MRT/LRT News [Archive] - SkyscraperCity

huaiwei

March 16th, 2004, 09:52 PM

SMRT reviews fares: NEL charges stay

Its fares are lower than those charged by SBS Transit

By Goh Chin Lian

SMRT is reviewing its fare structure because its charges are not on a par with those of the North-East Line run by SBS Transit. Adult fares on the NEL are five to 25 cents higher than those on SMRT's North-South and East-West lines.

While an SMRT spokesman declined to say which way fares would move, it could well close the gap this year. 'We have absorbed the increase in goods and services tax,' she noted. 'Unlike NEL, which obtained a fare premium last year, the current differential between MRT and bus fares is only one cent, so we are reviewing the fare structure.'

Fares on SBS Transit buses and SMRT's Tibs buses are the same, with the adult ez-link fare on air conditioned buses starting at 63 cents, compared to 64 cents on the North-South and East-West MRT lines. NEL fares, approved by the Public Transport Council (PTC) last year, start at 69 cents.

So, should SMRT train fares also be priced higher? Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong hinted last June that SMRT fares would eventually be brought in line with the higher NEL fares. He said then: 'As the rest of the MRT fares go up, we will try to ensure that the North-East Line fares do not change very much, so, over time, the rest of the MRT fares should catch up.'

The review must be completed by the end of next month as any application for fare changes has to reach the PTC by May 1. The spokesman was responding to questions from The Straits Times following SBS Transit's announcement yesterday that it will not apply for fare increases this year. The economy is only just picking up and it managed to get savings from cost-cutting measures last year and this year, it said.

The most recent fare hike was in 2002, with adult ez-link train fares upped by 4 cents and bus fares by 3 cents. It raised an outcry among commuters and was hotly debated in Parliament. Transport analysts told The Straits Times they would be surprised if MRT fares went up this year, as the economy is not completely out of the woods. SMRT also has economies of scale from running both the North-South and East-West MRT lines.

The question is how similar their fares should be. Hong Kah GRC MP Ang Mong Seng, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said: 'If you have two different companies with different systems, why should they have the same fares?'

huaiwei

March 22nd, 2004, 06:42 PM

Govt must steer the necessary MRT U-turn

By Christopher Tan

When is it justified for the state to interfere in the affairs of a listed company? Clearly, one occasion would be when that company is in a position to influence national welfare.

In the public transport domain, the players are listed entities. But they operate within a regulatory framework, unlike, say, a popiah-skin maker or water treatment firm. In the framework lies non-commercial clauses and conditions.

For instance, these companies cannot charge their customers more any time they feel like it - even if they are the only game in town. Neither can they serve only lucrative routes and ignore the rest. Many operate with an implicit contract that dictates thin margins in return for the privilege of monopoly and, more importantly, guaranteed economic viability.

Whether or not that contract is adhered to can be debated another time; for now, the issue has to do with our budding rail network.

In Parliament last week, when MPs questioned the wisdom of the Government seemingly directing SMRT and SBS Transit to merge their rail operations, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong stood up to clarify that he had 'at no time' done so.

Well, there would be absolutely nothing wrong if he did do so. Do we need more than one MRT operator? Apparently we did; and we had convincing arguments for it. But after a rethink, perhaps we don't - and we had equally convincing reasons for that too.

Conditions have changed; the city is small, ridership modest, and having more than one operator would only duplicate overheads - which, in the case of the rail business, can be exceedingly high.

SBS Transit, for instance, has sunk an estimated $100 million into the North-East Line (NEL), which it operates with a staff of 600 people.

Monthly operating cost of the 20km line is $7 million, or $84 million a year. Based on an average fare of 85 cents and a daily ridership of 175,000, fare revenue comes up to $53.5 million a year.

Assume advertising revenue of $10 million, and you still end up with an operating loss of $20 million for the first year. Against the backdrop of its initial investments - and the prospects of rising capital expenditure as the trains age - it'll be a long time before SBS gets its money back on this venture.

But here's the thing. Even if SMRT takes over the operation tomorrow, the cost of duplication has already been incurred and cannot be made to go away just like that. On the other hand, if we're of the view that other problems might fester if things are left as they are, then we should act.

In fact, we are already seeing some undesirable fallout of a two-operator network: unopened stations, higher fares for those who ride the NEL, and possibly higher fares for those who use the rest of the MRT network.

What next? Fewer bus services? Bus fares costlier than they need to be? Deteriorating service standards?

But how do we resolve this? SMRT obviously would not want to pay for a loss-making entity and has said so. And SBS is unlikely to want to give up the business without being compensated in some way for its investments. Hence neither side will move unless the Government steps in. And for the long-term interest of commuters, it should step in.

It was the Government which facilitated 'competition' in the rail business in the first place. So, too, must it undo the situation if it believes it is untenable. To put it metaphorically, it should not let go of the steering wheel as we negotiate this U-turn.

For Singaporeans, who have forked out $5 billion for the NEL, the cost of the rethink will just have to be written off as an expensive lesson in transport economics. But if we don't grit our teeth and do it, we will never admit that this was a mistake and be able to move on.

To think that a resolution should be purely a commercial prerogative is just prolonging the charade.

RafflesCity

March 22nd, 2004, 08:23 PM

So is the NEL profitable or not?

huaiwei

March 23rd, 2004, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by RafflesCity

So is the NEL profitable or not? From the article..it appears that it wasent?

RafflesCity

March 23rd, 2004, 06:46 PM

That was initially..but now its profitable right?

RafflesCity

March 24th, 2004, 08:18 AM

Marshals on MRT trains soon, CCTVs at MRT stations to be upgraded

23 March 2004

SINGAPORE : After the recent train bombings in Madrid, concern about security in Singapore's underground system was raised in Parliament recently.

Dr Tony Tan, Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence, said on Sunday marshals would be deployed on MRT trains.

Over a million people use the trains each day, and it would take just one terrorist to create chaos.

But there are already security features in place.

Closed-circuit televisions allow station managers to monitor what is going on but they still do not have the capability to record.

SMRT said these would be upgraded later this year to allow for recording facilities.

There are now 800 cameras in the system and more will be added.

But do commuters think this is enough?

"MRT is safe."

"I feel that the measures that SMRT have implemented is pretty adequate so far. We do not really have many cases of anomalies happen."

Still, the authorities said more had to be done to deter would-be terrorists.

Dr Tan said train marshals would be deployed as soon as possible, while train operators said they are working with the authorities on this.

Details are still sketchy such as when and where the marshals will be deployed.

When contacted, the Home Affairs Ministry said it may release information later.

But with air marshals already on SIA flights leaving Singapore, it is not hard to imagine that these marshals on trains will be similarly armed and anonymous.

"Singapore is quite safe. If you overdo it, then it is not very good."

"I think it is a bit extreme. I do not think it is really necessary. I mean on the aeroplane I can understand but Singapore on the train we are not really a target."

"It will help give some safety to the commuters of the train."

'I think we need to, isn't it. We should not be complacent. Just because nothing happened does not mean nothing will happen alright. I think I am comfortable with it, I hope they put it as soon as possible because I think it is a little but long overdue."

There are exercises held regularly to make sure Singapore's trains are safe.

A recent emergency exercise dealt with the likelihood of a chemical agent being released in an MRT station.

It is part of the multi-prong approach to inform and educate the public on the continual effort to make Singapore a difficult target for terrorist attacks. - CNA

huaiwei

March 24th, 2004, 12:18 PM

Hm...I personally feel that in addition to those undercover cops, they shd actually introduce visible uniformed security personal around stations and platforms. That does have a deterence value instead of having undercover ones which are around only as the last line of defence.

I went to the Bangkok skytrain, and I remember seeing visible guards at every platform. Quite reassuring in a sense?

heirloom

March 24th, 2004, 12:47 PM

having security guards would only make me think the place is unsafe. it would be expensive too to hire security guards for all the stations.

huaiwei

March 24th, 2004, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by heirloom

having security guards would only make me think the place is unsafe. it would be expensive too to hire security guards for all the stations. IT works borth ways I suppose....imagine a bank without any guards in sight? A police station with no cops, but only computers and telephones?

If they are going to train undercover cops and such, why would it be any more expensive just having normal personal patrolling the places?

heirloom

March 24th, 2004, 02:16 PM

ummm i thought undercover + uniform? wouldn't that be extra cost?

huaiwei

March 24th, 2004, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by heirloom

ummm i thought undercover + uniform? wouldn't that be extra cost? Increasing Uniform can mean Decreasing undercover what...they have to work together anyway....

RafflesCity

March 24th, 2004, 09:37 PM

Originally posted by huaiwei

I went to the Bangkok skytrain, and I remember seeing visible guards at every platform. Quite reassuring in a sense?

Yup I saw those and I feel they add a visible sense of security.

I think marshals on MRT trains sounds ridiculous I mean I feel really safe on the MRT, but perhaps it is better to take all measures you never can be too safe...

huaiwei

March 25th, 2004, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by szehoong

In fact having seen guards at every BKK's Skytrain station......I think these terrorist would think twice before going about on their errants. ;)So it wasent just me noticing it...haha! Goes to show just how visible the sense of security is!

I wasent used to the concept at first, after stepping into Bangkok and seeing guards/cops (cant tell which one they are) at almost every building entrance, every metro station, and at every single entrance in BMK mall for eg! I did find it strange, and wondered if security was such a major issue.

But when looking at things from the way things are happening around the world, suddenly I realised I dont mind that highly visible presense afterall?

huaiwei

March 25th, 2004, 11:00 PM

Not up to Govt to direct rail operators to merge

IN HIS commentary, 'Govt must steer the necessary MRT U-turn' (ST, March 16), Mr Christopher Tan said the Government should step in to direct SMRT and SBS Transit to merge their rail operations in the long-term interests of commuters.

He also said that the two-operator model had led to 'unopened stations, higher fares for those who ride the NEL, and possibly higher fares for those who use the rest of the MRT network'.

Mr Tan would recall that higher fares on the North-East Line (NEL) were necessary because of the higher operating costs of a fully underground line, and that NEL's Buangkok station was not opened because of the far lower-than-expected station loading due to the lack of developments around the station arising from the sharp drop in housing demand in the area.

These decisions were based on objective assessments, and it would not have mattered, either then or in the future, whether SMRT or SBS Transit runs NEL.

Mr Tan's claim of 'possibly higher fares for those who use the rest of the MRT network' is pure speculation which serves only to misinform readers.

As the Minister for Transport, Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, said in Parliament last week, he did not direct the two operators to merge their rail operations. The minister also explained that it would be wrong for the Government to do so as SMRT and SBS Transit are both public companies listed on the Singapore Exchange.

This being so, any decision to merge would have to be a commercial agreement between them that is deemed to be in the best interests of their respective shareholders.

For SBS Transit, it would have to weigh the operating losses on NEL against negotiating a mutually acceptable agreement with SMRT.

Similarly, SMRT would have to consider the commercial merits of taking over NEL, and whether doing so would allow it to achieve greater economies when it operates the Circle Line - a system similar to NEL.

Mr Tan also suggested that continuing in this path (of a two-operator structure) may further affect fares and service standards. He need not worry.

The Public Transport Council (PTC) has a well-established framework for approving fare increases. The PTC will not approve fare increases just to allow public-transport operators to offset losses in particular operations.

In addition, public-transport operators are required to adhere to service standards set by the regulators. Hence, commuters can rest assured that their interests will be looked after, whichever operator runs NEL.

LIM BEE KHIM (MS)
Press Secretary to Minister for Transport

RafflesCity

March 28th, 2004, 07:56 PM

Faster taxi phone bookings for Comfort cabs with new automated system

28 March 2004

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/phppOCBX6.jpg

SINGAPORE : Getting a taxi booking confirmed in less than 25 seconds - that's what Singapore's largest taxi company Comfort is offering through its latest automated system.

But it may not necessarily mean a commuter will always get a taxi when he wants one.

With Comfort's latest system, a commuter do not even need to speak to an operator.

The new $150,000 automated system sends him a taxi based on his last pick-up location.

Within 25 seconds, a booking is confirmed and a taxi is along the way.

Started with fixed line bookings last September, it has now been extended to mobile phone bookings and has a 95 percent success rate.

As for call operators, Comfort said they were able to reduce head count from 152 in 2002 to just 80 - a $1 million in cost savings annually.

Many commuters appreciate the faster bookings, but their bugbear is still not getting a taxi when they really need one.

Others fear more phone bookings may also mean fewer taxis on the roads.

"It is true there are more cabs but it is a lot more diffiicult to get a taxi. I called a normal cab line and it is always easy when you call, so I always wonder if they are lurking around waiting for the call."

"I try to call up and it is still busy, especially when it is raining."

Mr John Lee Kah Wah, COO of Comfort Transportation, said: "We will have to look at addressing supply by, say, changing shift patterns and leveraging on technology to try and study the pattern more acurately and see what else we can do."

Comfort said it was aware of this demand-supply mismatch, especially at peak periods like Friday evenings, and is looking at new technology to overcome this. - CNA

babystan03

May 3rd, 2004, 04:13 AM

READING ON THE JOB:

Aiyo....got such thing ah...."eating snake" in the public eyes.....haha..:D

Not a very responsible and wise thing to do..... :bash:

huaiwei

May 3rd, 2004, 10:25 AM

Reading is not eating snake wat......quite an intelligent driver it must be! Who noes...maybe he as reading the driving manual? :eek: :D

babystan03

May 3rd, 2004, 10:29 AM

Reading is not eating snake wat......quite an intelligent driver it must be! Who noes...maybe he as reading the driving manual? :eek: :D

Reading the manual while driving....sound really "intelligent".....:D

huaiwei

May 3rd, 2004, 08:24 PM

Reading the manual while driving....sound really "intelligent".....:D
Yeah mah....better then driving that damn train without knowing how to? :D

Come to think of it, I always wondered what the driver does in an MRT...open and close doors?

babystan03

May 4th, 2004, 03:20 AM

Yeah mah....better then driving that damn train without knowing how to? :D

Come to think of it, I always wondered what the driver does in an MRT...open and close doors?

I guess they are there to accelerate and stop the train and open/close the door. Kinda boring siah......:D

huaiwei

May 4th, 2004, 10:33 AM

I guess they are there to accelerate and stop the train and open/close the door. Kinda boring siah......:D
Ok...pretty dumb....no wonder they decided to automate the train for NEL? :D

babystan03

May 4th, 2004, 10:37 AM

Ok...pretty dumb....no wonder they decided to automate the train for NEL? :D

I guess so....but then isn't bus driver a boring job too???

heirloom

May 4th, 2004, 12:16 PM

but driving bus requires alot more concentration than train i think

huaiwei

May 4th, 2004, 04:35 PM

Yeah....and u get to stare at gals along the roadside as u drive....

babystan03

May 4th, 2004, 04:42 PM

Yeah....and u get to stare at gals along the roadside as u drive....

Fortunately you're not a bus driver.....haha...:D

heirloom

May 4th, 2004, 04:59 PM

huh?! girls on the roadside?!

huaiwei

May 4th, 2004, 05:18 PM

huh?! girls on the roadside?!
Oh I realised you dont notice them. :D

babystan03

May 4th, 2004, 05:24 PM

Oh I realised you dont notice them. :D

hahaha..... :runaway:

heirloom

May 4th, 2004, 05:40 PM

um but why can't you look at girls on the road when you're like.. doing anything else?!

huaiwei

May 4th, 2004, 05:50 PM

um but why can't you look at girls on the road when you're like.. doing anything else?!
Sure we can, but that dosent exclude us from doing so when driving right? :D

I am sure u noe how many road accidents occur because of this!

huaiwei

May 4th, 2004, 11:56 PM

LRT back to normal hours from Sunday

Bukit Panjang LRT to resume full service, from 5am to 12.45am, now that repairs have been completed

AFTER 20 Sundays of running shorter hours - from 8am to 10pm - the Bukit Panjang LRT resumes full service, from 5am to 12.45am, this Sunday.

The shorter running hours were needed because of repair works to the glitch-plagued system, and these have been completed.

The work entailed replacing loose wire connections in a part of its signalling system that tracks and controls train movement.

These connections are housed in the back rooms of four stations.

Because of the shorter hours, an estimated 2,000 LRT passengers had to take buses each Sunday or change their routines.

As a welcome-back gesture, they will be given free rides on the LRT between 5.18am and 8am, and 10pm and 12.45am, this Sunday, said SMRT, which operates the system.

Passengers who are making transfers between the MRT and LRT systems at Choa Chu Kang MRT station will need to exit the MRT fare gates and enter the LRT fare gates to enjoy the free rides.

Dr Teo Ho Pin, an MP for Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC, said the LRT had been running very smoothly of late, a far cry from the recent past, when breakdowns were common.

Since its launch in 1999, the system has broken down about 50 times, mainly because of electrical faults.

'We hope that with this improvement, the system will be even more reliable,' said Dr Teo, who had lobbied for the system to be shut down immediately for safety checks after a wheel fell off one of its trains in October 2002.

A five-day disruption followed.

Ironically, the problems that were fixed this time around arose as a result of attempts to iron out some of the earlier glitches.

In the earlier repairs, wire connections to the signalling system were constantly loosened and tightened.

This wore them out quickly, and about 500 out of 3,000 wire connectors had to be replaced.

SMRT said the improvement works were 'smoothly completed on schedule' with the Land Transport Authority and Bombardier Transportation, the Canadian system supplier.

babystan03

May 5th, 2004, 04:21 AM

babystan03

May 5th, 2004, 05:59 AM

MAY 5, 2004

Quick-thinking train driver had helped to avert disaster when a car landed across train tracks; he and others will receive Model Worker Award
By Sue-Ann Chia

MRT train officer Francis Rodrick Julius still gets the chills when his train zooms past the spot where, just over a year ago, a car crashed through a fence and landed across the train tracks.

The 42-year-old, whose quick action prevented a major tragedy, has one thought as he goes about his daily route: that it does not happen again.

He had slammed the emergency brakes so the train, bound for Khatib MRT station with 1,300 passengers in it, lost speed rapidly - lessening its impact when it hit the car.

For his actions, which saved the day, and his 16 years of service at SMRT, Mr Julius was picked as one of the 115 employees from the land transport industry for the Model Worker Award.

The selected group, who range from bus captains to driving instructors, will receive their awards - given out annually by the labour movement - from Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday.

For Mr Julius, the pat on the back 'is a reward I did not expect... but it does not change things', he said. 'I will still go on driving more than 1,000 passengers a day, and ensuring their safety at all times.'

Another recipient is housewife-turned-cabby Ng Chew Lan.

The 43-year-old mother of two sons, aged 18 and 24, who became a cabby eight years ago, shares the same taxi as her husband. She works in the mornings while he takes the night shift. They meet when handing over, which, for Madam Ng, is a good thing.

'The time spent apart is good as it also means less time to quarrel,' she said with a laugh.

The former housewife now receives compliments almost daily from her passengers and has earned praise for her patience even in ugly incidents.

She said of the early days: 'I was a country bumpkin. As I seldom went out, I didn't even know the locations of many places.'

So in her first year, she took to drawing out more than 50 street maps of different locations on mahjong paper for easy reference.

Now, she zooms around Singapore with ease, but still keeps seven hand-drawn maps of areas unfamiliar to her, like Woodlands and Sengkang, tucked in her bag. 'The maps are very tattered now, but they have helped as I don't have to ask the passenger to tell me how to get to places,' she said.

This is the second time the industry has been picked since the awards were first given out in 1996, because of the 'mettle' shown by its employees during the Sars outbreak, the National Trades Union Congress said yesterday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

May 5th, 2004, 06:06 AM

MAY 5, 2004

I REFER to the letter, 'Reading on the job' (ST, April 26), by Ms Christina Tiang.

We have investigated the matter. The book which Ms Tiang saw on the driver's console was the train timetable, which is provided to all Train Officers on duty. The timetable shows the timings at which trains are to arrive at their destinations.

We would like to assure her that Train Officers are not allowed to read while on duty and we will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those who flout this rule.

We thank Ms Tiang for the feedback.

IRENE KANG (MS)
Manager, Corporate Communications
SMRT Corporation Ltd

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

huaiwei

May 5th, 2004, 11:47 AM

[QUOTE=huaiwei]LRT back to normal hours from Sunday

Bukit Panjang LRT to resume full service, from 5am to 12.45am, now that repairs have been completed
[QUOTE]

How is this LRT compared to the Sengkang one??
Depends on what you are comparing? I am quite sure the Sengkang one didnt have over 50 breakdowns like the Bt Panjang one thou! :D

babystan03

May 5th, 2004, 11:56 AM

Depends on what you are comparing? I am quite sure the Sengkang one didnt have over 50 breakdowns like the Bt Panjang one thou! :D

Which is why I never try it even though it's opened in 1999!!!! I don't want to get stuck halfway through the journey.......:D

heirloom

May 5th, 2004, 12:04 PM

i used to go there once a week to tutor someone.. it was ok lar... didnt break down.. just doesnt look as cute as the sengkang one

huaiwei

May 5th, 2004, 12:23 PM

Which is why I never try it even though it's opened in 1999!!!! I don't want to get stuck halfway through the journey.......:D
No more break down now liao lah...u r too late. :D I took it about 3 times so far....didnt fail on me just yet....

babystan03

May 5th, 2004, 12:27 PM

No more break down now liao lah...u r too late. :D I took it about 3 times so far....didnt fail on me just yet....

You never know....haha...:D

huaiwei

May 5th, 2004, 12:39 PM

You never know....haha...:D
After the extensive upgrades, if they still breakdown......heads are really going to roll!!! :rofl: <== the head rolling...not laughing...:D

huaiwei

May 5th, 2004, 10:01 PM

They seem to be etting too rich, arent they? :rant:

=================================

SMRT profit up a quarter at $90m

Earnings receive unexpected boost from unused portions of farecards; Final dividend per share of 3.2 cents proposed

By Christopher Tan

LOWER depreciation, cost containment and a tax writeback were some of the factors that shored up SMRT Corp's bottom line for the year ended March 31. But an unexpected boost came from unused portions of farecards.

The transport operator yesterday reported a 24.2 per cent rise in net profit to $89.5 million despite turnover dipping by 2.7 per cent to $667.3 million because of GST absorption and Sars.

Unused fares from its now phased-out magnetic farecards, as well as monthly concession cards and single-trip tickets, generated almost $10 million in other income, said executive vice-president of finance, Mr Patrick Lau.

But he said some of the unused fares were from the previous year; and that SMRT also incurred unspecified costs on single-trip tickets that were not returned.

Nonetheless, the scale of the income from unused fares - one-third of total other operating income - surprised some market watchers.

GK Goh senior analyst Teo Hiang Boon noted that 'it's higher than expected'.

Other analysts said the operator's results were unexciting because the profit growth was not cash-generating.

SMRT's earnings per share rose to six cents from 4.8 cents previously. Its net asset value per share stood at 32 cents, from 28.5 cents in the same period last year.

Return on equity improved to 19.7 per cent, compared with 17.7 per cent previously, while its return on total assets was 5.6 per cent, against 4.1 per cent previously.

Net gearing dropped to 0.49 from 0.95, as the group repaid outstanding bank loans and redeemed $80 million bonds issued by unit Tibs Holdings last March.

But the best news for shareholders was a final dividend recommendation of 3.2 cents per share. Along with an interim payout of 1.3 cents per share, the total dividend stands at 4.5 cents per share or $53.6 million.

'That's 60 per cent of net profit, and higher than its previously declared policy of paying 50 per cent,' said GK Goh's Mr Teo.

Meanwhile, SMRT chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa said the group will not apply for a bus fare increase, but added that it still had not decided whether to apply for a train fare adjustment.

'Any fare increase we ask for will be prudent,' she said.

On prospects for this year, she said the group planned to spend about $100 million on increasing its taxi fleet by 1,000, to 3,000.

It is also spending $20 million to upgrade a dozen stations to raise retail yield.

She said SMRT has written down its investment in the Today free tabloid completely and would sell its stake if there were takers.

Finally, she reckons the impact of the delay in the completion of the Circle Line would be minimal. Overall, this year's performance would be 'comparable' to last year's.

heirloom

May 5th, 2004, 10:05 PM

90 million is really a pittance if you compare to the initial building costs! what do they use the profits for? buying new trains?

huaiwei

May 5th, 2004, 10:23 PM

90 million is really a pittance if you compare to the initial building costs! what do they use the profits for? buying new trains?
Initial building costs? What do they have to build?

heirloom

May 6th, 2004, 01:07 AM

the sum the govt coughs up to build lor...

huaiwei

May 6th, 2004, 02:16 AM

Ok....dont quite get your statement, but apparently the companies use the profits to answer to shareholders or something? :D

huaiwei

May 11th, 2004, 11:11 PM

MRT hero among 115 land transport workers lauded

Quick-thinking train driver had helped to avert disaster when a car landed across train tracks; he and others will receive Model Worker Award

By Sue-Ann Chia

MRT train officer Francis Rodrick Julius still gets the chills when his train zooms past the spot where, just over a year ago, a car crashed through a fence and landed across the train tracks.

The 42-year-old, whose quick action prevented a major tragedy, has one thought as he goes about his daily route: that it does not happen again.

He had slammed the emergency brakes so the train, bound for Khatib MRT station with 1,300 passengers in it, lost speed rapidly - lessening its impact when it hit the car.

For his actions, which saved the day, and his 16 years of service at SMRT, Mr Julius was picked as one of the 115 employees from the land transport industry for the Model Worker Award.

The selected group, who range from bus captains to driving instructors, will receive their awards - given out annually by the labour movement - from Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday.

For Mr Julius, the pat on the back 'is a reward I did not expect... but it does not change things', he said. 'I will still go on driving more than 1,000 passengers a day, and ensuring their safety at all times.'

Another recipient is housewife-turned-cabby Ng Chew Lan.

The 43-year-old mother of two sons, aged 18 and 24, who became a cabby eight years ago, shares the same taxi as her husband. She works in the mornings while he takes the night shift. They meet when handing over, which, for Madam Ng, is a good thing.

'The time spent apart is good as it also means less time to quarrel,' she said with a laugh.

The former housewife now receives compliments almost daily from her passengers and has earned praise for her patience even in ugly incidents.

She said of the early days: 'I was a country bumpkin. As I seldom went out, I didn't even know the locations of many places.'

So in her first year, she took to drawing out more than 50 street maps of different locations on mahjong paper for easy reference.

Now, she zooms around Singapore with ease, but still keeps seven hand-drawn maps of areas unfamiliar to her, like Woodlands and Sengkang, tucked in her bag. 'The maps are very tattered now, but they have helped as I don't have to ask the passenger to tell me how to get to places,' she said.

This is the second time the industry has been picked since the awards were first given out in 1996, because of the 'mettle' shown by its employees during the Sars outbreak, the National Trades Union Congress said yesterday.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2004-05-05/home4.jpg
Compliments from passengers make her day. Formerly a housewife, model cabby Ng Chew Lan, 43, shares the taxi with her husband, who works the night shift. -- ABDUL AZIZ HUSSIN

heirloom

May 12th, 2004, 01:39 PM

hahaha... why bukit panjang lrt so lousy!

babystan03

May 12th, 2004, 01:42 PM

hahaha... why bukit panjang lrt so lousy!

haha...thats what I thought too.....somemore it undergone a major and extensive revamp in the circuit....... :bash:

huaiwei

May 12th, 2004, 03:53 PM

Wakao.....3 shutdowns after a recent revamp? They should destroy the system! :D

babystan03

May 12th, 2004, 03:55 PM

Wakao.....3 shutdowns after a recent revamp? They should destroy the system! :D

I wonder what's wrong with it??? Always spoilt one.....fortunately I don't live there......feel so insecure..... :bash:

huaiwei

May 12th, 2004, 04:58 PM

Insecure....muahahah!!! :D

I dont know man. Maybe they should destory it and replace if with the Sengkang system. Seems tonnes more reliable!

babystan03

May 12th, 2004, 05:03 PM

Insecure....muahahah!!! :D

I dont know man. Maybe they should destory it and replace if with the Sengkang system. Seems tonnes more reliable!

That what I thought too.....but it seem from the news that residents there are used to the situation.....and they seem more happy when it's spoilt cos then there will be free feeder bus.....haha...:D

huaiwei

May 12th, 2004, 05:20 PM

That what I thought too.....but it seem from the news that residents there are used to the situation.....and they seem more happy when it's spoilt cos then there will be free feeder bus.....haha...:D
Aye yeah hor....suddenly it sounds like a great ting to happen! :D

babystan03

May 12th, 2004, 05:24 PM

Aye yeah hor....suddenly it sounds like a great ting to happen! :D

Haha....no wonder the residents seem to look very "satisfied" on TV lah....haha....:D

huaiwei

May 12th, 2004, 06:03 PM

Haha....no wonder the residents seem to look very "satisfied" on TV lah....haha....:D
So very Singaporean...but I am sure they are still going to bitch about the system failures for the sake of it! :D

babystan03

May 12th, 2004, 06:07 PM

So very Singaporean...but I am sure they are still going to bitch about the system failures for the sake of it! :D

Of course they will bitch about it....so that SLRT can offer some promotional rates or free rides as apology..(which they always do)...haha....:D

huaiwei

May 12th, 2004, 06:45 PM

Of course they will bitch about it....so that SLRT can offer some promotional rates or free rides as apology..(which they always do)...haha....:D
Free rides on LRT? :D

I suppose their huge profits should be more then able to pay for this! :D

babystan03

May 12th, 2004, 06:49 PM

Free rides on LRT? :D

I suppose their huge profits should be more then able to pay for this! :D

Piece of cake lah.....anyway they can easily afford to fork out 2.5 million for an image revamp??? :D

huaiwei

May 12th, 2004, 11:04 PM

60 MILLIONTH COMMUTER ON LRT

THE Bukit Panjang LRT system is expected to carry its 60 millionth commuter this month.

Operator SMRT Corp will give that passenger a set of five ez-link cards worth $100.

The $285-million line started in November 1999. More than 40,000 commuters use the 7.8km line daily.

babystan03

May 13th, 2004, 11:46 AM

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 13 May 2004 1702 hrs

By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The Land Transport Authority says it is removing 190 SOS phones from Singapore's expressways, except for the ones inside the CTE Tunnels.

LTA says the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System, or EMAS, has proven to be very effective.

Plus, the widespread use of mobile phones has all but rendered the orange SOS phones redundant.

The removal starts in the middle of this month and is expected to save LTA S$11,000 a month.

Even if you don't use a mobile phone and can't call for help if your car breaks down, don't worry.

LTA says EMAS would be able to detect any incidents or signs of distress.

On top of that, EMAS recovery crews are also on patrol along the expressways every two hours or so. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

eyetoeye

May 13th, 2004, 12:12 PM

babystan03

May 13th, 2004, 12:21 PM

60 millionth disgruntled customer or just 60 millionth customer? :wallbash:

I dun think they will be "disgrunted" as everytime the LRT has a problem.....there will be FREE feeder bus??:D

I think they are "disgrunted" so as to have more goddies.....:D

Zoowatch

May 22nd, 2004, 04:00 PM

Hi there, greetings from the Thai forum.

I have created 2 maps and they are now available at www.2bangkok.com (The webmaster has kindly hosted these maps on his website)

One of the maps is about the Bangkok mass transit development plan.

Bangkok Map (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/map/map.shtml)

The other one is for the Singapore mass transit development plan.

Singapore Map (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/map/singmap.shtml)

I know that they quite large, so dail-up users, please be a little patient.
Also, I hope that you guys will like them.

Note:
It is not possible to open this file directly within a browser (such MS Internet Explorer) as the PDF is too large/complex for the plug-in to handle/recognize. Instead, follow theses steps:

1. Place the mouse pointer at the hyperlink.
2. Right click and select "Save Target As...".
3. Select a directory where the PDF file could be saved in. (e.g. Desktop, My Documents...)
4. When the download is complete, proceed to the directory where the file has been saved in.
5. Double click the file to open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
6. When opened, use the magnifying glass tool for zooming and the hand tool for dragging and map navigation.

It is completely okay if you wish to use these maps for private / non-commercial purposes. However, should you wish to put it anywhere online, please let me know by sending an email to zoowatch@hotmail.com. As long as you are willing to quote the source (Phansopa Chatchawal), I will most likely oblige.

By the way, I'm not a Singaporean, and it has been quite some time that I last stayed in Singapore. So pardon me if there have been new developments occuring over the past 2 years which are missing from this map. Of course, you suggestions are very welcome.

Lastly, remember to drop by our Thai Forum (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=326)

eyetoeye

May 22nd, 2004, 04:10 PM

Wow. Very impressive map! It nearly caused my computer to hang, but that's by no fault of yours. I've not been maintaining my computer well enough. :P So is this a personal project or something?

Zoowatch

May 22nd, 2004, 04:18 PM

it's an interest. not really a project. i just keep update them when there are free time.

huaiwei

May 22nd, 2004, 06:57 PM

Zoowatch

May 22nd, 2004, 08:18 PM

Wow...I am really impressed! I am wondering if you wish to post the map here in the forum on your own, since no one will need to ask you for permission then? :)

Not trying to "pick on" your marvellous work, but I wonder if you wants us to give updates and suggestions for improvement here in this thread?

well, the map is quite large and I cannot find a way to post it here. many commercial websites that offer free picture storage accepts only images like JPEG and GIF but definitely not PDF files. even if they do so, they have a restriction on the amount of data transfer each day, meaning that only a few people could download the map in a day.

actually, i would love to do so but I couldn't find a way to post it directly in this forum. if i were to convert it into a JPEG image. the file would be even bigger while the resolution becomes poorer. in a JPEG format, viewer will not be able to zoom into the map and pick up small texts and details. hence i think this is the best solution so far.

if there are major infrastructure projects coming forth, you guys could let me know about that and I will study the sources of information to see if there are adequate details. should a project, like a new MRT line, carries all thee details of where the stations are, where exactly it is going to run through, then i could easily add that into the map.

Zoowatch

May 22nd, 2004, 08:38 PM

Download this map here (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/map/singmap.shtml).

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/Singapore_Preview_2.jpg

huaiwei

May 22nd, 2004, 08:42 PM

Zoowatch

May 22nd, 2004, 09:51 PM

Download this map here (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/map/map.shtml).

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/BKK_Preview_2.jpg

Zoowatch

May 22nd, 2004, 09:52 PM

Dont worry, I am not asking for the PDF file to be linked, as I know it isnt possible too. :D I am just wondering if you would like to post one "thumbnail" sized jpeg of the map, and another full-sized one. I checked the resulting file size of the jpeg after exporting at maximum resolution from PDF, and it stands at 1.84MB in size. After using PS to downsize it by 40%, cropping out the extra white areas, and then optimizing it for web display, I managed to have a 310kb file with the smallest text clearly visible. :D But I still cant post it because it is not mine of coz.

I saw that you already mentioned you have not added the Sentosa Link yet. That is a small omission, so it might be ok for now. But a bigger change which occured this month was the rebranding of SMRT and TIBS companies into SMRT Trains and SMRT Buses, with a new logo for each as well.

One small "error:" The Bus Interchange icon at Yio Chu Kang station actually is a Bus Terminal, as well as the one at Changi Airport, Outram Park, and Harbourfront. Perhaps it is better to indicate the legend as "Interchange/Terminal," or having another colour scheme, which I suppose isnt really necesary? Alternatively, you might want to add all the locations of every bus interchange and terminal! :D

Finally, since I noticed you have a "future rail plan" for Bangkok, you might want to consider doing one for Singapore too. Many of these rail lines has been indicated in the Concept Plan 2001, and if you wish, we can help you source for information about them.

The amount of attention you give to this is amazing. Keep up the excellent work! :eek:

Hi there,

I was quite aware that the bus icons at Yio Chu Kang, Changi Airport are actually bus terminals, not bus interchanges. I was hesitant to put them in at first, but when i saw the system map issued by the Singapore Land Transport Authority, there were such icons at Yio Chu Kang and another one at Changi Aiport. So, I thought that maybe in the future, these terminals might be turned into bus interchanges. Although the possibility of having a bus interchange at Changi Aiport is quite low (given the limitation of land size and other physical constrians), the one at Yio Chu Kang might be upgraded into a bus interchange, considering that NYP is just next door and there is some land space next to the station. However, this might not be true when the new Ang Mo Kio interchange is completed. The government might just decide to shut the YCK bus terminal down.

With regards to the icon at Harbourfront. I remembered when I visited sentosa that there was a World Trade Centre Bus Interchange on the Mt. Faber side of Telok Blangah Road. It was a relatively more quiet bus interchange though, but having seen LTA putting a bus icon next to the official system map, I decided to play safe and follow suit. The same thing goes to Geyland bus terminal opposite the Kallang MRT station. I think it is just a matter of time before it is shut down or upgraded. Anyway, thanks a lot for pointing that out, I will try to keep these in mind.

Besides, I have deleted an interchange next to Kovan MRT station as I have heard of news that the Hougang South Interchange might be shut down permanently, thanks to a recent article on the Straits Times.

I think TIBS buses are pretty nice, especially the Bendy Buses. Now that it is going to be merged with SMRT, I am begining to feel a little nostalgic now. Anyway, when the new company is formed and its logo is obtained, I will try make appropriate changes as soon as I am free.

I have seen the 2001 and the 2003 concept plans issued by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. In my opinion they represent a primary stage of rail network plan complementing future land use, and it means that road and rail alignments and stations along new rail lines are yet to be drawn up in specificity. Some of the rail lines, if they are eventually built, might look very different from those shown in the concept plan. Hence I would include them only when the final design works, route and station plans are more or less fixed. If I were to include all of them now, many of the new rail lines would probably be quite dissimilar when they become materialised, and that means I would have to redraw them again :-P

When I drew up the map for Bangkok, I excluded many rail lines, roads and expressways although they are all parts of the Bangkok master plan. That's also because some of these rail / road projects have not been studied in details and no one knows what would their alignments be when they are finally constructed. These are still in their primary stage of planning and are completely subjected to change. Hence, what you see in these 2 maps (Bangkok and Singapore) are infrastructure projects which have undergone the final stage of design and planning (not likely to change), and many of them are already under construction.

But from the concept plans I have seen, I knew that Singapore would achieve it some day, given its wealth and strong governance. Pretty ambitious yet breath-taking, and it is an achievable target for Singapore.

Your feedback is much appreciated.

LTA's official system map can be viewed here (http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/public_maps_rail_l.htm).

http://www.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2001/images/bigmap.gif

huaiwei

May 22nd, 2004, 10:06 PM

Hi there,

I was quite aware that the bus icons at Yio Chu Kang, Changi Airport are actually bus terminals, not bus interchanges. I was hesitant to put them in at first, but when i saw the system map issued by the Singapore Land Transport Authority, there were such icons at Yio Chu Kang and another one at Changi Aiport. So, I thought that maybe in the future, these terminals might be turned into bus interchanges. Although the possibility of having a bus interchange at Changi Aiport is quite low (given the limitation of land size and other physical constrians), the one at Yio Chu Kang might be upgraded into a bus interchange, considering that NYP is just next door and there is some land space next to the station. However, this might not be true when the new Ang Mo Kio interchange is completed. The government might just decide to shut the YCK bus terminal down.

With regards to the icon at Harbourfront. I remembered when I visited sentosa that there was a World Trade Centre Bus Interchange on the Mt. Faber side of Telok Blangah Road. It was a relatively more quiet bus interchange though, but having seen LTA putting a bus icon next to the official system map, I decided to play safe and follow suit. Anyway, thanks a lot for pointing that out, I will try to keep these in mind.

Besides, I have deleted an interchange next to Kovan MRT station as I have heard of news that the Hougang South Interchange might be shut down permanently, thanks to a recent article on the Straits Times.

I think TIBS buses are pretty nice, especially the Bendy Buses. Now that it is going to be merged with SMRT, I am begining to feel a little nostalgic now. Anyway, when the new company is formed and its logo is obtained, I will try make appropriate changes as soon as I am free.

http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/public_maps_rail_l.htm
The amount of knowledge you possess is absolutely astounding. You will put many locals to shame!

About the Bus Interchange/Bus Terminal thing, it is actually not a definition based on physical size/configuration/capacity etc, if I were to presume you were going in that line of tot. An "Interchange" here refers to a Bus Terminal which has feeder services (local short-distance loop services) running from it. Due to the way the bus operators choose to do their bus route planning, and also the gradual phasing out of feeder services, it is unlikely for them to change the name of any of these entities now or in the forseeable future. Hopefully they might even realise who mundane and redundant it is to distinguish between the two, and just call them all by one name. :D

Anyway, just noticed LTA was lazy enough to call them "interchanges" too when it was not technically correct as far as the bus operators are concerned. But this is just a small issue overall. It is a rail map afterall! :)

Yeah. Hougang South Bus Interchange has been closed permanently. Quite a sad news to me, coz I live there! :cry:

TIBS has already been merged with SMRT since dunno how many years ago..I presume last year, and they just started the rebranding exercise.

http://www.smrt.com.sg/popup_window/new_05.gif
http://www.smrt.com.sg/popup_window/new_08.gif

"From 10 May 2004, all companies in our corporate family officially adopt the SMRT brand name, logo and corporate colours. You will also progressively see the familiar SMRT logo and its distinctive red and black colours on our buses and taxis as well as our trains."

The visuals can be seen here for your reference and possible amendment in your next update: http://www.smrt.com.sg/new-name.ppt

Zoowatch

May 22nd, 2004, 10:48 PM

huaiwei

May 23rd, 2004, 08:53 AM

Hi there,
I have seen the 2001 and the 2003 concept plans issued by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. In my opinion they represent a primary stage of rail network plan complementing future land use, and it means that road and rail alignments and stations along new rail lines are yet to be drawn up in specificity. Some of the rail lines, if they are eventually built, might look very different from those shown in the concept plan. Hence I would include them only when the final design works, route and station plans are more or less fixed. If I were to include all of them now, many of the new rail lines would probably be quite dissimilar when they become materialised, and that means I would have to redraw them again :-P

When I drew up the map for Bangkok, I excluded many rail lines, roads and expressways although they are all parts of the Bangkok master plan. That's also because some of these rail / road projects have not been studied in details and no one knows what would their alignments be when they are finally constructed. These are still in their primary stage of planning and are completely subjected to change. Hence, what you see in these 2 maps (Bangkok and Singapore) are infrastructure projects which have undergone the final stage of design and planning (not likely to change), and many of them are already under construction.
I see now. I initially tot the Bangkok map was a conceptial plan not unlike that for the sg concept plan, and hence I was wondering if you want to create a equivalent. As the plans are going to take decades to be finalised, it might be interesting to add the conceptial lines in light colours with the existing ones to indicate future rail corridors?

Just a suggestion of coz. I actually plan to do the exact same thing! :D

huaiwei

May 23rd, 2004, 11:48 AM

Thank you Huaiwei,

I have not visited Singapore for quite some time and it must look pretty different right now, especially on the roads. When I last been there, there were no candy colour taxis (green, red etc...). No NE Line and many road diversions along Eu Tong Sen Street in Chinatown due to excavation works. I remembered old faithful yellow friendly TIBS buses and red SBS buses dominating the streets. The trial for EZlink cards was also the talk of the town then.

But all these don't come with too mcuh a surprise for an ever-changing city like Singapore.
The last time I went to Bangkok was two years ago, whereby the skytrain was already running. Had lots of fun riding it! :D I didnt observe to the buses and other forms of transport other then the "Streetcars" thou, but the water taxies did catch my attention!

Given the transport situation in Bangkok, I am sure anything is possible to get it all running smoothly again. I was quite impressed to be able to get from the airport to my hotel in a very short time!

Zoowatch

May 23rd, 2004, 12:31 PM

These are the modes of public transport that are less well known among tourists... definitely no match to those you have in Singapore... but the fares are really cheap (ranges from 4 baht to 10 baht / 18 to 40 Singapore cents). In the cases of taxis, on the average it costs you around 130 baht (SGD5.50) for a ride in Bangkok.

Public Buses

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/BMTA_3.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/BMTA_Bus_Conductor.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/Bangkok_28.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/Hot_Bus_2.jpg

River Boat

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/Wat_Soi_Thong_Pier.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/River_Boat_2.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/River_Boat_1.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/Khlong_2.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/Canal.jpg

Taxi / Tuk-tuk

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/Tuk-Tuk_1.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Zoowatch/Taxi-Meter.jpg

RafflesCity

May 24th, 2004, 01:25 AM

Bukit Panjang LRT hits 60-millionth passenger mark

23 May 2004

SINGAPORE : The Bukit Panjang LRT celebrates serving its 60-millionth passenger on Sunday.

Despite the delays and breakdowns, the service has become indispensable for many commuters.

It was an unexpected start to the morning for 29-year-old Maran.

The Bukit Panjang resident, who was on his way to the temple, became the LRT's 60-millionth passenger at 9.40am.

Mr Maran received a set of limited edition EZ-link cards worth $500 from Mr David Lim, MP for Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC.

Mr Maran said: "I was just wondering upstairs what's happening downstairs, I was so surprised and they started playing all the pop-ups on my head.

"I do not really like the LRT service, but I think after this I should learn how to love it."

As part of the celebrations, there is also an art contest with the theme "I LOVE Bukit Panjang LRT".

But perhaps for many residents, their relationship with the light rail service is a little bit more complicated than that.

One woman resident said: "I find that if it doesn't break down so often, everybody will love it."

"Perhaps it's a love-hate relationship!"

One man said: "It has become part of our life and it is very important to us."

Mr David Lim said: "I am very glad SMRT has paid a lot of attention to raising quality of service, and indeed service has come up.

"There are still occasionally some breakdowns and I hope they will continue to pay attention to this and to maintain the service."

The LRT had a major service delay earlier this month after a series of power trips.

Despite this, its parent company SMRT said the LRT had been providing a service standard higher than the benchmark set by the Land Transport Authority. - CNA

huaiwei

May 24th, 2004, 07:54 AM

I wondered if they recorded how many breakdowns they have had, and how long it might have delayed them being able to hit the 60m figure? :D

eyetoeye

May 24th, 2004, 08:00 AM

Taken from http://www.todayonline.com/articles/19206.asp

Is it time to put the LRT out of its misery?

Friday • May 14, 2004

If the Bukit Panjang LRT was a horse, they'd have shot it by now. Twice.

I am sorry for insulting crippled and dying horses with that statement. But, I think there comes a time in a Light Rail's life — when it cannot give the kiddies proper rides anymore — that the only humane thing to do is to put it out of its misery.

I read that the SMRT was going to give out a $500 set of five commemorative ez-link cards to the 60 millionth LRT passenger to show its appreciation to commuters for using the line through the "challenging times in the earlier years".

I guess the cards will now be given to show its appreciation to commuters for using the line through the "challenging times in the earlier years and also, er, now".

For those of you who think that residents in Bukit Panjang were upset by the inconvenience, I have been told that it is not the case. This is because every time the LRT breaks down, they get to ride on a free emergency shuttle bus service. With real drivers too.

The LRT, if you recall, was a driverless light rail built to replace feeder buses. And who did they turn to when the trains did not work? Ding-ding! You got the answer correct. Feeder buses. I bet those buses made redundant by the LRT are s******ing now.

"What? Sorry? I didn't hear what you said. Can you speak louder? You want us to go back and pick up all your passengers stranded at the LRT stations? Can! Wait I finish my kopi first," Mr Feeder Bus would say, if feeder buses could talk.

My theory is that the LRT was designed as a secret training ground for LRT bus drivers, to test their ability to hit the bus routes on very short notice.

It is a stroke of genius, because now, when there is a new licence for another bus company, the LRT folks can apply for it on the basis of their bus expertise.

LRT Bus Driver — you'd think that is an oxymoron.

I hear they are going back to look at the system again, to audit it to see where the faults are.

I say the solution is easier. Put some drivers back into the trains. That way, if the driverless system breaks down, the back-up human driver can take over. And if that does not work, the human driver can still come out and push the train to the next station.

Just like those office phone systems, where you call up an organisation and the first thing you hear is a very expensive answering machine.

"Please press 1 for Sales, press 2 for Support, and press the star key if you want to be put on hold for 15 minutes before you get to talk to a real human. Thank you."

In those cases, the human operator is only a back-up, in case the computerised answering machine cannot help the customer.

Same thing here — have back-up LRT train drivers. No train computer needs fear losing its job as the humans in place are just there as back-up.

Although the Bukit Panjang residents are happily getting free bus rides, I still feel sorry for them. Imagine having to advertise your flat as "High floor, no blockage, nowhere even near the LRT", as a selling point.

"Oh sorry, I cannot offer a higher price for your flat, it is next to the LRT station."

Speaking of higher prices, recently, in the spirit of the Cut Waste Panel, some members of the public have suggested that senior civil service officials and senior military commanders should not get to use big and expensive cars.

Some have suggested that these senior people should use their own cars instead, or at least be given non-luxury marques.

According to Mindef, military commanders need the cars to rush back to camp, or anywhere else, in an emergency and to make their presence felt among their men.

It said: "An easily identifiable car helps to communicate the commander's presence. The presence of the car informs the troops that their commander is now with them even as they carry out their training and operational duties."

Personally, I don't think you need a big-ass luxury car to rush back and make your presence felt. Just take one of the army Land Rovers, put in a turbo engine, paint the Land Rover camouflage pink and stick on a pair of bunny ears on the roof. I guarantee that you will get to any emergency fast and the troops will see you coming long before you get there.

"Eh, quick, look busy! It is the pink Land Rover with the bunny ears! CO lai liao! (has arrived)."

I am being silly, of course. Military commanders need to have dignified cars to command the respect of their men. You want a car that the other cars in the car park will salute when it pulls into the camp.

So, do away with the undignified bunny ears, but keep the turbo engine and the pink camouflage.

Of course, the next time you go for reservist — or whatever it is they are calling it these days — do swing by the Division Commander's Audi and tell him how nice his car looks and ask respectfully if he is enjoying the car your taxes are paying for.

Sure get long weekend one. Maybe, even a field promotion.

I am assuming that in a real war situation, the same commander will not be driving his luxury car into the jungle.

First of all, it would get stuck in the mud. Second, the bushes and trees will totally screw up the paintwork. And, most importantly, the same car will announce his presence to enemy snipers.

"Sir! How we know which is the Singapore senior officer?" The reply: "Don't worry, corporal, just everybody aim the only civilian luxury car in the jungle!"

I think that if we really want to save more money, make the commanders take the LRT. In fact, I reckon that if enough senior government officials were made to forgo their cars to take the LRT everyday, maybe it will decide to break down less often.

That, or we will have to take the LRT outside and shoot it.

mr brown is the accidental author of a popular website that has been documenting the dysfunctional side of Singapore life since 1997. He thinks that the LRT tracks will make a great water theme park, "Bukit Panjang Wet and Wild".

huaiwei

May 24th, 2004, 08:49 AM

I have never seen a more hilarious article then that!!! :rofl:

babystan03

May 30th, 2004, 03:06 AM

MAY 30, 2004

LRT service probe

A TASK force has been set up to look into why the Bukit Panjang Light Rapid Transit (LRT) line keeps breaking down.

SMRT formed the committee of 10 senior management personnel and technical experts two weeks ago, after the LRT broke down again on May 13, this time for four hours.

More than 50 major breakdowns have plagued the network since it started operating five years ago.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said when approached yesterday at a fund-raising walk for 14 Methodist schools, that the LRT system compared well by international standards.

But he told The Sunday Times that if 'sloppy operations' were the cause, the ministry 'would be very, very unhappy'.

Maiden flight

CHINA's Shandong Airlines made its maiden international flight to Singapore yesterday.

It is the fifth Chinese airline offering flights to the Republic.

On board were Mr Zeng Guoqiang, the airline's general manager and chief pilot. The airline will fly twice a week between Jinan and here, via Shenzhen.

Jinan is Shandong's political, economic and cultural centre. It is also called the City of Springs, as it has 72 of them.

Shandong Airlines is also the fourth new airline to begin flights to Changi Airport this year.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

June 18th, 2004, 06:01 AM

JUNE 18, 2004
Jakarta launches monorail project to ease jams
SMRT Corp involved in $1b contract that calls for two elevated railway lines to carry up to 270,000 passengers a day

By Salim Osman

INDONESIA has launched an ambitious US$600 million (S$1 billion) monorail project to ease the capital city's notorious traffic congestion.

The project, also involving companies from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2007.

It comprises a 27km elevated railway split into two lines carrying up to 270,000 passengers a day. The 15km Green Line will serve central business districts, while the Blue Line will run for 12km along Jakarta's outer areas.

The project was launched by President Megawati Sukarnoputri at a ground-breaking ceremony this week, but construction will not start until September or October, when financing is finalised.

The monorail plan follows a new bus system, begun earlier this year, which reserves two lanes of the city's main thoroughfare for buses.

So far, the dedicated bus lanes have done little to rid drivers of traffic headaches, and residents in this city of 12 million fear construction of the monorail will jam main streets and alternative roads.

But a director of PT Jakarta Monorail was hopeful.

Ms Sukmawaty Syukur told The Straits Times: 'Traffic congestion is expected during the duration of the project, but we are trying to minimise the disruption by adopting a construction method involving the use of pre-fabricated concrete.

'The concrete will be cast elsewhere and brought to the site after midnight, hence limiting the impact on traffic along the routes.'

The Green Line will cover the business districts in the so-called Golden Triangle encompassing the Kuningan, Sudirman and Senayan areas. It will have 17 stations.

The Blue Line, with 13 stations, will connect the outlying areas of Kampung Melayu and Roxy.

The fare for both lines will range between 3,500 rupiah (S$0.64) and 7,500 rupiah.

'We expect 70 per cent of Jakarta residents now using public transport such as buses will be able to afford the monorail service,' Ms Sukmawaty said.

SMRT Corporation, which runs a train system in Singapore, will be a partner in the system's operation and maintenance, she said.

PT Jakarta Monorail, the consortium heading the project, is made up of Indonesia Transit Central and the Omnico Consortium. Omnico, which represents Japan's Hitachi, will supply materials and technology for construction.

Officials estimate the project will provide at least 10,000 jobs during its construction.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

June 18th, 2004, 06:03 AM

JUNE 18, 2004
Minister Yeo's Visit To Malaysia
Singapore and KL to boost transport links
Under discussion are ways to ease ships' passage under a new anti-terror code and the possibility of increased flights

By Reme Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR - Singapore and Malaysia yesterday discussed ways to smooth further the movement of goods and people between the two countries.

At their meeting yesterday, Singapore's Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong and his Malaysian counterpart Chan Kong Choy discussed ways to ensure that bilateral trade would not be affected when international measures on maritime security and the prevention of terrorist acts are implemented in ports from July 1.

Mr Yeo, who made a courtesy call on Datuk Chan during a two-day visit to Malaysia, also talked about the possibility of increasing flights between the two countries to boost tourism and business travel.

Mr Yeo is accompanied by officials from the Transport Ministry, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

'His visit will certainly bring the two countries closer together, particularly in the transportation sector which has a very important role to play in the development of the national economy,' Datuk Chan said after the one-hour meeting.

Describing the meeting as a reflection of the warmth between the two countries, Mr Yeo said: 'Goods have to flow and people have to travel. All these are facilitated through the transport sector, either through land, the sea or air.'

With the implementation of the International Shipping and Port Security (ISPS) code just two weeks away, Malaysian and Singaporean officials will meet soon to share notes and ensure that trade is not disrupted if some shippers failed to meet the new requirements.

'We will exchange notes and views to make sure that come July 1, with the implementation of the ISPS code, trade flow between the two countries in particular and Asean in general will not be hindered,' said Datuk Chan.

Sea port authorities and ship owners have till July 1 to meet the ISPS code specified by the United Nations International Maritime Organisation.

The code requires the authorities running sea ports and ship owners to draw up and practise counter-terrorism contingency plans.

Mr Yeo said that as there were expectations that a lot of ships would not be compliant with the code on July 1, the two countries must discuss how to approach the problem.

And while the ISPS covers ships of 500 tonnes and above, there are smaller vessels that must be handled to comply with port security, he said.

'Singapore is looking into a low-cost system or a transponder system which allows us to identify the ships, the small boats that are in the harbour,' he said. 'We are very happy to share with Malaysia the approach we are taking as well as the technology that is being developed.

'And if Malaysia wishes to adopt the same system, we will be very happy to share and to assist.'

On enhancing air transportation, the ministers said officials of the two national carriers would meet to talk. Discussions could centre on adding more flights between the two countries.

'The more we can strengthen the air links between Singapore and Malaysia, not just in Peninsular Malaysia but also with East Malaysia, the more we can also facilitate tourism and investment flows,' said Mr Yeo.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

June 18th, 2004, 08:57 AM

Here's a more detailed report.....

Business Times - 18 Jun 2004

M'sia, S'pore forge pact on air, sea cooperation
MAS, SIA to consider more flights between the two countries

By EDDIE TOH
IN KUALA LUMPUR

MALAYSIA and Singapore have agreed to boost cooperation between their national airlines amid rising competition from budget carriers and will also work together in complying with an international maritime security code.

Malaysian Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said officials of Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines will meet immediately to discuss the possibility of increasing the number of flights between the two countries.

The two airlines will also find ways and means to enhance the present arrangement in the aviation sector, he told the press following his hour-long meeting with his Singapore counterpart, Yeo Cheow Tong, at Putrajaya yesterday.

The Singapore minister and officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Maritime Port Authority return to Singapore today.

Mr Chan said the two governments may allow the national airlines to operate more flights in the two countries.

He did not give details and said their discussion did not revolve around budget airlines.

'We will leave it (the discussion) to the national carriers first,' Mr Chan added.

The plan to boost ties between the national carriers comes in the wake of intense competition posed by the growing number of budget carriers in the region.

Budget airlines already operating in Malaysia include pace-setter AirAsia of Malaysia, Thailand's Orient Thai Airlines, and Indonesia's Lion Air and Merpati. The Thai and Indonesian ventures of AirAsia will operate out of KL soon.

Three other budget airlines are taking off in the Republic. They are Singapore Airlines' Tiger Airways, Valuair, and Qantas Airways' Jetstar Asia.

So far, the three Singapore-based low-cost carriers have not announced plans to fly to Malaysia.

But this has not deterred Malaysia from revealing its plan to be the regional hub for low cost carriers.

The two ministers also discussed the approaches being adopted by the two governments in complying with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which comes into effect on July 1.

'We can learn from each other and see what we can do to facilitate the implementation of the ISPS code without hindering the trade flow between our two countries, which is very, very important,' said Mr Yeo.

Singapore and Malaysia are on track to fully comply with the code introduced by the International Maritime Organization in 2002 to help enhance maritime security through mandatory security plans.

The two close neighbours are major trading partners with two-way trade touching RM170 billion (S$77 billion), which is equivalent to over 40 per cent of the size of the Malaysian economy last year.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

babystan03

June 24th, 2004, 04:56 PM

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 24 June 2004 2202 hrs

Automated bus tracking system may be delayed till year-end
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : It costs S$9 million and it is supposed to take the guesswork out of bus fares, but the automated bus tracking system that was supposed to have hit the roads last year is still facing teething problems.

Testing began as far back as 2002 and now it looks like the system won't go online till the end of the year.

Some commuters have been over-charged or got away with under-paying for a bus ride because the driver forgot to update the fare stages -- that is what the Vehicle Location System is supposed to overcome.

Firstly, distance measuring equipment on the bus automatically determines the fare stage.

Then, using GPS technology, the fare stage is verified as the bus pulls into the bus stop.

The equipment has already been installed on all SBS and SMRT buses, but the system has not been turned on completely.

Testing has thrown up a few challenges, such as making sure the bus doesn't pick up the wrong signals.

"We have 4,000 bus stops and we have to ensure that we have quite accurate definition of these bus stops otherwise we still end up with wrong fare stages," said Silvester Prakasam, manager (fare system) at the Land Transport Authority.

"The other problem is because some of our roads are narrower there has been switching over to the opposite bus stop. The GPS does not know which side of the road the bus is on," he said.

And to make sure commuters only tap their cards after the automatic fare updating is done, the readers have been adjusted.

Once the automated system kicks in, commuters will have to tap their card on the reader within a minute after the doors have shut.

And when they want to get off the bus, they can only tap on the card readers when they are a hundred metres away from the bus stop.

At all other times, the card readers will not work.

But these new enhancements have only been tested on 56 out of 261 routes; complete testing could take at least a few more months.

The Transport Minister expects a full roll-out by year-end. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

babystan03

June 30th, 2004, 07:00 PM

The New Paper - 01 Jul 2004

$354m later, Punggol's LRT waits for crowds
DEVELOPMENT ON SCHEDULE BUT WHEN WILL IT RUN?

By Tan May Ping

WHEN the Housing Board began slowing down the building of flats in Punggol, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) had already gone full steam ahead with its own project.

Anticipating a great demand for flats over time, the LTA shot ahead with the building of the Punggol LRT system.

A cool $354 million later, the system is still not running.

And it doesn't look like it will be doing so any time soon even though the system appears ready to be used.

The LTA insists it is still testing the system.

And when it hands over the whole system to operator SBS Transit at the end of the year, more tests would have to be carried out.

In accounting practice, the LRT project is incurring paper losses because it is not generating a return on capital.

Said an accountant, who declined to be named: 'If the infrastructure is up and ready but is not used, it means that you are not enjoying returns on money you have already invested.

'The infrastructure has a depreciation value, which is measured as an expense. But if there is no revenue, that expense is registered as a loss on paper even though there is no actual cash loss.'

The depreciation value is roughly the cost of building the infrastructure divided by the expected period of time the infrastructure is projected to last.

TIGHTLIPPED LTA

The LTA did not want to disclose the depreciation value of the project.

An LTA spokesman told The New Paper: 'The development of the Punggol LRT is on schedule, and we target to complete the project by end 2004.

'Currently, we are carrying out testing of the various systems. We should be able to hand over the system to the operator by end 2004 for their trial run.'

But when will the system start operating? The spokesman said that would depend on the operator's trial run and will be 'in tandem with the developments in the area'.

If that's the case, then residents might have to wait some time more before they will get to use the system. There aren't enough people to fill the trains based on the current number of people living in the area.

And the longer it takes, the higher the losses on paper.

SBS did not give an answer when asked how long it would take to complete its trial runs.

Ms Tammy Tan, spokesman for ComfortDelGro, which owns SBS Transit, said: 'The Punggol LRT system has yet to be handed over to us. When it happens, SBS will have to conduct a series of comprehensive and extensive tests and trial runs to ensure that the system is safe and ready for passenger service.

'The commencement date of the Punggol LRT will depend on the successful completion of these trial runs.'

SBS is also the operator of the North-East Line (NEL) and the Sengkang LRT system.

SBS took six months to conduct its trials before opening the east loop of the Sengkang LRT. There are close to 35,000 housing units in Sengkang now.

Similarly, the Buangkok MRT station on the NEL can open only when there are about 2,000 housing units around it.

The LTA could not say how many households are needed to make operations viable in Punggol.

All the testing and trial runs of the Punggol system have raised residents' hopes.

As they see it, everything seems in place for operations to begin sooner rather than later.

TRACKS READY, STATIONS UP

After all, the 10.3km-long tracks are ready and all 15 LRT stations are up.

There are even 10 Japanese-made trains sitting in the depot at Sengkang waiting to service the Punggol line.

Residents, who see the trains moving back and forth every day, can't wait for things to get moving, said Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Charles Chong.

Said Mr Chong: 'It looks almost completed. Residents want it open as soon as possible especially when they see the trains on trial runs. It has raised their expectations because it would make their lives much easier.'

But he asked if the testing is being done efficiently.

'Why can't the LTA and SBS conduct joint tests so they don't duplicate and waste resources?' he asked.

Even when the LTA hands over the system to SBS, it will only comprise the eight stations on the east loop.

The Punggol West loop, which has seven stations, would not be opened yet as there are no housing developments there, said the LTA spokesman.

This is similar to the situation in Sengkang, where only the six-station East loop is in operation. The Sengkang LRT system, with 14 stations, cost $302 million to develop.

Still, those already living in Punggol are hopeful for the system to be operating soon.

Technician Goh Leng Kuang, 37, who lives in a five-room flat, is tired of walking 10 minutes to the nearest bus stop to take a bus to Sengkang or Tampines in order to get on to the MRT line.

Mr Goh said: 'I have an LRT station downstairs but I can't use it. I'm happy that they've started trial runs.'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not enough people to set LRT rolling along

WHAT happens when the system is finally ready but there just isn't the mass to support it?

It will be a tough decision to make, said Mr Chong.

He said: 'Do you let it depreciate and serve nobody or do you serve whoever is there and drain the bottomline?

'Of course, residents would like to see it in operation so they can use it. Viability does not figure very high on their priorities.

'But as it is now, the catchment may not be as big as was anticipated by the operator.'

Many organisations did not react fast enough when HDB decided to slow down its building plans for Punggol, added Mr Chong.

Like the NEL, which still has not reached its projected ridership of 250,000 per day even after one year into its opening, Mr Chong predicts the Punggol LRT system is likely to lose money.

At least until the demand for flats in Punggol picks up or until buyers start moving in to their flats.

'I was told that only 709 flats or 3.5 per cent of flats in Punggol North remain unsold. That looks good on paper but when I went to the ground, I could see that many flats were still empty.

'Many buyers had not moved in and there was very little sign of life,' said Mr Chong.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

huaiwei

July 28th, 2004, 09:49 PM

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2004-07-28/front_bishan.jpg

Man hit by MRT train at Bishan dies

A MAN who had fallen on the tracks of the MRT and was hit by an oncoming train died on Wednesday after being extricated by rescue personnel.

The 31-year-old had fallen in front of a north-bound train at the Bishan station at about 1.05pm. Someone called the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) at about 1.12pm and by 1.14pm, officers were on the scene.

The four SCDF officers took about five minutes to remove him from the train's undercarriage. He was pronounced dead at 1.35pm.

The train service along the North-bound line was disrupted for about an hour. About 3,500 people were affected by the disruption, and Singapore Mass Rapid Transit arranged for a bridging bus service to bring north-bound passengers from Toa Payoh to Ang Mo Kio MRT station, making stops at Braddell as well as Bishan.

An SCDF spokesman said that when the train driver saw the man, he sounded the horn and applied the emergency brakes.

Little information is available on what happened because the station's closed-circuit television is in the middle of being upgraded and did not record the incident.

Police are investigating this as unnatural death.

huaiwei

July 29th, 2004, 12:53 PM

I am getting quite pissed off with the MRT folks for taking their own sweet time in having their cameras record footages....

babystan03

July 30th, 2004, 02:40 PM

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 30 July 2004 1919 hrs

Automated stage updating to be introduced on nine bus routes
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : An automated bus tracking system that takes the guesswork out of bus fares will be introduced on nine bus routes from Sunday.

They are SBS Transit buses 40, 228, 265, 268 and 506; and SMRT buses 173, 180, 184 and 189.

Under the current system, passengers have been overcharged, or got away underpaying for a bus ride because the driver forgot to update the fares.

The Vehicle Location System will do away with such cases by using the Global Positioning System to update fares automatically.

The system, which has been in testing since 2002, has had some teething problems.

But now the bus operators are ready to roll it out.

Commuters will have to get used to one big change: they can only tap their EZ-link cards when the card reader is activated.

The Vehicle Location System will be introduced on other buses in stages. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

huaiwei

August 5th, 2004, 04:32 PM

MRT death: Man had chest pains

He had arrived back from family holiday in Italy the night before accident and also experienced giddiness on the plane

By Goh Chin Lian

AFTER suffering chest pains and giddiness on a long flight home from Europe, Mr Joseph Tan had trouble sleeping on Tuesday, his first night home.

The jet-lagged accounts officer still left for work the next afternoon - only he never reached his Jurong office: The body of the 31-year-old was found trapped under a train at Bishan MRT station.

Mr Tan's wife does not believe he took his own life.

'A friend told me the news reports said it's a suicide. I don't care what the witnesses say,' said Madam Karen Pang, 34, who works for an oil trading firm.

'I want to see what happened with my own eyes, with the tape recording. I don't think he would have jumped on to the track,' she told reporters yesterday during the wake at the family's Kim Keat home.

The couple, who have two children aged six and two, had just returned from 12 days in Italy.

Madam Pang said her husband had wanted to stop at Bishan, on the way to work, to buy cakes for his colleagues. Gifts bought abroad had been in their luggage, she said, which had gone astray.

On the way out, added Madam Pang, Mr Tan had slipped into a pair of sandals which did not have a good grip, as his favourite slip-on shoes had been packed with the missing luggage.

'He was a very responsible father, a very good husband, very committed, very understanding and... very gentle,' she said with a smile.

When reporters told her she will not be able to see a recording of what had happened as closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras in the MRT station do not record, she insisted they can.

Told again the cameras will be fully upgraded only by 2006, she looked stunned. 'My goodness,' she said.

It will take two years to convert all CCTV cameras at SMRT's 51 stations to allow them to record, as installation can be done only when trains are not running, a spokesman said.

SMRT started to lay cables for an upgraded system last month from the end stations on the East-West and North-South lines, and will proceed gradually towards the central area. The first batch of cameras that record will be operational at the end of the year in 'the eastern area'.

There have been at least eight cases of people involved in accidents at open station platforms on the MRT and Light Rail Transit systems in the past 11 years.

In one, a boy fell and was dragged along the platform by a train at Bishan MRT station in November 2002, while a woman died when a train ran over her at Ang Mo Kio MRT station two months later.

Plans then announced to install recording facilities were delayed when the project had to be re-tendered.

The thought that someone can fall onto the MRT tracks at open station platforms hit Madam Pang just days ago, she said, when the couple, who were married for eight years, were taking the subway in Italy.

'He was standing in front on the platform and I told him, 'Don't, it's very dangerous. If you fall inside, you're gone for sure.' '

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2004-07-30/h6a.jpg
Stopping at Bishan MRT station to buy cakes for his colleagues on his way to work on Wednesday, Mr Tan fell onto the track and was killed by a train. -- FRANCIS ONG

heirloom

August 5th, 2004, 06:06 PM

Told again the cameras will be fully upgraded only by 2006, she looked stunned. 'My goodness,' she said.

great effect with this clever slipped in quote.

babystan03

August 7th, 2004, 04:27 PM

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 07 August 2004 1957 hrs

CCTVs at 35 elevated MRT stations to have recording capability by Oct 2004
By Johnson Choo, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) at the platforms of all MRT stations above ground level will have recording capability by October.

The installation of the new digital recording equipment is to start in two weeks.

The recent accident at Bishan MRT station raised public's concern over the safety at the platforms of MRT stations which are above ground level.

Many asked why the CCTVs at the stations could not record activities on the platforms.

They felt it is also a pressing issue because of global terrorism.

But there is good news. Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) has speeded up the installation of recording capbility for all CCTV cameras at the platforms.

This is after the train operator received its first batch of equipment last week.

Besides speeding up the retrofitting works, SMRT will also increase the number of CCTV cameras from 840 to 978 by May next year.

The additional cameras will be spread out among all the stations.

The whole upgrading exercise will cost SMRT about S$7.8 million, and is scheduled to be completed by 2006.

To avoid inconveniencing passengers, installation work will only be carried out when the trains are not running, and that is only four hours a day.

Pasir Ris Station will be the first to be equipped with the new recorders.

The SMRT said cameras onboard the trains, which are used to monitor boarding and alighting, will also be upgraded from the analog system to a digital one.

With it, train officers not only get a clearer view of the platform and the stations, but storing digitised footage is also more convenient. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

heirloom

August 7th, 2004, 05:52 PM

weiird... how come now they can expedite the installation...

huaiwei

August 11th, 2004, 07:58 PM

SMRT should act before it's too late

DEPUTY Prime Minister Tony Tan has warned that Singapore is a prime target for Al-Qaeda terrorists because of its overt support for the US war in Iraq.

Yet the Achilles' heel of our public transportation system is again exposed by the recent death of a young man at Bishan MRT station when he fell into the path of a train.

The threat of a Madrid-style bombing of a passenger train is real, yet SMRT is taking till 2006 to complete retrofitting its stations with recording CCTVs.

Its reason is that the cameras can be fitted only when the trains are not running. Could some experts tell us whether this is true?

SMRT baulked at deploying armed guards or installing protective railings, saying that it would cost millions. Should a bomb wreck one of the stations, it is going to cost SMRT even more.

The fact is that it is taking too long to put up vital equipment in the fight against terror, implying a high level of complacency and lack of urgency in facing up to a very real threat.

The latest incident could very well have involved a bomb being thrown at a packed train approaching the Bishan Station, killing or maiming hundreds, instead of a man falling into the path of an oncoming train. Would the excuse that SMRT is not ready till 2006 still hold water?

Heads of those in charge will roll. The inertia displayed by the top management, especially when repeated warnings have been sounded by the authorities, is inexplicable.

DR LIM BOON HEE

huaiwei

August 13th, 2004, 09:39 PM

Install wireless mpeg4 cameras on MRT

I REFER to the letter, 'SMRT should act before it's too late' (ST, Aug 4), and would like to make the following suggestion.

As an interim measure, SMRT staff could perhaps work closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Defence to install wireless mpeg4 cameras which can stream images to even a remote location for secure storage.

It is a cheap, immediately available and more cost-effective solution than laying cables -which will take up to 2006 - and costs just a fraction of current costs.

This same procedure can also be adopted for use in condominiums, apartments and residences.

CHUA CHOON HUAT

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 03:32 PM

redstone

August 15th, 2004, 03:54 PM

Most higher-class hotels have shuttle services to the airport.:)

babystan03

August 15th, 2004, 04:07 PM

Actually for some airport express like the one in KL, to go let say KLCC, you still need to transfer to LRT...so a transfer is also needed anyway.....

In terms of cost, I think the MRT compared favourably to the other airport express. HK cost about S$20, KL about S$15, while the MRT cost a mere S$1.40 to go from changi to city hall(ezlink even cheaper). Though I think they should resume the through train to city hall......makes it more worth it......plus it take just about 27 mins to go to city hall......(HK 23mins, KL 28mins)

Even if you consider taking a taxi, it cost about S$15-17(depending on whether it's peak hour surcharge or not) to go from the airport to shangri-la in orchard area, and about $13-15 to go from airport to raffles city. Moreover, the taxi is a door to door service, meaning it's almost hassle free. I think most taxi drivers would scream if the government is building such a link.....you should take a look at the number of taxi at the airport.......

So would a express link be feasible?? Not really I would say...... I would suggest maybe an upgrade of the MRT train(ie. increase the speed).......:yes:
If they really do want to build one, than have to be really fast to get to the city, say 8 mins.....(bangkok 10 mins, HK 23mins, KL 28mins)

Kit

August 15th, 2004, 04:15 PM

I thought the airport express in HK was pretty good. Pretty fast and plenty of space - I even had the idea that it was under utilised. 3 stops in all..... Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong. I could actually check in my luggage at Hong Kong station, that's a great convenience. From HK station, you can be connected to the MTR network. However, I think at HK$100 per ride, its quite pricey. However, the HK line is different. Its was built to complement the existing MTR lines.

Singapore desn't have to provide an airport express just because other air hubs do so. My personal thought is that should there be an aurport express, it'll be serving mostly tourists. I can't imagine myself flying into Changi, get onto a train to the city and find my way back home again when I can just catch a cab straight to my house from the airport. Time wise, it just doesn't make sense.

That being said, I seriously don't think the current system work very well at all. Try lugging your bags to the airport in the 8am rush hour. You'd get all sorts of looks from all over. You occupy precious standing space.

I don't think an airport express would work either unless its really priced competitively. Considering the amount of work that has to be done just to more or less duplicate an existing train line, just make it not worth the while. Cab fares are not that exhorbitant.

redstone

August 15th, 2004, 04:16 PM

At Changi, you can see cabs waiting for people, not people waiting for cabs.;) :D

babystan03

August 15th, 2004, 04:18 PM

At Changi, you can see cabs waiting for people, not people waiting for cabs.;) :D

haha....which is why I say taxi drivers will scream if they build a express link loh.....:lol:

redstone

August 15th, 2004, 04:22 PM

At Changi you have a gauranteed supply of cabs!:D

RafflesCity

August 15th, 2004, 04:26 PM

My personal thought is that should there be an aurport express, it'll be serving mostly tourists. I can't imagine myself flying into Changi, get onto a train to the city and find my way back home again when I can just catch a cab straight to my house from the airport. Time wise, it just doesn't make sense.

Got a point there. I believe such a service is designed more for tourists or business travellers. For the majority of Singaporeans who stay outside the city, it may not really serve them.

I also believe Singapore as an airhub would be for passengers in transit. Right now I think there are bus services for tourists wanting to visit the city while on transit. But whoever is in charge should do a detailed study to see if it makes sense and if it can actually give Singapore a competitive advantage.

RafflesCity

August 15th, 2004, 04:27 PM

Also existing MRT trains should also provide more room/less seats for this service to take passengers luggage into account.

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 04:29 PM

KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia)
- KLIA Transit (All Stops)
- KLIA Express (Non Stop)

IIA (Incheon International Airport, South Korea) (41km To City)
- Express (Non Stop)
- Commuter (All Stops)

HKIA (Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong)
- Airport Express (Non Stop From Airport To City, Limited Stops Thereafter)
- The Nearby Tung Chung MTR Line (All Stops)

Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand (25km To City)
- Airport Express (Non Stop)
- City Line (All Stops)

Narita International Airport, Japan
- JR Narita Express
- JR Rapid Service
- Keisei Skyliner
*Unsure of whether these rail services are non stop or have limited stops, but definitely are express services.

Changi Airport, Singapore (About 20km)
- East West Line (All Stops)
- Should Singapore Changi Airport Be Served By An ''Airport Express''? (Non Stop)

Changi Airport Station on the East West Line is primarily used by airport staff, Singaporeans and air passengers with light luggage only as arriving air passengers are not only unable to carry heavy luggage on board the trains, but also face the hassle of transferring at Tanah Merah Station to get to the city centre, and if they are headed for Orchard Station, face another hassle of transferring to another train. For an arriving and tired air passenger, transfers are a big hassle not only because of their lethargy but also because of the hassle of lugging about a huge luggage. Their journey may also be quite uncomfortable during peak hours as they share the same train with local commuters.

Do you think that Singapore Changi Airport needs such a express rail link, especially when all other new airports a.k.a. airhubs are providing such a service? Will the infrastructure costs be worth it? And will air passengers be able to pay a cheaper fare on such a line than in a taxi and actually use such a service? Given Singapore's small land area, is there still a need for one? The new airport in Bangkok is only 25km away from the city and it will be having an express rail link. What about Changi Airport? Slightly more than 20km away from the city. Perhaps air passengers if given a choice would rather travel by train than in a taxi? Perhaps they want a more hassle free and an even faster trip to the city? Will this enhance our competitiveness as an aviation hub?

Some thoughts to ponder over...

Originally, there was a direct service from Changi Airport to Boon Lay. Then there were complaints from residents of Tampines, Pasir Ris who had to get off the airport bound train at Tanah Merah. Then they have to wait for Pasir Ris bound train to arrive.

So this direct service was ceased. Train shuttles between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah were started instead.

Actually taxi in Singapore is already lower in fares and much faster to reach city compared to other cities around the world.

Express train in Singapore is not economical to operate.
Reasons: only few stations along the route may not sustain the cost and maintenance of the line. Operating train is expensive compared to bus and taxi operation. Changi Airport has direct expressway into the city center so the airport coach and taxi can reach hotels much faster than MRT trains!

City Center in Singapore is not as massive as Seoul, Tokyo or Kuala Lumpur. You have to find a place in city center to build inter-train station where you have many lines under one roof like Tokyo Station which is so huge that you can find dozens of trains ranging from Narita Express to Shinkansen to subway trains or KL Sentral. Much of city center is already occupied by commerical buildings and existing MRT stations.

Narita Express is already expensive - Train fare - Yen 1660 plus basic fare Yen 5000++! However Narita Express is fastest way to reach Tokyo since airport is so far away from the city center. So Narita Express is necessary. BTW Narita Airport has several lines including Narita Express and subway trains like Keisei Skyliner.

But having Express train requires more studies to ensure it is commerically feasible before Singapore can build a line from Changi Airport into other part of city.

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 04:50 PM

Interesting & insightful observations & comments.

Conclusion

Express rail services will only work in cities that have congestion problems.
Why - Because air passengers who wish to travel to their hotel from the airport by taxi because it is direct and hassle free would be unable to do so because of the congestion and thus the long time spent stuck in traffic, and the next best option would be an express rail service, which is slightly more troublesome and indirect but at least allows you to avoid the traffic congestion.

Express rail services will only work if the distance between the airport and the city is huge.
Why - Because it would be more practical for the passenger to share the cost of travelling to the city with others on the train rather than foot the bill him or herself by travelling in a taxi.

Normal rail services will be satisfactory if the above situations do not exist.
Why - Without encountering the effects from these externalities and problems, air travellers will always choose taxi over train because it is more direct and hassle free. Hence there is no point in catering to this group of travellers who will never choose rail or taxi. Thus, a normal train service will do.

HOWEVER, they should use the new Kawasaki MRT trains on the Changi Airport extension. They have luggage racks and more standing space. They once used them when the through service was in operation, and even then, they still occasionally used the older trains which do not have such features. These newer trains are instead used on the other lines, and for daily commuters, are of no use whatsoever. The irony is that, SMRT bought those trains and retrofitted them claiming they were for the Changi Airport extension.

They should either bring these trains back to service the extension. Or even better, buy newer trains that serve the City Hall - Changi Airport route. These trains could be designed more with the air traveller in mind, with more racks and more standing space as these trains would only be in operation from City Hall to Changi Airport.

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 04:55 PM

Originally, there was a direct service from Changi Airport to Boon Lay. Then there were complaints from residents of Tampines, Pasir Ris who had to get off the airport bound train at Tanah Merah. Then they have to wait for Pasir Ris bound train to arrive.

So this direct service was ceased. Train shuttles between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah were started instead.

Actually taxi in Singapore is already lower in fares and much faster to reach city compared to other cities around the world.

Express train in Singapore is not economical to operate.
Reasons: only few stations along the route may not sustain the cost and maintenance of the line. Operating train is expensive compared to bus and taxi operation. Changi Airport has direct expressway into the city center so the airport coach and taxi can reach hotels much faster than MRT trains!

City Center in Singapore is not as massive as Seoul, Tokyo or Kuala Lumpur. You have to find a place in city center to build inter-train station where you have many lines under one roof like Tokyo Station which is so huge that you can find dozens of trains ranging from Narita Express to Shinkansen to subway trains or KL Sentral. Much of city center is already occupied by commerical buildings and existing MRT stations.

Narita Express is already expensive - Train fare - Yen 1660 plus basic fare Yen 5000++! However Narita Express is fastest way to reach Tokyo since airport is so far away from the city center. So Narita Express is necessary. BTW Narita Airport has several lines including Narita Express and subway trains like Keisei Skyliner.

But having Express train requires more studies to ensure it is commerically feasible before Singapore can build a line from Changi Airport into other part of city.

Since Pasir Ris bound commuters complain that the new train service takes away trains that would have gone to Pasir Ris instead, why can't SMRT add train services that go to the airport rather than divert existing trains that go to Pasir Ris. That way, Pasir Ris residents won't complain of lower frequency and a direct service to the airport would still be available...weird. Its not as though they can't squeeze in more trains into the line. After all, train services on the East West Line are about 5 minutes apart. They could add in an additional train service to the airport like before, every 12 minutes apart.

I feel as though SMRT is quite lazy in a sense. They won't bother trying to find a suitable alternative, they just throw away the entire idea. If the previous idea didn't work, try another one, not just dump it.

And its also lazy in a sense in that the announcements don't tell you which sides the doors open. In HK, they do.

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 04:59 PM

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between the basic fare and the train fare on the Narita Express? And yen converted to SG$ is....how much?

Yeah, our fares are super cheap...

Its seriously gross for air travellers to see the spanking new Airport station at one moment and witness our older trains in operation at another moment at the station. The older trains look prehistoric where they serve a line that has all new stations.

babystan03

August 15th, 2004, 04:59 PM

Since Pasir Ris bound commuters complain that the new train service takes away trains that would have gone to Pasir Ris instead, why can't SMRT add train services that go to the airport rather than divert existing trains that go to Pasir Ris. That way, Pasir Ris residents won't complain of lower frequency and a direct service to the airport would still be available...weird. Its not as though they can't squeeze in more trains into the line. After all, train services on the East West Line are about 5 minutes apart. They could add in an additional train service to the airport like before, every 12 minutes apart.

I feel as though SMRT is quite lazy in a sense. They won't bother trying to find a suitable alternative, they just throw away the entire idea. If the previous idea didn't work, try another one, not just dump it.

And its also lazy in a sense in that the announcements don't tell you which sides the doors open. In HK, they do.

I think SMRT is cancelling the through train service because of cost. Notice they only use 2 trains for the tanah merah-changi airport extension, compared to the through train service where practically two train to pasir ris is followed by one to changi airport......I also notice previously the one going straight to changi has less ppl.........

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 05:20 PM

HOWEVER, they should use the new Kawasaki MRT trains on the Changi Airport extension. They have luggage racks and more standing space. They once used them when the through service was in operation, and even then, they still occasionally used the older trains which do not have such features. These newer trains are instead used on the other lines, and for daily commuters, are of no use whatsoever. The irony is that, SMRT bought those trains and retrofitted them claiming they were for the Changi Airport extension.

They should either bring these trains back to service the extension. Or even better, buy newer trains that serve the City Hall - Changi Airport route. These trains could be designed more with the air traveller in mind, with more racks and more standing space as these trains would only be in operation from City Hall to Changi Airport.

You need to write to SMRT.

New Kawasaki trains were originally used for Boon Lay - Changi Airport section. Shuttles between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah requires only two or three trains (deployment of type of trains were decided by SMRT).

It is Government who foots the bill of purchasing new trains. So SMRT has no grounds to ask for more funds from the Government to buy more new trains since 106 trains are enough for SMRT lines including Changi Airport. Lifespan of trains can last more than 50 years. So SMRT trains are not this old since SMRT opened in 1987 - almost 14 years.

What SMRT can do is to modify cars of older generation of MRT trains to include space for wheelchairs and the lugguage racks.

Frankly, even you travel on Express train and you still have to struggle to carry your heavy bags across to other platform during peak hours - it cannot be helped if you arrive at major station - not practical if u have dozens of bags. It works well if you carry bags like backpackers or anybody carrying single bulky bag. Trolley bags can pose danger to the commuters during peak hours. One of my Singapore delegates (so ignorant) pulled her trolley bag - guess what. several Japanese commuters collided with her bag and tripped over to the floor, much to embarrassment!

I had a such experience when I arrived at Tokyo Station from Narita Airport - I was carrying sport bag because I expected to run into peak hour human congestion at Tokyo Station - true enough when I ran all way to second level platform - Shinkansen from Narita Express train within 20 minutes, passing through busy station and human traffic - much to temptation to walk into shops in the station while transitting to other platform, barely had time to stop to buy bento box!

Japanese trains are famous for arriving and leaving exactly what it was stated on your train tickets! Some of subway trains in Tokyo do not have such facilities for tourist bags.

Even Shinkansen trains do not have bigger storage for your bigger bags - luckily, my sport bag nicely fit in the baggage compartment.

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 05:28 PM

Since Pasir Ris bound commuters complain that the new train service takes away trains that would have gone to Pasir Ris instead, why can't SMRT add train services that go to the airport rather than divert existing trains that go to Pasir Ris. That way, Pasir Ris residents won't complain of lower frequency and a direct service to the airport would still be available...weird. Its not as though they can't squeeze in more trains into the line. After all, train services on the East West Line are about 5 minutes apart. They could add in an additional train service to the airport like before, every 12 minutes apart.

In fact, SMRT did have direct service to Changi Airport and Pasir Ris from Boon Lay at same time having one train heading for Changi Airport followed by another train heading for Pasir Ris (about two mins apart!).

The frequency of trains on East-West line (it was 2 - 3 mins) was better than that of North-South line.This resulted in congestions on City Hall platforms and Raffles Place platforms heading towards North and South after East-West trains arrive in short frequencies, discharging passengers into two major interchanges. I had to miss three North-bound trains after they were packed during peak hours!!

Only the residents in Eastern region complain loudly so SMRT scrapped this service. This resulted in longer frequency - 5 min frequency or 7 min frequency... sigh...

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 05:32 PM

Looks like this discussion is coming to an end pretty quickly...

Conclusion: No express service...

Retrofitting is a good idea. It is much much much cheaper to retrofit than to purchase a new train altogether, saving costs. In addition, they could even just retrofit the last car of each trainset on the East West Line only. That way, rather than retrofitting all 106 trains, they would only need to retrofit those on the East West Line. And by retrofitting only the last car, they save even more money, fulfilling their objective.

In addition, they also fulfill the requests by airport bound passengers to have luggage facilities on board. To enjoy these facilities, airport bound passengers are recommended to use the last train car only. Another objective solved.

Still, easier said than done...

I guess SMRT can only spare the expense to retrofit the trains perhaps 6 years later when it turns 20. Thats approximately the time it took for HK MTR to retrofit their trains with LED Displays, better finishes and flashing system maps in their trains.

This is the second time in a week that I have heard of Japanese trains running exactly on time. I wonder if I saw that on another thread, and perhaps even by you even...

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 05:38 PM

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 05:44 PM

[QUOTE=ignoramus]Out of curiosity, what is the difference between the basic fare and the train fare on the Narita Express? And yen converted to SG$ is....how much?

Yen 1000 = $16.

My trip was from Narita Airport to Hamamatsu via Tokyo (Narita Express and Shinkansen) was totally S$160 - one way, meaning S$320 for both ways! Hamamatsu is between Tokyo and Osaka.

The Basic Fare is used on every train trip also including transit. And Train Fare is the fare u travel from station to station. So you will have two tickets - Basic Fare and the Train Fare. You have to insert both tickets into the gates at same time.

I had three tickets for Narita - Hamamatsu - one for Basic Fare, one for Narita Express from Narita to Tokyo and Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hamamatsu.

When I was on Narita Express, I had to use Narita Express ticket and Basic Fare ticket. When I was on Shinkansen, I had to use Shinkansen ticket and Basic Fare ticket.

What I was amazed is that the platform at Tokyo - two different trains arrive at this same platform - both heading for airport one is subway type and other is Narita Express!

Another shocking is that Narita Express train consists of two trains (3 cars per train). When this train arrived at Tokyo, first 3-cars train will disconnected from second train. First train will go off to other line and second train go off to the line seperately. It was very rare!

When first 3 car train arrived at Tokyo, heading for Narita, it will stop at the end of the platform. Then second 3 car train arrived. It would sound honk when it approached Tokyo station. I was startled by the sound when second train slowly connected to stationary train. It became a single train. Then the doors on this train opened to welcome us in.

This was an experience!

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 05:51 PM

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 05:58 PM

Off topic but since this is SMRT related, anyone knows why SMRT places only a plasma screen on each platform whereas SBS Transit has 2 on each platform. It is almost impossible to see the screen if you are at the other end of the platform.

And why even though the ezlink system was launched on SMRT and SBS Transit lines at the same time, the General Ticketing Machine on the lines run by these two companies are different? The ones on NEL are less sensitive...and you get confused using them due to the different placement of ''card slots'' and ''coin slots''. Even the tactile floor guides are different. And the new fare gates, the wider ones... And the LED facilities and Plasma facilities... The ones on NEL display only one line of text, the ones on the other lines display two lines.

They all serve the same purpose and are bought at around the same time so why can't they standardise the equipment used.

When NEL was being built, LTA improved many things that SMRT stations lack of, in NEL stations.

In fact, by the time tactiles were placed in NEL, disabled people were brought in and tested the systems. Then disabled people give feedback. This resulted in different tactile designs - SMRT is now in process to improve the accessibilities of all SMRT stations, including lifts.

This also explained why ticket machines looked different. My guess is that ticket machines for NEL are newer than SMRT which already replaced much of ticket machines to allow passengers to test out ez-link cards before the beginning of operation in NEL.

As for plasma displays, SMRT replaced all displays with plasma before NEL began the operation.

Both operators have different styles of running the stations and even display announcements.

Not only this, if you notice many existing SMRT stations are given changes in the exterior and the interior of the stations.

Circle Line stations would be better than NEL. Subsquently, more new future lines would be surpass each other as time passes as LTA implements things based on feedback from the passengers.

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:07 PM

WOOAHHHHHHH Culture Shock! or rather, train shock.......

How do you insert two tickets into a machine...cool...

Japan is cool...super technologically advanced. Can't believe trains are this exact in the timing of their arrivals... And they can disconnect and connect right in front of you...Why does the other section of the train disconnect to go to another line for...doesn't it stop at Tokyo Station too?

And woahhhhh 20 mins from platform to platform...pretty long distance huh...

Saw the Tokyo Subway map before...its like 20 lines converge all at Tokyo Station...

I was also shocked when Japanese officer told me to put in two tickets at same time into the gates. The tickets came out of slot. It was unheard of in Singapore. :)

Actually Tokyo Station is very huge station - it has over 20 lines and two different Shinkansen lines - total of more than 20 platforms if I recall correctly. You can see many trains pulling in and out at same times - reported to have over 200 trains coming through Tokyo Station daily.

Even you can see subway train running in the same direction as Narita Express train. I was astonished that I can actually see subway trains 'following' my Narita Express train. Train racing in fact exists where you can see two different trains leaving stations at same time and arrive at other station same time.

In fact Narita Express does not terminate at Tokyo, it continued to split into two lines after Tokyo serving other parts of Tokyo. Remember Tokyo is much larger than Singapore City - about 10 times the size.

Next time, when you land in Tokyo, you will understand what I see.

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 06:09 PM

I guess SMRT can only spare the expense to retrofit the trains perhaps 6 years later when it turns 20. Thats approximately the time it took for HK MTR to retrofit their trains with LED Displays, better finishes and flashing system maps in their trains.

does anyone think sometimes losses are ok to incur for the benefits they bring?

When first 3 car train arrived at Tokyo, heading for Narita, it will stop at the end of the platform. Then second 3 car train arrived. It would sound honk when it approached Tokyo station. I was startled by the sound when second train slowly connected to stationary train. It became a single train. Then the doors on this train opened to welcome us in.

i experienced the same thing too :) despite the accuracy of the train schedule, our whole group (about 14 ppl if i remember correctly) missed the flight (must be due to someone waking up late maybe me), resulting in us having to sleep in the airport overnight haha.. now i can't remember if it was kansai or narita where it happened..

Only the residents in Eastern region complain loudly so SMRT scrapped this service. This resulted in longer frequency - 5 min frequency or 7 min frequency... sigh...

why has the frequency increased? shouldnt it be the same? i thought when they made a through-service from boon lay to changi airport they just like divided the number trains used on east west line into two or something like that and half were for boonlay-pasir ris and the other half for boonlay-airport... i was rather happy when they cancelled the boonlay-airport service as it hought it would result in increased frequency for tampines... where are the extra trains?

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:15 PM

does anyone think sometimes losses are ok to incur for the benefits they bring?

Normally when a new line is being running, it will suffer losses. Few years later, it would reap profits. This is norm in SMRT when it first opened in 1987. SBS Transit also experiences losses. Slowly, it will restore to making profits in few years' times.

SMRT is already making more money according to the latest finanical report from SMRT.

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 06:16 PM

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 06:22 PM

Shouldn't the government have paid the bill for newer trains servicing Changi Airport. After all, wasn't that their policy of providing the initial capital of trains etc. Like when Dover Station was opened shouldn't they provide a new train too...

Singapore trains run pretty much on time too. Didn't know that fact till last year when I realized I saw the same people on the train at the same time too... almost to the dot too... I mean the train that I take arrives at 6.28am at Khatib Station without fail daily...

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:25 PM

Wonder if anyone out there has the power to change the title of this thread...
There is a HK MTR thread but there is not specifically Singapore MRT/LRT thread...It would be a great way to find out more about our transit system here since the existing title is no longer relevant...

Saw the view of Tokyo in the Japan threads...Very big...But its all grey over...Looks like buildings cover almost all of the surface...Almost no greenery seen. Can just imagine the heat there in the day...and the crowds and the congestion...quite sickening come to think of it...

But you are getting me really very interested in Tokyo...
There goes my interest for HK, hello Tokyo....
But too bad its expensive everywhere you go...
And HK is expensive enough already...

When I arrived in Tokyo in May, I was already shivering in cold. It was really cool! But when you arrive in Tokyo Station, you will be amazed how Japanese authorities schedule hundred of trains including Shinkansen trains.

For your information, for Shinkansen Tokaido- Shin line - It has three types of high speed trains services - Kodamo, Hikari and Nozomi.

Kodamo services would stop at every station while Nozomi just stops at major stations only, bypassing many stations. Hikari stops at several stations.

When I took Hikari train, I was amazed how it was smooth travelling at 270 km/h. (Shinkansen lines are seperated from normal lines, meaning normal trains cannot run on Shinkansen lines due to different track rail gauges).

When my train made a stop, Nozomi train roared past my train in my direction. I really admired Japanese authorities for their ability to project which train will bypass another train and ensure they dun get jammed during the journey!

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 06:28 PM

what i meant was like... maybe smrt doesnt have to concentrate on making a profit, but focus on having the best service and stuff. of course cost efficiency must not be neglected. after all public transport is for the public - might as well make it as comfortable as possible..

i dont think its such a feat for a simple network like smrt to run on time... imagine tokyo's or osaka's enormous networks... and complicated also... but they're probably more on time than smrt... i also only realised about smrt having precise timings in sec 4 when my friend told me to catch the 6.39 train to go to school and i was like what? 6.39?? how you know 6.39??

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:31 PM

But you are getting me really very interested in Tokyo...
There goes my interest for HK, hello Tokyo....
But too bad its expensive everywhere you go...
And HK is expensive enough already...

You have to travel around the world to see different type of trains. Europe excels in trains - more advanced than US when it comes to trains. Europe already has network of high speed trains while US is still slow to build more "express" train lines travelling over 300 km/h.

France's TGV trains can travel at 300 km/h. I long to travel to France to ride on this world famous train.

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:35 PM

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 06:35 PM

If SMRT didn't have to concentrate on profits, I would have liked them to:
- Wider seats
- More train services (Express & Local)
- Higher train frequency
- Speed up installation of CCTV, Lifts & Escalators & All Stations
- Cheaper fares

But this will never be the case.

So all we Singaporeans can hope for is that the higher fares that we will continue to pay over time don't get spent on Plasma TVs...

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:40 PM

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 06:40 PM

You have to travel around the world to see different type of trains. Europe excels in trains - more advanced than US when it comes to trains. Europe already has network of high speed trains while US is still slow to build more "express" train lines travelling over 300 km/h.

France's TGV trains can travel at 300 km/h. I long to travel to France to ride on this world famous train.

Never ever thought that the US was good at trains...the fastest they have is ACELA Express serving New York & I think Baltimore???

They arent anywhere as fast as Shinkansen...perhaps around the same speed as KLIA Express.

And even so, these is the only corridor in the US served by high speed trains. They still believe in air travel for everything. And they love their AmTrak.

Its either Japan or the European countries which are good at constructing high speed rail systems. Korea & Taiwan all import high speed systems from these countries. Even more basic urban transportation, Japan & Europe and perhaps Canada excels too. They build most of the rolling stock used in subways in the world.

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 06:45 PM

- Wider seats - available on newer generation trains

- More train services (Express & Local) - not possible becos of lack of bypassing tracks.

- Higher train frequency - subject to decision of SMRT.

- Speed up installation of CCTV, Lifts & Escalators & All Stations - Lifts are being in process. Many stations are already installing with lifts. Several stations already have lifts in operation. CCTV will be ready by Dec 2004.

- Cheaper fares - it is already SUPER LOW compared to other transit lines in other cities. $1.90 is the max!

I was saying if SMRT was NOT profit motivated they could do almost anything, even providing express and local services. But as Singapore is small as SMRT will eternally be profit motivated, this will not happen.

Heartlanders will still complain of higher fares because it really does hurt their pockets. It doesn't matter how low it is in relation to other countries.

But its amazing that I think all stations in Japan have tactile floor guide and most have railings in stations that don't have platform screen doors. They really provide great service. Though people still have to push themselves into train cars, can't really be helped I guess, Tokyo is just too congested. Seoul shouldn't be the one moving its capital, Tokyo should...

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:45 PM

Only Japan and France have the cleanest record of high speed train services with zero casualties in train accidents. Other high speed train in Germany and other nations do have accidents and resulted in fatal human error or faulty signalling.

Our NEL trains are built by Alstom - the same company that builds high speed train TGV, and build Thalys trains as well as Eurostar trains and Korean Train Express.

Alstom will supply similiar trains for Circle Line (3 cars per train).

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 06:49 PM

The Europeans & Japanese are good at trains...

The trains they design are very sleek in design, like the NEL trains, looks very cool. Those made in China etc are very boxy...

If only all MRT trains in Singapore were Alstom Metropolis trains...

I used to like Bombardier, till Alstom came to my attention...

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 06:50 PM

well... i dont mind plasma tvs! what i want

- paris metro frequencies
- copenhagen metro-stylish interiors
- escalators going both directions on both ends of stations! most stations have on one end one escalator in one direction and on the other end two escalators in two directions... some have just one escalator on each end of the stations... its very frustrating when you have to take the stairs if you happen to be on the wrong end and elevators haven't been installed!
- enclosed above ground stations :) air conditioned and stops ppl from falling in :)
- different services a la japan - eg rapid train stops at tampines, bedok, city hall raffles place tanjong pagar, buona vista, juront east. exprses train stops at tampines, tanah merah, bedok, geylang, bugis junction, so on... normal train stops at every stop :)
- lrts for every neighbourhood!
- clean, classy toilets at mrt stations (this applies to the rest of singapore)
- for smrt mrt lines, more plasma tv screens at stations

that's it for now

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 06:52 PM

actually aren't commuter trains in japan ugly and boxy? maybe there are new ones... but i havent seen any...

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:53 PM

I was saying if SMRT was NOT profit motivated they could do almost anything, even providing express and local services. But as Singapore is small as SMRT will eternally be profit motivated, this will not happen.

Heartlanders will still complain of higher fares because it really does hurt their pockets. It doesn't matter how low it is in relation to other countries.

But its amazing that I think all stations in Japan have tactile floor guide and most have railings in stations that don't have platform screen doors. They really provide great service. Though people still have to push themselves into train cars, can't really be helped I guess, Tokyo is just too congested. Seoul shouldn't be the one moving its capital, Tokyo should...

Tactile tiles are all over Japanese city streets in every city!

But Japanese subway trains are lagging behind our modern MRT train systems. The platform is even not at the same level as some of subway trains, no good for wheelchair users.

Even my wheelchair friends had to get station master at Tokyo to carry a ramp for them to get on Narita Express train and poor them. They had to sit next to the door because they were not given right ticket for wheelchair exclusive car abroad Narita Express.

Singapore was first nation to incorporate platform screen doors in all underground stations. We are fast catching up with Japan even surpassing them in terms of total accessibility for people of all range esp NEL stations, including walkway shelter.

Japanese delegates were surprised that China, South Korea are also catching up. These two countries already implementing tactile tiles and facilities for all disabled.

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 06:54 PM

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 06:54 PM

oh and another quibble about japan's mass transit system - the stations often involve going up and down and up and down and up and down - alot more so than in sg - but most of their stations have no escalators or elevators!!!!! i remember watching mother and friends lugging copious luggage at train stations up stairs... and down stairs.. we went from like fukuoka to sapporo by train haha... lucky i was young and did not have to get myself too involved in carrying stuffs

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 06:56 PM

Tactile tiles are all over Japanese city streets in every city!

But Japanese subway trains are lagging behind our modern MRT train systems. The platform is even not at the same level as some of subway trains, no good for wheelchair users.

Even my wheelchair friends had to get station master at Tokyo to carry a ramp for them to get on Narita Express train and poor them. They had to sit next to the door because they were not given right ticket for wheelchair exclusive car abroad Narita Express.

Singapore was first nation to incorporate platform screen doors in all underground stations. We are fast catching up with Japan even surpassing them in terms of total accessibility for people of all range esp NEL stations, including walkway shelter.

Japanese delegates were surprised that China, South Korea are also catching up. These two countries already implementing tactile tiles and facilities for all disabled.

The only tactile guide I saw that was not in a MRT station was at the junction of Orchard Point and that ugly building beside it. There were these dots which tell the visually handicapped to stop. I never saw them anywhere else.

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 06:59 PM

ESCALATOR ISSUE - TOTALLY AGREE, VERY IRRITATING
PLASMA ISSUE - TOTALLY AGREE, VERY ANNOYING
RAPID/LOCAL SERVICE - Know it ain't possible, but agree
LRT everywhere - Agree, but it will take 100 years
Enclosed above ground - Nope, prefer the fresh air. Confined spaces ruin the atmosphere.
Dont know how copanhagen metro looks like...Is it like NEL, or is it more like Russia/China/Pyongyang looking...

Our NEL is the only automatic heavy train in the world. The entire world is watching us. :)

The answer for this and that subway cities - u can find maps in http://www.urbanrail.net/

:)

Jurong LRT is being planned at this moment. Eventually every major town will have LRT systems - sooner than you thought. Singapore Government wants to have 560 km network of rail in Singapore by 2020.

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 07:04 PM

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 07:05 PM

http://sg.geocities.com/singaporerail/home.htm

Made by our forum fellow, Kenmin.

This is useful information on evolution of transit lines.

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 07:06 PM

Our NEL is the only automatic heavy train in the world. The entire world is watching us. :)

The answer for this and that subway cities - u can find maps in http://www.urbanrail.net/

:)

Jurong LRT is being planned at this moment. Eventually every major town will have LRT systems - sooner than you thought. Singapore Government wants to have 560 km network of rail in Singapore by 2020.

I don't think NEL is the only one...I think the Paris Meteor is fully driverless too. But we will still have the longest driverless title when the Circle Line is completed. We are adopting driverless technology very quickly...

There are so many new towns in Singapore. All with LRTs? By 2020? It takes at least 3 years each. Unless we announce an LRT system to be constructed annually from now onwards, don't think we can reach that target? Where will the money come from? We still have the Bukit Timah Line and the Eastern Region Line to worry about...

Its funny picturing in your head an LRT in Ang Mo Kio Town. Its so cramped in there I can't think of any place to put the stations.

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 07:10 PM

Nel comes pretty close - but the floor and the seats are so wrong!!! (colour wise)

Actually you cannot say this. Because different city will have different layout of train seats. Three car train can indicate that it is not designed to handle large number of people - judging the seat layout and the 2 doors on one side of car compared to 4 doors on our train side.

For our system, it is much efficient to have such layout which we have seats at the sides of the trains due to large number of people swarming into the trains during operation times.

ignoramus

August 15th, 2004, 07:11 PM

the copenhagen metro trainsets were designed by giugiaro - some italian car designer... did lotsa sports cars i guess. somehow his name i associate with bugatti - must have done alot for them.

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/copenhagen/images/cop6.jpg

http://www.subways.net/denmark/metro_toget1.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/dk/metro/E310703-19.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/dk/metro/E310703-17.jpg

Nel comes pretty close - but the floor and the seats are so wrong!!! (colour wise)

I heard the Copenhagen Metro IS OPERATIONAL 24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK.

The colour scheme is very cool and so is the design. This is one of a few train systems where white works well on them. Look at the white on China's trains, yucks...

NEL colours are weird, very weird, but they add character and a funky image ahaha...

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 07:14 PM

I don't think NEL is the only one...I think the Paris Meteor is fully driverless too. But we will still have the longest driverless title when the Circle Line is completed. We are adopting driverless technology very quickly...

There are so many new towns in Singapore. All with LRTs? By 2020? It takes at least 3 years each. Unless we announce an LRT system to be constructed annually from now onwards, don't think we can reach that target? Where will the money come from? We still have the Bukit Timah Line and the Eastern Region Line to worry about...

Its funny picturing in your head an LRT in Ang Mo Kio Town. Its so cramped in there I can't think of any place to put the stations.

Paris Metro is not fully automatic. NEL is 100% automatic. We are first nation to operate such heavy train when many countries operate automatic light train.

:)

Not just LRT. It is mixture of LRT and MRT network by 2020.

Eastern Region Line is designed to link towns in Eastern region. Bukit Timah Region Line is designed to handle commuters along busy road in Bukit Timah.

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 07:17 PM

@ignoramus
somehow i never really expect money to be a problem for sg govt... they've been quite careful with it havent they?

@jedialf
i was referring to the colours.. not the layout... i've no problems with the layout... but the floor is coloured to be like crushed marble or somethin... that's something you find in your grandmother's house (sorry if anyone here has crushed marble flooring - i'm just saying its really old, not for new mrt trains).. and the seats.. beige and milky blue?!

the rest of thte train is white, which is good.

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 07:20 PM

actually to build one lrt system is about 400 million? one mrt line can easily build 10 or 15 of them..

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 07:20 PM

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 07:23 PM

actually to build one lrt system is about 400 million? one mrt line can easily build 10 or 15 of them..

This is right! Nod nod. Circle Line already costs more than $5 billion.

huaiwei

August 15th, 2004, 07:26 PM

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 07:27 PM

6.7 billion to be exact...

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 07:31 PM

Its funny picturing in your head an LRT in Ang Mo Kio Town. Its so cramped in there I can't think of any place to put the stations.

Why not?

Nobody in 1980 thinks that Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang would get LRT. Even we never dream that we would see Circle Line connecting all existing lines, bypassing city. So nothing is impossible.

Even LTA already called for tender to construct a new flyover over an existing flyover at Thomson!

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 07:32 PM

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 07:38 PM

for colour contrast.. perhaps nel could adopt the colours of its parent company sbs transit for its interior? did anyone notice the new slightly new interior colours on the newest double deck buses? i remember calling it the gay bus because purple was pretty prominent... i think on the handles or something..

Hahahaha.

LTA has been working with disabled since beginning of NEL. Even now LTA is still working closely with disabled organisations for Circle Line. This explains why I am being sent to Japan to attend conference on transport for elderly and disabled.

huaiwei

August 15th, 2004, 07:43 PM

Why not?

Nobody in 1980 thinks that Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang would get LRT. Even we never dream that we would see Circle Line connecting all existing lines, bypassing city. So nothing is impossible.

Even LTA already called for tender to construct a new flyover over an existing flyover at Thomson!
Actually....not quite right there. I know Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang where actually built with a "rail reserve" to cater for the building of the lines later. Obviously, the older estates dont have such a luxury!

heirloom

August 15th, 2004, 07:47 PM

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 08:02 PM

Actually....not quite right there. I know Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang where actually built with a "rail reserve" to cater for the building of the lines later. Obviously, the older estates dont have such a luxury!

Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang are much newer compared to older town like Queenstown and Ang Mo Kio as well as Toa Payoh. However LRT was first mooted in early 1990s. Government picked two sites - Bukit Panjang and Buona Vista. So the plan went ahead with Bukit Panjang instead because Buona Vista was at this time was not developing yet.

At this time, Bukit Panjang was relatively new. So the government took opportunity to design the alignment of the line. There were not much developments in Choa Chu Kang where they could plan the connection to the main MRT line - Choa Chu Kang MRT station. The study of LRT was done before 1995. At this time Choa Chu Kang was also still growing.

From the day construction of Woodlands line was announced, URA, HDB and LTA already worked closely to allocate land for future rail projects. :)

JediAlf

August 15th, 2004, 08:06 PM

the older estates can just have some of their ancient apartment blocks torn down to make way for the railway lines.. i'm quite sure the inhabitants would be quite happy to be given brand new flats in exchange...

japan's disabled friendliness is a paradox.. all their pavements have tactile floor guides - great for blind people - but the lack of elevators or even escalators (not very good for the blind i imagine) at public transport places is baffling... granted their system is ancient but i think there should be space for elevators at least...

At the transport conference in Hamamatsu in May, the Japanese authorities have admitted that it is extremely difficult to replace aging trains and revamp many stations as well as installing lifts.

Wheelchairs users have different opinions about tactile tiles because they found them to be uncomfortable for their wheelchairs...

Two different needs of disabled (wheelchair users and visual impaired people) clash.

ignoramus

August 16th, 2004, 11:47 AM

Is that why MRT Stations on the North South Line typically have a large empty piece of land beside them...Like at Yio Chu Kang, Khatib, Yishun, Sembawang, Admiralty, Woodlands...

Its just very hard to imagine Ang Mo Kio with an LRT system...cause that place is really very congested. They are no empty spaces there...

heirloom

August 16th, 2004, 12:11 PM

maybe that's why plans for office building and condominium tower above the bus interchange were scrapped? LRT LINE :P

szehoong

August 16th, 2004, 12:28 PM

Only Japan and France have the cleanest record of high speed train services with zero casualties in train accidents. Other high speed train in Germany and other nations do have accidents and resulted in fatal human error or faulty signalling.

Other than Japan, France and Germany I don't think there's any other country capable of producing High-speed commuter trains. Germany's ICE (Inter-City Express) record we're tainted when it recorded its one and only accident in 1998 (If I remember correctly) due to a faulty track or something. :(

redstone

August 16th, 2004, 03:45 PM

They can build LRT tracks on top of avenues' central divider, like at some points in KL.:D

We have lots of avenues all over the place.

szehoong

August 16th, 2004, 05:57 PM

KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia)
- KLIA Transit (All Stops)
- KLIA Express (Non Stop)

The actual distance of the ERL track between KLIA and KL Sentral is 57km but by car is 78km ;)

kenmin

August 16th, 2004, 06:01 PM

got a thread for me to contribute again. :cucumber:

haven't come in for a while and u ppl already talk for 4 pages in 2 days! so embarrassing to see my site mentioned here.. haven't been maintaining it ever since they stopped me fr taking pics in the stations. :bash:

about LRT in matured estates, i remember someone mentioned that the govt will only build LRTs in newly developed areas in the future. am i rite?

anyway, wat's the status of the PMS in 1 north? who has insider info??

JediAlf

August 16th, 2004, 08:01 PM

Other than Japan, France and Germany I don't think there's any other country capable of producing High-speed commuter trains. Germany's ICE (Inter-City Express) record we're tainted when it recorded its one and only accident in 1998 (If I remember correctly) due to a faulty track or something. :(

http://eriksrailnews.com/stuff/ice3.brussels.jpg
New generation of Germany's ICE trains

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/electric/emu/TGV/Thalys/PBKA/Paris/misc/thal3.jpg
France - TGV trains (sliver-blue) and Thalys ( Red/Silver)
Thalys do cross to other cities in European nations from Paris.

http://www.hood-online.co.uk/shinkansen/tokaido/153-kakegawa.jpg
Japan's famous Shinkansen. Streamlined train is Nozomi passing by familiar Shinkansen train.

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/italy/images/italy4.jpg
Italy's Pendolino - tilting trains. They would tilt slightly when they approach the bends. These can be seen in Finland and Slovenia too.

http://www.funet.fi/index/railways/Sweden/X2000/x2000_boxholm.jpg
Sweden's X2000 train - it also tilts like Pendolino.

http://www.railfaneurope.net/ave/ave-5.jpg
Spain - AVE - it uses TGV technology.

http://www.webmag.transport.alstom.com/eMag/externe/international/korea/ktx/mar2004/1/_files/file_220_39099.jpg
Korea - KTX (Korean Train Express) adopts TGV technology.

The disaster happened in June 1998. One of train car wheels went off the rail, causing one Germany's ICE car to derail, resulting in other cars to derail and smash each other before the wreckage brought down the bridge resulting in more than 100 passengers killed and injured hundreds. The locomotive of this train was already torn off from the rest of train and arrived at nearby station...the train driver was shocked when he looked back.

JediAlf

August 16th, 2004, 08:09 PM

Speaking of People Mover System...
I came across one document describing the new shuttle internal trains at Changi Airport...

http://www.leaelliott.com/Information/tech_papers.htm

Go to Changi Airport link....

It also mentioned a new future expansion for Changi Airport Terminal 4 and also an expansion of PMS from existing terminals to Terminal 4...

Wow.

heirloom

August 17th, 2004, 12:47 PM

i think many new trains tilt also... like japanese ones.. eg

http://www.katomodels.com/product/images/kiha283_e/kiha283_e_1.jpg

dont all high speed trains above a certain speed have to tilt at bends to prevent passengers from getting uncomfortable? i thought it was only because of the tilting technology trains were able to surpass 250 km/h or osmething without passengers feeling uncomfortable at bends..

heirloom

August 17th, 2004, 03:12 PM

btw seeing this thread is a waterhole for railfans i'll take the opportunity to ask if anyone plays transport tycoon deluxe? (sorry off topic) i'm a huge fan of it and have been playing for years :D (stopped for a few but just picked up again now that there's a mac version)

ignoramus

August 17th, 2004, 03:49 PM

Since you have been playing it for years I guess that game has to be pretty old a.k.a. bad graphics (Simcity 2000 graphics type?)? But anyways I have heard of it but didn't really come across it in the game shops... Came across Simcity 4 Rush Hour Expansion Pack though... its about transport too but my computer's too slow for those graphics...

heirloom

August 17th, 2004, 04:14 PM

JediAlf

August 17th, 2004, 05:58 PM

i think many new trains tilt also... like japanese ones..

dont all high speed trains above a certain speed have to tilt at bends to prevent passengers from getting uncomfortable? i thought it was only because of the tilting technology trains were able to surpass 250 km/h or osmething without passengers feeling uncomfortable at bends..

TGV trains, Shinkansen trains do not have tilting technology. The track they run on are special - they are mostly straight and the curves of the rail tracks are very gentle, not wildly bend. This explains why these trains can speed more than 300 km/h. Some of Siemens-made ICE trains are equipped with tilting technology. Shinkansen rail tracks are seperated from normal rail tracks for any ordinary trains.

Japanese and French train developers are working on building prototype tilting trains.

heirloom

August 17th, 2004, 06:47 PM

this is the description for thte above train model...

JR Hokkaido in the northern main island of Japan started operation of Series Kiha283 Express Train "Super-Ozora" ("Blue Sky") in 1997. This is a pendulum diesel train, an improved version of Kiha 281 operated as express "Super-Hokuto" ("Northern Stars").
It exceeds its predecessor in many respects, such as body shape, passenger car equipment, state-of-art high-power motor and linked self-controlling pendulum trucks. In appearance, the pilot cars are featured with a silver stainless-steel passenger part combined in one body with the blue steel car-top in the locomotive and with the logo "FURICO 283" on the side, meaning pendulum type series Kiha283.
Compared to the Kiha281, the Kiha283 has several big differences. The ventilators are removed from the rooftop, making the train appear more streamlined. The windows on the body sides, which were combined in a line on the 281, are now clearly separated from each other. The front train mark and body-side displays are now made with LED

well... i assume pendulum = tilting :! haha perhaps not

ignoramus

August 18th, 2004, 11:43 AM

yeah its pretty old... but graphics are uhmmm pleasant i guess... cute?

(this is a pretty bad layout)
http://home.c2i.net/cecilieTT/elliviv2.gif

i never bought a single copy of transport tycoon deluxe... all downloaded free online..

you can download openttd - a clone of it from here (http://sourceforge.net/projects/openttd)

the original is somewhere around but i can't find it at the moment

the game looks okay...though i can't really tell if you can do much with the game... prefer simcity 4 rush hour though...looks great and you can place so many different modes of transport in the city... too bad i can't work it...

if only someone could just design a singapore version of the game... the market potential is huge... im sure everyone wants a shot at designing singapore the way they like it and placing rail lines and airports wherever they like it... can someone be entrepreneural and creative and stuff and design it...please...haha...

heirloom

August 18th, 2004, 12:14 PM

simcity rush hour 4 is intra city transport... transport tycoon deluxe is more of intercity transport - you actually focus on making money rather than providign services. got planes, trucks, buses and ships as well... give it a shot.. it's not as popular as it is for nothing ;) your track networks usually end up looking like tokyo highways or worse.. quitue entertaining to watch the trains find their way..

babystan03

August 21st, 2004, 03:18 AM

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 20 August 2004 1706 hrs

Automated stage updating to be introduced on 5 more bus routes

SINGAPORE : The Vehicle Location System (VLS) will be introduced on another five SBS Transit service routes - 3, 194, 282, 284 and 285 - starting Monday, 23 August.

This follows the successful launch of the system earlier this month on five service routes.

The VLS allows for the automated updating of fare stages through a satellite-based bus tracking system.

Once the bus position is determined automatically, bus drivers no longer need to update the fare stages manually, and this will eradicate human error in the updating of fare stages and hence, ensure accurate fare deduction.

To help familarise commuters with the system, SBS Transit has deployed goodwill ambassadors on the buses fitted with the VLS.

With the launch of the VLS on another five service routes, SBS Transit plans to deploy another 37 goodwill ambassadors to assist commuters. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

babystan03

August 23rd, 2004, 12:22 PM

AUG 23, 2004
KPE one of toughest projects in the world
Estates, junctions, waterways and soil conditions make 12km highway tricky, says LTA's engineering review board

By Goh Chin Lian

Reports TIGHT spaces, soft ground, and movement in a temporary dam have complicated construction of the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE), which has been ranked by experts as among the most difficult projects in the world.

The 12km highway must snake its way through and under built-up areas, and soft ground is one of the biggest complications in construction.

And as far as tight spaces go, one tricky spot is in Paya Lebar, where the 35m-wide expressway tunnel has to be threaded through a 50m-wide corridor with Housing Board blocks on one side, terrace houses on the other, and a canal in between.

Where Airport Road, Hougang Avenue and Eunos Link meet, the KPE tunnel has to weave through a busy junction criss-crossed by four large water and gas pipes and five groups of power and telecom cables.

At one point, the expressway tunnel is to run 20m under the Geylang River. Here, where the digging is at its deepest, the ground is especially soft.

All these make the KPE project, about 9km of it underground, among the most difficult in the world, according to the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) engineering review board of five international experts.

Dr Victor Milligan, who chairs the board, told The Straits Times: 'It's up there with the most difficult, top two to three sites that I've worked in.'

Dr Milligan, co-founder and senior principal of ground engineering consultancy Golder Associates, based in Ontario, Canada, has worked on subways across the globe.

Another panel member, Professor Robert Mair, head of the civil and environmental engineering division at Cambridge University, said ground conditions here were 'very difficult, complex and variable, as soft, if not softer, than anywhere in the world'.

Work on the highway is slightly behind schedule, but the LTA believes the 2007 completion target will be met.

The five experts visit here twice a year to ensure major LTA rail and road projects meet international design and construction standards.

In December, they visited the MRT Circle Line scheme, but not the Nicoll Highway site that would collapse four months later, Dr Milligan said.

For the KPE project, the board's expertise was called on when movement was detected in a temporary dam that was erected so the road tunnel could be built under the Geylang River.

The project's engineers had predicted that the dam of metal piles and sand would move slightly, but the actual movement exceeded their predictions.

'We were uncomfortable. We like to know what's going to happen,' said LTA project director Marcus Karakashian.

Dr Milligan said that, last December, during the panel's visit, it had also thought the dam should be 'safer and more secure'.

At their recommendation, the contractor put in more piles for a second dam it built at Geylang River, arranging them in 'cells' or small boxes, for stronger support.

Dr Milligan said: 'We've seen it. There's no doubt that the cofferdam now being built on the south side of the river has incorporated most of our suggestions, if not all.'

The engineering board has already submitted its report for its Aug 4 to 11 visit and its members are due to visit Singapore again in the first quarter of next year.

It will take more than a year before engineers working on the KPE are done with the three tricky spots, besides working within constricted corridors, and at busy roads and MRT viaducts.

By early next year, they expect to reinstate the roads where Airport Road, Hougang Avenue and Eunos Link meet, and the flow of the diverted Geylang River by late next year. Work on the Pelton Canal is due to be completed by early 2006.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

AUG 23, 2004
Diverting canals, dodging cables

A TUNNEL 35m wide has to be built in a 50m-wide corridor in the Paya Lebar area with Housing Board blocks on one side and terrace houses on the other, and the Pelton Canal running in between.

For more than 2km, between the Pan-Island Expressway and Paya Lebar Road, the tunnel must run directly under the canal.

Space is so tight that in one section of the tunnel, a temporary wall supporting the excavation sits just 5m from an HDB block.

The tight space also means that the engineers cannot move the canal further away during construction and build the six-lane tunnel at one go.

They must build half the tunnel, divert the canal over it, then finish the other half.

The engineers point out that although floods hit the surrounding Paya Lebar area in March when heavy rain fell during peak high tides, the canal did not overflow because they had raised its embankments.

Geylang River: Deepest digging

THE digging is deepest at Geylang River where the tunnel will run 20m below it, but the ground there is especially soft.

The builders also had to divert the river in June, in order to build the tunnel under it. They have to move the river back again, possibly by the end of next year.

Airport Road: Busy junction of traffic, cables and pipes

THE tunnel also runs under a busy junction of Airport Road, Hougang Avenue and Eunos Link, where four large water and gas pipes, and five groups of power and telecom cables criss-cross.

The engineers converted this junction into a traffic roundabout, which would inconvenience motorists less than diverting the roads in eight stages.

They drove in steel piles to support the pipes and cables and marked each one with different coloured signs so that the workers would be extra careful when working near utilities conduits.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

August 27th, 2004, 01:59 PM

AUG 28, 2004
Multilingual signs by end-2005
Chinese, Malay and Tamil to be used in all train stations

BY THE end of next year, multilingual signs will be put up at all 85 MRT and LRT stations here, to help those who cannot read English use the system and get around.

They will see Chinese and Tamil station names on panels at the platforms and entrances, and on panels showing the map of the train system.

The word 'Fare' on fare charts will also be in Chinese, Tamil and Malay.

The move comes after a clamour by commuters last year, when the North-East Line was opened.

With the train line fully underground, non-English speaking commuters find it hard to figure out which station to alight at as there are no landmarks to look out for before they reach the stop, unlike an above-ground line.

The two new interchanges at Dhoby Ghaut and Outram Park also require commuters to take more escalators and walk further when switching trains.

So the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has decided to go ahead with the $2.2 million plan, though it changed its signage in 2001.

Said its director of engineering, Mr Lim Bok Ngam: 'If we don't do something now, perhaps when the Circle Line comes in, there may be more clamour for additional signs.'

Announcing the new signage plans at his National Day Rally speech last Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the change is part of the effort to help older Singaporeans feel at home.

However, there will be no multilingual versions of the signs that tell commuters where they will emerge above ground from a particular exit.

SBS Transit, which runs the North-East Line, has put up such signs at Chinatown, Little India and other stations on the line, but the LTA is of the view that commuters using the other lines will eventually learn which exits to take.

But it will have such signs at Circle Line stations for three to six months after those trains start running, as a temporary guide for commuters.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

August 27th, 2004, 03:08 PM

AUG 27, 2004
Cab operators to fall in with safety standards from next week

FROM next week, cab operators have to meet the Land Transport Authority's stringent safety standard, which calls for no more than two serious accidents for every 10 million kilometres clocked per taxi.

Such accidents are those where the cabby is at fault and which involve injury and death, or damage to public property.

Companies will be audited monthly, starting at the end of September, and face a fine of up to S$100,000 if their accident rate exceeds the prescribed ratio.

According to the LTA, the average serious accident rate for private passenger cars here is five per 10 million kilometres.

Under the new rules, the newer cab companies, which have about 300 taxis each, face penalties if they have one serious accident a month.

The penalty kicks in for Comfort, which has 11,000 cabs, if its people clock in more than 30 serious accidents in total.

Operators have largely been unable to meet the standard since the LTA started monitoring accident rates last September.

This prompted the authority to review the standard; but it eventually decided to stick to it.

However, it offered a grace period for compliance which ends on Aug 31 as 'taxi companies require time for their measures to address their unsatisfactory performance to take effect'.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

ignoramus

August 27th, 2004, 03:24 PM

AUG 27, 2004
MRT signs to be multilingual by end 2005

BY THE end of 2005, multilingual signs will go up at all MRT and LRT stations to help those who cannot read English get around.

There will be Chinese and Tamil station names on signs at the station platforms and entrances, and on panels showing the map of the train system.

The word 'Fare' on fare charts in the station will also be translated into Chinese, Tamil and Malay.

The Land Transport Authority already revamped the signage system in July 2001 by differentiating MRT lines by colour and stations by numbers and letters.

But the opening of the North-East Line in 2003 - fully underground and therefore devoid of visual clues and landmarks for commuters - created new problems.

The 5,000 multilingual signs will cost the LTA $2.2 million.

The move, first mentioned by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday, is part of the effort to help older Singaporeans feel at home.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

S$2.2 million is a lot of money...

The fact that multilingual signs will not be installed to guide the elderly out of the many different exits at each station means that they may arrive at the station they want...but they will have difficulty finding their way out of the station...

Even if the LTA assumes that they will be able to find their way out of the correct exits at each station using the english signs or asking people, why is there a need to even install multilingual signs at each station in the first place if they can always depend on the public? Cause unless they really install all signs in all languages, the elderly will still need to depend on the help of passerbys to help them find their way around the MRT/LRT system...

The only help such a half hearted attempt by LTA that the elderly will receive is that they will find their way to the correct station...at the expense of 2.2 million... and even then they will not be able to find their way out...

So unless they really spend more to upgrade all the signs, why even bother spending 2.2 million in the first place when the effect that it has is not much better than not having multilingual signs in the first place...

babystan03

August 27th, 2004, 03:39 PM

^
I think even if ALL the signs have been "upgraded" to multilingual, some elderly will still have problems with finding the exit..........can't please everyone one......:yes: But at least we see that they are trying to improve on things.......:)

ignoramus

August 27th, 2004, 04:52 PM

2.2m is a high price to pay for helping just that bit of the population who might not even in a positive way helped... after all, like what i said earlier, they still will not be able to find their way of the stations...

and to help a small proportion of the population who have yet to be able to read and understand english signs well, of which is getting smaller... 2.2m is a high price...

instead, the new multilingual signs will to a certain extent ''mess up'' things as in the rest of the population when looking at signs will have to look at the sign and focus their eyes on for instance the english language one to find out what it means...
Previously, they could just look to a sign and just get the idea of what that sign means...cause signs are meant to point you to where you want to go in the quickest time possible...not for you to have to actually look through them...

But I guess LTA and the PM have to do this to please some people... but then again this might actually help the elderly perhaps...

An weird analogy
''Its like if you are going to a buffet later an hour later what's the point of eating a full meal an hr before just because you are feeling a bit hungry...''

babystan03

August 27th, 2004, 04:59 PM

^
Actually I think it can help a bit in tourism also.......Chinese and Indian tourist are on the rise.......

Secondly, I dun think it will "mess" up the signage unless we dun understand whats on it.........

Thirdly, I think we should spend this 2.2m even if its mainly for the elderly, cos if it was not for them, we might not even see this 2.2m in the first place......:yes: :)

ignoramus

August 27th, 2004, 05:45 PM

hmm.... lets just see how they go about implementing this... cause when they talk about implementing signs in all languages it kinda reminds me of a mess...as with what the authorities had advocated earlier that it would create...(after all, i think singapore is the only country where there is a need for signs in 3 different languages everywhere on the rail network, so they have got to go about doing this in a orderly manner or it will turn out bad). all the best for LTA......

heirloom

August 27th, 2004, 06:02 PM

you have to put 2.2 million into context.. it's not just for one person, but a whole population + tourists... it's not even a dollar person in singapore! 5000 signs - that would be about $400+ per sign? i dont think you can go any lower than that...

babystan03

August 28th, 2004, 12:44 AM

AUG 28, 2004
Punggol LRT on track

THE Land Transport Authority will hand over the Punggol Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system to SBS Transit to run it by the end of this year, as scheduled.

It is currently testing the signalling and communications equipment of the 15-station system, which cost $354 million to build.

The system is due to open next year, but as SBS Transit will have to conduct trial runs after taking over, the exact date will be determined by the transport operator.

The organisation also runs the North-East Line and Sengkang LRT system.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

August 29th, 2004, 01:36 AM

The New Paper - 29 Aug 2004

HE HAS HIS OWN MRT GUIDE

He can't read the MRT signs which are all in English. So...

By Alvin Chiang

HE never leaves home without his notebook.

Not when he has to take the MRT.

It's his very own MRT guide, you see.

Mr Yin Fook Choi, 78, can't read or write English.

But he copied the alphanumeric codes - the letters and numbers - for each station.

And he found out the names of the stations from Chinese newspapers, and wrote them down in Chinese in his notebook.

So when the train stops at a station, he looks at its code number, consults his little notebook, and knows which station it is.

For example, EW1 is Pasir Ris station.

Other elderly folk are less adventurous.

Madam Fan Ah Mai, 76, wouldn't be able to go anywhere at all.

The elderly spinster, who's his cousin, dares not travel alone.

On her own, she would go only as far as the coffeeshop near her one-room flat at Bendemeer Road.

She does not know how to use public transport.

She said in Cantonese: 'I can't go out by myself because I don't understand how the MRT works. All the signs are in English.'

So Mr Yin, a former tour bus driver, travels from his flat in Tanjong Pagar every day - to take her to the doctor.

Madam Fan has to visit doctors at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Singapore General Hospital every day because she has knee and back problems.

She fell and broke her leg last year. And then in April, she started having backaches and had difficulty walking.

Mr Yin said: 'I take her where she needs to go. She can't get around by herself. Sometimes we take taxi, sometimes we take the MRT.

'If I'm late or cannot make it for some reason, she'll wait for me until I'm free.'

Are there guides available for non-English users?

The New Paper showed Madam Fan a TransitLink pamphlet which showed a map of all the stations.

The pamphlet had the names and alphanumeric codes of different stations and used different colours to represent different directional lines.

For example, EW7 is the Eunos station and the North-South line is represented by a red line.

That's to help those who do not understand English, said the LTA. (See report below.)

But Madam Fan shook her head when she saw the pamphlet. As the station names were in English, the map meant nothing to her.

WOULD GET LOST

She would be lost if she were to take the train herself.

Currently, except for stations along the North-East line, all signs are in English.

But their problems are about to end.

At a press briefing yesterday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said there will be multi-lingual signs in all MRT stations by the end of 2005.

Signs in Tamil and Chinese will be introduced at entrances of MRT stations.

Maps and farecharts will be also become multi-lingual.

As many stations bear Malay names, like Aljunied and Tanah Merah, LTA said it would not be introducing Malay to the MRT map.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MULTI-LINGUAL SIGNS IN ALL MRT STATIONS BY THE END OF 2005

Why did it take so long to change?

THE big question on the minds of commuters is why only now?

After all, there were a number of letters written in the media in 2000 asking for signages in all languages.

Back then LTA rejected the suggestion, saying it might confuse passengers as 'the stations already carry many signs such as station names, road names and also names of important buildings'.

It added that the MRT system is 'based on visual symbols or graphics, a non-language form of communication to serve all passengers regardless of their literacy level or language proficiency'.

Then in 2001, LTA spent $3.9 million on new signs in all train stations, bus stops and taxi stands.

Still no multi-lingual signages.

Now LTA is saying it will spend $2.2 million to add Chinese and Tamil names to over 5,000 existing signs.

Miss Lynda See, 29, a secretary, said: 'This should have been done earlier because Singapore is multiracial. It would definitely have saved money and encourage more (elderly) people to take public transport.'

When asked, an LTA spokesman said: 'Public feedback received prior to 2001 and the expected enhancement of the MRT network were among the reasons for introducing the new signage system in 2001. We felt that the alphanumeric system was able to serve the majority of people.'

But from as far back as 1991, there was support from Members of Parliament and the public for multi-lingual signs to cater to less-educated older Singaporeans who have difficulty in English.

In fact, the present Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong suggested having four languages in signs for MRT stations and other public places during his first community visit.

Although multi-lingual signs started to show up in eight MRT stations a year later, Singaporeans have to wait until the end of 2005 to have these signs in all the MRT stations.

The public was told the simpler system of signs introduced in 2001 was needed because the rail network was going to be rapidly expanded.

The network will get more complex with the Punggol LRT and Circle Line .

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

heirloom

August 29th, 2004, 04:01 AM

haha rapidly expanded indeed. 4 lines and they call it complicated?!

babystan03

August 29th, 2004, 05:36 AM

haha rapidly expanded indeed. 4 lines and they call it complicated?!

Complicated for the old folks mah......:yes:

babystan03

August 31st, 2004, 05:30 PM

AUG 31, 2004
All but 10 MRT stations to have lifts, ramps by March 2005

ALL but 10 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations on the North-South and East-West lines will have facilities for the disabled and elderly by March next year.

Work on providing these facilities at the 10 - all underground - stopped in two months ago because contractor Hua Kok Realty ran into financial trouble.

It will resume in September under a new contractor and finish by the end of June 2006, six months behind schedule, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The affected stations are Tiong Bahru, Tanjong Pagar, Raffles Place, City Hall, Bugis, Lavender, Braddell, Newton, Orchard and Marina Bay.

The Government first announced plans to add lifts and ramps to 48 stations along the East-West and North-South lines in 1999.

As part of the project - one of the recommendations made by an inter-ministerial committee on an ageing population - some of the stations will also have new facilities, such as toilets for the disabled.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

heirloom

August 31st, 2004, 05:35 PM

two more ppl died on the tracks today.... although i'm sad for those affected, i'm perversely happy that mrt is under so much pressure.

redstone

August 31st, 2004, 06:53 PM

Just heard of it.Someone hit at Bukit Batok MRT, from another forum.

Forgot to watch the news tonight. :(

huaiwei

August 31st, 2004, 08:43 PM

Latest News | Updated Aug 31, 9.00 pm (Singapore time)

1 woman dead, another hurt after being hit by trains in different MRT stations

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2004-08-31/front_mrt.jpg
DOUBLE MISHAP: Two women were hit by oncoming trains when they fell off the platforms at different MRT stations on Tuesday. The woman in the first incident, which occurred at Bukit Batok MRT station at around 1.50pm, died. The second woman was sent to the Singapore General Hospital for serious injuries. -- STEPHANIE YEOW

SINGAPORE -- Two women fell off platforms and were hit by trains in separate incidents several hours apart at different MRT stations on Tuesday, leaving one dead and another injured.

Train services were disrupted in both cases and thousands of commuters were affected.

In the first incident whichhappened around 1.50pm, Madam Low Suan Chu, 50, was killed when she fell off the platform at Bukit Batok MRT station and was hit by an oncoming train.

She was dragged under the train and suffered multiple fractures.

Police ruled out foul play and have classified the case as one of unnatural death.

Train services between Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East MRT stations were stopped temporarily, affecting 2,500 passengers. But the train services resumed at 2.40pm.

In the second incident which occurred at Redhill MRT station at about 7.45pm, a woman in her 40s fell off the east-bound platform and wound up being wedged between two train carriages

She has been sent to the Singapore General Hospital, where her condition is listed as critical.

Police are investigating the case.

The second incident caused more disruption as it happened during the evening rush hour.

About 4,600 passengers were affected when train services between Rehill and Outram Park stations was stopped for an hour.

Trains were turned around at Outram Park and Queenstown MRT stations, and SMRT deployed 24 buses to ferry passengers from Redhill to Queenstown, Tiong Bahru and Outram Park MRT stations.

Passengers who were unable to complete their journeys due to the disruptions can claim a full fare refund from the Passenger Service Centres in any of the 51 MRT stations within the next three days, said SMRT.

Tuesday's incidents bring to four the number of such cases in a month, and the second at Bukit Batok MRT.

On Aug 14, Mr Richard Chua fell on the tracks in the same station. He survived.

heirloom

September 1st, 2004, 03:59 AM

this month is strange... 4 people in a month!?

redstone

September 1st, 2004, 04:25 AM

Chinese Seventh Month?

Touch wood!

heirloom

September 1st, 2004, 04:27 AM

nono... i dont believe uh... ghosts or whatever disembodied entities that have the ability to think exist

babystan03

September 1st, 2004, 04:27 AM

Chinese Seventh Month?

Touch wood!

Actually I somehow feel that this has something to do with it....haha...:lol:

redstone

September 1st, 2004, 04:30 AM

Look at that horrible accident along NS Highway a few weeks ago.

Hit by car, flung out and dragged by another car! :o

heirloom

September 1st, 2004, 04:50 AM

i wonder what mrt will do now... perhaps they will have to install doors on their above ground stations too...*air con*!!

redstone

September 1st, 2004, 04:51 AM

Install low walls.Waist height with gates.

Sensors along the walls of the tracks, stops the train when something big crosses it.

babystan03

September 1st, 2004, 04:57 AM

SEPT 1, 2004
38 MRT stations to get facilities for disabled, elderly by March
ALL but 10 MRT stations on the North-South and East-West lines will have facilities for the disabled and elderly by March next year.

Work on providing these facilities at the 10 stations - all underground - stopped in June because contractor Hua Kok Realty ran into financial trouble.

It will resume this month and finish by the end of June 2006, six months behind schedule, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Replying to queries from The Straits Times, its spokesman said Hua Kok has struck a deal with Master Contract Services, which has agreed to take over the project.

To ensure there will be no more hiccups, Hua Kok will second some of its staff to the new contractor.

The affected stations are: Tiong Bahru, Tanjong Pagar, Raffles Place, City Hall, Bugis, Lavender, Braddell, Newton, Orchard and Marina Bay.

So far, 35 per cent of the work at these stations has been completed. Work has been completed at Toa Payoh, the 11th station Hua Kok was contracted to do.

The agreement between the two contractors means there is no need to re-tender the project, which would have meant a longer delay in the resumption of the work, said the LTA.

Till now, the LTA has said only that the entire upgrading project will be finished by the end of next year.

Updating The Straits Times, its chief executive, Mr Ho Meng Kit, said in an e-mail reply recently: 'We expect the new facilities at most of the stations along the East-West line to be ready for the public's use by the end of this year.

'Upgrading of the rest of the above-ground stations will be finished by the first quarter of 2005.'

Gammon Skanska, the contractor in charge of the 29 above-ground stations, has finished retrofitting the one at Bukit Batok and completed 75 per cent of the work at the others.

The Government had announced plans to add lifts and ramps at 48 stations along the East-West and North-South lines in 1999.

As part of the project - one of the recommendations made by an inter-ministerial committee on the ageing population - some of the stations will also have new facilities, such as toilets for the disabled.

The entire project is expected to cost $81.5 million.

Since work on it began in 2000, seven stations - including Novena, Tampines, Dhoby Ghaut, Outram Park and Somerset - have been fitted with the new facilities.

Dover, Expo and Changi stations, which were built later and added to the existing two lines, already have the facilities.

Three other stations to be linked to the new Circle Line - Bishan, Buona Vista and Paya Lebar - will have the facilities added on as the new line is built.

Mr Ho said: 'We will monitor the works closely to ensure that the project is carried out quickly and smoothly so that commuters can enjoy the new facilities as early as possible.'

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

redstone

September 1st, 2004, 05:00 AM

Well, its about time! :yes:

babystan03

September 1st, 2004, 05:00 AM

Install low walls.Waist height with gates.

Sensors along the walls of the tracks, stops the train when something big crosses it.

How to do this things when everyday so many ppl taking the train?? Unless they dun need the platform to board the train........:lol:

redstone

September 1st, 2004, 05:02 AM

Install them a few cms below the platform, lah! :D

babystan03

September 1st, 2004, 05:15 AM

Install them a few cms below the platform, lah! :D

Might as well install something that give out a loud sound once they cross the yellow line........:yes:

redstone

September 1st, 2004, 05:20 AM

That, you'll be contradicting yourself. :D

babystan03

September 1st, 2004, 05:22 AM

That, you'll be contradicting yourself. :D

What I mean is no need to install something as major as a glass door or low wall.......for the sound thing only a small sensor will do.....been to 7-11(once you enter that's a sound)?? :D

But then I think they should at least get the videocam(the one able to record) thing running, they've been talking for such a long time already.......:yes:

heirloom

September 1st, 2004, 05:28 AM

singapore's weather warrants enclosed spaces anyway... so why not make it like the underground stations..

huaiwei

September 1st, 2004, 06:00 AM

babystan03

September 1st, 2004, 08:45 AM

Do you guys pay taxes? ;) If not, its no wonder you can come up with such ideas!

Anyway, wonder if any of you read in the forum page recently. Someone also wrote in asking for barriers, but another replied and said you might as well also install barriers along all the roads in Singapore to prevent people "falling onto the roads"! :D

I pay taxes.....haha.....:D Ok loh, my suggestion might be a bit outrageous but then it seem to be cheaper :lol: Yah lah at the end of the day, user of the platform have to be responsible for their own safety also loh......can't expect ppl to protect us on every aspect one right??:)

redstone

September 1st, 2004, 08:51 AM

The low wall idea is very good, why people laugh at it?

Perhaps they think these accident would not happen again?

Like they install video-recording capable cameras only after a few deaths.

Do they have to wait till more people (touch wood) gets killed then install them? :lol:

babystan03

September 1st, 2004, 09:28 AM

SEPT 1, 2004
Woman in second MRT accident dies
THE woman who fell off the east-bound platform at the Redhill MRT station on Tuesday evening died this morning in hospital, police said.

She is in her 40s and is still unidentified.

The accident occured at 7.44pm at the Redhill MRT station and Singapore Civil Defence Force officers took about 15 minutes to extricate her from under the train.

She suffered serious head injuries and an open fracture on her right leg.

Earlier yesterday afternoon at about 1.50pm, Madam Low Suan Choo, 50, was killed when she fell off the platform at the Bukit Batok MRT station and was hit by an oncoming train.

This is the second accident at Bukit Batok in just over a month.

On Aug 14, a 47-year-old fell off a platform at the Bukit Batok station and an incoming train crushed his toes. He is now recovering at the National University Hospital.

The first MRT accident this year occurred on July 29 at the Bishan station where a 31-year-old man fell onto the tracks and died after being hit by a train.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

redstone

September 1st, 2004, 09:29 AM

I really am begining to suspect this has something to do with the 7th Month.

heirloom

September 1st, 2004, 11:03 AM

mrt no longer uses tax money to build stuff mar... aren't they on their own now? i thought only the construction of the line uses taxpayer's money

babystan03

September 1st, 2004, 11:53 PM

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 01 September 2004 2324 hrs

SMRT studying suggestions to improve platform safety
By Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: The SMRT says it is looking at several options to improve platform safety following recent incidents.

There have been four cases of commuters falling onto train tracks in the last five weeks.

The incidents prompted SMRT to relook suggestions to improve safety.

It is thinking of putting waist- or chest-high metal barriers.

This is estimated to cost some S$5m.

It is also considering having a narrower second yellow line one metre away from the platform edge.

This will be faster to implement and cheaper too - at about $100,000.

Mr Goh Chee Kong, SMRT's vice president for corporate communications, said: "It may not necessarily be the thick yellow lines you see at the moment. It could be the dashed yellow lines but for this second one, the main purpose is actually to alert people, that you're getting to a place where you ought to be very careful when you're waiting for the train."

A commuter welcomed the idea, saying: "I think the barrier is a good idea."

But another commuter said: "The yellow line might have to shift further away from the track. I think barriers may not be good because you might have more maintenance work for the barriers."

Another said: "I don't think it'll help. I think the best solution is to educate and to have video cameras in order to ascertain why someone has fallen onto the tracks." - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

babystan03

September 2nd, 2004, 09:40 AM

SEPT 2, 2004
Raised metal plates on open train platforms a hazard

FOUR commuters fell off MRT platforms onto the track in just over a month ('Two women fall onto MRT tracks; one dies'; ST, Sept 1). Could some of these have been accidents?

Recently, SMRT installed metal plates with huge, raised bubbles - to guide blind commuters - along the yellow line on the platform, what are called Tactiles. However, these are too close to the yellow line and are a hazard. Commuters who move forward when a train approaches might trip over them and fall onto the track.

My elderly parents usually travel on the MRT alone and I am very worried that they might trip over the metal plates.

SMRT should have had the plates installed some distance away from the yellow line so that even if someone trips, he won't end up on the track.

LAI SOH FUN (MS)

THE metal plates with huge, raised bubbles installed on open train platforms by SMRT pose a big danger to passengers when it rains.

On a wet day, rain spills into the platforms and the metal plates get wet. Once wet, they become extremely slippery.

The danger increases when the platform is packed, as newly arrived commuters force those before them to move forward onto the slippery plates.

I shudder to think about the consequences should someone lose his footing just as the train approaches.

To put an immediate stop to the loss of lives, I urge SMRT to review the use of the metal plates.

PATRICK TEO YU YEOW

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

September 2nd, 2004, 11:47 PM

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 02 September 2004 2210 hrs

MRT station safety: MPs stress need for personal responsibility
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Safety at MRT stations was a top concern in Parliament on Thursday, following the recent deaths of commuters who fell onto MRT tracks, but personal responsibility was one message that also came through strongly.

Platform screen doors are the norm in underground MRT stations, but not on open platform stations; some have asked if they should be.

Minister of State for Transport Mrs Lim Hwee Hua said this option costs S$200 million.

Cheaper alternatives are half height railings.

"These are physical half height barriers at platform edges with openings that are aligned to the train door positions. But preliminary studies have shown that these may or may not be effective," she said.

"Possible problems that could arise: commuters who sit on them and risk falling onto the tracks. Or passengers getting trapped into these small spaces between trains and barriers during rush hour."

Commuters had mixed views on barriers and other safety measures.

"Definitely, it will improve safety. It will look weird, people will complain about the cost but in the end we have to live with it. Safety comes first," said one.

"If barriers need to be put up, then barriers need to be put up or security stepped up or whatever. One casualty or one death is already too many," another said.

"I think it's over-reacting. Safety is up the individual to take care. I think the yellow line is enough," said a third commuter.

However, to allay concerns, SMRT has deployed staff to patrol above-ground stations, especially during peak periods.

They will be equipped with whistles to remind passengers to stand behind the yellow line.

And closed-circuit TV cameras with recording features have also been installed at all 35 above-ground stations.

However, aside from the measures to enhance safety, Mrs Lim stressed that the public must also exercise personal responsibility.

Since 1991, there have been 224 cases of unauthorised track access.

Of these, 12 were fatalities, of which a significant number were premeditated.

Mrs Lim said, "Some members of the public have further pointed out that while LTA and the operators can play their part, commuters should also take responsibility of their own safety when using the MRT system. I totally agree with them."

"The open platforms at the elevated MRT stations are like public roads where commuters exercise personal caution, such as not standing too close to the edge and looking out for traffic. Likewise, at MRT stations, the public should observe and comply with safety rules that have been put in place," she added.

And while the authorities would do all they could to enhance safety, Mrs Lim said a balance must also be struck.

Mrs Lim explained, "Any excessive installation of safety measures and implementation of safety measures would ultimately exact a cost on the provision of transport services. This is something the operators and the vast majority of commuters would want to avoid." - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

eyetoeye

September 3rd, 2004, 02:17 AM

heirloom

September 3rd, 2004, 02:23 AM

if they do install something potentially ugly like half height metal railings(i hope not), they must at the very least get designer of apple products jonathan ives to draw up something for them..

JediAlf

September 3rd, 2004, 04:13 AM

It's just ridiculous. Metal railings? Next, they'll be asking for infra-red motion detectors and force-fields to keep people out.

Honestly, i find some of them actually deserve to run down. I mean, i know it's really evil of me to think this way, but why can't they just stand behind the yellow line like they're supposed to? It's not as if it's the first time this has happened. Can't people just try to be more careful?

It's just so dumb.......

These people who stood too close to the edges should know better. To be safe, just sit on the bench until the train pulls in and comes to a halt completely. The safety line from the edge is reasonable - very common around the world train platforms.

But those who really want to jump off train platform and crash into incoming trains - really pose danger.

Not necessary to put up barriers up. If we have to do this, all streets have to be installed with barriers like this

ignoramus

September 4th, 2004, 06:35 AM

Tactiles on train platforms help visually handicapped
I REFER to the letters published under the heading, 'Raised metal plates on open train platforms a hazard' (ST, Sept 2).

We would like to correct the misconception that the tactiles installed on platforms of MRT stations are a hazard to commuters, and could be the cause of the recent incidents of falls off the platforms onto the tracks.

Tactile ground surface indicators (TGSI) are warning indicators that serve as a safety feature, and they provide both visual and physical cues for everyone.

The physical cues are detectable either underfoot or with a white cane, and this source of orientation information enables the visually handicapped to travel independently and safely.

The Code on Barrier-free Accessibility in Buildings 2002 has recommended the installation of warning (or decision) tactiles at hazardous locations, including railway platforms.

Based on the code, a considerable amount of research has been undertaken. This research has confirmed that the provision of TGSI at a height of 5mm is sufficient to impart tactile information while, at the same time, not impact adversely on other pedestrians.

TGSI can also be found in train stations in places such as Hong Kong, the US and Australia.

JENNIFER LIM (MS)
Executive Director
Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped

I REFER to the letters by Ms Lai Soh Fun and Mr Patrick Teo Yu Yeow ('Raised metal plates on open train platforms a hazard'; ST, Sept 2).

I agree with Ms Lai that the metal plates with huge, raised bubbles (tactiles) are hazardous because people may trip over them.

On quite a few occasions I have tripped over the bubbles on the metal plates but, thankfully, the incidents occurred within the MRT station and not on the platform.

I applaud SMRT for installing the tactiles in its stations to guide visually impaired commuters. However, it may not have realised the potential negative effects these may have on other commuters.

Perhaps SMRT can take a leaf from the book of Hong Kong's MTR, where the stations also feature tactiles but these are made of a black rubber material.

Although not as aesthetically pleasing as the metal tactiles, the bubbles are softer. One is less likely to fall if one trips over the rubber bubbles.

MARIA NG SHUYI (MISS)

ignoramus

September 4th, 2004, 06:57 AM

Some people really know how to avoid the issue at hand. The issue here is whether metal studs was a good choice, not whether what their purpose was! The forumer who wrote in KNEW what they were for...the forumer just wanted to know who came up with the dumb idea of using metal studs, metal being more prone to rusting upon contact with rainwater on elevated platforms, and metal being slippery....regardless of the rough edges on top of the studs...(Overhead bridges have metal rough edges too, but its still slippery on rainy days). Can't they just use the stone studs on NEL instead? Its such a bad idea the moment I saw it... Tokyo subways and Hong Kong subways don't use metal studs...

And painting an additional line is kind of crazy... The distance from the edge of the platform to the escalator is already tight. By painting another line about 1m from it, it measn that at stations such as Yio Chu Kang, the available waiting area on the platform is reduced to about 0.5m.

SMRT is really making bad choices nowadays... Remember SMRT had those no eating announcements made by Patricia Mok etc... They said they wanted to run them for a month but took them down after a week... Didn't they incur expenses from even coming up with such an idea which they didn't follow through to the end in the first place?

And now these tactile studs...it will cost them for to replace them when they rust...No matter how they say it will not rust, they will... And some of the newly installed tactile guides at for instance Admiralty Station is already gone as in they have already been broken off...

And those plasma screens and LED screens. They have too little on the platforms and too much everywhere else... At platforms there should be 2 since they are using plasma and as such from one end of the platform it is difficult to see what is on the screen. But at the concourse level they have 2 Plasma and 2 LED screens at the passenger service centre area alone. Maybe 2 plasma is good to show the arrival times of trains. But they have 2 LED facing the paid area of the concourse displaying the SMRT slogan and safety messages...Why do they need high tech gadgets to display safety messages, and they display such messages not on the platform but at the ticket gates where people exit... The excuse they give was that LED there serves to alert passengers of train disruptions and safety messages and they cost little to operate. The latter may be true but they cost a heck lot to install. And installing them just for displaying info of service disruptions and safety messages to passengers that are leaving the station instead of entering. At Yishun station if you have noticed, they even display the arrival times of trains at each platform FOR PASSENGERS WHO ARE LEAVING THE STATION AND HAVE DISEMBARKED FROM THE TRAIN. If they were truly sincere about displaying safety messages then why aren't all stations provided with LED facilities? At Yio Chu Kang, they only have a plasma screen with small font text displaying messages for a relatively long line of ticket gates...

And they spent money on providing piped in music but removed it later again... Actually I liked that feature it was kind of soothing but since they removed it their earlier investment spent on it was wasted...