Bring in foreign cabbies
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I can't believe you guys are wasting your breath on a joke.
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Now the tourists are also complaining....time for the Singapore government to stop protecting the lazy local cabbies and bring in foreigners!
Singapore cabbies puzzle HK visitor
THE taxi situation in Singapore has reached another low point.
Admittedly, I am spoilt by Hong Kong, where all you need to do is raise your arm and a taxi would stop and the door open, rarely beyond a two-minute wait.
And this is regardless of where you hail a cab.
With the cabbies, it is customer satisfaction first, even if they do not comply with traffic regulations all the time.
In Singapore, not only did I find myself in endless queues on my recent visit, but taxi drivers also kept stopping to ask would-be passengers where they were headed. They would then shake their head and drive off.
Do cabbies take on passengers only if the route is convenient to them?
Who is the customer and who is the one who is supposed to provide a service?
In no other city I know of can a taxi driver reject a customer based on his destination.
I could only shake my head in disbelief.
Michael Gleissner
Hong Kong
Straits Times, 29 June -
Time you wake up to the new reality...get yourself a tibo if you haven't seen the new generation of GPS systems..voice instructions will direct you to your destination, even if you are as dense as you appear to be.Originally posted by Poolman:Hello , u got take taxi or not ?
The system GPS now never will tell u which road to use la , wake up !
Navigation ... for instructions ...
C-ocky people like u deserve to wait 1 hour for a taxi , i only serve those who deserve more , and willing to pay more ..... that's what taxi is all about , right ?
It's a luxury .... want to use luxury , dun wan to pay ?
U stay Singapore how long ? 3 years ? Singapore where got so good one ? Wake up !
Today's forum , LTA reply , it's all about Market Forces ....
They just can't increase the fare just for the sake of increasing the fare ....
There is more consideration to be done .
Anyway ..... OM can go dream on about this issue ..... join the Worker's Party lor .... PAP won't do that anyway ..... over my dead body lor ....
Hahahahaha....... why don't u drive a taxi for a day , and see whether Singapore really need foreigners ..... to mess our road system up ! Hahahaha....
Have a life ..... stop dreaming over this issue , have a life for god's sake , u're possessed , hahhahhahaha
Haha...whose votes do you think the government needs more? From ungrateful cabbies who rant incessantly against the government? Why should the government protect the livelihood for this bunch of lazy losers? Local cabbies need to starve a little and see what foreign cabbies can and are willing to do. -
Technology has improved a great deal and one big advantage is, unlike dishonest cab drivers, technology does not set itself out to deceive.Originally posted by mancha:GPS = Global Positioning System
It will just show a dot, or star on the digital map indicating where you are.
As for indicating the route to a destination, a separate localised software is needed. The software can be developed to show the shortest distance, the shortest time, or the cheapest fare from Point A to Point B. At the moment such a software can be seen in TV dramas/movies only. Although a prototype have been developed in Europe, it is more a distraction to driving than a helpful navigation equiptment. It don't always work accurately.
Even the GPS sometimes fails. -
Technology does not deceive, but the driver still operates the cab.
FYI, TiBo is old news.
I assume you have not been to CommunicAsia 2007. -
Why don't you ask Poolman how much income he gets a month? That payslip comes from the horses' mouth...Poolman will probably say it will be a very poor cabby who only earns 1,200 a month. Not a comfortable amount to get by? Plenty of foreign workers get by with half that amount....that's why if we allow foreign workers to drive cabs, we will solve the problem of driver shortage WITHOUT having to raise fares. Foreign cabbies are more hungry than local ones.Originally posted by Kuali Baba:I won't ask where you plucked that payslip from, but surely you can't claim that to be a comfortable amount to get by with.
By all means employ the foreign drivers since they don't have a family here. Now tell me where you plan to have those local drivers get put out of work employed?
What's stopping taxi companies from raising their fares again, citing the cost of installing and maintaining on-board navigation systems?
And you still haven't addressed my point about tired drivers being road hazards. When your eyes and ears are not truly on the ground here and observing it's easy for you to dismiss people as 'spoilt'.
Local drivers will have to work harder not to be put out of a job. Everyone faces global competition...the local radiologist who cannot compete with the ones in Bangalore will lose his job..period. If you cannot compete, you are out. Too bad....
Taxi companies will not need to raise fares to attract drivers who want a higher monthly wage. If our foreign cabbies become spoilt like local ones and demand to earn at least 2k a month before they will drive, sack them! There are plenty more foreign drivers overseas all too willing to take their places. GPS is a one-time cost which is easily recovered. You can raise rental fees for cabbies and foreigners will still want to be cab drivers. Getting 1k a month in air-conditioned comfort is better than working for $600-800 a month in the sun. The higher the rental charges, the harder the cabbie must work to earn his monthly income. Local drivers refuse to drive in those circumstances...I am saying that foreigners who have a worse deal currently are more than willing to step in....let them!
Tired drivers being hazards? What about tired doctors and civil servants? If you cannot take the pressure, you are out. In any case, the shift system limits the number of hours a cab driver is on the road. I would require all cab drivers to go on shifts of 8 hours...everyone will have the same number of shifts during the peak hours and the midnight shift with few passengers. This will force them to get every single fare during their shift. If they don't succed, they canbnot compete and they are out. Let those who can remain.
With foreign cabbies, there is never a shortage of drivers. -
Since some people have not even heard of GPS systems that give directions, old news is sufficient for him. We do not want to give him a heart attack with the latest technology now, do we?Originally posted by LazerLordz:Technology does not deceive, but the driver still operates the cab.
FYI, TiBo is old news. I assume you have not been to CommunicAsia 2007. -
For the technologically challenged at the bottom of the well:
"Europe : Orange Business Services launched a new GPS navigation application to be downloaded on to a range of mobile devices - including smartphones and PDAs from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, BlackBerry™ and Orange - providing its business customers with a real-time, cost effective solution.
Powered by Webraska, a leading provider of GPS navigation solutions, Sat-Nav from Orange can be used when walking, cycling or driving. Rather than having a specific device just for this application, Sat-Nav from Orange works on a range of mobile devices making it a cost effective business investment. All maps and live traffic updates are held on a central server and are downloadable from the internet via Wifi, 3G, GPRS or the Orange EDGE network onto the mobile device. This saves precious memory space and ensures that maps and points of interest are always up to date.
Sat-Nav allows users to save time, fuel and money by working out the most efficient route to a destination. According to navigational analyst Canalys "The mobile GPS navigation market is doubling year on year in EMEA. By the end of the year 14 million Sat Nav units will have been sold in the UK of which around 1 million will be on smartphone devices." Sat-Nav on mobile devices means that users are free from the constraints of having a fixed device. Users can switch modes of transports, whether it is pool, hire or their own cars and can even get directions when walking.
"Using Sat-Nav on your mobile means businesses can save time and money. It is easy to use and enables businesses to streamline the number of devices they have to purchase and manage" said Gareth Williams, Group Manager Solution Products, Orange Business Services. "The location based service market is currently around £55m and estimated to double by 2009 according to the Yankee Group. Orange is well placed to capitalise on this opportunity through our brand, channel reach, customer service and understanding of how applications work in a mobile environment."
The application is quick and easy to install on a number of mobile devices and once installed, it is easy to download routes. The detailed maps from NAVTEQ are stored on Webraska's servers and hold information on hotels, restaurants, parking and other useful points of interest as well as speed cameras and live traffic information. The maps are updated every three months and therefore more up to date than standard Sat-Nav devices for which users need to buy new maps on an annual basis.
Once each route has been downloaded, Sat-Nav from Orange provides GPS-triggered real-time, turn by turn voice instructions, clear maps with road names and pictograms of turns, which provide accurate directions, even in the most built up areas. Favourite routes can be saved to mobile devices. The real-time road traffic information allows routes to be optimised according to traffic conditions and enables automatic re-routing should traffic conditions become challenging.
Jean-Michel Durocher, Founder and EVP of Webraska, said "Working together, Webraska and Orange have produced an application that can help you get to wherever you need to be, by the best possible route, whether you are in your car, walking or on a bike. It offers all the benefits of a traditional Sat-Nav unit with real-time access to new maps and the latest information whilst eliminating the need for expensive and bulky hardware equipment."
Pricing & Availability
Sat Nav from Orange is priced at £150 excluding VAT. This includes the software license, a GPS receiver with in-car charger and a car windshield or fan grid for the mobile device. The download of journey routes will be charged at standard pay as you use data rates.
Real time traffic information is available for an additional annual charge of £27.59 excluding VAT. Maps for all of Europe are also available for an additional annual charge of £27.59 excluding VAT.
Sat Nav from Orange is available on a wide range of devices and five different operating systems . In terms of coverage the application includes mapping for the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands as standard, and easily extended to all of Europe. Service and availability are subject to terms and conditions. Further details can be viewed at www.orange.co.uk/business/satnav and the application is also available from Orange's SME applications showcase - an online portal that delivers easy-to-use business tools for small business customers to help them manage every element of their business - for further details visit www.orange-applications.com."
(http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Nov2006/3983.htm) -
Maybe we should bring the fight to Speaker's Corner. The guys over there are more prepared to do battle with barking dogs.Originally posted by Poolman:Volvo , think we should not waste time on this topic ...... have a nice day , close it !!! -
Why not replace the whole government, civil service, bankers with equally capable people from other countries.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Why don't you ask Poolman how much income he gets a month? That payslip comes from the horses' mouth...Poolman will probably say it will be a very poor cabby who only earns 1,200 a month. Not a comfortable amount to get by? Plenty of foreign workers get by with half that amount....that's why if we allow foreign workers to drive cabs, we will solve the problem of driver shortage WITHOUT having to raise fares. Foreign cabbies are more hungry than local ones.
Local drivers will have to work harder not to be put out of a job. Everyone faces global competition...the local radiologist who cannot compete with the ones in Bangalore will lose his job..period. If you cannot compete, you are out. Too bad....
Taxi companies will not need to raise fares to attract drivers who want a higher monthly wage. If our foreign cabbies become spoilt like local ones and demand to earn at least 2k a month before they will drive, sack them! There are plenty more foreign drivers overseas all too willing to take their places. GPS is a one-time cost which is easily recovered. You can raise rental fees for cabbies and foreigners will still want to be cab drivers. Getting 1k a month in air-conditioned comfort is better than working for $600-800 a month in the sun. The higher the rental charges, the harder the cabbie must work to earn his monthly income. Local drivers refuse to drive in those circumstances...I am saying that foreigners who have a worse deal currently are more than willing to step in....let them!
Tired drivers being hazards? What about tired doctors and civil servants? If you cannot take the pressure, you are out. In any case, the shift system limits the number of hours a cab driver is on the road. I would require all cab drivers to go on shifts of 8 hours...everyone will have the same number of shifts during the peak hours and the midnight shift with few passengers. This will force them to get every single fare during their shift. If they don't succed, they canbnot compete and they are out. Let those who can remain.
With foreign cabbies, there is never a shortage of drivers.
Replace our engineers with engineers from China, replace our architects with Thai architects, replace our IT guys with those from India!
With foreign legions, there will never be a shortage of manpower, but a shortage of jobs! -
Replace the PAP with the Canberra ALP. By doing so, we will be guaranteed our share of civil liberties.Originally posted by bigmouthjoe:Why not replace the whole government, civil service, bankers with equally capable people from other countries.
Replace our engineers with engineers from China, replace our architects with Thai architects, replace our IT guys with those from India!
With foreign legions, there will never be a shortage of manpower, but a shortage of jobs! -
Hello .... go ComfortDelgro and asked how their GPS works , just asked them :" Does your instal GPS system tells u the shortest route to a destination ? "Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Time you wake up to the new reality...get yourself a tibo if you haven't seen the new generation of GPS systems..voice instructions will direct you to your destination, even if you are as dense as you appear to be.
Haha...whose votes do you think the government needs more? From ungrateful cabbies who rant incessantly against the government? Why should the government protect the livelihood for this bunch of lazy losers? Local cabbies need to starve a little and see what foreign cabbies can and are willing to do.
Go and asked before u bark like a mad-dog .....
U cut-a-paste an atricle from UK , yes GPS efficient , but shortest ? I had doubts ....
GPS will never be able to tell a driver the shortest route from a Point A to Point B ......
Like " Suntec to Queensway SC " ..... ComfortDelgro GPS system will not tell u : " Go by AYE , AYE exit Portsdown Road , then turn right at Queensway Sc , stop at taxi stand ! "
Does they do it ?
I chop off my c-ck if the system does so .... hahahaha...
I doubt those foreigners like u also dunno where's portsdown road , so save my breathe explaining ..... -
My customers who pay $4 extra to get me they are always happy with our service ..... cos their company paid for their taxi trips ..... they called , i got there in 5 minutes ..... my customers never complains ....
Cos whatever taxi-fare they used , PAP Goverment give them tax-deduction .... base on transport allowances for employees .... that's what is all about .
So if those companies don't used this Corporate tax deduction facilities , i think they are stupid .
So if ComofrtDelgro's group of customers are corporate base customers during rush hours , and if they're satisfied , Comfortdelgro is satisfied , drivers is satisfield , the rest no need to say liao .....
As for non-corporate customers , like those who shout like mad-dogs , who wrote to St Forum , who are unhappy , who are no willing to pay more , who don't under the theory of Supply & Demand , etc ..... then they have to wait a bit longer at the taxi stand , cos foreigners will not be driving our Singapore taxis , just in case kia-su Singaporean will complain of the in-efficient taxi service again .... complaints will never stop .
Aiyo , what's the hoo-haa ............ hahahahaha , those who want Foreign drivers , sleep a bit longer ..so u can dream more of these ... hahahahahah -
sorry i couldn't log-on with my usual Poolman id , so i using my alternatives Merseyreds id ..... funny still cannot log-in ..... think i forgotten my password ... still waiting for Sgforums reply for a password .
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Of course the foreign worker can get by on $600 since his dependants are not here. I'd like to see you support a family of 4 with just $1200 every month. Of course the company is not a charity and only the bottomline matters to hardliners like you - now where do you suggest the Gov't should put these newly unemployed people, Mr Burns?
Tired doctors and civil servants can head to the canteen downstairs for a break without losing money. A tired driver though is putting his life, the lives of his passengers, the lives of other road users and the vehicle he uses to earn money at risk.
And for your information, we had a forum outing just a couple of days ago, and we didn't have problems getting taxis at 11.20 p.m.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Why don't you ask Poolman how much income he gets a month? That payslip comes from the horses' mouth...Poolman will probably say it will be a very poor cabby who only earns 1,200 a month. Not a comfortable amount to get by? Plenty of foreign workers get by with half that amount....that's why if we allow foreign workers to drive cabs, we will solve the problem of driver shortage WITHOUT having to raise fares. Foreign cabbies are more hungry than local ones.
Local drivers will have to work harder not to be put out of a job. Everyone faces global competition...the local radiologist who cannot compete with the ones in Bangalore will lose his job..period. If you cannot compete, you are out. Too bad....
Taxi companies will not need to raise fares to attract drivers who want a higher monthly wage. If our foreign cabbies become spoilt like local ones and demand to earn at least 2k a month before they will drive, sack them! There are plenty more foreign drivers overseas all too willing to take their places. GPS is a one-time cost which is easily recovered. You can raise rental fees for cabbies and foreigners will still want to be cab drivers. Getting 1k a month in air-conditioned comfort is better than working for $600-800 a month in the sun. The higher the rental charges, the harder the cabbie must work to earn his monthly income. Local drivers refuse to drive in those circumstances...I am saying that foreigners who have a worse deal currently are more than willing to step in....let them!
Tired drivers being hazards? What about tired doctors and civil servants? If you cannot take the pressure, you are out. In any case, the shift system limits the number of hours a cab driver is on the road. I would require all cab drivers to go on shifts of 8 hours...everyone will have the same number of shifts during the peak hours and the midnight shift with few passengers. This will force them to get every single fare during their shift. If they don't succed, they canbnot compete and they are out. Let those who can remain.
With foreign cabbies, there is never a shortage of drivers. -
Check the junk mail folder.Originally posted by MerseyReds:sorry i couldn't log-on with my usual Poolman id , so i using my alternatives Merseyreds id ..... funny still cannot log-in ..... think i forgotten my password ... still waiting for Sgforums reply for a password . -
Do you have one in the first place?Originally posted by MerseyReds:I chop off my c-ck if the system does so .... hahahaha...
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If you cannot compete, you either upgrade your skills, work harder than everyone else or leave. Poolman says you have to pay first world taxi fares in a first world country. And I am saying that if you cannot compete in a first world country then you should go elsewhere.Originally posted by Kuali Baba:Of course the foreign worker can get by on $600 since his dependants are not here. I'd like to see you support a family of 4 with just $1200 every month. Of course the company is not a charity and only the bottomline matters to hardliners like you - now where do you suggest the Gov't should put these newly unemployed people, Mr Burns?
Tired doctors and civil servants can head to the canteen downstairs for a break without losing money. A tired driver though is putting his life, the lives of his passengers, the lives of other road users and the vehicle he uses to earn money at risk.
And for your information, we had a forum outing just a couple of days ago, and we didn't have problems getting taxis at 11.20 p.m.
Foreign workers not only can afford to live on their $600 monthly salary but are able to send money home. The Straits Times ran a recent story about the Chinese pipe layer who took a job of $600 a month in a Singapore shipyard, worked hard over weekends and did all the overtimes he could, finally got promted to a supervisor and now earns 3k a month, owns a HDB flat and has brought his wife and children to Singapore. He is the kind of Singaporeans we need.
If local drivers cannot handle the stress, let foreigners show them they can do better! -
How typical of youOriginally posted by iveco:Maybe we should bring the fight to Speaker's Corner. The guys over there are more prepared to do battle with barking dogs. Supporters of Opposition parties are great at vulgarities and insults, but short on substance. No wonder they can never win the election, at least not unless we degenerate into a nation of hooligans. -
Keep putting your head in the sand...policies can be reversed overnight in Singapore. Sooner or later, the ruling party will realize most local cab drivers do not vote fo rthem anyway. No point protecting this bunch of ungrateful losers...the reputation of Singapore as a tourist destination is more important.Originally posted by MerseyReds:As for non-corporate customers , like those who shout like mad-dogs , who wrote to St Forum , who are unhappy , who are no willing to pay more , who don't under the theory of Supply & Demand , etc ..... then they have to wait a bit longer at the taxi stand , cos foreigners will not be driving our Singapore taxis , just in case kia-su Singaporean will complain of the in-efficient taxi service again .... complaints will never stop .
Aiyo , what's the hoo-haa ............ hahahahaha , those who want Foreign drivers , sleep a bit longer ..so u can dream more of these ... hahahahahah -
Are people like the quoted example the norm or the exception? Not everyone in his shoes comes here with the of making as much money as they can. Only a few have that much hunger, and the rest aim to earn enough to live life more comfortably than previously. And if they can get by on less, what's going to prompt them to work harder than necessary, or compared to the existing batch of taxi drivers?
You still haven't adequately addressed my earlier arguments. And what's Plan B if it doesn't go according to plan (id est, little improvement for commuters, and plenty of unemployed local drivers)?
Time will tell whether your suggestion gets implemented. I've said enough to challenge your ruthless ideas and will say no futher unless necessary. It was never about convincing you to change your point of view. I'm letting other readers judge for themselves.
Originally posted by oxford mushroom:If you cannot compete, you either upgrade your skills, work harder than everyone else or leave. Poolman says you have to pay first world taxi fares in a first world country. And I am saying that if you cannot compete in a first world country then you should go elsewhere.
Foreign workers not only can afford to live on their $600 monthly salary but are able to send money home. The Straits Times ran a recent story about the Chinese pipe layer who took a job of $600 a month in a Singapore shipyard, worked hard over weekends and did all the overtimes he could, finally got promted to a supervisor and now earns 3k a month, owns a HDB flat and has brought his wife and children to Singapore. He is the kind of Singaporeans we need.
If local drivers cannot handle the stress, let foreigners show them they can do better! -
hey , ur view very irony leh ....Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Keep putting your head in the sand...policies can be reversed overnight in Singapore. Sooner or later, the ruling party will realize most local cab drivers do not vote fo rthem anyway. No point protecting this bunch of ungrateful losers...the reputation of Singapore as a tourist destination is more important.
if u want to put Tourism as priority in Singapore , the least u want to do is to employ someone who know nutz about Singapore to drive a cab , it will totally tarnish the image of Singapore Tourism Industries .
even idiot like u also cannot tell me how to go to the Summit from wlands , u expect those foreigner drivers to bring the guests to the correct hotels from airport ?
Even some cabbies can't tell me where's Scarlet Hotel , i doubt idiot like u can't tell me where's Scarlet Hotel , we are talking not just about hotels ....
Tourist came to Singapore for our history ...... u expect foreigners to tell them about our history ? I can even doubt u know when is the year the Japanese surrender Singapore to the Brits .... u think those Malaysians and Indionesia can manage that ?
we have commercial buildings , i guessed u work in town , but i can guarantee u can't tell me where Hong Leong Centre ! Many had told me it's next to the Lau Pat Sat , wrong !!! That's Hong Leong Building ....
Some people doesn't need to be tested to be recognised as a idiot ... u are one of them .
Hahahahah , always talk like real only ....
If dunno , better don't embarass urself by thinking u know everything about taxi driving.
Shhhhhhhhhh , just shut up .
Go and sleep longer , so ur dreams can be schieved ! -
I also will doubt taxi companies would like foreigners will take up taxi driving ..... maybe PR who had stay in Singapore for more than 3 years , maybe , not for employment workers similiar to construction workers .
PR ...... why would they want to drive a taxi if they already qualified as FT ? Who is at least a Degree holder , unless they lose a job ....
Many complications ....
Which insurance company would want to absorb a foreigner driver's insurance policy ? They are surely has got a higher premium , who paying the increase ?
Traffic offenses ? Bill to who ? They don't even have a decent mailing address , unlike local , we have a place called "HOME" .... u cannot find me in my cab , but surely u will find me at 'HOME" !
Car park offense ?
Medical ? Cabbies never have medical benefit , if the foreigner sicko , who solving their medical bills ?
Rental collections ? How if they run away with all those cash ? Goes hiding without a recognised home adress , unlike local drivers ?
Molest ( or rape ) and run ...... we cannot discount the possibilty ... police go where catch ? They can be a Malaysian , and flee off back to JB ...forever !
Murder ? Thumbs print ? They don't even have a thumb print record in our ICA records ....
Language .....
Hotels knowledge ....
Housing area knowledge .....
Private / D1 housing estates ....
Commercial buildings knowledge ...
Tourist attractions .....
Brothel ......
Disco and PUBS ......
Resturant and bars / wine bars .....
Government offices ....
Make them go and study by hard ... they will die c-ock stand .
Let alone simple routes of Singapore .
Who think they know 80% of everything i listed above in red ? -
In my syallabus , in taxi course , we have to know ....
21 bus interchage .....
24 bus terminals ....
9 bus depot ....
14 camping & adventure sites ....
24 cemetaries ....
9 columbarium ....
5 crematorium ....
100+ country clubs .....
100+ community centres ...
200+ primary schools...
200+ secondary schools ....
20+ poly and JC ....
10+ ITE ....
SMU , NUS , NTU ....
20 fire stations .....
225 hotels and motels
21 libraries
80 industrail estate excluding Tuas Mega industrial estates
MRT stations ?
LRT stations ?
Plces fo interest ?
Temples ?
Church ?
Mosque ?
Polce stations ?
Have i touch on commercial buildings ?
Yes , u need to know all this ..... just 50% will do
U think a Bangala can manage that ?
Unless they are like me , who has been driving in Spore for the last 10 years . -
One of my test ..... oral test ....
My instructor asked me how to go from Choa Chu Kang to Airport T1 ....
I failed although i got the correct expressways , why ?
I missed out on those flyovers !!!
Correct answer : "From lot-1 , to CCK Ave 4 , then to CCK drive , then into slip road into CCK flyover , then KJE , then slip road into Gali Batu Flyover , then BKE , then into slip road into Turf Club flyover , into SLE .....
SLE slip road into Yio Chu Kang flyover , into TPE .....
Along the way , we will move past Punggol flyover , then Sengkang flyover , then Pasir Ris flyover ...etc ...
Difficult ? This is how i was trained , u think those foreigners can manage that by hard ?
I don't think so .....
I passed but many failed that year 2002 !!!