Your legend Rio claims done deal

🤑 Singaporeans are projected to spend $1.05 billion more across the Causeway when the RTS Link opens in January 2027 .   This is nearly 40% more than what JB visitors are expected to spend in Singapore, according to a joint study. https://str.sg/bdzQ   Full Details: RTS Link & Cross-Border Spending Projections 🚆💸   Released 16 July 2026 by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), and Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) .       🚄 What is the RTS Link?   - Opening date: January 2027  - Route: 4km line connecting Woodlands North (Singapore, linked to Thomson-East Coast Line) ↔ Bukit Chagar (Johor Bahru, Malaysia)  - Journey time: ~5 minutes (far faster than 45min–2hr+ by car/bus across the Causeway) - Capacity: Up to 10,000 passengers/hour/direction; trains every 3.6 mins (peak) / 6 mins (off-peak) - Convenience: Joint customs/immigration at departure stations only – no re-check on arrival        📊 Spending & Travel Projections   Core Numbers   - Singaporeans to spend an extra S$1.05 billion/year in JB – 39% more than the S$756 million/year JB visitors will add to Singapore’s economy  - Net impact: S$290 million net annual outbound spend – equal to just 0.4% of Singapore’s S$16.6 billion 2025 retail & F&B sector size    Travel Trends   - Singapore → JB: Trips up 51%, adding 11.2 million extra round trips yearly  - Top spending categories: groceries, pharmacies, dining, beauty services - JB → Singapore: 34% of JB respondents plan to visit more; public transport trips up 57%, adding 3.3 million extra round trips yearly  - JB visitors prefer overnight stays, entertainment, premium retail, and major events - Regional split: Singapore’s west, north-east, north see biggest spending outflows; central Singapore captures most inbound spend       ⚠️ Concerns from Singapore Businesses   - Price competition: Pressure in groceries, pharmacy, beauty – where JB prices are lower  - Barriers to adapt: Manpower shortages, compliance costs, and operational expenses make it hard to differentiate beyond price  - SME worries: Smaller firms fear falling behind larger players in adjusting quickly        ✅ Way Forward   - Differentiation: Focus on service quality, unique experiences, and premium offerings instead of price matching  - Calls for support: More manpower flexibility, cost relief, and help to adopt new business models over 3–5 years  - Collaboration: Industry groups, landlords, tourism bodies, and government to work together to capture cross-border opportunities        Source: https://str.sg/bdzQ | SBF/RAS/SRA Joint Study

Crap and injury prone   Will be Mount’s treatment room buddy    I hope for a surprise

♻️ Why do S'poreans seem averse to the new Beverage Container Return Scheme? When our writer tested it out, it took 2 weeks for him to get a S$0.10 refund after facing an error. See how it went: ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aVj0Ko Follow us @mothershipsg   📌 Why many Singaporeans are wary of the new Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS)   Launched Apr 1, 2026, the scheme offers a S$0.10 refund for eligible plastic/aluminium drink containers, but widespread confusion and friction have turned people off:   🔍 Core sources of frustration   1. Eligibility chaos   - Only containers with the official BCRS logo qualify — other recycling labels don’t count . In the first months, marked bottles were scarce as retailers cleared old stock; many found just 1 out of 10 containers they brought was eligible. - Manufacturers/importers pay S$0.10 per unit into the scheme, passed to consumers at checkout — no logo means no deposit paid, so no refund . - Transition period runs until Sep 30, 2026; after that all regulated containers must carry the logo .   2. Cumbersome & unreliable process   - Machines sometimes reject eligible containers due to unreadable barcodes, technical glitches, or insertion errors. - Getting a refund for failed transactions takes ~2 weeks and requires emails plus sharing bank details — disproportionate effort for S$0.10 . - UI is not intuitive; caps are not required, rinsing is encouraged but not mandatory .   3. Digital barriers & inconvenience   - Refunds only via PayLah!, EZ-Link/SimplyGo — no cash or PayNow options, hard for seniors or non-tech-savvy users. - Many struggle to locate eligible containers and machines; people also have to make special trips instead of recycling at hawker centres or eateries . - If you peel off the wrapper where the logo is printed, you lose the refund .   4. Other irritants   - Some were wrongly charged the deposit on non-eligible items or even food orders. - Perception that the hassle outweighs the small reward, and doubts about whether the scheme is truly worth the effort.   📢 Official response   BCRS Ltd says they treat every issue as a chance to improve, and asks users with problems to email [email protected] with machine location, date/time, and details for faster checks .   The scheme aims to cut waste and extend Semakau Landfill’s lifespan, but needs smoother design and clearer communication to win people over .