http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120317-0000066/Resilience-or-resignation?
Resilience or resignation?
Observers praise calm reaction to latest MRT disruption but some warn against accepting breakdowns as normal
by Tan Weizhen 04:45 AM Mar 17, 2012
SINGAPORE - In contrast to the events three months earlier, commuters' calm - and almost nonchalant - reactions to Thursday's massive disruption on the busiest stretch of SBS Transit's North East Line (NEL) have led some observers to laud the population's resilience in a crisis.
Others, however, warned of the pitfalls should Singaporeans come to accept less-than-perfect standards, in a country that prides itself on running like clockwork.
The train service breakdowns on Dec 15 and Dec 17 sparked widespread public dissatisfaction, with commuters then taking SMRT to task for the disruptions on the North South Line.
On Thursday, thanks to improved crisis management based on lessons learnt from the earlier incidents, the affected commuters, while frustrated, generally took the disruption in their stride.
Yesterday, some commuters turned up earlier than usual at the NEL stations - in case the trains broke down again.
In fact, as some affected commuters pointed out, it is no longer rare for the MRT trains to be hit by disruptions - just like in places such as London and New York.
Pioneer Member of Parliament Cedric Foo, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for transport, pointed out that a resilient population "is more capable of responding to crises, because we don't know what will happen to us in future". "Having said that, people should not become immune to such (incidents) as well," he said.
Joo Chiat MP Charles Chong added: "Although in some other countries, people think it is normal to experience train disruptions, Singaporeans should maintain high standards and expectations."
Transport experts stressed there is no reason - given the age of the MRT system here, as compared to those in other countries - for Singaporeans to accept train service disruptions as part and parcel of life. National University of Singapore professor Lee Der Horng said: "If the public is getting used to (such incidents), I don't think it is a good sign. The systems are supposed to be good and reliable, so we should instead look into the problem."
Give commuters more alternatives
With efforts underway to enhance the public transport system, the experts called for other additional measures such as a systematic review of the entire train system and direct bus routes from the outskirts to the city centre to give commuters more options apart from taking the MRT.
"In the past, there could be some room for error. But now that the population has grown, and the system is running at capacity, minor problems can trigger something big," said Singapore Management University assistant professor Terence Fan.
Both Prof Lee and Asst Prof Fan were in favour of bringing back bus services that plied the same route as the trains - with Prof Lee noting that "some redundancy ... is necessary".
Asst Prof Fan also called for greater competition in the public transport sector - every route should be opened up for bidding once every five to 10 years, he said.
Prof Lee also suggested benchmarking of reliability standards - measured by the number of disruptions and safety infringements - against other places with similar urbanised systems, such as Hong Kong. He added: "If we are not doing as well as others, then we will need to find out why."
Staggered work hours, flexible work arrangements, and relocating offices away from the city centre would also ease the load on the MRT system during peak hours, the experts added.
To restore public confidence in the train network, operators have to step up maintence, the observers said.
And this makes it all the more important that people with experience in the rail industry to helm the train services, Mr Chong said. Otherwise, the CEO, for instance, would not be in a position to improve maintenance checks, said Mr Chong, who pointed out that the overnight period - when trains are not running - is insufficient to conduct detailed checks on the entire MRT network.
SMRT is currently looking for a new CEO, after Ms Saw Phaik Hwa stepped down in January in the aftermath of the Dec disruptions. Ms Saw's previous experience was in the retail industry.
SBS Transit CEO Gan Juay Kiat previously held senior appointments in the Singapore Armed Forces. He also had various stints in sectors such as property and publishing.
Resilience or resignation?
Observers praise calm reaction to latest MRT disruption but some warn against accepting breakdowns as normal
by Tan Weizhen 04:45 AM Mar 17, 2012
SINGAPORE - In contrast to the events three months earlier, commuters' calm - and almost nonchalant - reactions to Thursday's massive disruption on the busiest stretch of SBS Transit's North East Line (NEL) have led some observers to laud the population's resilience in a crisis.
Others, however, warned of the pitfalls should Singaporeans come to accept less-than-perfect standards, in a country that prides itself on running like clockwork.
The train service breakdowns on Dec 15 and Dec 17 sparked widespread public dissatisfaction, with commuters then taking SMRT to task for the disruptions on the North South Line.
On Thursday, thanks to improved crisis management based on lessons learnt from the earlier incidents, the affected commuters, while frustrated, generally took the disruption in their stride.
Yesterday, some commuters turned up earlier than usual at the NEL stations - in case the trains broke down again.
In fact, as some affected commuters pointed out, it is no longer rare for the MRT trains to be hit by disruptions - just like in places such as London and New York.
Pioneer Member of Parliament Cedric Foo, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for transport, pointed out that a resilient population "is more capable of responding to crises, because we don't know what will happen to us in future". "Having said that, people should not become immune to such (incidents) as well," he said.
Joo Chiat MP Charles Chong added: "Although in some other countries, people think it is normal to experience train disruptions, Singaporeans should maintain high standards and expectations."
Transport experts stressed there is no reason - given the age of the MRT system here, as compared to those in other countries - for Singaporeans to accept train service disruptions as part and parcel of life. National University of Singapore professor Lee Der Horng said: "If the public is getting used to (such incidents), I don't think it is a good sign. The systems are supposed to be good and reliable, so we should instead look into the problem."
Give commuters more alternatives
With efforts underway to enhance the public transport system, the experts called for other additional measures such as a systematic review of the entire train system and direct bus routes from the outskirts to the city centre to give commuters more options apart from taking the MRT.
"In the past, there could be some room for error. But now that the population has grown, and the system is running at capacity, minor problems can trigger something big," said Singapore Management University assistant professor Terence Fan.
Both Prof Lee and Asst Prof Fan were in favour of bringing back bus services that plied the same route as the trains - with Prof Lee noting that "some redundancy ... is necessary".
Asst Prof Fan also called for greater competition in the public transport sector - every route should be opened up for bidding once every five to 10 years, he said.
Prof Lee also suggested benchmarking of reliability standards - measured by the number of disruptions and safety infringements - against other places with similar urbanised systems, such as Hong Kong. He added: "If we are not doing as well as others, then we will need to find out why."
Staggered work hours, flexible work arrangements, and relocating offices away from the city centre would also ease the load on the MRT system during peak hours, the experts added.
To restore public confidence in the train network, operators have to step up maintence, the observers said.
And this makes it all the more important that people with experience in the rail industry to helm the train services, Mr Chong said. Otherwise, the CEO, for instance, would not be in a position to improve maintenance checks, said Mr Chong, who pointed out that the overnight period - when trains are not running - is insufficient to conduct detailed checks on the entire MRT network.
SMRT is currently looking for a new CEO, after Ms Saw Phaik Hwa stepped down in January in the aftermath of the Dec disruptions. Ms Saw's previous experience was in the retail industry.
SBS Transit CEO Gan Juay Kiat previously held senior appointments in the Singapore Armed Forces. He also had various stints in sectors such as property and publishing.
After weeks of showing the same fucked up attitude during work, the following month my boss told them to find another company to work..
