MRT Train Caught Fire! Fare Hike Intact?

[makapaaa]

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD id=msgtxt_1 class=msgtxt><TABLE class=forumline border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=row1 vAlign=top width=150 align=left>Seah L K



Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 1902
Location: na

</TD><TD class=row1 height=28 vAlign=top width="100%"><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:42 pm Post subject: SMRT train caught fire</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>SINGAPORE - An SMRT train fire at the Dover station resulted in an evacuation of commuters from the smoky carriages on Friday afternoon.

An eyewitness said on citizen journalism website STOMP that there was a burning smell of plastic on the train when he got onboard at the Buona Vista station, one stop before Dover.

"When the train arrived at Dover, I heard someone scream and everyone started to evacuate.

"SMRT personnel were already standing by at the platform while more smoke came from the train.

"After five minutes, the empty train was driven away," said the netizen named Hirakawa.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Maintenance $ no enuff? Gone to paying that Msian FTrash DFS Salesgirl?
</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[makapaaa]

Another reader's account of a train ride this morning


by theonlinecitizen on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 4:14pm


Dear Online Citizen,

I enjoyed reading your post on the transport woes faced by everyday Singaporeans like myself. Somehow, having an avenue to voice our unhappiness and knowing that so many others are suffering as well helps lessen a little of my frustrations. So I thought I would share my experience. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos to accompany this account, as I did not think to take pictures during that time. Anyway, here goes:

The East-West line train (heading towards Joo Koon) experienced a disruption in train service this morning (Friday, 22 July) due to a train fault. While train faults are no longer rare occurences (say once in 50 years? Sorry, couldn't resist the jibe. Heh) and commuters no longer bat an eye, but just sigh in resignation and dutifully inform their employers/friends/etc. that they will be late, it is perhaps the way the situation was dealt with that irked me.

The train I was on was travelling towards the City Hall station, when it stopped so suddenly that those who were not near the poles and could not grab onto it, struggled to keep their balance. A few fell. There was no apology for the sudden stop. The train remained immobile for a good 25 minutes or so. There was no explanation nor communication about what was going on. Twenty-five minutes passed when SMRT finally deigned to make an announcement, telling us it was a train fault and that there will be a delay. The train finally started moving, but stopped every few metres. Finally, we were told to get off at Raffles Place.

We got on the next train that came into Raffles Place. That train too stopped a couple of times during the journey (they said it was due to a train fault at the station in front. Shouldn't it be a station fault then? I think they meant the train in front, not the station). Anyway, after several frustrating start and stops, the train finally resumed normal speed.

Sadly, my account is probably nothing out of the ordinary. And because of that, I do not think that an increase in fare is justifiable. If SMRT and SBS are doing a good job, I am sure most people do not mind paying more, but the congestion in trains, the long wait between the next train/bus, the inconsistency in arrival times, the frequent breakdowns really makes the idea of paying more (for this standard of service) incomprehensible to me.

Also, SMRT should be more efficient in their communication with commuters, instead of leaving us wondering. A little more sensitivity will definitely help reduce commuters' frustrations. For instance, an apology for the sudden stop during the journey today would have helped cool some tempers, but SMRT appeared very cavalier and unconcerned about the safety of their passengers.
Tina

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[Cruxx]

Economics 101: Natural Monopoly

 

[makapaaa]

Posted on 22 Jul 2011
Thick smoke in MRT train forces passengers to evacuate at Dover station

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<IFRAME style="BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; WIDTH: 450px; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; HEIGHT: 35px; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; OVERFLOW: hidden" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/701582/fire_at_dover_mrt_station.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&font=verdana&colorscheme=light&height=35" frameBorder=0 allowTransparency scrolling=no></IFRAME><IFRAME style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 20px" class="twitter-share-button twitter-count-horizontal" title="Twitter For Websites: Tweet Button" src="http://platform0.twitter.com/widgets/tweet_button.html?_=1311353220360&count=horizontal&id=twitter_tweet_button_0&lang=en&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fsingaporeseen.stomp.com.sg%2Fstomp%2Fsgseen%2Fthis_urban_jungle%2F701582%2Ffire_at_dover_mrt_station.html&text=STOMP%20-%20Singapore%20Seen%20-%20Thick%20smoke%20in%20MRT%20train%20forces%20passengers%20to%20evacuate%20at%20Dover%20station&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsingaporeseen.stomp.com.sg%2Fstomp%2Fsgseen%2Fthis_urban_jungle%2F701582%2Ffire_at_dover_mrt_station.html" frameBorder=0 allowTransparency scrolling=no></IFRAME><SCRIPT type=text/javascript src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></SCRIPT>Commuters covered their mouths as a large plume of smoke from a westbound train engulfed Dover MRT station at 6.35pm today (Jul 22). Passengers were evacuated from the westbound train before it moved off from the station. STOMPers Hirakawa and Eddie Tan were at the scene.

STOMPer Hirakawa said:

"There was a smell of burning plastic when I boarded the train at Buona Vista.

"When the train arrived at Dover, I heard someone scream and everyone started to evacuate.

"SMRT personnel were already standing by at the platform while more smoke came from the train.

"After five minutes, the empty train was driven away."

STOMP Eddie Tan sent in a video, showing smoke coming out from the space between two carriages.

The SCDF reported that there was no fire in the affected MRT train, which has been conveyed to Ulu Pandan depot for repairs.

Nobody was injured in the incident.

In response to a STOMP query, SMRT said the emission of smoke was caused by a faulty motor.

An SMRT spokesperson said:

"On 22 July at 6.38pm, a train officer detected smoke from the undercarriage of a westbound train at Dover MRT Station.

"As a safety precaution, passengers were immediately evacuated from the train with the assistance of the station staff. In-train and station announcements were also made to advise passengers to alight from the train before it was removed from service.

"Our preliminary investigation showed that the incident was a result of a defective motor located at the middle of the train undercarriage.

"This incident caused a delay of around 6 minutes. SMRT apologises for any inconvenience caused and we are looking into the cause of the defective motor."




Thick smoke coming out from in between the train carriages
Click on thumbnails for larger image

 

[makapaaa]

Posted on 22 Jul 2011
MRT so packed that commuters have to wait for 3rd train before getting on

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<IFRAME style="BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; WIDTH: 450px; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; HEIGHT: 35px; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; OVERFLOW: hidden" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/what_bugs_me/701028/take_the_first_train_to_arrive_no_chance_its_fully_packed.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&font=verdana&colorscheme=light&height=35" frameBorder=0 allowTransparency scrolling=no></IFRAME><IFRAME style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 20px" class="twitter-share-button twitter-count-horizontal" title="Twitter For Websites: Tweet Button" src="http://platform0.twitter.com/widgets/tweet_button.html?_=1311353331705&count=horizontal&id=twitter_tweet_button_0&lang=en&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fsingaporeseen.stomp.com.sg%2Fstomp%2Fsgseen%2Fwhat_bugs_me%2F701028%2Ftake_the_first_train_to_arrive_no_chance_its_fully_packed.html&text=STOMP%20-%20Singapore%20Seen%20-%20MRT%20so%20packed%20that%20commuters%20have%20to%20wait%20for%203rd%20train%20before%20getting%20on&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsingaporeseen.stomp.com.sg%2Fstomp%2Fsgseen%2Fwhat_bugs_me%2F701028%2Ftake_the_first_train_to_arrive_no_chance_its_fully_packed.html" frameBorder=0 allowTransparency scrolling=no></IFRAME><SCRIPT type=text/javascript src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></SCRIPT>STOMPer Laviebelle says she has to wait for the second to third train each day on her way work, simply because the first train is far too full to board. She asks why fares are rising when public transport services are not up to standard.

Her concerns follow in the wake of a proposed fare hike of 2.8 percent by SMRT and SBS Transit, the largest increase put forward in recent years. Their proposal is currently pending review by the Public Transport Council, and results are expected in September.

The STOMPer explains the situation she faces daily:

"Before one can consider raising our transport fares, they should first convince us that their service is superb. Otherwise we should have a right to find another service provider.

"This is Lakeside MRT today at 8.30am. Both sides of the platform are all packed and people needed to wait at least for two to three trains before they can get on board. Staff were also not helpful in getting people to move into vacant space when there is some available for other commuters.

"The Public Transport Council should also consider customer survey results to rate the service providers' service standards."

Other STOMPers have weighed in with their opinions on the fare hikes:
Utter chaos at Bishan, 1 hour wait for bus at Woodlands and other real-life horror stories
S'pore commuters continue to highlight poor service in face of proposed fare hike
Fare hike fair? Look at the big squeeze and long wait at Bishan station
Big squeeze, poor frequency, so why move for biggest-ever bus & MRT fare hike?





Click on thumbnails for larger image

 

[makapaaa]

Posted on 13 Jul 2011
Fare hike fair? Look at the big squeeze and long wait at Bishan station

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<IFRAME style="BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; WIDTH: 450px; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; HEIGHT: 35px; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; OVERFLOW: hidden" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/what_bugs_me/694402/fare_hike_fair_look_at_big_squeeze_at_bishan_station.html&layout=standard&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&font=verdana&colorscheme=light&height=35" frameBorder=0 allowTransparency scrolling=no></IFRAME><IFRAME style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 20px" class="twitter-share-button twitter-count-horizontal" title="Twitter For Websites: Tweet Button" src="http://platform0.twitter.com/widgets/tweet_button.html?_=1311353411929&count=horizontal&id=twitter_tweet_button_0&lang=en&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fsingaporeseen.stomp.com.sg%2Fstomp%2Fsgseen%2Fwhat_bugs_me%2F694402%2Ffare_hike_fair_look_at_big_squeeze_at_bishan_station.html&text=STOMP%20-%20Singapore%20Seen%20-%20Fare%20hike%20fair%3F%20Look%20at%20the%20big%20squeeze%20and%20long%20wait%20at%20Bishan%20station&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsingaporeseen.stomp.com.sg%2Fstomp%2Fsgseen%2Fwhat_bugs_me%2F694402%2Ffare_hike_fair_look_at_big_squeeze_at_bishan_station.html" frameBorder=0 allowTransparency scrolling=no></IFRAME><SCRIPT type=text/javascript src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></SCRIPT>STOMPer Jeremy shares a photo of the crowded situation at Bishan station and asks if the proposed fare hike is 'fair'.

SMRT and SBS Transit have applied to the Public Transport Council for a 2.8% fare increase, the largest in years. The PTC will take announce their decision in September.

Many STOMPers have responded to this proposed fare hike.

STOMPer said:

"Look at this crowd in our Bishan Circle Line station.

"With such a crowd how long do you expect people to wait in order to board the train?

"Do you think it is fair to increase the public transport fares now?"




Click on thumbnails for larger image

 

[Loofydralb]

Looking at the congestion and overcrowding, itsjust a matter of time before a disaster happens.

Take care Singaporeans. Its pure luck the carriage did not catch fire, otherwise casualty rates can be enormous.

 

[lianbeng]

lianbeng was among the crowd and thot it was an emergency exercise, like many of them, "a-hek! a-hek!"