BEACA =D: BRUNEI TRANSPORTATION

across from our house, waiting for the bus

Stage 1.

Unlike most students, I do not use transport to get to school and instead I walk because I live in the Female Hostels but to be honest I would take a car if I could. It's just too hot! Coming from my house in Kota Batu it took me about 25 minutes by personal transport and by bus 22 (from Bandar) it takes about an hour on top of the 1-30 minutes I wait in order to take the bus from our house in Kampung Kota Batu to Bandar Seri Begawan because from BSB, the bus stops at Terrace Hotel, Kiulap, Pasar Gadong, Biro Kawalan Narkotik, Jalan Tungku, De Rimba store, Kampong Rimba, Perpindahan Rimba, and finally to UBD. This is officially, but in reality, people are pretty much dropped wherever they want to be; their houses, side of the highway- whatever the passenger wants.

Stage 2.

There and back (the bus calculation may be off by about 2 miles but because of the grography of Brunei, with the airport between the two destinations, it impossible that the bus return quickely form UBD to BSB. In fact, from UBD, it stops at EMpire and a number of other destinations. I wasn't able to calculate closely

Mode of Transport	Distance Traveled	Time Taken	Fuel Used	MOney Spent	CO2 Emissions
Bus	App. 17miles x2 = 34	varies 1-1 1/2 hr.x2= 3 hr.	App. 1 gallon X2= 2	2 x2= $4.00	.01 tonnesx2= .02
Car medium honda	App. 13 miles x2= 26	about 25 min x2=50 min.	App. .528 gals X2= 1.056	1x2=$2.00	.006 tonnes x2= .012

In one week ( 4 days of 7 )

Mode of Transport	Distance Traveled	Time Taken	Fuel Used	MOney Spent	CO2 Emissions
Bus	136 miles	12 hours	8 gallons	$16.00	.08 tonnes
Car medium honda	104	200 min	4.22 gallons	$8.00	.048 tonnes

How much I would Save in terms of

fuel	money	CO2
-3.78	- $8.00 gallons	-0.032

.. I would be spending more in each aspect

one direction

Mode of Transport	Distance	Time	Fuel	Money spent	CO2 Emissions
Bike	13 miles	way too long and dangerous	n/a	n/a	0
Car	app 13 miles	25 minutes	.528 gallons	1	.048
Bus	app 17 miles	1.5 hours	1 gallon	2	.08

In planning a journey, it is very important to use a map and ask people as they both play significant roles in transportation. I used Google Map, and two documents I retrieved form the International Student Office when I had asked about transportation in the past.

Suggestion:

I suggest having government owned buses that run on hydro electricity. With Brunei having access to the SOuth CHina Sea, I'm sure something can be worked out in the creation of a hydroelectic plant.

To the Land Transport Department, I would suggest having more reliable bus schedules. Sometimes people in areas such as UBD have to wait for multiple hours or have to wait outside the UBD gates for the bus to see them. Otherwise, the bus won't bother to enter the premises.

To UBD administration, I woudl dsiggest that buses be specifically routed on certain days for students staying at the hostels. This would allow students to work the bus into their schedules without the fruastration of wasted time of waiting for a bus that comes late, early, or never.

Date of Experience: January 22, 2010

Date Assigned, mid August, 2010

Venue of experience: Bus from Kota Batu to Bandar to UBD and back.

Purpose of experience: To realize the effects that different transportation has on your wallet and the environment.

What was the highlight if the experience?

Experience the transportation of Brunei from my home to UBD and calculate the expenditures in regards to the type of transportation, fuel prices, distance, CO2 emissions, and time.

What aspect caused you the most anxiety?

I was most anxious waiting for the bus because I was afraid I had missed it and because it was so hot outside, my brother and I had to take turns standing on the side of the street between Yacht CLub and out House. There weren't any signs to signify where we were supposed to stand. The bus just picked up anyone on the side of the road.

Was there any aspects of the experience that surprised you?

yes, I was surprised that it is less expensive for me to go by car instead of taking the bus. Because I would ahve to change buses and wait I usually end up taking a taxi. When calculating the time of 3 hours on a bus to get to and from school, the extra 14 dollars is worth not having to wait on the smelly bus with all the people staring at me. :/

What was the three most important things you learnt from the experience?

1. I should get a car if I am going to stay here longer

2.Many of my friends have never used the bus or had any desire or reason to; therefore, it is notdesigned for students, but instead for workers.

3. Planning ahead when using the bus is very important- especially when you dont speak the language.

Which aspects would you include in your future behavior from this experience?

I now would rather wait until my friends get offf work in the evening instead of taking the bus when it is supposedly making it's round to UBD because standing in the sun is too hot and if I would like to look presentable (which i usually would) then this is not the ideal transport. If I can help it, I will never ride the bus again.