Singapore air quality site and why another one?

Let’s be honest - Singapore isn't short on places to check the haze or PSI. Between official portals and various weather apps, the data is definitely out there.

So why build another one?

Because mainstream either focus heavily on 24-hour averages (which don't tell you what the air is like right now) or drown you in cluttered tables and complex charts. When you're deciding whether to go for a run in 10 minutes or keep the windows open for the afternoon, you need immediate, actionable details.

That’s why I created airquality.hongjun.sg.

Here is what makes it different and why it might earn a bookmark from you:

1. 1-Hour PM2.5 & PSI Readings (What's happening right now)

A 24-hour average can look totally safe even if a sudden cloud of haze or localized burning just rolled in an hour ago. My site highlights 1-hour readings front and center, so you get an accurate, real-time snapshot of the air you’re breathing at this exact moment.

2. Trends for the Day

Air quality fluctuates throughout the day. Instead of just giving you a single frozen number, the dashboard shows you day trends. You can quickly see whether conditions are improving, staying steady, or worsening over the course of the day.

3. Fast, Clean & Zero Clutter

No heavy ads, no unnecessary menus, and no lag. It's lightweight and optimized for quick checking on your phone while walking out the door.

Give it a try

Whether you're planning your outdoor workouts, keeping an eye out for haze season, or just prefer a cleaner dashboard:

👉 Check it out at airquality.hongjun.sg.

Good News for North-East Commuters: Free Early Morning Off-Peak Rides Extended!

If you live in the North-East and commute early, your daily transit routine just got a whole lot sweeter. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced that residents in the North-East can continue to enjoy free morning off-peak rides on the North East Line (NEL) and Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT).

This programme is now extended till 26 December 2027.

How It Works

All you have to do is tap and go (no registration required):

• Where: Tap in at any NEL station (from Punggol Coast to Kovan) or any station on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT).
• When: On weekdays (excluding public holidays), tap in either:
• Before 7:30 AM, or
• Between 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM.

The waiver applies to the first train trip of your morning journey.

Singapore Bus Arrival Timing: Never Miss Your Bus Again: Introducing Bus Arrival Alerts!

Ever looked up from your phone, realized your bus was pulling away, and had to sprint like you were running the 2.4km NAPFA test?

We are putting an end to the awkward bus-stop sprint once and for all.

Say Hello to Bus Arrival Alerts

Our latest update introduces a feature designed specifically for the easily distracted (aka all of us): Bus Arrival Alerts.

Instead of constantly refreshing the app or staring down the road, you can now set a live ping to nudge you right before your bus reaches the stop.

How It Works

Find Your Bus: Open the app and search for your current bus stop as usual.

Tap the Bell: Look for the brand-new 🔔 bell icon next to your bus service number.

Get Pinged: Go back to your reading, messaging, or video scrolling. We will send a notification straight to your phone when your bus is 2 minutes away.

One Quick Thing Before You Go...

To make sure our alerts reach you, please check that system notifications are enabled for the app in your phone's Settings. If your notifications are muted, we won't be able to give you that crucial heads-up!

Update your app today, tap the bell, and enjoy a much smoother daily commute.

Download [ Singapore Bus Arrival Timing ] from Google Play now!

P.S. If you prefer a web app instead, you may want to try Singapore Bus Arrival [ https://singaporebus.hongjun.sg/ ] too.

Navigating Singapore Made Easier: The Singapore Bus Arrival Companion

For anyone living in or visiting Singapore, mastering the public transport system is a rite of passage. While the MRT is efficient, the extensive bus network is the true lifeblood of the city, reaching into every corner of the heartlands.

However, we have all been there: standing at a bus stop, humidity at 90%, wondering if my bus is two minutes away or twenty. I am excited to share the Singapore Bus Arrival Web App, the perfect companion to the Singapore Bus Arrival app on Google Play.

If you find the web app useful, you will love the convenience of having it natively on your Android device. The Singapore Bus Arrival app on Google Play includes location-based features that automatically show you the stops closest to you, making your daily commute even smoother.

Check out the tools today:

• On the Web: Singapore Bus Arrival Web
• On Google Play: Download the Android App

Introducing the Singapore NRIC / FIN Utility (Generator and Validator)

For developers, data analysts, and QA engineers working within the Singaporean digital ecosystem, handling NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) and FIN (Foreign Identification Number) data is a common task. Ensuring that input data follows the correct checksum logic is vital for maintaining data integrity and providing a smooth user experience.

This web-based tool is designed to simplify the validation and generation of identification numbers through a clean, functional interface.

Key Capabilities:

• Bulk Generation for Testing: Need dummy data for a database migration or a software stress test? The utility can generate valid identification numbers across various series (S, T, F, G, and M) instantly.
• Instant Validation: Quickly verify if a specific NRIC or FIN is syntactically correct. The tool applies the weighted checksum algorithm used by Singaporean authorities to ensure the prefix and suffix match the numeric sequence.
• Smart Suggestions: The tool predicts the remaining digits and the final checksum letter based on the series (S, T, F, G, or M).

Try it out here: Singapore NRIC/FIN Utility

Is this a prelude to plastic bag charge to increase to 10 cents?

Despite the implementation of a mandatory plastic bag charge in local supermarkets in July 2023, recent data reveals that consumers still purchased over 119 million disposable plastic bags in 2024. Interestingly, while approximately 70% of shoppers now bring their own reusable bags to save money and protect the environment, the report notes that overall usage rates have remained relatively flat or even increased slightly. This creates a puzzling contradiction: if the vast majority are switching to reusables, why hasn't there been a significant drop in plastic bag consumption?

To further discourage usage, experts suggest that authorities may need to increase the current five-cent fee to ten cents or introduce more robust reward systems.

Is this news or study a prelude to a mandatory plastic bag charge increase to 10 cents?

 

Recursively List All Files with PowerShell

If you are working with PowerShell and need a fast way to list all files in a directory, including those buried in subfolders, this one-liner will work:

Get-ChildItem -Path . -Recurse -File | Select-Object FullName

This script performs a recursive search starting from the current directory (.), finds all files (excluding folders), and outputs their full paths.

PowerShell Tip: Bulk Appending File Extensions with One-Liner Magic

Ever found yourself staring at a folder full of files and wishing you could batch append them all with a .txt suffix? PowerShell makes this delightfully simple with a one-liner:

Get-ChildItem -File | Rename-Item -NewName {$_.Name + '.txt'}

To expand further to include files in all sub folders, use below instead.

Get-ChildItem -File -Recurse | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.Name + '.txt' }

If you wish to rollback what you just did, use the following:

Get-ChildItem -Path . -Recurse -File -Filter "*.txt" | ForEach-Object {
    $newName = [System.IO.Path]::GetFileNameWithoutExtension($_.Name)
    Rename-Item -Path $_.FullName -NewName $newName
}

Feel free to replace the txt with a different one based on your needs!

LTA's Official MRT Map Feb 2025 - With Hume Station

Singapore's Land Transport Authority has just released an updated official MRT map including one additional station on the Downtown Line i.e. Hume Station.

Copy directories recursively from source to destination

Robocopy, short for "Robust File Copy" is an advanced command-line utility included in Windows. It's designed to copy files and directories with more features and control than the basic copy commands. If you need to efficiently and reliably replicate a large number of files and folders, Robocopy is your go-to tool.

robocopy source dest /s /e

LTA's Official MRT Map Dec 2024

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority has just released an updated official MRT map including one additional station on the North East Line (NEL): Punggol Coast Line. Punggol Coast station will now be the terminating station replacing Punggol station.

Updated: Singapore Bus Arrival Timing

Get accurate and real-time bus arrival information for public bus operators in Singapore, including SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Go-Ahead Singapore, and Tower Transit. Our app provides you with up-to-date details on when the next bus will arrive at your stop, helping you plan your journey efficiently.

Key Features:

⏱️Real-Time Auto-Refresh: No more manual refresh! Your bus timings now auto-update every 30 seconds by default, ensuring you have the most current information at a glance.

🌙 Dark Mode: Easy on the eyes, day or night. Switch to our sleek new Dark Mode for a more comfortable viewing experience during early morning or late-night commutes.

⭐ Star Your Favourite Bus Stops: Save your favourite bus stops for quick access, and easily rearrange them by dragging starred items up or down.

⛯ Find Nearest Bus Stops: Discover bus stops within walking distance, making your commute even more convenient.

🔍 Search Functionality: Quickly locate bus stops by bus stop number, bus service number, or road name.

📍 Bus stops plotted on map: Tap on a bus service number and voilà, its route and stops appear like magic on the map.

🚇 View the full MRT/LRT Network Map right in the app.

🔔 Real-Time Alerts: Stay updated with real-time bus arrival notifications (triggered when your bus is 2 minutes away) and important train service advisories delivered via push notifications.

📷 Traffic Cameras for Expressways & Checkpoints: Now you can view real-time traffic conditions before you head out. Check the cameras to plan a smoother, stress-free journey.

⟳ Automatic Updates: Stay informed with regular automatic updates for bus services and routes. Customize the update interval on our Settings page to suit your needs.

🌏 Chinese (Simplified) 中文（简体）Language Support: We now support Chinese (Simplified), allowing you to navigate the app and view route information in your preferred language for a more localised experience.

Please note that we are an independent app and are not affiliated with the Singapore government, Land Transport Authority (LTA), SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Go-Ahead Singapore, or Tower Transit in any form.

Download [ Singapore Bus Arrival Timing ] from Google Play now!

P.S. If you prefer a web app instead, you may want to try Singapore Bus Arrival [ https://singaporebus.hongjun.sg/ ] too.

Singapore Bus Arrival Timing - Privacy Policy

Terms Of Use

By downloading or using the app, these terms will automatically apply to you - please read them carefully before proceeding.

We are providing this app for your personal use at no cost. However, the app itself, along with all trade marks, copyright, database rights, and other intellectual property rights associated with it, remains the property of hongjun.sg. Specifically, all content within the app, including images and videos, is owned by hongjun.sg and must not be reproduced in any form.

You should be aware that you may not distribute the app to others, nor are you permitted to copy, translate, or modify the app, any part thereof, or our trade marks in any manner. You are also prohibited from attempting to extract the app's source code.

We do not accept any liability for injuries, damage, or losses that may arise from your use of the app.

Privacy Policy

What information does the Application obtain and how is it used?

User Provided Information

Nil

Automatically Collected Information

Nil

Does the Application collect precise real time location information of the device?

Nil

Do third parties see and/or have access to information obtained by the Application?

Nil

Singapore Bus Arrival Timing [ Android App ]

LTA's Official MRT Map 2024 (Thomson-East Coast Line)

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority has just released an updated official MRT map including seven new stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL): Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park, Tanjong Katong, Marine Parade, Marine Terrace, Siglap, and Bayshore. It shows where the stations are and how they will connect to other MRT lines.

Useful openssl commands to generate certificates and keys

I hope the following will come handy when it comes to generating key pairs and certificates.

# Generate a Private Key
openssl genrsa -out privatekey.pem 2048

# Generate a self-signed certificate
openssl req -new -x509 -key privatekey.pem -out self_signed_certificate.pem -days 365

# Convert PEM certificate to CER format
openssl x509 -inform PEM -in self_signed_certificate.pem -outform DER -out self_signed_certificate.cer

# Convert a PEM certificate to a PFX (PKCS#12) file
openssl pkcs12 -export -out certificate.pfx -inkey privatekey.pem -in self_signed_certificate.pem

# Extract a private key from a PFX file (contain bag attributes)
# openssl pkcs12 -in certificate.pfx -nocerts -nodes -out privatekey_frompfx.pem
openssl pkcs12 -in certificate.pfx -nocerts -nodes -out privatekey_frompfx.key

# Extract a private key (no bag attributes) - identical to privatekey.pem
openssl rsa -in privatekey_frompfx.key -out privatekey_frompfx.key

# Extract public key from key pair
openssl rsa -in privatekey_frompfx.key -pubout -out publickey.key
#openssl rsa -in privatekey.pem -pubout -out publickey2.key

# Convert CER to CRT
openssl x509 -inform DER -in self_signed_certificate.cer -out self_signed_certificate.crt
#openssl x509 -inform PEM -in self_signed_certificate.cer -out self_signed_certificate.crt

# Convert CRT to CER
openssl x509 -in self_signed_certificate.crt -outform DER -out self_signed_certificate2.cer

#####
# Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) - optional if going to generate a self-signed
#openssl req -new -key privatekey.pem -out certificate_request.csr
#openssl x509 -req -in certificate_request.csr -signkey privatekey.pem -out self_signed_certificate3.crt

Oracle: Find out total number of records of all tables

An efficient method to find out the total record counts of all tables in an Oracle database.

select table_name,
  to_number(extractvalue(xmltype(dbms_xmlgen.getxml('select count(*) c from '||owner||'.'||table_name)),'/ROWSET/ROW/C')) as count
from all_tables
where owner = 'SchemaName';

Hope it helps.

MSSQL: Find out total number of records of all tables

An efficient method to find out the total record counts of all tables in a MSSQL database.

SELECT tbl.name, CAST(p.rows AS int) 'count', tbl.schema_id, SCHEMA_NAME(tbl.schema_id) schema_name
FROM
  sys.tables AS tbl
  INNER JOIN sys.indexes AS idx ON idx.object_id = tbl.object_id AND idx.index_id < 2
  INNER JOIN sys.partitions AS p ON p.object_id = CAST(tbl.object_id AS int) AND p.index_id = idx.index_id
--WHERE ((SCHEMA_NAME(tbl.schema_id) = 'dbo'))
ORDER BY 2 DESC

Hope it helps.

Kit Chan - Home (25th Anniversary Remake)

LTA's Official MRT Map 2023

The below is LTA's official MRT map that includes both current and future train network.

LTA's Official MRT Map 2022

The below is LTA's official MRT map that includes both current and future train network.