SINGAPORE

The unemployed odd job worker says he doesn’t go there to gamble at the casino; he doesn’t dare to. He takes the free shuttle bus service provided by the integrated resort to and from several heartland estates.

He spends only a couple of dollars each visit. Sometimes, he heads to Palawan Beach, where he buys a cup of kopi and some hot water to cook his instant noodles.

In the five days that this reporter took the free shuttle buses, I met Mr Foo five times. Asked why he spent so much time hanging out at the glitzy IR — whose attractions, eateries, shops and casino seemed beyond his ability to afford — the 46-year old said in Mandarin: “It’s very quiet. I can reflect on things, such as what kind of work I can find today. The bus is also free.”

Since the IR launched the free shuttles in June, hundreds of passengers — gamblers and non-gamblers alike — have been taking the buses to and from the Singapore heartlands every day.

Buses that run daily from 10am, at half-hourly or hourly intervals, service Tiong Bahru, Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Jurong East, Tampines, Choa Chu Kang/Bukit Panjang and Bedok.