Subway trains and inter-city train delays are normal all over the world. Singaporeans shouldn't fret too much over a little delay, according to this amused Briton.
Disruptions quite normal for British metro and rail.
As a Briton on holiday in Singapore this New Year, I am amused by the brouhaha over the disruption to the MRT system, which culminated in the resignation of SMRT chief executive officer Saw Phaik Hwa.
In Britain, disruption to city metro systems and the national rail are as ubiquitous as char siew paus here. When travelling in London, it is quite normal for “signalling problems” to mean that commuters have to find alternative transport, sometimes wasting hours of time.
It is also quite normal for a train to another city to be cancelled at the last minute, wasting half a day, and disruption schedules.
I have to say to Singaporeans who enjoy the MRT system here: The MRT system is brilliant; it is cheap, efficient, clean and smooth… I can go on.
Given how wonderful it is, I think the occasional lapse in efficiency can be forgiven.
Cut Mrs Saw some slack, and be thankful you don’t live in Britain!
Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones
Straits Times 10 January 2012
No, this writer isn't a PAP supporter, nor a PAP MP. He is visitor just trying to put things in perspective for Singaporeans in a very polite way. Singaporeans should thank their public transport companies - and of course their government - in providing public transport that is safe and comfortable, and of course, affordable.
It appears that to satisfy the general public thirst for information, even a delay of a minute or two is announced and apologised in their PA system and Social Media network.
Bottomline : Make sure you SMS or phone if you turn up late for a meeting, or for your grandmother's birthday dinner - and of course to apologise.
Disruptions quite normal for British metro and rail.
As a Briton on holiday in Singapore this New Year, I am amused by the brouhaha over the disruption to the MRT system, which culminated in the resignation of SMRT chief executive officer Saw Phaik Hwa.
In Britain, disruption to city metro systems and the national rail are as ubiquitous as char siew paus here. When travelling in London, it is quite normal for “signalling problems” to mean that commuters have to find alternative transport, sometimes wasting hours of time.
It is also quite normal for a train to another city to be cancelled at the last minute, wasting half a day, and disruption schedules.
I have to say to Singaporeans who enjoy the MRT system here: The MRT system is brilliant; it is cheap, efficient, clean and smooth… I can go on.
Given how wonderful it is, I think the occasional lapse in efficiency can be forgiven.
Cut Mrs Saw some slack, and be thankful you don’t live in Britain!
Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones
Straits Times 10 January 2012
No, this writer isn't a PAP supporter, nor a PAP MP. He is visitor just trying to put things in perspective for Singaporeans in a very polite way. Singaporeans should thank their public transport companies - and of course their government - in providing public transport that is safe and comfortable, and of course, affordable.
It appears that to satisfy the general public thirst for information, even a delay of a minute or two is announced and apologised in their PA system and Social Media network.
Bottomline : Make sure you SMS or phone if you turn up late for a meeting, or for your grandmother's birthday dinner - and of course to apologise.
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