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- Apr 9, 2009
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I WAS on board an SMRT bus last Friday evening when the bus driver suddenly hit the brakes. Many passengers who were standing were thrown off their feet.
One elderly passenger hit his chest on the ez-link card machine, but the bus driver continued driving as though nothing had happened. When the bus stopped outside Ten Mile Junction, the elderly passenger's wife had to inform the bus driver what had happened. The passenger was experiencing breathing problems and had started trembling.
After it was pointed out that he was in need of medical attention, the bus driver made a phone call (presumably to the headquarters) and asked (in Mandarin) what he should do. This happened twice. It did not occur to him to call for an ambulance.
I have the following questions for SMRT and the relevant authorities:
It was bad enough that the bus driver spoke no English at all, but why was he clueless about the standard operating procedures for such an emergency? Shouldn't he have taken responsibility for the passengers' safety instead of wasting precious time calling to ask what he should do?
Does SMRT require that all bus drivers be trained not only on driving and travel routes but also how to handle emergencies?
Is knowledge of English necessary for employment as a bus driver? If not, wouldn't that put other passengers at a disadvantage if they do not speak the bus driver's language?
Throughout the episode, the driver appeared lost and puzzled. This alarms me greatly as all the passengers' lives are at the mercy of the driver.
Rebecca Lim (Ms)
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_485046.html
One elderly passenger hit his chest on the ez-link card machine, but the bus driver continued driving as though nothing had happened. When the bus stopped outside Ten Mile Junction, the elderly passenger's wife had to inform the bus driver what had happened. The passenger was experiencing breathing problems and had started trembling.
After it was pointed out that he was in need of medical attention, the bus driver made a phone call (presumably to the headquarters) and asked (in Mandarin) what he should do. This happened twice. It did not occur to him to call for an ambulance.
I have the following questions for SMRT and the relevant authorities:
It was bad enough that the bus driver spoke no English at all, but why was he clueless about the standard operating procedures for such an emergency? Shouldn't he have taken responsibility for the passengers' safety instead of wasting precious time calling to ask what he should do?
Does SMRT require that all bus drivers be trained not only on driving and travel routes but also how to handle emergencies?
Is knowledge of English necessary for employment as a bus driver? If not, wouldn't that put other passengers at a disadvantage if they do not speak the bus driver's language?
Throughout the episode, the driver appeared lost and puzzled. This alarms me greatly as all the passengers' lives are at the mercy of the driver.
Rebecca Lim (Ms)
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_485046.html
