SMRT's report on breakdowns delayed
It will submit its report on the two severe train disruptions early next month instead of today. -myp
Sophie Hong
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
my paper
SINGAPORE - SMRT's internal investigation team will submit its report on the two severe train disruptions to its board early next month. The report was originally slated to be handed in today.
Investigation-team leader and SMRT independent board director Ong Ye Kung told my paper on the phone yesterday that this time extension was to allow its commissioned consultants to obtain a "more comprehensive set of measurements" for the report.
The consultants from Australia, who are internationally recognised in the field of vibration on railways, were assisting SMRT in carrying out repetitive testing and measurements in the MRT tunnels. They have been carrying out the tests since Dec 22.
Mr Ong said in a separate SMRT statement released yesterday: "Identifying the cause of the December incidents is important, and this is why we need to give more time for the specialists to complete their work.
"The twin focus of our recommendations will be to help prevent a recurrence of such disruptions, and also strengthen the emergency preparedness of the organisation."
Once the report is ready, it will be shared with the Committee of Inquiry (COI) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), who are also investigating the train disruptions.
The disruptions occurred on Dec 15 and 17 last year, along the North-South Line. The two breakdowns - the worst in SMRT's 24-year history - left a total of 221,000 commuters stranded for hours.
Initial checks revealed that "claws" holding the third rail - which supplies power to the trains - were dislodged, causing it to become misaligned and cutting off the power supply.
Engineers from SMRT believed that this could be due to excessive vibration.
The "claws" were then secured with cable ties, but reports then said this would serve only as a temporary solution while SMRT searched for a more permanent securing system.
Since last month, the sevenmember internal investigation team has met up with hundreds of SMRT staff who had played a role in managing the two train disruptions.
The SMRT statement said that more than 60 e-mail messages containing feedback from the public have been received, with more than half of the correspondence coming from people who were directly affected by the disruptions.
Some suggest that there could be clearer announcements and that social media could be used. Others say that bridging bus services could be better deployed.
To a my paper query on the progress of its independent investigation, an LTA spokesman said yesterday that it is "going smoothly" and LTA will share its findings when ready.
The COI is also conducting an independent investigation, but no time-frame has been set for the completion of its report.
To share your feedback on the breakdowns, please write in to[email protected].
It will submit its report on the two severe train disruptions early next month instead of today. -myp
Sophie Hong
Fri, Feb 10, 2012
my paper
SINGAPORE - SMRT's internal investigation team will submit its report on the two severe train disruptions to its board early next month. The report was originally slated to be handed in today.
Investigation-team leader and SMRT independent board director Ong Ye Kung told my paper on the phone yesterday that this time extension was to allow its commissioned consultants to obtain a "more comprehensive set of measurements" for the report.
The consultants from Australia, who are internationally recognised in the field of vibration on railways, were assisting SMRT in carrying out repetitive testing and measurements in the MRT tunnels. They have been carrying out the tests since Dec 22.
Mr Ong said in a separate SMRT statement released yesterday: "Identifying the cause of the December incidents is important, and this is why we need to give more time for the specialists to complete their work.
"The twin focus of our recommendations will be to help prevent a recurrence of such disruptions, and also strengthen the emergency preparedness of the organisation."
Once the report is ready, it will be shared with the Committee of Inquiry (COI) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), who are also investigating the train disruptions.
The disruptions occurred on Dec 15 and 17 last year, along the North-South Line. The two breakdowns - the worst in SMRT's 24-year history - left a total of 221,000 commuters stranded for hours.
Initial checks revealed that "claws" holding the third rail - which supplies power to the trains - were dislodged, causing it to become misaligned and cutting off the power supply.
Engineers from SMRT believed that this could be due to excessive vibration.
The "claws" were then secured with cable ties, but reports then said this would serve only as a temporary solution while SMRT searched for a more permanent securing system.
Since last month, the sevenmember internal investigation team has met up with hundreds of SMRT staff who had played a role in managing the two train disruptions.
The SMRT statement said that more than 60 e-mail messages containing feedback from the public have been received, with more than half of the correspondence coming from people who were directly affected by the disruptions.
Some suggest that there could be clearer announcements and that social media could be used. Others say that bridging bus services could be better deployed.
To a my paper query on the progress of its independent investigation, an LTA spokesman said yesterday that it is "going smoothly" and LTA will share its findings when ready.
The COI is also conducting an independent investigation, but no time-frame has been set for the completion of its report.
To share your feedback on the breakdowns, please write in to[email protected].
