Littering Issues in Singapore Transport

Singapore is now again focusing on the litter issue ,while the focus is on streets which is important,another issue is the tissue litter in SMRT and SBS buses.Even the Taxis are not spared by inconsiderate travelers.
These tissues can also pose a health issue to fellow travelers if not disposed off properly.
Hope every individual rises to the occasion of keeping Singapore litter free in all respects

Service apartments in Singapore

While there are plenty of serviced apartments in Singapore,it can be quite a task to make reservations for short stays.If one is travelling with family and grown up children or small children-Hotels do not allow children to stay or number of permitted guests does not allow family stays in Hotels.Serviced apartments can be a good option but minimum stay being 7 days in Singapore,it can be difficult to make use of a good option.
I hope the authorities relent soon on short stay in serviced apartments.

Ticket cancellations

Travelers need to be careful about cancellations or  no shows.I recently found out that it is better to cancel the sector if you are not flying,rather than have it lapse as airlines tend to impose a no show charge,and I thought that having paid for a ticket,it is my privilege whether to travel or not ,but apparently the airlines do no think so.
Their stand is as follows:
a)If you do not show up-they can likely impose a no show charge on you.
b)They will not refund unused sectors
c)They and the agents may likely impose a cancellation charge.
So if you book a ticket ,it is best if one travels.
My recent experiences are based on Air India (Tried to cancel an Ahmedabad-Mumbai Sector) and British Airways London-Singapore sector.
Apparently for all these airlines passengers are the last consideration.
Another long standing grouse is:
While airlines allow online reservation-they do not allow online cancellations.,the human intervention for cancellation can be a painful experience.
Even a signature event like TIECON makes cancellations very painful,while reservations is online cancellations is via the admin office of TIE Silicon valley which takes its own time to cancel which is a painful process.

AirIndia Express Crash and Strike

Just when I mentioned that Air India experience was good,there was the recent Mangalore crash followed by a staff strike.This would definitely set back Air India on its road to recovery.
Still all is not lost,it has to emulate Garuda which has done well from the depths of 2005

Air India and Gujarat

Took an air India flight after a long time last week,and was pleasantly surprised,the aircraft was neat,there was IFE (Which was better than most American airlines),good music and decent food.
Connected from Mumbai to Ahmedabad and again the Air India flight exceeded expectations.The new airport at Ahmedabad was not yet operational.
Stayed at Le Meridien hotel which was pretty good,but definitely not 5 star,but it is better than other hotels there.
The staff are excellent,and went out of the way to assist.
Rooms and service was excellent.Went on the express highways which are as good as promised,however the Govt buildings were a big let down as they were poorly maintained.
India awaits its monsoon to get a respite from the heat.Singapore Airport as usual exceeded expectations.

ICC planning to use Dubai as a hub for T20 WC

The ICC wants to ferry England cricketers to Dubai and then to the Caribbean where the T20 World cup begins end of the month.This is due to the fears of the ash induced travel chaos affecting the WC
ICC could be better off focusing its resources to better run the game than to indulge in such moves.It should be left to ECB and individual boards to figure out how to get its players to the West Indies rather than ICC.
The T20WC is becoming an annual jamboree in the International cricket circuit .Most World Cup events are held once in 4 years,the T20 WC being different.
ICC figures to use helicopters and low flying aircraft as per an article in the Straights Times.

Global Travel Disruption

The more we advance,the more we remain at the mercy of nature and its elements.The ongoing Volcanic ash disruption has ensured that other modes are as important as Air Travel.
More than 313 airports are globally affected.Insurance companies are not honouring the claims.
It has led to passengers spending time at terminals,or at hotels.If you are stuck up at KLIA or Changi or at Incheon it may still be bearable,while imagine the plight if you are stuck in an Indian airport or an African airport or an American airport-the situation might be unbearable.
Imagine the plight of stranded tourists who will rake up high roaming charges on their telephones.
Travel touch sincerely hopes that travellers face the least inconvenience and global travel gets back to its best.