for visitors to enjoy. But it may not be worth it to invest in a location like this if issues with transportation to and from the place discourage visitors.

I was at Pulau Ubin’s ferry terminal around 6pm on Aug 22. After a 30-minute wait, 10 of us had gathered. The boat operator asked all the passengers to pay $5 instead of the standard $4, and later upped this to $6 before he would agree to depart.

Some passengers asked why, and he said he needed 12 passengers to depart. The National Parks Board’s website states that bumboats set off only when there are nine to 12 passengers. The operator was obviously relying on passengers’ urgency to return home to insist on his full load. We did not agree, and he left with just the eight passengers who agreed to pay $6.

We waited till 7pm, but no other visitors came to the terminal.

A resident said the island’s security guard would end his shift at 7pm, and we could perhaps hitch a ride on the boat back to the mainland. The security guard agreed to ask the boat operator to take us. The boat arrived with the same boat operator, who recognised us and refused to let us board, saying the boat was only for the one security guard.

We then called NParks for help, and it directed us to call a boat operator. It cost us $48 as we were the only passengers.

Nowhere in Singapore does this kind of transport service exist where the operator insists on a full load or asks the passengers to pay for the shortfall.

The boat schedule should be fixed regardless of the number of passengers. Relying on ferries in this way was how people used to visit Sentosa before the bridge was built.

Simon Seah Sing Hon

 

[True Believer]

LKY was a dictator who abused his power to maintain control of S'pore. He ran the govt with little transparency, using fear to suppress dissent, and financially ruin his political opponents. LKY did this to perpetuate PAP's power; service to the people was the last thing on his mind. His victims were Dr Poh Soo Kai, Lim Chin Siong, Dr Lim Hock Siew, Said Zahari, JB Jeyaretnam, Francis Seow, Chee Soon Juan and their families; LKY destroyed their lives. His PAP ministers are motivated by greed till this day; they willingly became his slaves for money, and continue to do so till today. Those who agree to be the PAP's bitches will not be left behind.