Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit & Light Rapid Transit (Part #2) [Archive] - Page 2

ignoramus

July 10th, 2005, 03:39 AM

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Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 09 July 2005 2245 hrs

Singapore to set up police MRT unit to enhance security of transport system
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia

Singapore will be setting up a new police MRT unit that will be operational soon.

This is the latest measure to enhance the security of Singapore's public transport network.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said this when he visited Dhoby Ghaut MRT station on Saturday to see the security measures in place there.

Security will be enhanced with the unit which is specially trained to deal with incidents in trains.

Besides trains, buses will also install cameras to record everything that goes on inside.

Trains also have emergency exits at the ends which can be easily opened for escape.

He said: "I was told that in the trial runs that they have with members of the public who did not know what to do at all, it just took them 20 seconds to get there and open the emergency exits and to leave the trains, so it's a very simple mechanism."

But the Transport Minister says it is not about teaching every Singaporean what to do during an emergency.

"The key thing is you test the system with strangers, people who don't know about the system at all, to make sure that you understand what is their reaction, and to get their feedback on how things can be improved," he told reporters.

So do commuters know what to do during an emergency?

"Don't know," one told our reporter.

"Not very sure," said another.

"I would press the emergency button and listen to the adults' instructions and exit through the emergency exits," said a young commuter.

Commuters still unsure about what to do during an emergency can pick up one of the useful pamphlets avaliable at the information counters of all MRT stations.

At the end of the day, the Transport Minister says it is the people who will make an impact against terrorism.

Mr Yeo said: "There have been an increasing number of feedback from the public about suspicious objects that they see within the train or within the station. And I think that's good, better to be safe than to be afraid of looking stupid."

This is something commuters are told everytime they board the trains or buses. - CNA /ch

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

ignoramus

July 10th, 2005, 03:41 AM

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Policemen patrol a subway train station in Singapore

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 08 July 2005 2030 hrs

Singapore steps up security in public transport network
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The Central London bomb blasts have prompted the Singapore government to do even more to tighten security on the public transport network.

Acting Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan says increased measures have been put in place, even though there are no specific threat against targets in Singapore.

He said Singapore has, in the last year, tightened security measures in trains, buses and MRT stations and all these have been stepped up.

He said: "We've got better close circuit televisions now. The police have also plain-clothes policemen riding the trains in order to put an extra layer of security. We've taken measures within the MRT stations. For example, there are now no disposal bins or something where people can put bombs in. And this will continue."

Both SBS Transit and SMRT say they will increase checks and security patrols on buses, trains and terminals.

These will include bag checks, and "walk through" checks by staff.

Frontline staff will also be more vigilant while on duty and monitor the closed circuit TVs for suspicious activity.

Dr Tan, who was impressed with London's swift response to the bombings, said that Singapore authorities will work closely with the British to learn what to do in case something similar happens here.

"The Singapore police force is also liaising with their counterparts there and they'll be sending a team to London in order to study how a post-attack management is carried out," he added.

The Public Transport Security Committee, which was set up last year, not only looks into security issues but also how to manage the consequences of an attack on people, and on the economy.

Members of the public have been urged to report suspicious activities to authorities.

Dr Tan said several reports have been made to police. - CNA /ch/ir

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

babystan03

July 10th, 2005, 03:46 AM

^Yeah saw a security standing outside the MRT exit yesterday.......:yes:

ignoramus

July 10th, 2005, 04:01 AM

Security as in policemen or security guards?

Security guards are seen checking the bags of commuters more frequently though...

Maybe once a month I see policemen patrolling the platforms.

babystan03

July 10th, 2005, 04:08 AM

Security as in policemen or security guards?

Security guards are seen checking the bags of commuters more frequently though...

Maybe once a month I see policemen patrolling the platforms.

Security guard that looks like policeman.....:D He was just standing at the entrance looking serious........:yes:

disappear

July 11th, 2005, 12:51 PM

Hahaha.....I guess they would have to build it the Outram way.......my thinking is just an ideal (like city hall & raffles places)......:yes: Dun worry, nothing will crumble......:lol:
The 2 lines intersect in a perpendicular way, if they build the CCL platform directly under NSL, if that is possible, it means the line has to make a turn to be parallel with the NSL, then turn again to continue on its way.....Harbourfront NEL and CCL lines seems to meet parallel. i dont know if the CCL station can and will be built directly below NEL station. seems that it isnt.

building stations like Outram Park way actually has benefits also. for e.g., because the 2 lines platforms are quite a distance apart, the station as an interchange is in effect spread over a larger area; for example, prev it is not possible for the EWL Outram park to have an entrance at Police Cantonment Complex. For the Bishan CCL, i think there will be entrance next to current bus interchange or something, and this is not possible for the NSL.

babystan03

July 17th, 2005, 11:24 AM

Expo station pano

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9731/expostationpano14or.jpg

heirloom

July 17th, 2005, 11:52 AM

how come its not shiny in this pic? i always thought it was shiny

babystan03

July 17th, 2005, 11:56 AM

how come its not shiny in this pic? i always thought it was shiny

I think it's becos it's a gloomy day......(the reflection from the sun makes it shiny....)....:)

ignoramus

July 17th, 2005, 12:09 PM

SMRT Stations Installed With Passenger Lifts
© ignoramus
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5581/dsc001008tb.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

ignoramus

July 17th, 2005, 12:14 PM

Third Generation Automatic Fare Gates Used In Stations Along The North East Line & CG2 Changi Airport Station.
© ignoramus
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4963/dsc001044qb.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

ignoramus

July 17th, 2005, 12:17 PM

Retrofitted Tactile Guidance System Used In SMRT Stations
© ignoramus
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6590/dsc001011bg.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

ignoramus

July 17th, 2005, 12:18 PM

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo 751B Cars Arriving At CG1 Expo Station
© ignoramus
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9504/dsc000969qg.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

ignoramus

July 17th, 2005, 12:21 PM

The Tunnel Entrance/Exit To/From CG2 Changi Airport Station (Longest SMRT Tunnel)
© ignoramus
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5314/dsc000970me.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

littlearea

July 17th, 2005, 01:57 PM

I heard the new SMRT's station anouncement today for the passenger using the lift. :)

heirloom

July 17th, 2005, 05:00 PM

is that the longest tunnel? like longest tunnel between stations or what? how about those in teh city?

disappear

July 18th, 2005, 11:54 AM

City Hall Raffle place important interchange station plus many underground busy station no have lift. The city hall/raffle place station lift cannot go directly from concourse level to the lowest platform level right? or can?

disappear

July 18th, 2005, 11:54 AM

maybe is talking about longest tunnel in between station

babystan03

July 23rd, 2005, 01:03 AM

July 23, 2005
Bid for underground walkway to Orchard MRT, Far East Plaza

THE Scotts Shopping Centre project will likely be linked via an underground passage to Orchard MRT station and the walkway could go all the way to Goodwood Park Hotel.

Wheelock Properties (Singapore) chief executive David Lawrence told The Straits Times yesterday the link to the MRT station will be through the basement of Tangs department store.

'We may take the basement link all the way along Scotts Road, into the Grand Hyatt hotel, possibly into Far East Plaza. It could even go to the Goodwood Park Hotel, although it has no redevelopment plans now,' he added.

While he is keen, he concedes that linking all the way to Far East Plaza may be 'a bit more difficult', as it requires the consent of many owners.

Wheelock is now in preliminary discussions with the Government and adjoining owners about building the underground passage.

The Government has encouraged Orchard Road malls to link up to make the street more pedestrian-friendly, as part of a plan to make the shopping street one of the world's greatest.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

July 28th, 2005, 01:42 PM

July 28, 2005
Buangkok MRT: New poll fails to move SBS
Company questions findings of latest grassroots survey

By Goh Chin Lian

GRASSROOTS leaders in Punggol South are making a fresh bid to have Buangkok MRT station opened, even though the authorities say there are still too few homes within 400m of it to generate enough passengers.

They polled 495 residents who walk to the Punggol station to debunk transport operator SBS Transit's argument that few people who live more than 400m from an MRT station would walk to it daily.

The survey showed that 363 commuters walk more than 400m to it and that 295 make the journey at least five times a week.

But the results have failed to move SBS, which insisted yesterday that it is still unclear if enough people would make the journey to Buangkok station.

The debate over how far people will walk to take a train came up two years ago, when SBS rejected residents' calls to open Buangkok station with the rest of the $4.6 billion North-East Line.

This was though an earlier poll - which like this one was initiated by Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Charles Chong - showed more than 80 per cent of residents in the 3,584 households within 600m of the station were willing to walk to it.

SBS asked then: 'How many will do that on a daily basis?'

The question came up again two months ago when Mr Chong told Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao the station should open now that 961 new homes have come up near it.

The Land Transport Authority's reply: Not all are within a 400m radius. And despite other homes there, they do not add up to the 2,000 needed for the station to be viable.

Madam Zaiton Hamzah, 44, was one of those surveyed in the latest poll.

She walks more than 800m five times a week from her Edgefield Plains flat to Punggol station to 'exercise and save money'.

Mr Chong told reporters yesterday: 'SBS Transit needs to relook its 400m rule because, in reality, Singaporeans are walking more than 400m, and on a regular basis.'

SBS Transit spokesman Tammy Tan acknowledged there will always be people willing to walk long distances, but said the latest survey does not make it clear if enough will walk more than 400m every day to the station.

She also pointed out that for those who live between Hougang and Buangkok stations, a distance of about 650m to either, 'it would actually be cheaper to walk to Hougang station and take the train from there to town, than to walk to Buangkok station'.

SBS will decide whether to open the station when the area is more built up, she said.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong estimated in 2003 that a critical mass could be reached by this or next August.

But Mr Chong said residents, especially those who live within sight of the station, have been 'reminding' him and his grassroots leaders about getting the station opened.

'Every morning, it grates on them to have to walk and take a bus to a station farther away and incur more cost,' he said. 'The transport fare hike has caused more irritation.'

He added: 'With or without elections coming up, we'd like to see that station open as soon as possible. It was built from public funds and has been completely mothballed.

'Every day it remains closed is a cause for irritation.'

chinlian@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

July 30th, 2005, 05:16 AM

July 30, 2005
$99.8m for MRT extension

A $99.8 MILLION contract to build the Boon Lay MRT Extension has been awarded to a joint venture of Japanese firm Sato Kogyo and local contractor Greatearth Construction.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) chose them even though the Manpower Ministry is prosecuting a joint venture of Greatearth and construction firm United Engineers for an accident at the Fusionpolis high-tech township in Ayer Rajah last April which killed two workers.

An LTA spokesman said Sato Kogyo, with a 70 per cent share in its joint venture with Greatearth, 'has assured us they will take the lead... in terms of project, safety and technical management'. The spokesman said Sato Kogyo had proposed a 'comprehensive' safety management system for the project.

The company will also provide the key project staff for the 3.8km fully elevated extension of the East-West Line from Boon Lay MRT station.

The Japanese company began construction here in 1981, with Benjamin Sheares Bridge, followed by Bukit Timah Expressway, Central Expressway and North-East MRT Line.

The joint venture beat 13 other contenders with the second lowest bid. The lowest bid was $82.9 million.

The Boon Lay extension is due to be completed in early 2009.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

July 30th, 2005, 12:40 PM

Business Times - 30 Jul 2005

Security boost will come cheap: SMRT

By RACHEL LIN

TIGHTER security measures in the wake of renewed fears of terrorist attacks will result in only marginal cost increases for SMRT Corporation, according to chief financial officer Patrick Lau.

These new measures include installing more closed-circuit TVs (CCTVs) and recruiting transit police who will patrol the MRT system.

'The costs of the transit police will be absorbed by the authorities,' said Mr Lau. 'There will be no additional costs for us, except maybe for training.'

He was speaking at a teleconference announcing SMRT's results for its first quarter ended June 30.

More problematic, however, will be an increase in oil prices. This hike already has already taken its toll: one of the biggest contributors to SMRT's rise in operating expenses was the jump in diesel costs.

The company expects a $9 million increase in diesel costs for buses over last year. Nevertheless, SMRT's net profit rose 13.9 per cent to $23.9 million year-on-year.

This figure takes into account a $2 million tax write-back which inflated the net profit figure for the first quarter of last year. If this write-back were to be excluded, SMRT's net profit for this quarter would have risen by 25.6 per cent.

Revenue rose 6.4 per cent to $176.1 million, thanks to earnings improvements in all businesses, except buses, which saw a 1.7 per cent fall year-on-year due to the rationalisation of inefficient bus routes.

Earnings per share rose from 1.4 to 1.6 cents.

Ridership is expected to remain stable, though SMRT is planning a promotion later this year to boost custom.

With a current hired-out rate of 90 per cent, the company will also continue to aggressively recruit more taxi hirers.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

babystan03

August 12th, 2005, 12:09 PM

Aug 12, 2005
Building along Circle Line stretch to go

By Christopher Tan
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

THE Land Transport Authority yesterday told stunned owners and tenants of a five-storey building along a stretch of the Circle MRT Line works that their homes will be torn down because of safety concerns.

Occupants of Hock Kee House on Paya Lebar Road, situated no more than two car lengths from the site where excavation has been suspended since April last year, will have one month to move out.

The building has seven shophouses and 28 residential units. Most of the residents are tenants.

Mr Francis Teo, a 52-year-old retiree who owns one of the units, said: 'It is very sudden. They built it halfway and then they told us about it. I have no choice.'

Because of the short notice, the LTA will offer owners up to $100,000 per unit in ex-gratia payment, in addition to compensation, which has yet to be determined by state valuers.

Property consultants reckon the 999-year leasehold property is worth $225 to $500 per sq ft. If so, the units, would fetch $300,000 to $1.03 million each.

It is the first time the LTA is making such a special payment. It is also the first time private property is being acquired midway through an excavation project. The LTA claims it has nothing to do with the Nicoll Highway collapse.

Hock Kee House was built in the 1960s. Although sitting on marine clay, a soft and unstable soil, it was placed on concrete slabs called footings, rather than on piles.

The LTA discovered this soon after works started on the 900m Paya Lebar stretch of the Circle Line in 2003. Nevertheless, the building was deemed safe and excavation of the tunnel proceeded.

But they had only dug 2.5m down when all Circle Line works were suspended after the Nicoll Highway collapse in April last year.

The Building and Construction Authority said the building is still safe for occupation, but the LTA feels it will be unstable once deep excavation resumes.

They arrived at their conclusion after independent consultants, who spent a year studying the building, completed their report last month.

'We explored other alternatives, including strengthening the building further as well as alternative alignments of the tunnels,' said LTA chief Yam Ah Mee.

But these were deemed not feasible and demolition was left 'as the only option'.

BG Yam said owners will be paid $10,000 first followed by a second tranche when they hand over their keys on Sept 12. The Government will also help owners find alternative premises, he said.

christan@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

August 14th, 2005, 03:20 AM

Aug 14, 2005
Armed MRT cops from tomorrow
New police unit forms part of measures to step up security at public places

ARMED police officers from the newly set up Police MRT unit will patrol Singapore's MRT stations and trains from tomorrow, said Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng.

'With that and complemented by the existing security guards of the MRT operators, security in the transport system will be enhanced,' said Mr Wong, who was speaking at a National Day observance ceremony for the land transport industry in Toa Payoh.

In his speech on Friday, Mr Wong urged Singaporeans to remain vigilant and play a part in ensuring Singapore's safety. 'We have seen a number of letters in the media in the aftermath of the London blasts, making constructive suggestions on what can be done to better protect the public transport system and its commuters.'

He added that discussion on national security issues will raise the level of public consciousness which is vital in the security protection of Singapore.

First announced in April, the Police MRT unit was set up as part of a brace of measures to step up security at public places.

Immediately after the London bomb blasts, Singapore's Police HQ Command Post stepped up patrols at all MRT stations. MRT operators also increased the number of checks done on commuters.

Last month, Mr Wong launched a briefing programme for taxi operators and drivers to watch out for suspicious behaviour.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

August 15th, 2005, 10:17 AM

15 August 2005

Armed police special unit begins MRT patrols
By Johnson Choo, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : A dedicated team of police officers, set up to handle security incidents on the MRT system, have begun their patrols.

But will they shoot to kill if they come across suspected suicide bombers?

"Yes, they may have to", explained Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng when he replied to a question in Parliament on Monday.

Bags and items being checked onboard trains will soon become a common sight for the 1.2 million commuters using the MRT daily.

While patrols by police officers at MRT stations are not new, these officers from the Police MRT Unit have been specially selected and trained to deal with security incidents.

Unlike troopers from the Special Operations Command (SOC) with their red berets, these officers don blue berets.

They are also equipped with less firepower - the Taurus service-revolver and T-baton.

But in the face of potential threat, will these officers shoot to kill?

Member of Parliament Irene Ng, who raised this question, cited the shooting of an innocent man in London who had been mistaken for being a suicide bomber.

Mr Wong said: "We have to evolve our rules of doctrine according to the circumstances. In our context today, we have not come across a suicide bomber case and we hope we will not come across one.

"But I would not rule this out because suicide bombing is one of the preferred techniques of the terrorists to frighten and intimidate normal citizens.

"In the case of other countries where they have experienced this, they have adopted a shoot-to-kill policy because they cannot live with the chance that this person may turn out to be an innocent person as you have seen in the case of London.

"If an officer is confronted with a situation where there is immediate danger to life, he is authorised to use the necessary force to remove the danger and this may extend to the use of firearms.

"The police officer has to use his judgement. He has to assess at the time when he is confronted with a person, who may appear to be a suicide bomber and who in his opinion, he has to neutralise the threat, he may have to take such an action."

The highly-visible officers will patrol in pairs in and around the MRT stations, and depending on the circumstances, other specialist units may also be activated to deal with the situation.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Bernard Ng, OC of Police MRT Unit, said: "The Police MRT Unit is set up to complement the existing security measures implemented by the MRT operators, which include the surveillance cameras and security guards."

Their deployment at bus interchanges is also under consideration.

Police said for the officers to be effective, there would not be any regular scheduled patrolling.

Instead, they will adopt a flexible schedule where their presence would be both random and unpredictable.

The public is advised not to be alarmed by the enhanced patrols. - CNA/de

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

babystan03

September 24th, 2005, 03:32 AM

Sept 24, 2005
SMRT acts to raise safety awareness

By Goh Chin Lian

AT LEAST once every two days, a commuter falls while riding an MRT station escalator because he fails to hold the handrail or feels giddy.

And at least once every three days, a commuter falls on the station platform, usually while rushing to board a train.

Transport operator SMRT believes many of these accidents can be prevented, and is conveying this message to its train, bus and taxi passengers in a month-long courtesy and safety campaign.

It has planned four public education roadshows starting today at Jurong East station, and over two weekends, at Tampines, Orchard and Woodlands stations.

There are also contests, including one on Oct 2 in which about 500 people will race to complete various courtesy- and safety-related tasks at bus interchanges, taxi stops and train stations.

Transport staff The Straits Times spoke to offered a few tips that can make travel safer.

Bus driver Jairam Sankar, 56, said passengers can help by flagging a bus earlier. 'Sometimes they are deep in thought and they just stand there.'

They should also move to the back of the bus to make room for others to board, he added.

Cabby Eric Chan, 50, said passengers sometimes flag down a taxi at a traffic light junction, ask the cabby to make an illegal U-turn, or demand to be let off at a bus stop.

He tells them such acts are dangerous.

Then, there are those who suddenly ask him to make a right turn. Mr Chan said if he misses the turn, he will make a U-turn and, out of goodwill, waive the charge for the extra distance.

A service operations manager with SMRT Trains, Mr Nasharudin Jantan, 35, also has to constantly remind train passengers to be considerate to others on his daily rounds.

He said he never fails to see people leaning on vertical poles in the train meant for others to hold while standing.

Some sit with their legs wide apart, leaving little room for others beside them.

Then, there are those standing at the station platform who fail to give way to passengers getting off the trains.

'It's a habit,' said Mr Nasharudin. 'They usually stand behind the line when I tell them. But once the train comes in, they will forget about it and rush in.'

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

oahiyeel

September 24th, 2005, 04:14 PM

hmm. how come this forum has becomed so dead? anyway i just read on the newpaper yesterday about this map that shows future stations in sg...

http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,94921,00.html?

http://tnp.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-09-23/06mrt.jpg
(c)tnp ?

anyone has a bigger and clearer and nicer img? =D i think it's starting to look like the tube doesnt it? haha

babystan03

September 30th, 2005, 04:20 AM

Sept 30, 2005
Work restarts on Nicoll Highway MRT station

By Christopher Tan
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

WORK on the Nicoll Highway MRT station for the Circle Line restarted yesterday, nearly nine months after a change in its location was announced.

Builder Nishimatsu-Lum Chang marked the start of work with an elaborate groundbreaking ceremony featuring a lion dance, rice-tossing and sake-sprinkling - a Japanese blessing - at the site opposite the Concourse building.

And in a conscious effort to distance the work from its disastrous past, Land Transport Authority chief executive Yam Ah Mee, the guest of honour, announced to loud applause that the contract had been renamed - C828 from C824.

Phonetically, the last two digits of 824 sound like 'die easily' in Cantonese, whereas 28 sounds like 'prosper easily'. Observers also pointed out that the Nicoll Highway tragedy happened on April 20, 2004, or 20.04.2004. In Cantonese, four sounds like death.

Work under contract C824 stopped abruptly on the afternoon of April 20 last year, when the original site collapsed, killing four people.

Said Brigadier-General (NS) Yam yesterday: 'This is a new beginning.'

But he said renaming the contract did not mean 'we are forgetting the past. We have learnt a lot from the past.'

Indeed, Mr Masaji Chiba, 55, Nishimatsu's project director, pledged that safety will be of the utmost importance now. He took over from Shun Sugawara, who is facing prosecution for his role in the cave-in.

Mr Chiba, a 34-year Nishimatsu veteran, described the project as 'challenging', but 'as a team, we will bring it to timely completion'.

The project involves rebuilding twin tunnels stretching 1.8km from a point near the Indoor Stadium to a spot across from The Gateway building. They will cross the Kallang Basin, about 25m below ground.

The station's retaining walls will now be permanent structures, measuring 1.5m thick and going as deep as 60m. This is 50 per cent thicker than the failed structures and twice as deep. As a result, the reconstruction will cost about $500 million, Mr Chiba said. This is nearly twice the $273 million bill for the original project.

Following preparatory works, excavation of the station is expected to start in August next year. Work is expected to be completed in 2010.
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

ignoramus

October 25th, 2005, 02:26 PM

Special Train Service On North East Line
Between Outram Park And Harbourfront Stations
On 30 October 2005

As part of the Circle Line construction, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be carrying out works in the tunnels at the HarbourFront Station. To facilitate the works, it is necessary to close Platform A (south-bound) of HarbourFront Station on Sunday, 30 October 2005.

Commuters travelling to HarbourFront Station on 30 October 2005 will have to alight at Outram Park Station to take a special train service from Platform B to HarbourFront Station.

Commuters travelling from HarbourFront Station to other stations will have to alight at Outram Park to board the train service bound for Punggol at Platform B to continue with the rest of their journey.

SBS Transit Ltd will operate a special train service between Outram Park and HarbourFront stations at every 13 minutes on 30 October 2005. Train service will continue to operate as usual on the North East Line between Outram Park and Punggol stations.

In the unlikely event that the works cannot be completed in time, the special train service will continue to operate between Outram Park and HarbourFront stations on Monday, 31 October 2005.

Notices will be put up at train stations and announcements will be made to advise commuters about the service arrangement on 30 October 2005. Customer service officers will also be at Outram Park and HarbourFront stations to assist commuters.

LTA and SBS Transit Ltd apologise for the inconvenience caused.

ignoramus

October 25th, 2005, 02:37 PM

SMRT LAUNCHES EXCITING 'RIDE SMRT & WIN' PROMOTION
FOR ITS ENTIRE TRANSPORT NET WORK

1. SMRT has today, 21 October 2005, launched the 'Ride SMRT & Win' Promotion at City Hall Station, to encourage commuters to travel with SMRT and to reward them, following the success of last year's SMRT Ride-for-Free Countdown Promotion.

2. The highlight of the six-month promotion is that commuters travelling on SMRT's entire transport network - MRT, BPLRT, buses and taxis will be eligible for the lucky draws.

3. From 1 November 2005 to 30 April 2006, commuters who make valid ez-link trips on SMRT trains, buses, BPLRT, or current bookings with SMRT Taxis will automatically stand to win Samsung products and Goldheart Jewelry vouchers worth more than S$100,000. Moreover, commuters who choose to pre-register their ez-link card number with SMRT before 1 November will stand to win additional prizes in two special draws in December and May, on top of being notified should they win.

4. City Hall Station was abuzz with activity, as more than 10 street mascots wearing oversized Samsung TV headgears distributed flyers and registration forms to commuters. And for the first time ever, the concourse level was adorned with huge aesthetically-pleasing floor stickers measuring 7m x 1.7m.

5. "SMRT is committed to enhancing the travel experience of our commuters, to make their journey with us fun and exciting. The 'Ride SMRT & Win' Promotion is our first commuter promotion that spans our entire transport network, and it is organised to encourage and reward all who choose to ride with us," said Ms Saw Phaik Hwa, CEO and President of SMRT.

6. Commuters can pre-register online at www.ridesmrtandwin.com, or send an SMS to 97375608 in the following format: 9-digit ez-link card no.<space>Name<space>NRIC/passport no. Registration forms can also be obtained from any SMRT station or bus interchange.

ryantey

October 26th, 2005, 02:00 PM

Future Map (http://www.savefile.com/files/7570581)
Here is the link
http://www.savefile.com/files/7570581

Nongkhai_tong

October 28th, 2005, 07:44 AM

I think most Singaporeans can't speak Chinese.

Of course because they don't need to

babystan03

October 29th, 2005, 03:04 AM

Oct 29, 2005
Retail plan for MRT stations picks up speed

NEXT stop, Dhoby Xchange mall. Passengers are advised to bring cash or carry credit cards.

Train operator SMRT Corp's plans to turn its network of 51 MRT stations into a retail paradise are gaining momentum after a slow start.

Announced in 2003 by chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa, a veteran retailer, the plan calls for expanding and glamorising retail space in MRT stations, and is expected to boost SMRT's rental income by 50 per cent or $10 million a year.

SMRT leases space within the MRT network from the Government at a nominal fee, and charges shopkeepers as much as $10,000 each in monthly rent.

It has about 20,000 sq m of lettable space - occupied by more than 230 shops - yielding $20 million a year in rental revenue.

'Our objective is to enhance the quality of lives of commuters by providing them a new travel experience,' said an SMRT spokesman, adding the rental would also defray operating costs 'to mitigate fares' and 'increase shareholder value'.

The first major makeover, at the Raffles Place interchange, was completed in February. Branded Raffles Xchange, its leasable space rose from 1,700 sq m to 2,600 sq m.

Next on the list is Dhoby Xchange, at Dhoby Ghaut interchange, which will become a sizeable MRT mall when it is ready next year. Following that will be Tanjong Pagar Xchange, expected to be the largest of the three 'Xchanges'.

Stations like Eunos, Simei, Tampines and Pasir Ris will also be revamped next year, followed by Bugis, Tiong Bahru, Khatib, Expo, Kranji, Paya Lebar and Redhill 'over the next two to three years'.

SMRT has earmarked about $20 million for its retail project, which will increase lettable space by over 4,000 sq m in three years.

Commuters are ambivalent, though. Spa supervisor Christopher Toh, 36, said: 'Sometimes I wish the shops weren't there. They can be obstructive to traffic.'

Entrepreneur Lau Sau Kuen, in her 30s, said that shops do provide some convenience 'when I need to pick up light groceries, breakfast or something from the pharmacy', although commuters are 'often in a hurry and not in the frame of mind to shop'.

'But if the shops are interesting, I might check them out on weekends,' she added.

CHRISTOPHER TAN

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

ignoramus

November 3rd, 2005, 09:34 AM

Official Singapore MRT & LRT System Map (Includes All Future Projects Under Construction Except Circle Line Downtown Extension).
* Quality of image inherent from source
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7981/newer8ni.jpg

babystan03

November 10th, 2005, 11:27 PM

Nov 11, 2005
Buangkok MRT station may open in January

By Goh Chin Lian

TWO years of lobbying by grassroots leaders in Punggol South may finally have paid off, with plans underway to open Buangkok MRT station in January.

The Straits Times understands that Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong could reveal the details officially tomorrow.

The station would have opened only in 2008, based on the Land Transport Authority's previous guideline that there must be 2,000 to 3,000 housing units within 400m of a station to justify opening it.

But Mr Yeo indicated in August that the guideline was not set in stone.

He said the 400m radius could be extended to 500m and the station could open as long as there were close to 2,000 units within that larger area.

Based on figures from Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council, there are already about 2,300 units within 500m of the station.

Asked to comment on the plans to open the station, the authorities, plus transport operator SBS Transit and even the usually vocal Pasir-Punggol GRC MP Charles Chong were keeping quiet.

But sources told The Straits Times the go-ahead has been given.

Before the station can open, operational trials have to be conducted, including ensuring that the trains stop properly at the station. When The Straits Times visited the station earlier this week, maintenance staff were working inside and the ticketing machines were switched on.

The opening of the station should bring an end to a two-year saga that started in June 2003, when SBS announced, four days before opening the $4.6 billion North-east Line, that Buangkok station would stay closed.

Many residents in the area felt cheated, particularly those who had bought a home in the belief that the station would open. Instead they have to walk, cycle or take a feeder bus to Hougang or Sengkang stations if they want to use the MRT.

Mr Chong and his grassroots leaders lobbied SBS to change its mind, producing polls which showed people were willing to walk more than 400m to the station, but SBS rejected the findings.

Several ministers spoke publicly on the issue and held out the promise that the station would open once more people moved in.

Unconvinced, someone placed eight cut-outs of white elephants on a road divider outside the station before a minister's visit in August, sparking a public debate about protesting and political expression, and ending with the culprit receiving a stern warning from the police.

So is the planned opening of the station a sweetener for the upcoming general election?

Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Mr Ong Kian Min, did not think so.

'It's coincidental,' he said. 'There's been a lot of pressure for them to open Buangkok station. The pressure has been piling up. It's good for them to review and make a decision.'

chinlian@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved

babystan03

November 12th, 2005, 03:42 AM

Nov 12, 2005
It's confirmed: Buangkok station opens in Jan

By Goh Chin Lian

TRANSPORT Minister Yeo Cheow Tong yesterday confirmed that Buangkok MRT station will finally open in January next year - 2 1/2 years after the rest of the North-East Line.

The decision, which confirms a report in Thursday's Straits Times, comes after appeals from the local MP and residents, and even a public protest.

It reverses the Land Transport Authority's recent review, which concluded that there would not be enough people living in the area to warrant opening the station until 2008.

Still, in a statement yesterday, the Transport Ministry said the LTA had recommended the station be opened early to better serve residents of recently-completed housing developments nearby.

It will also 'provide additional public transport choices for residents in Hougang North and Sengkang South', the ministry said.

Transport operator SBS Transit said it had agreed to the opening in light of declining losses from its rail operations. The number of people taking the North-East Line has risen steadily, with average daily ridership passing the 200,000 mark last month.

It also expects ridership to increase in March, when over 400 Housing Board units in the area will be ready.

Mr Yeo denied the Government had pressured SBS to open the station.

'We have left it to them... This has to be a commercial decision because there is no way we are going to step in to offset any losses.'

Asked if the opening of the station was a sweetener for the upcoming general election, Mr Yeo said it had more to do with tireless appeals from Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Charles Chong.

The timing of the opening, he said, was a coincidence.

Ms Malathi Maratheyah, 29, a conference producer, is glad the wait is over. She bought her four-room flat in Hougang Street 51 three years ago and walks to Hougang station because she feels the feeder bus is not frequent enough.

'It's troublesome to walk all the way to Hougang station. It takes 15 minutes, and that's a fast walk. It will take me only five to 10 minutes to walk to Buangkok station.'

Mr Chong had only words of gratitude yesterday.

'I would like to give our thanks to SBS Transit and the various authorities for reconsidering the case,' he said.

'I want to thank all grassroots activists and residents who have facilitated in one way or another the opening of the station.

'I want to express my thanks to residents for their patience.'

chinlian@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

ignoramus

November 12th, 2005, 02:21 PM

http://www.sbstransit.com.sg

Buangkok Station To Open In January 2006

11 November 2005 – Next stop, Buangkok station.

The station along the North East Line (NEL) will open its doors for revenue service in January 2006.

The opening, which comes two-and-a-half years after the official launch of NEL, had been delayed because of the lack of housing development in the vicinity. The Land Transport Authority had earlier projected that there should be a minimum of about 2,000 dwelling units completed within a 400m radius to sustain the opening of Buangkok station.

And while that figure has yet to be reached, a steady rise in NEL ridership coupled with significant cost control efforts, have made it possible for SBS Transit to open the station for public service.

Mr Ong Boon Leong, Executive Director, SBS Transit said, “For the past 2½ years, we have been closely monitoring the developments around Buangkok station. At the same time, we have not been sitting idle and have been looking at ways to keep costs low so as to enable us to open the station earlier. I am glad to say we have been successful in this,” he said.

Since the commencement of service, losses at SBS Transit’s rail operations have narrowed considerably. Ridership on NEL has also been growing steadily and for the first time saw an average daily ridership for the month surpassing the 200,000-mark in October.

These factors, coupled with the fact that over 400 dwelling units under the first phase of the Coris project are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2006, have made it possible for SBS Transit to open Buangkok station.

The exact date of the opening will be announced at a later date after equipment checks and changes to the system maps are completed.

The station will be opened daily from 0530hrs to 0035hrs with the first train leaving the station at 0546hrs and last train arriving at 0022hrs. The train service frequency is targetted at 4 mins during peak hours and 6.5 mins during non-peak hours. The fare will be pegged to distance, following the existing fare structure with the rest of the stations in NEL.

Bus Services 27 and 43 will continue to serve Buangkok station.

babystan03

November 14th, 2005, 01:03 PM

14 November 2005

Bombardier opens new regional office in Singapore

SINGAPORE : Transportation manufacturer Bombardier has opened a new regional office in Singapore in a bid to gain market share in this region.

Bombardier is the world's largest train equipment maker and the third largest aircraft maker, after Airbus and Boeing.

Currently, Asia accounts for less than 10 percent of Bombardier's rail business.

But the company says it is confident of raising that to as much as 25 percent, as regional economies continue to grow.

For Singapore, Bombardier sees a market potential of S$2 billion annually over the next 15 years, as the country expands its train network islandwide.

Said Rauno Boga, general manager (Asia), Bombardier, "Singapore is very low on procurement at the moment because you have basically no main line traffic; you have only mass transit traffic -- MRTs and LRTs. At the moment, Singapore is busy building the Circle Line and I think it will take two to three years before they go for new procurement. So for next two years, Singapore will not be very significant.

"However, there are all the other Asian countries that are expanding -- Hong Kong, Taiwan, even Thailand is investing again and that's our target."

As for its aircraft business, Bombardier says it aims to double its sales in this region to 400 aircraft within the next five years.

Going forward, it expects Asia to contribute 30 percent of its global aircraft sales.

Said Tony Romano, director (regional aircraft), Bombardier, "The Asia Pacific region holds great potential for Bombardier regional aircraft, not only with our current product offering but also a new aircraft that we are currently offering to our customers called the C series. That is a 110 to 130 seat aircraft, which we believe the low-cost carriers are going to be attracted to because of its range and its low operating cost." - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

heirloom

November 14th, 2005, 03:27 PM

whats main line traffic?

ignoramus

November 26th, 2005, 02:32 PM

I am guessing intercity rail services, something we will never have.

ignoramus

November 26th, 2005, 02:37 PM

Singapore Mass Rapid Transit
- 3 Lines
- 109.4 Kilometres
- 63 Operational Stations
- 2 Stations Constructed But Not Opened

Singapore Light Rapid Transit
- 3 Lines
- 31 Operational Stations
- 12 Stations Constructed But Not Opened

babystan03

November 29th, 2005, 11:38 AM

29 November 2005

Four Circle Line stations won't be operational till 2010
By Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Four train stations on the MRT Circle Line will be ready by early 2008 but the Land Transport Authority says they won't be operational till 2010 due to the delay at the Nicoll Highway station.

LTA also announced a new safety feedback form, the first to allow staff and contractors to report safety incidents in confidentiality.

Bras Basah station next to Singapore Art Museum will boast of a glass-roof water feature as well as the longest escalator at 16.5 metres, necessary since it is also the deepest MRT station in Singapore with five basement levels.

It is one of four stations in stage one of the Circle Line to be completed by 2008.

Besides the Dhoby Ghaut interchange, the other two are the Esplanade station near Raffles Link, and the Promenade station near Millenia Walk.

But the stations won't be operational till 2010, due to the missing Nicoll Highway link between the train depot and the rest.

Said Lim Bok Nam, group director (rail) at Land Transport Authority,
"Since the Nicoll Highway incident, one stretch of the circle line around Nicoll Highway will not be available. The communication between Kim Chuan and this first stretch of the Circle Line will not be available. There is a challenge of how to actually run the train when there is no way to bring the train to this location every day, as well as in terms of the power supply and control system. We are looking actively if there are any other ways to overcome this system; if there is we will want to explore."

But the LTA is looking at ways to get around this.

The architectural and electrical works at the Esplanade station have started and the four stations are expected to be completed by 2008.

And though the trains won't be running just yet, LTA says it is exploring the possibility of opening up the linkways to the surrounding malls such as Marina Square by the third quarter of 2007.

On safety, Minister of State for Transport Lim Hwee Hua says LTA is confident its feedback form is an avenue for whistleblowers, and will complement existing measures.

Said Chua Chong Kheng, group director (safety and contracts) at LTA, "If the infringement is found to be quite serious they will immediately alert our senior management so that we can take immediate action. But where the infringement is not of a nature that's serious yet to warrant some action, at least they can actually inform the project team to take action."

The entire Circle Line track will be completed in 2010. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

ignoramus

November 29th, 2005, 02:43 PM

Just caught the news. The escalators at Esplanade Station on the Circle Line are being installed. The tracks in the tunnels there have been laid... Wow!!!!! Just interior architectural works and electrical works left for the stations. Damned Nicoll Highway station!!!!!!!!!!

At least we know now that they will open Stage 2 ahead of the other stages... They havent confirmed it, but I can sense it. meaning 3 years from now we can ride on part of the Circle Line...

No updates though on the Boon Lay extension. They are really taking their time...4 years to go for a 3.8km stretch.

RafflesCity

November 29th, 2005, 04:51 PM

They havent confirmed it, but I can sense it.

WAH

I wanna sense things like that too :D

ignoramus

November 29th, 2005, 04:57 PM

I mean, when you think about it, they have been giving so many hints...even in this article they say Stage one won't open till 2010 but they didn't say the rest will follow suit. But then again I could be too optimistic here...

redstone

November 29th, 2005, 04:59 PM

Bras Basah station's construction is so unusual, with a huge tent over the entire site! :eek:

Anyone know's why?

ignoramus

November 29th, 2005, 05:01 PM

COME ON LTA! I want the count to increase to 64 MRT stations by 2006, 85 stations by 2010, 89 stations by 2012.

ignoramus

November 29th, 2005, 05:13 PM

Bras Basah station's construction is so unusual, with a huge tent over the entire site! :eek:

Anyone know's why?

From my rough guess, that tent is used to cover the huge hole in the ground from rain. The hole stretches from the street to the station. Eventually, a water reflecting pool will be built at street level and sunlight will enter the pool of water into the station.

redstone

November 29th, 2005, 05:15 PM

From my rough guess, that tent is used to cover the huge hole in the ground from rain. The hole stretches from the street to the station. Eventually, a water reflecting pool will be built at street level and sunlight will enter the pool of water into the station.

But why isn't the tent idea used at other stations as well? :?

ignoramus

November 29th, 2005, 05:22 PM

Because other stations don't have a hole in the roof structure? If its a hole in the ground, water just gets in who cares just pump it out...if water gets into an already built structure with a hole it will be nightmare???

Haha my weird guesses...

ignoramus

November 30th, 2005, 08:28 AM

© ignoramus

Bishan Station's New Southbound Platform (With Platform Screen Doors & Air Conditioning
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/543/dsc000632xb.jpg

Transfer Linkway Connecting Bishan North South Line Station To Bishan Circle Line Station
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4945/dsc000625qg.jpg

Construction Works @ Bishan Station
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/608/dsc000614vn.jpg

Looking Down @ The Northbound Platform
http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/675/dsc000604bi.jpg

heirloom

November 30th, 2005, 12:03 PM

uhm... it isn't very nice in the rendering at all

ignoramus

December 2nd, 2005, 12:12 PM

© ignoramus

Potong Pasir Station, Entrance
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6366/dsc000581xe.jpg

Changi Airport Station, Yet To Be Used Passenger Service Centre @ Terminal 3 End
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/4711/dsc000454hi.jpg

ignoramus

December 3rd, 2005, 08:40 PM

News reports on 3 December 2005 from the Singapore Straits Times paper note that the ezlink card may be integrated with the cashcard into a hybrid card by 2007 so that these cards can be finally be used for the huge network of ERP enabled carparks and ERP expressway gantries. Anyone has access to the Straits Times Interactive or has the newspaper article or has any information about this??? By combining both the cashcard and the ezlink card, the future hybrid ezlink card can be used for basically almost everything as whatever the ezlink card cannot be used for, the cashcard can be used for it...

Andrew

December 4th, 2005, 06:37 PM

Paving the way for a cashless economy - cool (or scary depending on your point of view)! If it happens anywhere I'd imagine Singapore will be one of the first. Would be very cool and would make life a lot easier but it's a little bit Orwellian sounding, another way for the state to spy on you if all transactions are done electronically. Haha that reminds me I got stopped and my bag searched today at Bugis MRT, I wonder if I look scary, or maybe I'm being spied on... Oooooohhh

heirloom

December 5th, 2005, 11:34 AM

they searched ur bag?? who searched?

Andrew

December 5th, 2005, 04:24 PM

MRT staff, I think she was just bored and wanted to appear busy! lol

babystan03

December 21st, 2005, 04:24 AM

Dec 21, 2005
Why that $1 refund for single-trip MRT ticket

I REFER to the letters, '$1 deposit on train tickets goes unclaimed' (ST, Dec 10) and 'What is point of deposit on single-trip MRT ticket?' (ST Online, Dec 14).

The $1 refundable deposit on a standard ticket is to encourage commuters to return the card and avoid wastage.

Transport operators do not profit from the non-return of standard tickets as the cost of the card exceeds the $1 deposit. If commuters do not return the standard ticket, this will result in higher operating costs for the operators in replenishing the ticket stock. The increase in cost would be passed on to commuters and it is not equitable to the majority.

Hence, the operators remind commuters to obtain a refund of the $1 deposit for standard tickets through various means, including at the general ticketing machine (GTM), information printed on the ticket itself, announcements in trains and messages displayed at fare gates in MRT stations.

At the GTMs, commuters can select from the screen any of four languages - English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil - when purchasing a standard ticket. Stickers are also put up informing commuters that the $1 deposit for standard tickets is refundable at any GTM within 30 days from the date of purchase.

On the standard ticket itself, it is printed clearly: 'After use, please return to any GTM for refund of card deposit.' There are also announcements in the trains to remind users to claim the refund.

At the exit fare gates where commuters scan the tickets to leave the station, a message is displayed to remind them to return the tickets for refund of the deposit.

For more information, commuters may contact us on our toll-free TransitLink Hotline on 1800-CALL ONE (1800-2255-663) or log on to the TransitLink website www.transitlink.com.sg

Kathryn Lau (Ms)
Assistant Corporate Communications Manager
Transit Link Pte Ltd

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

December 23rd, 2005, 02:58 AM

Dec 23, 2005
X'Mass Rapid Transit

Christmas came early for about 20,000 commuters yesterday when SBS Transit executives turned out in Santa Claus outfits to distribute gifts as part of the company's annual Thank You Commuters Day.

The company gave out packets of chocolates placed in tiny Santa boots as well as limited edition bus and train models to passing commuters at Seng Kang and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations, as well as Bedok and Toa Payoh bus interchanges.

'We thought this would be a fun way to reach out to commuters,' said SBS Transit executive director Ong Boon Leong.

To add to the festivities, a three-member choir, formed by SBS Transit rail and bus staff, entertained passengers with Christmas carols.

This is the eighth year SBS Transit has conducted its Thank You Commuters Day. In previous years, staff handed out goodies like bags of rice, three-in-one coffee mixes and mints.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

December 24th, 2005, 12:44 PM

Dec 24, 2005
Measures in place to ensure safe ride on NEL

I REFER to the letter, 'What if accident happened on NEL?' (ST, Dec 9), by Mr Joseph Wong Yong Lye. Many measures have been put in place to ensure the North East Line (NEL)'s safety and security, more so because it is driverless.

Apart from decals and announcements to remind passengers to mind the gap between a train and the platform, NEL is equipped with a signalling system which checks that all train doors are closed before a train can depart from the station.

If the train door detects any obstruction, it will reopen to enable passengers to remove the obstruction. If the obstruction is not removed, all the train doors will re-open and the train will not depart.

In the meantime, the signalling system will send a door-obstruction alert to our control centre and staff at the station will be alerted to investigate the cause of the obstruction and render assistance.

Our NEL station platforms are also equipped with Emergency Train Stop buttons which passengers can activate during an emergency.

Passengers can also make use of the red Emergency Telephone at the platform to alert our staff at the Passenger Service Centre.

Tammy Tan (Ms)
Director
Corporate Communications
SBS Transit Ltd

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan03

December 31st, 2005, 02:12 AM

30 December 2005

Buangkok residents welcome opening of MRT station on Jan 15
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Buangkok residents will have double reason to rejoice in the new year.

Not only will Buangkok MRT station finally open on January 15, as of now, SBS Transit says it is not planning a bus rationalisation exercise - a move that usually follows many station openings.

39-year-old systems engineer Jason Ong has waited for an MRT station for 13 years.

He moved to the area in 1992 as a newly-wed was because there were already plans then for an MRT station.

Jason said, "At that time, when I went down to (the) old HDB Hub at Bukit Merah, (the) proposed development plan site (was) just beside block 548 where I am currently staying - we chose this block particularly for this reason."

13 years and two children later, hopes were dashed, when the North East Line opened without Buangkok.

But that will soon change.

Jason said, "(I) can easily get to Harbourfront - one of the tourist attractions...can easily get there within 28 minutes, whereas in the past, we used to take an hour to reach Sentosa."

Other residents also welcomed the news.

One resident said, "I think it will save a lot of cost especially for the residents, because it's just walking distance rather than now we (got to) take (a) feeder service to Hougang station."

Another added, "It's very convenient because I always have to rush to work early in the morning."

Preparations are underway as SBS Transit gets the underground station all ready for its grand opening on January 15.

For now, Buangkok's projected daily ridership is about 2,500 to 3,000 passengers daily.

This is a far cry from the North East Line's busiest station Sengkang, which attracts 35,000 passengers daily, and even its least busiest station Punggol, with 7,000 passengers daily.

But MP Charles Chong, who has been fighting for more than two years for the station to open, is convinced the numbers will climb.

The MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC said, "If you look around, (there are) more than 100 blocks within 400 metres, and if you talk about 500 metres, about 2 to 3 thousand units fully occupied...and if you look at the construction that is going on around here, (it is) just a matter of time before it becomes densely populated...I don't think SBS Transit will have to worry."

On opening day, a giant red ribbon will be tied around the station and up to 800 residents will be invited to do the honours - with the VIPs. - CNA/ms

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

ignoramus

December 31st, 2005, 05:24 PM

15 days to the start of passenger service for Singapore's 64th MRT station.

babystan03

January 2nd, 2006, 04:07 AM

Jan 2, 2006
First time entire buildings are demolished and rebuilt because of LTA project
MRT line: 5 houses torn down near completion

By Christopher Tan

FIVE houses off Bartley Road are the first buildings that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) have 'saved' by rebuilding them completely after they were demolished because of a project.

The owners of the five houses can soon move back into their stylishly reconstructed homes.

The original houses, which cost about $1 million each when they first came on the market in the mid-1990s, had to be torn down in August 2004 because the piles on which they were built were so deep they got in the way of tunnels being constructed 20m below ground for the Circle MRT Line.

Now, the three-storey 99-year-lease terraces in Jalan Rindu are close to completion, said Mr Yong Mee Him, director of construction company Woh Hup Pte Ltd, which is building the Circle Line stretch from Bartley to Marymount.

The multi-million-dollar MRT contract calls for the rebuilding of the five houses, at an estimated total cost of $2.5 million.

Mr Yong said the houses could have been completed on Dec 31, but 'one or two owners wanted more alterations, like changing the floor tiles' so it would take another month or so to finish.

Also, the LTA said tunnelling works along the stretch had not been completed.

'During construction of one of the tunnels at Serangoon station, the contractor encountered unforeseen groundwater... and extensive grouting works had to be carried out,' an LTA spokesman said.

'As a result, progress of the tunnelling works was affected,' she added, and owners had been kept informed.

She said owners could move back into their rebuilt homes now, but they had the option to wait until the end of this year.

'This is just to be on the safer side,' she explained.

Owners who choose to move back later can continue to live in rented premises paid for by the authorities.

This was the first time entire buildings were torn down and rebuilt because of an LTA project. In the past, parts of buildings had to make way for public works.

Occupants of eight HDB units and a coffee shop in Toa Payoh had to be relocated temporarily when the North-south line was being built.

The Foochow Methodist Church also had to be vacated during the construction of the North-east line.

Businessman Tan Swee Lin, 46, who owns a corner unit in Jalan Rindu, is happy with how his rebuilt house has turned out, and described it as a huge improvement over the original.

'We are in no hurry to move back in, although we have the option to do so now,' he said.

'We are putting up in a condo in Serangoon.'

Mr Tan said the houses will be given the once-over again when tunnelling is completed.

Tunnelling, from Serangoon station to Bartley, should be completed by year-end, said the LTA.

christan@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 04:08 AM

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Singapore holds largest-ever terror attack response drill

SINGAPORE: A big civil emergency exercise was held in Singapore on Sunday morning to test the preparedness of various agencies and the public in case of a terror attack in the country.

The drill started at 6.25am and lasted till 9.30am.

Codenamed Exercise NorthStar V, it was Singapore's first surprise large-scale civil emergency drill, with 22 HomeFront agencies taking part and involving the disruption of public train services.

The exact date, time and locations of the exercise were kept a secret till minutes before the start of the drill, though the public had been pre-warned of it via media reporting and posters. This is to instil surprise and create a sense of realism to the exercise.

Exercise NorthStar V took place at four subway stations and a bus interchange.

The five exercise locations were Dhoby Ghaut, Toa Payoh, Raffles Place and Marina Bay MRT stations as well as the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange.

While the three-hour exercise was confined to only four MRT stations, however, due to the interconnected nature of the train network, temporary disruption of services affected 13 train stations. These 13 stations were closed throughout the duration of the exercise.

Roads within the exercise vicinity were also closed to traffic from 6.30am to 9.30am.

Simulations in the form of thunder flashes, smoke and fire simulators were used to create near-simultaneous bomb attacks by terrorists so as to inject a realistic exercise scenario.

Apart from dummy mannequins, 'live' casualties were also deployed at stations' platform and in the trains to portray injured commuters and fatalities.

An 'explosion' went off on a train just after 6.30am at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station on Orchard Road, Singapore's famous shopping area.

Fifteen minutes later, the station was affected by a simulated chemical attack.

Over in the financial district, an 'explosion' was heard in a train at Raffles Place station at about 6.30am

Shortly after, at 6.34am, a second 'blast' occurred in a train travelling in the tunnel about 70 metres from Marina Bay station in the new Downtown area.

Over at Toa Payoh, a residential area, a simulated bomb tore off a bus pulling into the bus interchange at about 6.40am.

Almost at the same time, an 'explosion' also took place in a train at the Toa Payoh MRT station.

Shuttle bus arrangements were made to ferry commuters affected by the drill.

The public can turn to the SCDF website for more details on the exercise. - CNA/ir

babystan03

January 8th, 2006, 04:10 AM

^ Oh yeah, just heard about it....my friend complaining....:lol:

ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 04:11 AM

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Big terror response drill underway in Singapore

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/php8taXkc.jpg

SINGAPORE: A big civil emergency exercise is underway in Singapore to test the preparedness of various agencies and the public in case of a terror attack in the country.

Codenamed Exercise NorthStar V, it is Singapore's first surprise large-scale civil emergency drill, with 22 HomeFront agencies taking part and involving the disruption of public train services.

The exact date, time and locations of the exercise were kept a secret till minutes before the start of the drill, though the public had been pre-warned of it via media reporting and posters. This is to instil surprise and create a sense of realism to the exercise.

Simulations in the form of thunder flashes, smoke and fire simulators are being used to create simultaneous bomb attacks by terrorists so as to inject a realistic exercise scenario.

Apart from dummy mannequins, 'live' casualties are also deployed at stations' platform and in the trains to portray injured commuters and fatalities.

Exercise NorthStar V is taking place at four subway stations and a bus interchange.

The five exercise locations are Dhoby Ghaut, Toa Payoh, Raffles Place and Marina Bay MRT stations as well as the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange.

The drill started at 6.25am and will last till 9.30am.

While the three-hour exercise is confined to only four MRT stations, however, due to the interconnected nature of the train network, temporary disruption of services will affect a total of 13 train stations.

These 13 stations will be closed throughout the duration of the exercise.

They are namely:
1. Braddell
2. Toa Payoh
3. Novena
4. Newton
5. Orchard
6. Somerset
7. Dhoby Ghaut
8. Clarke Quay
9. City Hall
10. Raffles Place
11. Tanjong Pagar
12. Marina Bay
13. Chinatown

Bus services at the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange will operate as per normal as only a small section of the bus interchange is closed during the exercise.

Roads within the exercise vicinity will also be closed to traffic from 6.30am to 9.30am.

At the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, a simulated explosion went off on a train just after 6.30am.

Immediately thereafter, announcements in four languages were broadcast in the station informing commuters that train services have been disrupted and shuttle arrangements have been made to ferry the passengers.

The first batch of affected commuters started coming out from the station at 6.40am.

The public can turn to the SCDF website for more details on the exercise and the road closures.

For bus-bridging services during the drill, commuters can turn to the SMRT website and the SBS Transit website. - CNA /ir

ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 11:42 AM

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Major subway bomb blast drill during peak hours being considered: DPM Wong

Singapore has held a surprise security drill, staging mock bombings and a simulated chemical attack to test readiness for a terror strike on the country.

Exercise NorthStar V was conducted during off-peak hours on a Sunday.

But the next one could well be held during the peak period, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.

Speaking to the media at the Dhoby Ghaut station, Mr Wong said Singapore can't assume that terrorists would choose off-peak times to attack.

Meantime, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was also observing the exercise at Dhoby Ghaut, stressed the agencies involved in civil emergencies must know what to do when the button is pressed.

Singaporeans and the country's emergency agencies have taken part in bomb blast exercises in the past at various subway stations and even at Changi Airport.

The difference this time round was the series of multiple attacks, which would require a more elaborate response.

Singapore leaders say the country has much to learn from the way Londoners reacted to the series of bomb attacks at their train stations in July last year.

And, Sunday's exercise is to test the preparedness of both Singaporeans and the different agencies as to how quickly they respond to such attacks and how the public reacts to inconveniences caused by such incidents.

Observing the drill at Dhoby Ghaut station, PM Lee described it as a very important exercise.

Mr Lee said Londoners and British agencies were ready when the London bombings happened on July 7th last year.

He said: "They knew exactly what to do and that made a tremendous difference. So we concluded that we also have to be equally prepared in Singapore in case any of this thing happens.

"This exercise is a chance for us to practise all these procedures, make sure the procedures are ok, the plans are sound and the people know what to do.

"In a real incident, there is of course the public response and the political response. The government will have to come out, the PM and the ministers will have to come out and explain what has happened and calm people and re-assure people that everything is under control and what can be done is being done."

But at the end of the day, Singapore leaders stressed that it's not the government, civil defence or police but the determination of the people which will defeat the terrorists.

DPM Wong said: "When we have a bomb attack in Singapore, what is important for Singaporeans is to stay united, to be able to tell the terrorists that we are not cowed by bombings by them, because if we are afraid, the terrorists would have won."

Yaacob Ibrahim, Environment and Water Resources Minister, said: "If we are in the right frame of mind, despite the shock, you will be able to do something, you can help out and you know where to go for help ... we cannot afford not to recover very quickly".

Officers from the London Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police also observed Exercise NorthStar, and will share their thoughts with Singapore authorities soon. - CNA/ir
_________________

Mr Wong, who is also the Home Affairs Minister, told reporters that he did not rule out the possibility of holding similar exercises during peak hours.

PM Lee said that Sunday's drill was an important large-scale exercise and that it was designed not just to test the preparedness of emergency crews but also how the public should react if there is a terrorist attack in Singapore.

Turning to the London blasts last July, Mr Lee said the British had practised how to deal with blasts at its underground stations and were ready when they happened and responded efficiently.

Singaporeans should also be equally prepared, he said.

Mr Lee said: "Because in an incident like this, it's not only for the first responders but also the public - must take instruction, remain calm, go about their business, and if there are casualties, to deal with them and next of kin.

"We hope to educate the public on what to do if such an event takes place. We will do our best to prevent it but if it should happen, this is how we react and how we go about and put things back to normal." - CNA/ir

The public can turn to the SCDF website for more details on Sunday's exercise.

ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 11:47 AM

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Shuttle buses deployed at affected MRT stations during Exercise NorthStar V

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SINGAPORE : Shuttle buses were provided at stations where train services had been disrupted, but the bottleneck was at Bishan MRT station, where southbound train passengers had to disembark.

Commuters woke up to warnings of the island-wide emergency exercise on Sunday morning.

Besides the stretch of MRT stations from Braddell to Marina Bay, Dhoby Ghaut, Clarke Quay and Chinatown stations on the North-East line, and Tanjong Pagar station were also closed.

So those who couldn't get to their destinations had to queue for the free shuttle buses.

Some students rushing to a netball tournament were caught unaware at Bishan MRT.

One girl said: "We need to register by 7:30 and I'm not sure we can get there on time."

Another girl said: "The train officer told us to take the free shuttle bus to City Hall MRT and the train will resume from there."

Station staff directed passengers to shuttle buses or nearby bus services. Others tried hailing taxis in the rain.

Despite the inconveniences, most commuters took the exercise in their stride although there were some tempers flaring as passengers were unhappy that they were going to be late for work.

One commuter said: "I call my colleague to say that I'm a bit late because I'm stuck in the MRT."

Some shuttle buses were delayed due to a traffic jam, but the queue was cleared soon after.

It wasn't just the southbound passengers who were affected.

Northbound trains were also delayed, leaving some commuters frustrated.

An elderly commuter grumbled: "I have been here since 6:45 until now and you tell me that there's a train going to Marsiling. I've been waiting for 15 minutes!"

But not everyone was unhappy.

One young commuter said: "I planned to go to the City Hall MRT station from Khatib, but when I was about to board the train, the SMRT staff was polite enough to tell me that I will get a free bus shuttle service from Bishan, so I'm quite okay with the whole thing."

Stations including Outram, Little India and Bugis also faced the same situation as Bishan - passengers had to disembark and get on shuttle buses to by-pass the affected stations to continue their journey.

Shuttle services were withdrawn gradually as the train services were being restored. - CNA/de

ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 11:48 AM

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Commuters surprised but back emergency drill

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Some train commuters were surprised by mock explosions carried out as part of a civil emergency exercise on Sunday.

But those who found themselves involved in the exercise, codenamed NorthStar V, were strongly supportive of the drill.

Two simulated blasts were carried out in Toa Payoh as part of the exercise, codenamed NorthStar V, early Sunday morning.

One 'blast' took place at the MRT station while the other at the bus interchange, both around 6.40am.

The train approaching Toa Payoh station was not packed.

Still, when the simulated blast went off, dozens had to make an orderly exit from the station.

Most of the commuters Channel NewsAsia spoke to appeared shocked but managed to recover quickly.

"I really didn't know about this, and then I realised that it's actually an exercise," said a commuter.

Though some were aware that the exercise would take place, many did not expect it to happen so early in the morning.

While there were mock casualties, paramedics were also well prepared for any real instances where people were caught off-guard, such as attending to a lady who felt faint during the evacuation.

Earlier Sunday, a loud 'blast' was heard at 6.37am at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, another emergency drill site.

Following that, smoke escaped from the first three train carriages.

The commuters, ushered by Civil Defence officers as well as SBS Transit officers, walked towards the emergency exit at the end of the train.

Lights went out about three minutes after the blast, and guided by the emergency lights which are battery operated, members of the public cleared the train in less than 10 minutes.

At the station, the passengers came across mock casualties, supposedly suffering from chemical gas inhalation at the station.

Over a hundred Civil Defence officers rushed to the station less than 20 minutes after the incident.

Dressed in gas masks and protective suits, they entered the station to carry out the mock casualties.

Outside the station, traffic on the nearby road fronting Plaza Singapura shopping complex was affected as two lanes were closed due to the emergency drill.

Though inconvenienced, those who found themselves involved in the exercise were in favour of the drill.

"Very good exercise, although it intrudes on work," said a commuter.

"I think it's good, because in real life, an emergency can happen anytime," said another.

"I was very surprised about it because it happened so suddenly, but I thought it's good for Singapore to have this kind of exercise," said a third commuter.

"To get Singapore ready is very important because right now terrorists are quite rampant in other countries. So it's better to have such a drill to get Singapore ready in times of crisis," said a fourth. - CNA/ir

ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 11:50 AM

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Exercise NorthStar V enacts 'suicide bomber' at Raffles Place MRT station

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SINGAPORE : To test how the security forces respond to a possible terrorist attack, the organisers of Exercise NorthStar V even enacted the discovery and arrest of a 'suicide bomber' at Raffles Place MRT station.

Three minutes after the simulated bomb went off, commuters were evacuated from Raffles Place MRT station.

An enactment of a suicide bomber was the other high point of the exercise.

With the help of two commuters, a female suicide bomber was found and arrested.

The mock explosives that remained undetonated were covered with a so-called "bomb blanket" to limit the possibility of further widespread damage.

Like other affected stations, there was also a simulation of casualties receiving medical treatment.

It was relatively quiet on the East-bound platform at Raffles Place MRT station since the emergency exercise was held on a Sunday morning.

And even though it wasn't the real thing, the experience was just as unforgettable for some commuters.

Hari Chandra, Hotel Staff, said: "It's my first experience in a train with a bomb blast. I thought it was real, although it was just in one compartment, some of the people fell and I thought "What's happening?""

But like other stations, many commuters took the drill in their stride.

Rin Wahab, Network Executive, said: "By doing this exercise, all Singaporeans will be more alert whenever there is a bomb."

Commuters were also glad to see that security agencies were trained and ready to face a terrorist attack. - CNA/de

ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 11:51 AM

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

British Transport Police observe Exercise NorthStar V

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SINGAPORE : A senior official from the British Transport Police was in Singapore to observe Exercise NorthStar V.

Chief Constable Ian Johnston said involving Singaporeans, as well as agencies in the drill, was a good move.

Mr Johnston said: "What is interesting about yours is that you have actually involved the commuters on the line. It is a really interesting initiative and that is something we did not use and will give you some insights into how people actually feel during these events.

"The response was very quick, I think the professional way the people have gone about their job here. They all seem to know what they do. They exude confidence and that's what is really important."

Singapore held the surprise security drill, staging mock bombings and a simulated chemical attack to test readiness for a terror strike on the country.

Exercise NorthStar V was conducted during off-peak hours on Sunday. - CNA/de

ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 11:58 AM

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd.

Passengers Being Evacuated Off A Alstom Metropolis Train
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Passengers Walking Towards The Nearest Station
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ignoramus

January 8th, 2006, 12:34 PM

Videos Of The Emergency Exercise
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/northstar/vod.htm

babystan03

January 9th, 2006, 03:30 PM

09 January 2006

Preparations underway at Buangkok MRT station for official opening
By Hasnita A. Majid, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : There are just a few more days before Buangkok MRT station opens on January 15.

To gear up for the station's grand opening, some of the works being done include ensuring the turnstiles are in order, that the air conditioners are working efficiently, and the floor and walls are spotlessly clean.

Augustine Wong, Deputy Director of Passenger Service (Rail) at SBS TRansit, said: "What we are looking at now is that the system has to be in operation, to serve the same as what other stations have been doing. So from the operation aspect, passengers should be able to come in, should be able to use the station in a friendly way."

So it is all systems go at the station - with the ticketing machines already programmed to dispense tickets.

The name of Buangkok MRT station is already incorporated in all ticketing machines across the island since the opening of the NorthEast line in 2003, except that it has been covered by a white sticker.

On Sunday, this is all set to change as the MRT station will prominently feature as part of the North-East line.

The announcement to open Buangkok MRT station was made earlier this year, reversing an earlier decision for the station to remain closed as there were not enough residents within 400 metre radius of the station needed to justify its opening.

Currently there are already 100 blocks within that distance with at least 2,000 to 3,000 units occupied.

And by the end of the year, there will be another 625 units in the area when a condominium project near the station is launched.

SBS Transit expects between 2,500 and 3,500 commuters daily when the station opens.

But the company stressed that it is committed to keep the station open, even if it does not see the ridership that's expected.

Operating the station will add $1 million a year to SBS Transit's expenditure.

A grand opening will be held on Sunday when Defence Minister and MP for Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC, Teo Chee Hean, officiates at the opening of the station.

Residents can board their first train at Buangkok MRT station at 1pm that day. - CNA/de

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

babystan03

January 15th, 2006, 09:35 AM

15 January 2006

Punggol South residents celebrate opening of Buangkok station
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : At least 10,000 residents of Punggol South celebrated the opening of Buangkok MRT station on Sunday morning.

Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also MP for Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC, officially opened the station at about 10.15am amidst much fanfare; but the first train only pulled in at 1pm.

Residents rushed to the station minutes before that to take the first ride out.

Many say that they are happy the station has finally opened as this will save them time and money on transport.

MP for the area Charles Chong says he is confident ridership at the station will increase as residential developments around the area are completed.

The opening of the station had been delayed due to the lack of housing in the vicinity of Buangkok.

Up to 3,500 passenger rides per day are expected at the station once it opens. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

ignoramus

January 15th, 2006, 11:50 AM

64th MRT Station & counting...

babystan03

January 15th, 2006, 12:01 PM

A more detailed report....:yes:

15 January 2006

Buangkok MRT station finally opens amid fanfare
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : At least 10,000 residents of Punggol South on Sunday celebrated the opening of Buangkok MRT station amidst much fanfare.

Residents of the area had to wait about two and a half years after the launch of the North East Line for the station to start operations.

Minutes before the first train pulled in, the first passenger, 52-year-old Ang Lan Sai walked through the turnstiles.

He had waited a year since moving into the area for the MRT to start services.

Said Mr Ang, "I will go down to Chinatown and I will get number one."

He was followed seconds later by excited residents who rushed through the gates.

It was a moment they had been waiting for, having lobbied for the station to open.

Even those who did not live in the immediate vicinity came to lend support and test out the first train.

Said Marie Lim, a grassroots member at Punggol South, "Every visit we have, we get queried when is it (going to) open and we tell them soon, soon, soon. Now it is finally open we are happy; so next block visit we will not be queried again."

One resident said, "We have been fighting for the opening for some time and it's only happening now."

For Marilyn Ho and her husband Joseph Lim, who live about 300 to 400 metres away from the station, the start of train services means that they can save time, and transport costs.

Said Ms Ho, "In the past I have to take the LRT to the train station (Sengkang MRT station) before transferring to another bus service so that takes up 30 to 40 minutes. With this new station, it will shave off 10 to 15 minutes, so it's good news."

Defence Minister Teo officially opened the station.

As MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, he hopes it will be a win-win situation for both residents and SBS Transit, the train operator.

Said Mr Teo, "We are happy that SBS Transit has been able to control the costs and been able to open the station early and of course when the residents are happy, that is very good too."

The opening of Buangkok Station had been delayed due to insufficient developments around the area.

It led some frustrated residents to put up placards of white elephants to reflect the state of the station during a minister's visit last year.

MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Charles Chong, who has been fervently lobbying for the opening of the station, expressed confidence that ridership will increase.

Said Mr Chong, "Now that the station is open, I hope residents would play their part by using the station even if they have to walk more than 400 metres to the station, because if they don't, then SBS Transit may be tempted to put a next set of white elephants to send a message to our residents."

Mr Chong says that residents have learnt a valuable experience from lobbying for the opening of the station and the episode has even bonded the residents together.

The opening of Buangkok Station could not have come at a better time.

With the Chinese New Year just round the corner, residents now have a direct service to take them to Chinatown.

SBS Transit expects passenger rides here to reach up to 3,500 per day. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

ignoramus

February 14th, 2006, 10:54 AM

Order Received for Renewal of Singapore Subway Cars

Mitsui & Co., Transportation Systems Asia Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui), Mitsui, and Rotem Company, a member of the Hyundai Group and the largest railcar manufacturer in Korea, have received an order to refurbish 396 subway cars of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Trains Ltd. (SMRT) at a total cost ofapproximately ¥9.5 billion.

SMRT has 766 subway cars in service, and the refurbishment order will cover cars in service about 15 years. This is expected to lengthen the usable lifetimes of SMRT’s railcars and cut investment costs, while improving the performance of existing cars. Renewal work will include the refurbishment of seats and other interior fixtures, the upgrading of onboard telecommunications equipment, and the improvement of the internal appearance of the cars. This will be one of the largest projects of its kind undertaken by a single company. Historically, Mitsui has worked with leading Japanese, European, and U.S. railcar manufacturers in this area and is now expanding its relationships with newly emerging manufacturers in Korea and China. As a result, Mitsui has been steadily establishing its track record in recent years and has received many orders for work in mainland China, Hong Kong, Brazil, and the United States. Rotem was formed in 1999 from the merger of three major Korean railcar manufacturers and is building a global presence backed by a high level of technology and competitiveness. Mitsui began working with Rotem several years ago and has been already awarded two projects in Brazil, and this marks the first project for the Mitsui-Rotem partnership in Asia. Mitsui anticipates further growth in demand for new railcars and renewal projects, especially in Asia, because of rising demand for rail transport, linked in part to growing concern about environmental issues. —First Transportation Project Div.

heirloom

February 14th, 2006, 12:37 PM

yay! i hope they release details soon

Odonto

February 14th, 2006, 01:24 PM

:) Just some language questions

Buangkok ? what language is that ? Chinese, Malay or Thai? Does it has the same meaning of "Bangkok"? I have read somewhere that the word would be pronounced "Bankoku" in Japanese, similar to the Japanese name for Bangkok?

Thanks :)

ignoramus

February 14th, 2006, 01:31 PM

yay! i hope they release details soon

The news was from late last year and they haven't really released any details about it...I guess SMRT always adopts a ''you will know it when you see it'' kind of approach...

littlearea

February 14th, 2006, 02:07 PM

redstone

February 14th, 2006, 02:36 PM

Buangkok is actually Buang Kok.

It's in the Chinese dialect of Hokkien.

Literally means "Ten Thousand Countries"... I wonder why... :dunno:

ignoramus

February 15th, 2006, 01:39 PM

SUMMARY
- Decision tactiles at pedestrian crossings, overhead bridges & bus stops & interchanges to be progressively installed starting 2006.
- 67% of all buses will be wheelchair accessible by 2013. 100% by 2023.
- 95% of all operating MRT subway stations will be barrier free by mid 2006. 100% by 2010.

LTA Announces Plan To
Introduce Wheelchair-Accessible Buses
And Programme To Upgrade Road Facilities

Towards A More Accessible, Inclusive and User-Friendly
Land Transport System

From 2006, all new public buses registered in Singapore will be required to be wheelchair-accessible. These buses will be introduced progressively to replace the existing fleet of non-wheelchair-accessible buses. In addition, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will upgrade the road facilities to improve the existing barrier-free measures as well as enhance their user-friendliness.

Introducing Wheelchair-Accessible Buses

The decision to introduce wheelchair-accessible buses was made following a review by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and LTA, and is in line with the recommendation from the Committee on Ageing Issues. All new buses will be low-floor and step-free, and will include features such as a manually operated ramp for boarding and alighting, and a single wheelchair parking space. This is to ensure the public transport system can meet the needs of the population in 2030 when 19% of the population will be 65 years old and above.

The introduction of wheelchair-accessible buses will be carried out as SBS Transit and SMRT Buses replace their existing buses – an approach that almost all cities have adopted to avoid the high cost of mass replacement of vehicles in good condition or complex retrofitting works. For a start, SBS Transit will be bringing in 150 wheelchair-accessible buses in 2006. Based on the operators' yearly fleet replacement programmes, two-thirds of the bus fleetetet, or more than 2000 buses, will be wheelchair-accessible in seven years' time. All public buses can be expected to be wheelchair-accessible by 2023 or in 17 years' time (17 years being the statutory lifespan of public buses). As the fleet size of the wheelchair-accessible buses builds up progressively, the operators will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that these vehicles are deployed on routes where they are most needed first.

MOT will fund the incremental capital cost of providing the manual access ramp and associated features for the wheelchair-accessible buses, which is estimated at $6,000 per bus. Based on the existing fleet of about 3,550 buses, this would amount to some $21 million over 17 years or about $1 million a year.

LTA will work with the public transport operators and voluntary welfare organisations to fine-tune the specifications of the accessibility features, the deployment plans of wheelchair-accessible buses, drivers' training, public education and other operational issues before launching the wheelchair accessible buses. This is to ensure that the needs of wheelchair users and other persons with mobility challenges can be met while minimising any impact on the bus services.

For the introduction of wheelchair-accessible public buses to be successful, co-operation and understanding from all public transport users is crucial. There will be some adjustments needed from other passengers to accommodate the presence of wheelchair users on board buses. For example, there may be slightly longer stopping time at bus stops. Also, other passengers will need to give way to wheelchair-bound passengers to use the designated wheelchair space on board the buses. In addition, motorists will need to refrain from parking or stopping their vehicles at or near bus stops as a wheelchair-accessible bus needs to stop very close to the bus stop kerb to deploy the boarding/alighting ramp. More at-grade signalised pedestrian crossings may also need to be introduced in some areas to allow those on wheelchairs easy access to public transport facilities.

Upgrading of Road Facilities

LTA will upgrade our road facilities over the next three to four years at the cost of $60 million to enhance its user-friendliness. By improving the road facilities, LTA aims to meet the needs of the elderly, the less-mobile, the wheelchair users and those with young children in prams, and enhance the accessibility between destinations.

Following a recent review of overseas best practices, LTA has expanded on the improvement measures to be implemented. The road facilities and their corresponding measures include:

1.
Walkways on public streets:
Provide a minimum of 1.0m to 1.5m clearance by removing obstacles from walkway so as to allow clear access for wheelchair users

2.
Road kerbs:
Provide kerb-cut ramps flushed with the road surface that allows smooth level transition, with decision tactile to guide the visually-impaired

3.
Pedestrian crossings:
Install kerb-cut ramps
Thicken road crossing lines or thicken both ends of zebra crossing to aid the visually impaired by guiding them to walk within the width of the designated crossing
Install traffic signal posts with vibrating push button capability to serve as an audio alert for the visually-impaired

4.
Pedestrian overhead bridges:
Install colour-contrasting decision tactile at top and bottom most landings

5.
Bus stops, taxi stands and bus interchanges:
Install decision tactile at bus stop boarding point and remove/reduce existing steps
Retrofit taxi stand with ramps and install decision tactile at boarding point
Provide ramps to connect bus interchange to buildings and/or MRT station as well as decision tactile at boarding points

6.
Road and traffic signs:
Upgrade all signs using reflective sheetings of higher reflectivity (at shorter viewing distance) for traffic signs, street name signs and temporary traffic control signs to aid older drivers navigating the road network

Implementation of these measures in the city areas, particularly those with high pedestrian traffic like shopping areas will start in April this year. For places near hospitals, homes for the aged and various schools/institutions with physically challenged road users, LTA will hold discussions with the related agencies to set the priority of implementation and works will also start in 2006. For road facilities connecting transport nodes to residential estates, the improvement measures will be implemented in tandem with upgrading programme set out by the town councils.

Station Upgrading Project

To improve the accessibility and user-friendliness of our land transport system, LTA has already designed and built all the new Rapid Transit Systems (RTS) – Dover Station, Changi Airport MRT Extension, North East Line, Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol LRT systems – with barrier-free facilities including lifts and wheelchair ramps, among others.

Since the year 2000, LTA has also been retrofitting MRT stations constructed in the earlier phases to enhance their accessibility1. These stations were not provided with barrier-free facilities because at the time of construction, the MRT stations were exempted from complying with the Code on Barrier Free Accessibility in Buildings. The Building Control regulations, requiring all all new RTS tTS to comply with the Code for Barrier Free Accessibility in Buildings came into force in 1996.

Thirty-nine stations have been retrofitted so far. The remaining six MRT stations – Bugis, Marina Bay, City Hall, Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar and Tiong Bahru – will be completed by mid 2006. The three interchange stations with the Circle Line – Bishan, Buona Vista and Paya Lebar – will be retrofitted together with the Circle Line projects to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

Tactile Guidance System

Tactile guidance system – a form of floor indicator system which primarily aids the visually impaired passengers to move about independently and safely – has also been provided for at the RTS stations. It consists of Decision and Direction floor tiles.

The tactile route typically starts at the entrance of the MRT stations at ground level and leads the visually-impaired passengers into the station concourse level where they will pass through a set of automatic wide fare gates into the concourse paid area. The route will then continue and end at the concourse level lift entrance. Upon reaching the platform level, the tactile route will lead the passengers to a designated waiting area on the platform for them to wait for the train.

Multilingual Signs in the MRT Network

As part of our on-going effort to make the public transport system more accessible and convenient to use, LTA has also enhanced the system-wide signage by installing more multilingual signs. Between end 2004 and August 2005, LTA has replaced some 8,000 signs2 to include Chinesclude Chinese ade Chinese and Tamil signage to help the non-English speaking commuters identify the MRT stations.

A More Accessible, Inclusive and User-Friendly Land Transport System

In total, the Government is spending about $172 million3 to enhance our land transport infrastructure and system. BG (NS) Yam Ah Mee, Chief Executive of LTA said, "Our aim is to ensure that more people can move around easily, freely and safely, and enjoy the benefits of Singapore's comprehensive, convenient and efficient land transport system. With wheelchair-accessible buses, barrier-free facilities on the MRT system, and improvements to our roads and road-related facilities, our land transport system will become more accessible and user-friendly and will be able to meet different needs."

1 With at least one station entrance with an accessible route, provision of lifts, tactile guidance system and accessible toilets.

2 The multilingual signs include: station name signs above the platform screen doors at all underground MRT stations; station name signs on the columns at the platform at all underground MRT systems; station name signs along the platform of all elevated stations; station names on first train/last train sign at station entrances; station names in the MRT system map's legend, fare chart on the concourse level and single-route maps at the platform.

3 The $172 million comprises $81.5 million for the station upgrade project, $7.4 million for the tactile guidance system, $2.2 million for the installation of multilingual signs, $60 million for the upgrading of road infrastructure and road-related facilities and $21 million being the incremental cost of introducing wheelchair-accessible buses over 17 years.

littlearea

February 19th, 2006, 02:33 PM

Today when i board the SMRT train, i heard the announcement, "Please mind the platform gap" when arrive the station. Now the SMRT follows SBS Transit using these phrase.

ignoramus

February 20th, 2006, 05:27 AM

Not only that, sometimes when a train approaches Woodlands Station on the North South Line, automated announcements with something like ''Service 960 to Kotaraya II Terminal at Woodlands Regional Interchange'' will play. This is only heard on some trains though.

Same goes for the ''Please mind the platform gap'' too, it is only played on certain trains.

They are adding quite a number of new announcements. It all started with them putting back the City Hall Interchange announcements, and the ''Thank you for travelling with SMRT''. They are more or less keeping in line with SBS Transit's trains.

Does anyone think there is a chance that Comfort Delgro (which owns the Comfort & SBS Transit brands, and which is Singapore's most successful public transport company) will buy over SMRT? We have heard stories of SMRT buying the North East Line from SBS Transit, but what about the other way around? After all, Comfort Delgro is rich and successful... Just my two cents worth...nothing much...

ryantey

February 20th, 2006, 10:41 AM

ignoramus

February 20th, 2006, 11:57 AM

The transcript of the announcement is about like that: "Going to Johor Bahru? You need to take SMRT Cross Border Service Number 950 from Woodlands regional interchange or Marsiling MRT Station to Kotaraya Terminal II". I think that "Please mind the platform gap" annoucement is a little bit long. It is better to use the announcement like the SBS Transit ("Please mind the gap"). I think the word "platform" can be neglected.

Agreed totally!!! Mind the gap is obviously necessary and please is obviously needed so as to sound polite. Platform is so redundant. But its a shock that so many announcements are coming up. Last time they used to say that the capacity of the in train recording system was limited. Guess they have upgraded the system since.

ignoramus

March 11th, 2006, 03:24 PM

Boon Lay MRT extension to have two stations

The Boon Lay MRT extension, which is scheduled to be completed by 2009, will have two MRT stations.

They will be located at Jurong West Street 63 and at Joo Koon Circle.

The names of the stations were revealed by Minister of State for Transport Mrs Lim Hwee Hua at the commencement of works for the $436 million extension.

They are Pioneer Station and Joo Koon Station.

Mrs Lim noted that the stations will be elderly-friendly, offering barrier-free access not just to the wheelchair users but also to the visually impaired.

The new extension will add 3.8 kilometres to the East-West line and travel time to the Jurong Industrial Estate is expected to be cut down by 15 minutes.

A bus journey now from the Boon Lay MRT station to the Jurong Industrial Estate takes between 45 minutes to an hour during peak periods.

Mrs Lim said this improvement would make it easier for employers in that area to attract and retain workers.

Elaborating on the decision to go ahead with the Boon Lay MRT extension, Mrs Lim explained, "Currently, Jurong West is served by two MRT stations - Lakeside and Boon Lay. Residents in this area and those working in the Jurong Industrial Estate are also served by the very busy Boon Lay bus interchange.

"Those of you who use the MRT or bus interchange during the morning and evening peak hours will definitely agree with me that you can feel the pulse and energy of the community just by looking at the throngs of commuters going through them.

"This congested situation is something that both the Ministry and LTA are aware of, and have in fact been monitoring for some years already." - CNA/ir

babystan03

March 12th, 2006, 11:45 PM

March 13, 2006
Groundwork begins for new MRT lines
LTA checks for station locations and soil conditions for Eastern and Bukit Timah lines

By Christopher Tan

THE Land Transport Authority (LTA) has started preliminary work on two new major MRT lines - the Eastern Region Line (ERL) and the Bukit Timah Line (BTL).

They are expected to add about 60km to Singapore's current rail network of 178km.

The ERL will be a 40km rectangular loop around the Jalan Besar area and the East Coast, while the BTL will be a 20km line linking Upper Bukit Timah and the city.

Both will intersect with existing lines as well as the Circle Line, now under construction, and both will flow into the New Downtown.

LTA rail director Lim Bok Ngam told The Straits Times work could begin within six months of the Government giving the final go-ahead on the budget and the alignment of the routes.

When will the green light be given? Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong yesterday said it depended very much on the demand for housing and other developments in those areas, so that there was a viable load factor for the line.

'We don't want to build something that turns out to be under-utilised.' He was speaking to reporters at a community event a day after work started on the latest MRT project, the $436 million Boon Lay MRT extension.

In the meantime, Mr Lim's planners and engineers are already looking at possible station locations, as well as the soil profile and some of the engineering challenges that may crop up along these two lines, he said.

He said the LTA was likely to tackle the two projects in phases, just as it had done with the Circle Line.

The Straits Times understands that the upper loop of the 40km ERL is likely to be built first. This section will pass through the Jalan Besar area and onwards to parts of Bedok and Tampines.

Mr Lim, a 30-year land transport veteran who has long been in charge of road projects, succeeded former rail chief Rajan Krishnan last year. Mr Rajan left the LTA in the aftermath of the Nicoll Highway cave-in in April 2004, in which four people died.

The University of Singapore-trained engineer reckons that if work begins by 2010, when the Circle Line is due to be completed, the Bukit Timah Line will be completed by 2016. By 2020, the first stretch of the Eastern Region Line would be ready.

What's next? There is the Thomson Line, which will be the MRT equivalent of the Central Expressway - the highway that now links northern Singapore and the Central Business District.

There are also plans for a line to thread through the northern housing estates of Woodlands, Punggol, Seletar and Pasir Ris, possibly with a 10km line which will join the existing Punggol and Pasir Ris stations.

By 2030, the Government envisages a rail network of 540km - more extensive than London's 408km Tube system.

Mr Lim is confident this can be achieved. But for now, he is not looking beyond the Bukit Timah and Eastern Regional Lines, as plans do sometimes change.

For instance, the Jurong Region Line, a light rail system originally planned for the same time frame, does not currently seem viable.

In fact, Mr Lim says there are currently 'no plans to expand the LRT network further'.

'If there is a new township that's going to be very heavily built up, we'll do so,' he said. Otherwise, the LRT's role can be fulfilled by feeder buses.

But with more tracks laid, rail ridership will rise. Public transport ridership is now skewed heavily towards buses, which account for 2.5 million daily rides. The trains provide 1.2 million rides a day now. When the Circle Line is up, ridership will go up to 1.5 million a day.

The ERL and BTL may eventually tilt the balance in favour of rail.

All in favour of the BTL is Madam Halimah Yacob - an MP for Jurong GRC whose ward includes the areas around Beauty World Centre in Bukit Timah - as it will ease congestion along Bukit Timah Road.

She added: 'Having an MRT in the area has been the request of shopkeepers and residents there for some time now. So I hope the LTA will speed up in building the line.'

christan@sph.com.sg

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY THERESA TAN

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