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The North-East Line in Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit system was flagged off on 20th June 2003. Costing S$5 billion, NEL serves about 250,000 commuters daily in estates like Sengkang and Hougang across 16 stations. The Straits Times Picture Desk took a ride on the NEL and captured the stations in pictures.

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WELCOME TO NEL: The North-East Line (NEL), the 20km underground mass-rapid transit line from Punggol to HarbourFront, is the world's first fully automated heavy rail line. It began operations on 20th June 2003.

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GRAVEYARD SHIFT: It's midnight, but the SBS Transit depot in Sengkang East Avenue is where maintenance work is starting up so that NEL is fit for running come morning.

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FAULT-FINDER: You'll never get to ride on this multi-functional vehicle, which sniffs for flaws on the rails. Called engineering trains, these heavy-hitters will lumber out of the Sengkang depot in the dead of the night, performing tasks such as scanning the profile of train tunnels to grinding worn-out rails back into shape.

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HOW'S THE AIR?: To ensure passengers enjoy clean air, Mr Abdul Salim checks the air-conditioning in the train using a laptop which is hooked to the train's computer system.

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CONTROL CENTRE: Situated in the NEL's depot in Sengkang East Avenue, the Operations Control Centre (OCC) is the nerve centre for the entire system. It boasts rows of computers, a gigantic TV screen displaying a schematic of the NEL and backup depot maps.

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SENTOSA, HERE WE COME: Sentosa, the resort island off Singapore's southern coast, will become more accessible. The station for Destination Sentosa is HarbourFront.

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ARTY STATIONS: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has spent S$6.7 million to create and install a large spectrum of art, from abstract acrylics to Chinese brush paintings, for all the 16 stations along NEL.

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SHADES OF CHINESE: The work of artist Tan Swie Hian, this wall mural and another, a piece of calligraphy, are on display at the Chinatown station. This mural, titled The Phoenix's Eye Domain, depicts the mythical bird making its way from China to Singapore.

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TEST AND RE-TEST: Driverless, NEL is a highly-automated system controlled by more than 500 computer systems, most of which are custom-made. Thus, launch of the NEL had to be delayed for seven months because these systems had to be re-configured and tested, again and again before things became right.

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TURNSTILE KIDS: The Land Transport Authority hired nearly 200 tertiary students to test NEL's turnstiles, which allow 40 passengers through each gate per minute. From 8.30am to 5.30pm, the students took turns to walk in and out of the gates. Each had to clock 300 'rides' a day. For this, they were each paid S$5.50 an hour.

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BIGGEST STATION: Chances are high that some will get lost in the sprawling Dhoby Ghaut station. With five underground levels, it is the largest in the MRT network.

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GETTING TO KNOW NEL: Before NEL began operations, about 350 disabled people visited the NEL statons to familarise themselves with facilities implemented for them.

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DISABLED-FRIENDLY: The handicapped will be able to use NEL safely. All 16 stations along the line have platform doors for safety, ramps and fare gates wide enough for wheelchairs to pass through.

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FEEL THE WAY: Mr Steven Yeo says that these tactile markers, which will guide the blind through the station from the lifts to the fare gates and platform doors, will enhance the safety of the NEL for blind commuters.

Tunnel vision kept N-E Line project on the rails

The NEL's finally opening, after seven years of gruelling planning, sheer hard work and setbacks.

MR RAJAN Krishnan, project director of the fully-underground North-East MRT Line (NEL), has reason to feel on top of the world. "Frankly, if you look at projects around the world, it's not often one gets a chance to work on a $5-billion project,'' said the soft-spoken senior Land Transport Authority (LTA) officer.

The NEL stretches 20km from the HabourFront (the former World Trade Centre) in the south to Punggol New Town in the north-east. It has 16 stations and links population and commercial centres such as Chinatown, Outram, Clarke Quay, Potong Pasir, Serangoon, Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol. The building of the NEL has taken nearly seven years.

Mr Rajan, who started his career with the Housing Board, said: "You get a couple of these projects in your lifetime and, hey, that's it. And if you get five seven-year projects, that's your career - 35 years of working,'' he laughed. The 52-year-old civil engineer has just about that many mega-projects under his belt. He was resident engineer for the first MRT line in the 1980s, then project coordinator for the Boon Lay and Woodlands extensions.

The target, just 1.5 m by 2 m, was almost 20 times smaller than what an enemy target would usually be, making it harder for the radar to track it. Ten rounds were fired from the ship's Oto Melara gun and all 10 hit the target. The crew was ecstatic. The ship's commanding officer, Major Timothy Lo, 32, said: 'I was thinking that five out of 10 would be good enough. So 10 out of 10 surprised us.'

The second exercise on Monday pitted the ship against an Indian submarine. RSS Vigour had to track it down using its sonar and fire a torpedo at it. At the moment the torpedo was ready for release, the system signalled a start-up error. It was traced to the armament's warhead, which had been replaced with a recording mechanism for the exercise. Major Lo quickly switched to the contingency plan. RSS Valiant sped in to swop positions with his vessel. Within 25 minutes, it launched a torpedo and hit the submarine.

He then gathered six design people. "October 1995, we had our first meeting. That was how we started,'' he said. The core team of 12 began working at the North Bridge Road office, where SMRT Corp has its offices.

Although feasibility studies had been done as far back as the early 1980s, the actual task of delivering the line "in six to seven years'' was daunting, he said. "We figured we had to start calling our first design-and-build contracts in June 1996,'' he said. "And we were letting out contracts, like, once a month.'' That meant that the other challenge -- even before the first excavation began -- was finding people for the job. That wasn't as easy as it sounds.

The last major tunnelling job was for Phase I of the MRT line, which had been completed by 1987. Now, 10 years on, they were going back to underground works in a big way. But all the specialists brought in from overseas had already left. "There was a dire need to recruit people,'' he added, and assembling a team, their biggest task at the time, took a good part of 1996. The initial dozen eventually ballooned to more than 600.

Over the next six years, they managed by these five cornerstones: quality, safety, meeting schedules, working within budget, and environmental or public considerations. "We took on the responsibility to ensure quality is there. We didn't pass it on to the contractors. We signed off the work, put our professional dhobi mark on it,'' he said. "Similarly, when we deal with the public, we front it,'' he added.

This was a concerted effort because Singapore had become more built-up since the first MRT lines were constructed, and the NEL was going through a densely-populated corridor. Not surprisingly, the public made itself heard over the course of the project. Some people called Mr Rajan personally.

One woman was booking an HDB flat in Sengkang and wanted him to tell her which flat to choose. (He faxed her a map showing where the Sengkang station would be). Another called to say that her grandson, who would nap while she ferried him to school in the morning, was disturbed by the bumpy road diversions. (He had the stretch smoothened). "Some of the feedback we get is very personalised ... but it's all very valid,'' he said. "It gives us a different perspective.''

Some complaints were less legitimate. "A guy who lived about 1km away from a station being built said he found some cracks in his house,'' he said. But the team convinced him that given the distance and size of the excavation, it was too improbable that it was responsible for the cracks.

Despite the precautions they took, the project was not accident free. "We had five fatalities. There were a number of injuries too.'' He added: ""We must target zero, because one life lost is one too many.''

The sheer ambition of the project was mind-boggling, he said. ""When I first saw the plans for Chinatown station, the first thing that hit me was "My God! Somebody actually wants to put a station there! You have two big roads there. There's a canal in between, then there's the Garden Bridge ... imagine what it is like during Chinese New Year. And you want to dig up the whole place?'' he recalled, eyes wide with remembered incredulity.'' Indeed, Chinatown turned out to be the most challenging station.
The roads had to be closed twice because of cave-ins.

Another challenge was the integrated development at the Dhoby Ghaut Interchange. It was the first time the LTA was playing property developer. And right smack in Orchard Road, no less. The physical challenges included building a new station next to an existing one (Dhoby Ghaut), and devising ways to link the two so that commuters need not pass through fare gates when moving between the two.

The commercial development, eventually called The Atrium@Orchard, was to become a model for maximising land usage around MRT stations. On this score, the NEL, unlike previous lines, goes a step further. "Except for stations just above road junctions, we have to build provisions to accommodate future developments so that developers can build on the station blocks or at the entrances,'' Mr Rajan explained. So far, two developers have done so. Centrepoint Properties has a mixed development at the Sengkang station; Far East Organisation is building another at Clarke Quay.

A third massive challenge was disposing of the earth dug up during the project ? nine million cubic metres of it. That became a project within a project: about six million cubic metres became landfill in Lorong Halus, Tampines. The other three million was marine clay, a gooey, unusable material that had to be dumped at sea. The LTA had to manage the disposal stringently, otherwise "we'd have illegal dumping all over Singapore''. "We're talking about a million lorry loads,'' Mr Rajan said. That worked out to more than 1,000 lorry-loads a day over the 2 years from mid-1997 to 2000. Mr Rajan said: "We'd never done it before. It's a completely new field. From a risk assessment point of view, something you don't know worries you more.''

They had to deal with artists, ""which is not my normal work'', and have them work within the ""hard and tough world of contractors'', he said. Mr Rajan said: ""Initially, the idea excites you, but the path to that destination also worries you.'' But he worried for nothing. The contractors went out of their way to help embed works of 19 Singapore artists into the stations' walls and floors. "They were totally helpful,'' he said. "In the end, it shows we're back to our human side.''

There was also a community project where the hand-prints of 2,000 residents were cast as a permanent display in Hougang station. "The contractor went from constituency to constituency, to schools, various places, over two to three months, collecting hand-prints,'' he said. It could not have been done if not for their own enthusiasm to see it through, he said.

Now that the line is going to open, Mr Rajan feels quite privileged. There when it was conceived, he worked through its long gestation, and has now witnessed its delivery. Not many of the more than 600 who worked on the project have been so privileged. "Most of them have already left for other projects elsewhere,'' he said.

:eek2: :eek:

ShIitt!! Its so nice!!!! I wonder what that first station is.
I cant believe that now the World Trade Centre and Chinatown will be so accessible by MRT. Cant wait to check it out!!

And I am impressed that the stations are decorated with local art too:guns1:

Thats the HarbourFront station. ;)

If you tink that's nice, wait till you see Kovan station (the one serving my place). It is the only columnless station with a huge carvenous hall....better then HarbourFront. :guns1:

wow nice, especially the station it is very unique. should have a ride if i go 2 Singapore:D

A small collection of people's letters to the Straits Times Forums page:

I TOOK my first ride on the North-East Line (NEL) at 9 pm on Saturday. After a somewhat-confusing walk from the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, involving several escalators, some going up, and some down, I made it to the new station.

I boarded the spanking-new train with several middle-aged women and a family of three. After one stop, we were treated to a spectacular display of how well the doors had been made. The train stopped for 10 minutes at Farrer Park Station, seemingly for no other reason than to show us the doors' ability to open and close 10 times rapidly. This was followed by an announcement for passengers to alight and board the next train.

We all alighted and the train started to move off, prompting one of the women to comment, 'Now no people in the train, that's why can move.'

The next train was rather packed. I managed to find space to step in, not a moment too soon. The doors closed barely four seconds after they opened, separating the family of three.

The train must have been on a very strict and precise timetable because the couple outside banging on it were ignored and left behind as we sped away with their child.

The other passengers in the train must have sensed the operator's unyielding schedule and jostled to get ready at the doors even before we reached the next station. Imagine their horror when the train pulled into the station and they were greeted by a sign stuck on the station door saying, 'Door Faulty. Please use next door'. There was a small stampede to get to the next door before the four seconds were up.

The rest of my trip was spent eyeing the doors, trying to guess which might correspond to a faulty door at my destination. All in all, it was a very interesting ride.

CHIANG SEOK PHENG (MADAM)

I TRANSFERRED from NEL to a bus on Friday. To my surprise, I was charged the full bus fare when I alighted at my stop. No transfer rebate was given.

The NEL guide states that 'adults using ez-link cards for payment will enjoy the existing transfer rebate for valid transfers between the train and bus services'.

Those who transferred from NEL to a bus that day should check if they were given the transfer rebate.

FONG KAI HONG

WHEN I took the NEL train from HarbourFront to Dhoby Ghaut, I was charged $2.04 when the fare should be 99 cents. The same amount was deducted from my husband's ez-link card.

After some thought, I realised that we had left the underground line from the existing MRT's exit point, instead of NEL's.

TAY LI PING (MS)

The grand opening of NEL was marred by the unruly behaviour of Singaporeans pushing and shoving for free movie tickets. If something trivial like free tickets were to elicit such desperate behaviour, I can't imagine what it would be like if Singapore were to be hit by a famine and rations were being distributed instead. The little boy interviewed on television would probably have been trampled to death instead of merely being pushed to the ground.

It was ridiculous watching kids and even adults chasing after the poor chap with the tickets, shouting 'I want! I want!'. For a while I thought I was watching a madcap comedy, instead of the news.

It is amazing how one moment we are collectively fighting the severe acute respiratory syndrome and the next we are fighting for freebies while celebrating a milestone in our nation's transportation history.

What puzzles me even more is that some of those people didn't even have a clue what they were rushing for. This is yet another example that queuing mindlessly for freebies has become a national pastime. I hope it doesn't come to a stage where we have to deploy riot police at such events.

MARK WONG HSIEN WU

YOU won't miss the new Chinatown Station on the North-East Line: just follow your nose. The moment the train doors open, the smell of bak kwa and butter oil hits you.

The smell comes from the exit leading to OG and Majestic Building and can be traced to Bee Cheng Hiang, which sells barbecued pork, and BreadTalk.

It is not the only station that smells - Bugis on the old network is another - but it may be the worst.

HENRY LIM LI SHUN

I LIVE in Melbourne, Australia, and visit Singapore every year for a couple of weeks to see my relatives, who live in Hougang.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have been here on Friday, the inaugural day of the North-East Line (NEL). I was absolutely impressed by the magnificent rides I had to the city from Hougang and back.

The speed, cleanliness, efficiency and convenience of the new system are in a class of their own. Transport officials from the rest of the world would be well advised to visit Singapore to ride, observe and emulate what is, without question, one of this planet's super mass rapid transport systems.

Residents of north-east Singapore should leave their cars at home and take a ride on NEL or they would not know what they are missing.

My congratulations to all who worked to make the system possible.

As for the occasional door not opening properly, who cares? I would have gladly sat a whole day on NEL, without getting off!

DILIP ABRAHAM

Singaporeans are hard to please arent we? ;)

Surprise Govt U-turn on NEL
As realities of high overheads hit home, Transport Minister says SMRT can take over new train line or consider merger

By Christopher Tan


SMRT may go back to running all MRT trains. And SBS Transit may stick to buses.

Just four months after the North-East Line (NEL) started operating, the situation has forced a reality check on government thinking about competition in public transport.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong dropped the bombshell when he was asked yesterday if SBS Transit could transfer the loss-making NEL to another operator.

'It makes good sense,' he told reporters after a site visit to the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway. 'If there's only one company running all the MRT systems, I think a lot of the overheads can be saved.'

The NEL started up late and is bleeding red ink. The reality of high overheads has hit home, he said.

The Government has finally taken the point that forcing competition does not make sense when it enforces the duplication of high overheads.

He said: 'We realise now that operating a rail system involves a lot of overheads. And when you have two rail operators, it means both companies have to incur pretty similar overheads which are quite significant.'

'We are therefore open to any move by the two operators to discuss the possibility of merging the two lines, or transferring one line to the other operator. We should not stand in the way of reality.'

This U-turn is all the more stunning considering his stout defence of the status quo only two months ago in Parliament, when MPs quizzed him on the need for two train operators.

What now? SMRT chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa said that, in principle, she did not foresee problems running the NEL. 'I think we can do a better job,' she said.

But any 'takeover' would boil down to the terms.

'My shareholders will question me if I take over a line that loses $40 million, $30 million or $20 million a year,' she said.

SMRT is running the Bukit Panjang LRT at a loss, but did not know that would be the case when it took over the system.

The NEL is different. 'It's that much harder to justify taking over, knowing full well it's bleeding,' she said.

Still, when ridership and fares rise, the NEL should be viable, she said.

Would she make SBS Transit an offer?

'Maybe Kua Hong Pak should call me and make me an offer I can't refuse,' she said half in jest, referring to the chief executive of SBS' parent ComfortDelGro Corp.

Did she mean SBS should pay SMRT to move in? 'Something like that,' she replied. 'Why should I pay for something that is loss-making?'

The two have not met on the matter, she said.

'We haven't talked, but I'm very willing to talk,' she added.

Mr Kua declined comment, apart from saying: 'Whatever we say will be construed one way or another, and will be price-sensitive.'

Analysts generally agreed that SBS would be better off without the NEL, but doubted it would happen.

One said the NEL stood to lose at least $25 million this year and that would drag down SBS Transit earnings.

As for holding on until the NEL breaks even, he said, that will happen only when daily ridership, now just 170,000, exceeds 250,000, as each trip averages just 80 cents.

Another analyst said: 'If they can sell it for $1, they should.

'The market will reward its move.'

Pasir Ris-Punggol MP Charles Chong, who has been among the most vocal critics of SBS Transit's handling of the NEL, was taken aback when told of the minister's comments.

'The minister himself defended it in Parliament in August. I'd be keen to know exactly why this about-face has come about.'

What do you guys think of this new development?

Oh man...this is a tough thing to think about. I must say I am quite disturbed by it when it was first mentioned last night. I simply do not like the way LTA is doing things in general. Since this wil be a direct impact on me, let me give a few scenarios that might occur if the changes should occur:

In the status quo, SBS has been removing bus services to encourage ridership on the trains. No doubt, I have been inconvenienced by that before. Coupled with the higher fares for the MRT. But conversely, I do get to enjoy special priviledges on the NEL since I am a member of the "friend of SBS" thingy. :D The benefit is not great, but it is there. Also, we can expect more responsive changes to promote intergration in the entire NE corridor.

If the change do occur, I would be expecting SBS to reintroduce buses to compete with the trains. The PTC may discourage it for now, but sooner or later, it will occur. Look at the number of buses plying the Eastern MRT route, for example. No doubt, I will be happier. ;) But I wonder if the two companies will be really doing things to compliment each other without PTC making noises....

So....anyone else got comments? :)

I'm not too sure, as I havent really utilised this line for daily commuting.
I have a feeling that letting SMRT run the NEL makes more sense as there could be better integration?

Not sure what that augurs for bus services though. huaiwei can let us know what happens:D

Quite a number of news articles appeared today in response to this issue. It seems to be a "big local news" now:

Should SMRT run North-East Line?

No: Economies of scale limited and move against competition drive

By Karamjit Kaur

TRANSPORT analysts are shocked by the suggestion that SBS Transit should transfer the loss-making North-East Mass Rapid Transit line to another operator: They do not see the point, for either operator or commuters. The six experts from local research houses yesterday said it would be a big step backwards in the Government's pro-competition drive.

The matter came up as Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong met reporters on Tuesday at Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway worksites. Asked if SBS Transit could transfer the new line to SMRT Corporation, which runs the North-South and East-West lines, Mr Yeo said 'it makes good sense'. With one company in charge he added, a lot of the overheads could be saved.

But associate director for research at DBS Vickers, Mr Chris Sanda, said: 'Among the major costs for a rail operator are electricity, staff and maintenance... you're not going to get many savings in these areas.' The experts also said economies of scale would be limited as the two rail systems are different, separated by 15 years of technological know-how. North-East line consumers, who pay up to 25 cents more than on other MRT lines, are also unlikely to benefit, because the higher fares are to make up for the higher cost of running a fully underground and automated line.

Trouble started for SBS Transit even before the 20km Punggol to HarbourFront line opened. It was scheduled to open last November, but the date was pushed back, costing the operator millions. And daily ridership figures of about 170,000 are way below the projection of up to 250,000, because of a slow-down in development of housing estates on the line.

But Mr Sanda said: 'In any business, you can't expect to make money immediately.' SBS Transit is not in the red either. Citigroup Smith Barney said in June it sees the company making pre-tax profits of $16.4 million this year, $28.8 million next year and $43.3 million in 2005 - the year the NEL is expected to become profitable.

An analyst, who did not want to be named, said that if SBS wants to boost ridership, it has other options. 'For example, it could cut more bus routes in the north-east sector to avoid rail and bus duplication.' National University of Singapore Associate Professor K. Raguraman said: 'The most feasible way to increase ridership is to develop the north-east corridor more quickly in terms of housing projects.'

So how will the saga develop? SMRT chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa, has said she will not buy a loss-making business, and it is unlikely that SBS Transit would pay to give up its trains.Mr Sanda said: 'The only way out is for the Government to step in and make some kind of offer to both parties, but the minister has made it quiet clear that the Government won't interfere.'

MINISTRY: NO SUDDEN POLICY U-TURN

THE Transport Minister's press secretary has clarified that Mr Yeo Cheow Tong's comments on having one train operator was not a sudden U-turn in government policy.

Ms Lim Bee Khim took issue with yesterday's Straits Times, which called Mr Yeo's comments on the North-East Line a surprise turnaround, given his stout defence of the status quo only two months ago, in Parliament. 'This is incorrect,' she said. At that August session, she said, he had first explained the ministry's thinking when it decided to introduce a second rail operator in 1998.

He had also stated then that 'now that we have two listed companies running the two lines, we will leave it to the two companies to decide as to whether they should be operated by one or two companies', she added. 'Minister Yeo's position has therefore been consistent. We are open to the transfer of NEL, provided the two companies can come to a commercial agreement on the transfer,' she said.

Should SMRT run North-East Line?

Yes: The better economies of scale will benefit commuters

By Goh Chin Lian And Karamjit Kaur

IT'S better that the Government reacts swiftly to SBS Transit's losses from running the North-East Line by letting major rail operator SMRT take over, than insist on having two competing operators.

Having just one rail operator makes more sense, said MPs and commuters, because it will enjoy economies of scale in a market that is already small to begin with. 'It's good that the Government is now addressing the issue squarely and not burdened by past decisions, but rather looking at reality,' said Aljunied GRC MP and Consumers Association of Singapore president Yeo Guat Kwang.

Hong Kah GRC MP Ang Mong Seng, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for transport, said: 'If you know you're not going to meet your target ridership of 250,000 within two to three years, it's better to make a change now for the commuters to enjoy the economies of scale.'

There was no real competition between rail operators anyway, said Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Charles Chong. He said: 'Initially, when they said 'competition', the principle conjured up in my mind was it would be more efficient, and would help raise standards and lower prices. But now, if you live in the northeast, your choice is the North-East Line. What sort of competition are you talking about?'

The two systems were also not comparable, he said, as SMRT operates a much bigger rail network network. 'What is the benefit of having two operators if there's no real competition, and you cannot benchmark the performance with each other?' He believes SMRT stands a better chance of running NEL more efficiently and at lower cost - since it operates more profitable stations, it will be more able to compensate for losses from quieter stations.

Commuters were less definite in their choice. Mr Ng Kai Meng, an engineer in his 30s, said: 'As long as I get good service and affordable prices, it's okay whichever company runs it.' Mr Joseph Phay, 67, a remisier who lives near Sengkang East Way, said he hoped that any change would lead to both SMRT and SBS Transit competing to win commuters in the north-east area. 'We've been fighting so hard for additional bus services and higher frequencies. Maybe we'll get them then.'

Backtracking on competition? Not so...

Minister's comment on benefits of single rail operator does not mean Govt is giving up on competition, say experts

By Laurel Teo And Rebecca Lee

FIRST, hospitals were told to stop 'silly competition' for patients and market share. Now, it looks like the SMRT may go back to running all MRT trains, while SBS Transit focuses on buses. All this barely four months after the bus operator became a 'multi-modal' transport operator with its running of the North-East Line (NEL).

To casual observers with fresh memories of the Government's push for more players getting involved across all sectors - so competition can lower prices - these events seem to point to one trend: that it is now backtracking on encouraging competition.

But analysts and political commentators do not think this is, in fact, the case. Competition as a principle has not failed, they say. Nor has the Government given up on it. Rather, more needs to be done to fine tune how competition is applied in the provision of services.

In the case of the NEL, there was no real competition to begin with. As MP Charles Chong (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), who was among the most vocal critics of SBS Transit's handling of the NEL, put it: 'If you live in the North-east, there's the NEL, and there's still only the NEL.'

Passengers have no alternative in some areas, since SBS Transit also withdrew bus routes to avoid duplication with the rail line it runs. And even though there are two rail operators, they operate lines in different areas and do not compete for the same customers in a particular catchment area.

Others also argued that having two sets of high administrative costs does not make for economies of scale, and actually leads to wastage. So why not let each operator do what it does best - either rail or bus.

Such points were, in fact, raised by critics right from the start, MP Chay Wai Chuen (Tanjong Pagar GRC), who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) on Transport, noted. This raises the question of whether the authorities had done their homework properly.

Also, Singapore is too small physically for it to be viable to have too many companies sharing the transport pie. Said transport engineer Chin Hoong Chor: 'We're not like a big country where you can have one firm running the transport system in the north and another in the east.'

The same argument can be applied to other sectors. Size - or the lack of it - is why public hospitals here should not be divided into two competing clusters, said MP Lily Neo (Jalan Besar GRC). Since its implementation three years ago, she has been vocal about the concept. 'In Singapore's context, because of the limited resources in medical personnel and managers to run hospitals, the duplication will actually incur extra costs,' said Dr Neo, who chairs the GPC for Health.

Competition between the two clusters appeared to have turned unhealthy - a trend that Acting Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan was determined to put a stop to. He noted earlier this month how hospitals resorted to 'silly competition' such as hiring popular doctors with a large patient base to help fill beds.

But MP Gan Kim Yong (Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC) does not think such comments mean Mr Khaw is censuring competition. Rather, he thinks it suggests 'that the basis for competition should be carefully defined and prioritised'. In fact, the aim of posting hospital charges on the Health Ministry's website - a move Mr Khaw introduced - fosters competition in terms of cost-effectiveness among the hospitals. Consumers and patients can also make better-informed choices. Said Mr Gan, deputy chairman of the Health GPC: 'This is still a form of competition and it is good.'

And what of other sectors recently liberalised, such as the media? What is the impact of competition and might there be a rethink too? GK Goh economist Song Seng Wun thinks not. Unlike for transport, competition has benefited the end-user: 'People get to choose which paper to read and which channel to watch. Ultimately, consumers benefit.'

But political scientist Ho Khai Leong at the Institute of South-east Asian Studies thinks the jury is still out. 'Lack of transparency, information and freedom in industries such as the media raises the question of whether there is genuine liberalisation.'

This final article by a journalist is interesting....what he says does make sense, even if I hope it dosent happen!

Govt's on the right track... because one is enough

By Christopher Tan

ACCORDING to Sun Tzu's Art of War, there are no fewer than five ways of attacking with fire. You can burn soldiers in their camp, set fire to their stores, burn their baggage trains, ignite their arsenals and, finally, hurl 'dropping fire' among the opponent. In today's world, the good general's fiery recipe for his enemies can be summed up simply: There are more ways to inject competition into a public transport system than is being done now.

And Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong's suggestion on Tuesday that Singapore is perhaps better off with one train operator attests to the simplistic wisdom. The so-called multi-modal scheme - which calls for transport companies to run more than one mode of transport - came under scrutiny as soon as the first North-East Line (NEL) train rolled out on June 20.

Operator SBS Transit hired 600-plus people to run the 20km line with 14 opened stations and a ridership that is one-third lower than expected. To top that, opening day was seven months later than projected. SBS is estimated to have sunk nearly $100 million in the new business which is forecast to lose nearly as much before it breaks even. The math doesn't add up. But even if it did, and the system was on time and ridership was as expected, does it make sense in the long run?

Unlikely. Singapore, with its limited and slow-growing consumer base, may not support two train operators comfortably. The capital expenditure for a rail operation is monumental. Given the modest market size and limited upside for profit growth, a newcomer could definitely have had better returns on its capital and effort elsewhere. The same holds true for other industries in the throes of 'managed liberalisation'.

That is not to say a market such as ours cannot have competition in the public sector. Just that in the transport arena, the multi-modal way is not the best avenue. Let's not kid ourselves, the benchmarking of service levels between the two rail systems is not realistic. Geographical difference aside, commuters along the NEL have to bear with higher fares and longer waiting times because the system, we're told, does not have enough riders. So what other aspects of service can we measure? The lighting and air-con on board?

Instead, we should have a more realistic battlefield: Have buses competing head on with trains. This way, commuters would benefit because each operator would vie to provide the best way in getting from point A to B. There may be some duplication of resources, but the market will decide what level of that it can bear.

For instance, if demand for a particular bus service is poor, the operator can either improve, modify or remove it. Commuters would also have choice. Right now, bus services running parallel to rail lines are 'rationalised'. And consumers are often held hostage this way. Having one company running both buses and trains along the same route compounds this inequity. What does the proposed Fair Trading Act say about this?

As for the motivation to coordinate bus and train services to optimise transfers - one of the main reasons for going multi-modal - rivals will have much to gain from synchronisation. Again, the market will decide. Just look at taxis queueing at the airport and pubs.

SMRT and SBS, as the main protagonists, should start talking to each other. They should do a trade, starting with 'I take your loss-making rail line and you take my loss-making buses'. Yes, SMRT's Bus Plus has been bleeding for a long time. And its Tibs bus operation is not exactly ringing the tills either. Do the deed quickly, and let everyone go back to doing what they know best. Commuters will be happy; eventually, shareholders will cheer.

But will SBS be left out in the cold when Singapore's rail network becomes comprehensive? Well, it might not be making as much money, but it has a fairly rich parent in ComfortDelGro. For growth, it can venture overseas, as the group has done successfully.

For now, we can only applaud the Government for opening the doors for a rethink. And doing so quickly too, instead of letting a problem stew. A move worthy of Sun Tzu, surely.

02/11/2003

DPM Lee explains NEL rethink

By Sharmilpal Kaur

IT WAS a different world in 1996 when the North-East Line (NEL) was being planned. The economy was booming and the population in the north-east of Singapore was supposed to grow so that there would be enough train commuters to make 250,000 trips a day. But that assumption turned out to be wrong, said Acting Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. People didn't move there, and the population didn't grow. 'This was 1996 and it was a different world, so there you are,' he said yesterday.

He was asked about Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong's comment last week on how it made good sense for SMRT, which runs the North-South Line, to take over the loss-making NEL from SBS Transit. SMRT was kept out of the NEL tender because the Government wanted a second rail operator to inject some competition into the industry.

But Mr Yeo said last week that forcing competition did not make sense when it led to the duplication of high overheads. While he had defended the need for two operators in Parliament three months ago, he had also told MPs that since the two operators were listed companies, it would be left to them to decide if both lines should be operated by one or two companies.

This was a point Mr Lee reiterated. He said the solution had to be one the two listed companies and their shareholders were happy with. He added: 'If it turns out you can't sustain two operators, then the logical thing to do is to have one.' He pointed out that there was no competition between the two operators in the first place. 'If you travel from Punggol to HarbourFront, that's one trip. How does that compete with a trip from Jurong to Changi? It is two different things.'

Speaking to reporters after launching this year's Clean and Green Week campaign, Mr Lee said: 'In retrospect, I think we should have been less optimistic about the potential of competition between the two operators. It could also have been that at the time, we were thinking of building more trains faster. And if we had lots and lots of trains...we could conceivably have two operators.'

Just 170,000 trips are made on the NEL every day since the trains started running in June. The line is expected to be profitable only in 2005, analysts have said. SBS is expected to lose up to $35 million in the first year of NEL operations.

Singaporeans have been weighing in on whether or not SMRT should take over the NEL. Transport analysts said it would be a step backwards in the Government's pro-competition drive. But MPs and commuters are for the more experienced operator, SMRT, taking over. They think riders will benefit from these economies of scale.

SMRT has refused to comment on whether it wants to take over the NEL. Its chief executive, Ms Saw Phaik Hwa, said last week that SBS should 'make me an offer I can't refuse'. Yesterday, Mr Lee had a rejoinder for her. He said: 'I read how the SMRT CEO said, 'Ask SBS to make me an offer I can't refuse'. If I were SBS, I would ask SMRT to make me an offer I can't refuse either.'

In the case of the NEL, there was no real competition to begin with. As MP Charles Chong (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), who was among the most vocal critics of SBS Transit's handling of the NEL, put it: 'If you live in the North-east, there's the NEL, and there's still only the NEL.'

Exactly what's need to be said... I feel that if SBS Transit were to sell the NEL to SMRT, SMRT in turn should sell TIBS to SBS Transit (although I WILL protest to the latter move :P ) This will allow some REAL competition to take place (bus vs. trains :guns1: ) and the problem of lack of competition will be resolved forever. Commuters in turn will benefit from this move as the two companies are forced to lower their prices and improve frequencies to compete for customers.

The current situation is really mostly anti-competive. SMRT runs NS and EW lines and its subsidary TIBS provides bus services in the northern and northwestern areas. SBS Transit on the other hand runs all the other bus services and also runs the NE line. As a result, there is no compatible TIBS service to compete with the NS lines. The only "competition" is between SMRT's EW line and SBS Transits bus services on the EW corridors. But this is restricted by the PTC as it regulates the bus services.

Oh I will be MORE then glad to see TIBS dissapearing in the hands of SBS!!! :D I simply dislike those yellow buses and lousy seats! ;)

Its funny that it took everyone so long to realise there isnt competition. In the first place, if you are going to territorise the two bus companies, then what the freak is going to encourage competition? Even when they finally realised there is basically ZERO connectivity between the north and the east, where the two companies happen to dominate, they have to allow one route for each company so as to be "fair". What a joke!! :bleep: :rant: ;)

Originally posted by huaiwei

Oh I will be MORE then glad to see TIBS dissapearing in the hands of SBS!!! :D I simply dislike those yellow buses and lousy seats! ;)

Its funny that it took everyone so long to realise there isnt competition. In the first place, if you are going to territorise the two bus companies, then what the freak is going to encourage competition? Even when they finally realised there is basically ZERO connectivity between the north and the east, where the two companies happen to dominate, they have to allow one route for each company so as to be "fair". What a joke!! :bleep: :rant: ;)

Took so long realise? I guess so and I guess not. Singaporeans are a bunch of trusting people, meaning, they'll rather leave trivial matters to the Government to decide. It's only during times of economic hardship or turmoil that they start questioning the decisions made by the Government. Like now.

In the late 90s to early 2000 when our economy was booming, people were more concerned about making the most money out of their stocks or in their businesses rather then nitpicking the policies of the Government. Now however, the situation obviously has changed dramatically. Every price hike and policy change is being scrutinised by the public. Another reasons is that Singaporeans are also less vocal in their opposition to the Government (if any, that is ;) )

However, even if SBS Transit is allowed to buy TIBS and SMRT takes over the NEL, I seriously doubt there will ever be real competition simply because the PTC still exists. Each bus company has to gain approval from the PTC before making changes or creating a new route. This has severely reduced competition between transport providers and therefore the commuters are those who stand to lose the most.

Another silly (and idiotic) regulation by the LTA (ok for once it's not the PTC...) is that public buses are limited to only 60km/h even when they are able to travel at 90km/h+ safely. Although increasing this speed limit will not have much effect on the travelling times on most feeder or trunk services, services which travel on expressways tend to lose out.

But, oh, I forgot. There is no competition between public bus routes and trains to begin with, so I guess even increasing the speed limit won't make a difference. Afterall, we can only take one mode of transport. :rant:

Hahaha...actually I would say that your average Singapore will only make noise when it matters one thing: their pockets. I dunt think any one gives a #$%& about competition and regulation. They just want the cheapest fares!

I dunt mince my words. I absolutely DISPISE the LTA. They have been doing alot of stupid things for a damn long time, the latest being forcing us to pay $5 for each Exlink card we buy. Just what kind of "compeition" are they suggesting? It dosent occur physically, and neither does it occur on the corporate level! Someone rightfully wrote a complain letter to the press demanding to know why is the PTC, issuer of the exlink cards, basically a subsidiary of the LTA!

Got all buses run at 60km/hr meh? Maybe TIBS buses got speed limit devices, but the last time I sat on them, they fly through the roads like they were possessed by pontianaks. I think I will boycott buses if they all go slow! :D In fact, I do have some form of "choice" now, for eg, with regards to how I get to school.

It's due to lack of mantainence on the speed limiting devices that allowed buses to exceed the 60km/h speed limit. :)

Originally posted by TropicalSQ744

It's due to lack of mantainence on the speed limiting devices that allowed buses to exceed the 60km/h speed limit. :) And every bus has that problem? I have hardly sat on a bus that goes that slow unless its a bus that is too ahead on shedule! :bleep: :D

Originally posted by huaiwei

And every bus has that problem? I have hardly sat on a bus that goes that slow unless its a bus that is too ahead on shedule! :bleep: :D

Maybe you're lucky. ;)

I've been on buses that cruise at 60km/h on expressways. Other vehicles just zoom by. Very irritating.

Haha...well anyway, this whole issue seems to be consuming the media....now people are looking like they are ready to smash up LTA offices...hahaha! I say good riddence!! ;)

Originally posted by huaiwei

Haha...well anyway, this whole issue seems to be consuming the media....now people are looking like they are ready to smash up LTA offices...hahaha! I say good riddence!! ;)

If the upcoming Circle Line messes up any of the bus services I take, I'll be one of those. ;)

Originally posted by TropicalSQ744

If the upcoming Circle Line messes up any of the bus services I take, I'll be one of those. ;) Yaya....as if the Circle Line has anything to do with Yishun. They just announced they are going to chop my bus service 62 in half. I want to chop them up in half too.

If the NEL was operated by SMRT...it makes me wonder if SBS would be just as happily chopping things up here and there...

Originally posted by huaiwei

Yaya....as if the Circle Line has anything to do with Yishun. They just announced they are going to chop my bus service 62 in half. I want to chop them up in half too.

If the NEL was operated by SMRT...it makes me wonder if SBS would be just as happily chopping things up here and there...

Chopping.. heh.. :D

My 855 is in danger of being admended! :( I take it quite often lor.

Originally posted by TropicalSQ744

Chopping.. heh.. :D

My 855 is in danger of being admended! :( I take it quite often lor. 855 Goes from notth to south. If it is considered a dublicate service, it should be exterminated long ago.....

Maybe 853 or even 854 might be a more plausible victim....muahahaha :D

Tunnel View....:)

http://www.digitalstar.com/sumball/originalimages/71260orig.jpg

http://www.digitalstar.com/sumball/originalimages/71266orig.jpg

http://www.digitalstar.com/sumball/originalimages/71267orig.jpg

http://www.digitalstar.com/sumball/originalimages/71245orig.jpg

Wow! Did you take them?

Originally posted by Cliff

Wow! Did you take them? Nope...I have not tried it yet. Need to take the train at odd hours to avoid wierd stares from other passengers. :D

Ya, you can always get wonderfull shots from trains, but I never picked up the courage to do so. I would have to put my knees on the chair like an excieted child, or to shoot over someone(which would look as if you are taking her), and that person would think that you are a pervert and slap you.:D

Hahaha...actually its very easy to take those tunnel shots on the NEL. There is a window right up in front with standing space, and you can simply rest your camera on the area just below the window. People migh tnot even know what you are doing if they arent observant enough. ;)

If I want to take MRT shots, I always prefer to do it with a bunch of friends. I would feel so odd and invite suspicious stares that way. :D

You can get wonderfull shots of Bishan from the train between Bishan and Ang Mo Kio.:)
But you know, you can't do that in a train full of people.:D

Originally posted by Cliff

You can get wonderfull shots of Bishan from the train between Bishan and Ang Mo Kio.:)
But you know, you can't do that in a train full of people.:D You mean the view of the HDB blocks? Oh I tot the train would dive underground before you can get a decent view. :D

Anyway, considering your age, its not really a problem no matter how crowded the train is. People arent going to arrest you for anything! ;)

Oh, between AMK and Bhn, not Bhn and Braddel.:)

Yes, there is also a very nice view of Seletar from the Train between YCK and Khatib.

Originally posted by Cliff

Oh, between AMK and Bhn, not Bhn and Braddel.:)

Yes, there is also a very nice view of Seletar from the Train between YCK and Khatib. Yeah I noe....we can see Yishun New Town with the reservoir as a nice foreground. Remember we talked about this in the ROS when someone drove into the MRT railline? :D

6 Jan 2004

By Irene Ang, Channelnewsasia.com

SINGAPORE : Minister for Transport Yeo Cheow Tong said the Government would stay out of any discussions over ComfortDelgro Corp's possible sale of its North-East MRT Line to SMRT Corp.

"The government does not intend to get involved in the process, should the two companies decide to hold talks to explore this possibility," Mr Yeo said in a written response to parliamentary questions on Monday.

Mr Yeo said the two transport operators should think about the issue "based on their own business considerations".

"On the Government's part, our role is to ensure that commuters' interests are safeguarded in the process," he said.

The Government contracted the S$4.6 billion North-East underground mass rapid transit line to ComfortDelGro unit SBS Transit to operate.

The line competes with SMRT's rail network.

An estimated 170,000 people use SBS Transit's North-East Line daily, far short of the 250,000 riders needed each day for the line to break even.

Consequently, ComfortDelGro lost an estimated S$40 million in 2003.

With the company bleeding, Mr Yeo has said it makes "good sense" to have just one company running all the MRT lines.

"If NEL is taken over by SMRT, no need for us to duplicate or repeat the mistake of trying to force competition," the Transport Minister has said.

The remark was a far cry from the constant refrain of competition from as far back as 1998 when the Government instructed SMRT not to bid for the North East Line right down to just a few months ago.

"The intention of having two rail operators was to provide a basis for comparison and benchmarking, and in so doing, help to spur service improvements between the operators. This concept also applies to our bus industry today. However, if the two rail operators feel that there is a strong commercial case to transfer the North-East Line (NEL), LTA is prepared to study their proposal with an open mind," Mr Yeo said on Monday.

He was replying to MP Inderjit Singh's question on why it is not viable for two rail operators to co-exist when co-existence will provide competition and ensure improved level of service.

20 Jan 2004

Denying rumours that SBS Transit and SMRT met, Ms Saw says she doesn't even know if NEL is for sale

By Goh Chin Lian

NEARLY three months after the Government said it made sense for transport operator SMRT to take over the loss-making North-East Line (NEL), SMRT says it has yet to meet the line's operator on the matter, even though industry talk is that the two have met.

Yesterday, SMRT chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa denied SMRT had spoken to SBS Transit.

'We have no idea that anyone has talked to anyone in the organisation,' she said.

She then added: 'I heard the ridership has gone up quite a lot recently because of Chinese New Year, so they must be doing better.

'So I'm not sure if it's for sale or not for sale. You should ask the person who's talking to you whether it's for sale first.'


Asked about talk of the meetings and Ms Saw's comments, SBS Transit, NEL's operator, said yesterday: 'It is not our policy to discuss such issues.'

But, it confirmed that the number of trips has increased by 10 to 20 per cent in the first two weeks of this month in the run-up to Chinese New Year, compared to the same period over the previous two months, but declined to reveal absolute figures.

Only about 170,000 trips were made on the NEL each day previously, instead of the 250,000 initially projected. This means the line could chalk up a loss of $20 million to $40 million in its first year of operation.

Ms Saw had said that SBS should 'make me an offer I can't refuse' when Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong floated the idea of SMRT taking over the NEL.

This prompted Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to remark: 'If I were SBS, I'd ask SMRT to make me an offer I can't refuse either.'

Yesterday, Ms Saw maintained that any deal between SMRT and SBS would have to be 'commercially driven' as 'we have shareholders to answer to', when asked if her company would take over the NEL if it is for sale.

'We're always looking at business deals of any kind,' she hedged.

Asked about her expectations of the Circle Line, which her company will operate, she said that SMRT is 'very bullish' about its prospects. Its calculations match the Land Transport Authority's of 500,000 passengers a day, she added. The Circle Line, which will have interchanges at Bishan, Serangoon and Paya Lebar, is scheduled to open in stages from 2007.

Unlike the NEL, for which ridership predictions were based on expected growth in areas that were still to be developed, the Circle Line will run through mature estates that already have a 'captive audience'.

'We know exactly how many people there are in the areas and how many will take the MRT, so fluctuations won't be far off,' she said, after a ceremony to commend 516 front-line staff for good service.

At the event, SMRT also showcased the new lilac and orchid-pink uniforms that all 5,900 front-line personnel from its train, bus and taxi services will don from Thursday.

I hardly agree that the circle line runs through developed areas with a captive populance. Observe the station positions closely, and a clearer picture will be obvious.

A little background behind the story of TIBS:

RECALLING WHEN HE ENTERED TRANSPORT LINE IN 1976, TIBS FOUNDER SAYS:
'I actually knew zero about buses'

Yet, Mr Ng Ser Miang made $80m from his stake in Tibs. He chats about taking a long-term view in business and life

By Christopher Tan

TWO years ago, transport entrepreneur Ng Ser Miang got off the bus and got a sizeable rebate. That was when train operator SMRT Corp took over Trans Island Bus Services (Tibs) - a company Mr Ng built and led for over 20 years. The man who dared to take on the transport giant that is now SBS Transit took home almost $80 million for his stake, effort, and personal risk taking. 'Back then, the Government did not have the policy of ensuring the viability of public transport operators. That came much later,' he said.

He never meant to get into the transport business. 'I always wanted to be a banker,' said the 54-year-old China-born, Chinese-educated son of a textile merchant. With a business degree from the then University of Singapore, he worked for two years with the Chung Khiaw Bank, since absorbed by the United Overseas Bank.

In 1976, a 'distant relative' roped him in to sort out the troubled Singapore Shuttle Bus company that had 'seven shareholders, seven different types of buses' and a bunch of 'inefficient routes'. He admitted: 'I actually knew zero about buses. But I thought I had management capability. I had an honours degree in business administration. It was a matter of believing in yourself and applying what you've learnt.'

Then in 1980, when the Government was casting around for a second public bus operator, he made a pitch - and Tibs was born. 'I was married, with two young children,' Mr Ng said. 'We sold our house in Thomson.' Still, it wouldn't have been possible without the trust and generosity of the Japanese bus-maker, Hino. He recalled: 'Hino sold us 200 buses without a deposit, without a letter of credit. It was all based on trust. We paid them 90 days after we started up, when we had cash flow. To this day, I'm very grateful for that.'

In 1984, he borrowed from banks and his father, to buy out his two Tibs partners who felt 'the returns were not good enough'. Then Tibs was listed in 1987 and some five years later, he and his family moved into the resort-style bungalow they have lived in ever since. When SMRT took over Tibs in December 2001, the company had 730 buses, 2,000 taxis, and earned more than $200 million a year.

Mr Ng insists he is now a retiree and a contented one. When he steps down from the SMRT board in mid-year, he will leave the Singapore's public transport scene altogether. 'I was there to ensure that Tibs integrated well, and I'm happy that it has,' he said. But the man is far from pottering around the house (he has people doing that for him).

His several appointments, which he calls 'national service', sees him shuttling regularly between China, South-east Asia and Europe. Mr Ng is Ambassador to Hungary and Norway, a member of the International Olympic Committee, and vice-president of the Singapore National Olympic Council.

Once a national sailor, he is also a member of the South-east Asia Games Federation, and Singapore's representative on the Apec Business Advisory Council since 2001. He has some business interests in China. He also chairs Network China, a networking body for Singapore businesses in China. It has 1,200 members. 'Last year, I spent 60 per cent of my time outside Singapore,' he said with his characteristic boyish smile.

While at home, he divides his time between personal pursuits and weightier roles such as chairman of NTUC Choice Homes, and being a Nominated Member of Parliament. He made his first major speech in Parliament in 2002, on the controversial transport fare hikes. 'So you see, there's plenty of work to do,' he said.

Still, he finds time for himself and his three children. 'I've gone back to sailing. I raced two Sundays ago. And I play a bit of golf...I'm a 22-handicapper - a money-losing 22,' he laughed. 'And every year, we go for a holiday as a family, usually to Hokkaido (in Japan) to ski.'

He has invested his Tibs proceeds in several ventures, the latest being Super Coffeemix, which he, dealmaker Oei Hong Leong and popiah king Sam Goi have bought new shares in. But one gets the feeling that money is no longer a preoccupation, unlike the early days of Tibs, when he was haunted by fear of failure. He said of those days: 'I had people who left secure jobs to take the plunge with me. What if we could not make it?'

These day, he looks at larger issues. One of his biggest worries is that Singapore companies are getting increasingly short-term in their thinking, and the implications this will have for the country and its people. 'The culture has changed, from one of long-term relationships to short-term ones. It's harder to build a team if people know that they will be axed once the company hits difficult times,' he said. He draws on his own experience at Tibs, on how he and his staff stayed together through rough patches - like when the MRT system was launched and 'many of the profitable (bus) routes were taken away'.

His belief in the long term is reflected even in the buses he chose for Tibs. Unlike his competitor, he bought fully-assembled vehicles that cost more up front but needed less maintenance and downtime because they were simply better built. This made sense, given the buses' lifespan, he said, and drivers and commuters also benefited.

Today's world may be more competitive, but he reckons it's possible to find a middle ground between the American hire-and-fire way and former Japanese-style life-long employment which could lead to 'laziness and inefficiencies'. Under a hire-and-fire regime, workers will strive only for short-term targets, to the detriment of the company over time, he said. 'The so-called fabric of companies, will it be weakened or strengthened this way? It's something I've been reflecting on since I stepped away. I hate to think that we'd swing to the other end, when we become very efficient but little else.'

He suspects the 'new world order' may have a bearing on some of Singapore's biggest headaches, including its low birth rate and brain drain. 'A country must develop strong ties with its people, so that they can go away to work, or even to live, but eventually, still come back,' he said. 'If you can't have strong loyalty to a company, then would it mean less loyalty to the country in the long run?' he asked rhetorically.

If people have short-term goals, they would be less likely to want to start families, because children require a long-term mindset. He recites the Chinese idiom xiu shen, qi jia, zhi guo, ping tian xia - which loosely translates into 'goodness starts with oneself, that you should take care of yourself, then your family, and your country. That way, there will be harmony in the world'.

He explained: 'A company should be like a family. You suffer together, and you also enjoy the fruits of your labour together.' This is why selling Tibs was 'a painful decision'. Yet, he knew it was necessary for its long-term viability. Looking back on the entire experience, he said: 'It's a great opportunity that came my way, and I'm very grateful for it.'

SMRT's train fare takings down 4% in third quarter

By Christopher Tan

SINGAPORE'S dominant mass-transport operator SMRT Corp reported a 4-per-cent drop in train fare revenue to $93.7 million for its third quarter - no thanks to rival SBS Transit. SMRT was hit by the latter's fare-sharing deal for its new North-East Line (NEL).

Initially, analysts and observers expected the NEL, which started last June, to contribute to SMRT's bottom line almost immediately as it would feed more commuters into the network. But because of a fare-sharing formula with SBS for passengers transferring to and from the NEL, SMRT ended with lower revenue as these commuters paid lower average fares.

Lower-than-expected numbers of passengers using the NEL also aggravated the situation, SMRT said when asked to comment on this yesterday. The absorption of a one-percentage-point increase in GST effective Jan 1 also knocked earnings. Train fares are SMRT's main source of revenue.

The NEL's adverse effect on SMRT may fuel calls for it to take over the line - a proposal raised by the Government late last year. 'It makes sense,' said GK Goh senior analyst Teo Hiang Boon. 'The NEL may not break even for another two to three years. But if SMRT takes over, it could effect a major rationalisation programme.' But yesterday, the Temasek-linked rail operator remained coy about the prospects of an NEL transfer, with one executive alluding that such a move would require intervention from 'higher up'.

The fall in fare revenue came despite a marginal rise in the number of passengers who travelled on SMRT. SMRT's group turnover was 3 per cent down to $168.5 million for the third quarter. Net profit was 1 per cent lower at $19.1 million. Earnings per share were flat at 1.3 cents, while net asset value as at Dec 31 was 29.3 cents, versus 28.5 cents as at March 31.

For the nine months ended Dec 31, net earnings fell 19.4 per cent to $48.1 million, with earnings per share ending at 3.2 cents, down from four cents previously. This was due largely to the impact of Sars last year. Bus revenue for the third quarter, meanwhile, fell 2.2 per cent because of lower ridership and the GST hike.

Mr Patrick Lau, SMRT's executive vice-president of finance, expects train and bus revenues to be further diluted by the one-percentage-point rise in GST. But he said cost-control measures put in place should negate that somewhat.

He added that the company had frozen salaries. For the third quarter, staff and related costs were lower by $3.6 million or 5.5 per cent. Analysts expect SMRT's full-year earnings to be $57 million to $60 million, down from $72 million a year ago.

MAY 1, 2004

The lights-out, bringing a savings of about $100,000 a year, comes after a passenger's suggestion on cutting waste
By Goh Chin Lian

FROM today, the lights lining the tunnels of the North-East Line (NEL) will be turned off, a move likely to save operator SBS Transit about $100,000 a year.

It expects to save another $260,000 a year from dimming the lights, by about a third, at all the 16 stations along the route. It has started doing this since January.

SBS Transit disclosed these cost-saving measures to The Straits Times, saying the tunnel lights will be turned on only between 1am and 5am, when maintenance works are carried out.

They will also come on automatically in an emergency.

The lights-out decision was prompted by a passenger's suggestion.

Electronics engineer Yip Chan Hoe, 28, had written in The Straits Times Forum page last July, a month after NEL started running, on the waste incurred in leaving the tunnel lights on.

At first, SBS Transit was not for turning the lights off. It said the tunnel lights were to help the passengers evacuate in the event of an emergency and to provide 'psychological reassurance'.

Passengers on NEL, which started running last June, can see the tunnels through the windows of the first and last train cars, unlike those in the trains on the older North-South and East-West lines.

Not convinced by SBS Transit's explanation, Mr Yip raised the issue with the Government's Cut Waste Panel in January this year. Mr Yip received a reply from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) rejecting his idea.

But last month, the Cut Waste Panel, whose task is to cut waste in public services, told him that his idea would be adopted.

Its e-mail to Mr Yip said: 'After some considered deliberations with the Cut Waste Panel, the LTA has decided to implement your suggestion from May 2004.'

The e-mail also explained that the lights could now be turned off because of 'the increasing public confidence in the NEL operation and improved system reliability... It is also part of SBS Transit's ongoing programme to reduce operational costs without affecting safety and reliability'.

Similar lights-out measures are, however, not possible at the six Sengkang LRT stations, SBS Transit said. It is too costly to install time switches to shut off the lights when the trains are not running in the wee hours of the morning.

The LTA has also taken steps to reduce power bills. It is using high-performance street lamps that can save more than a third in energy costs, or $100 a year per lamp.

On the East Coast Parkway (ECP), dimmer bulbs that do the job well enough were introduced late last year, for the stretch between Fort Road and Laguna Flyover.

The potential savings from changing the 158 bulbs from 250 watts to 150 watts are about $8,200 a year.

Cabby Hoon Koh Chew, 53, noticed the change when he drove down the ECP two weeks ago. 'I had to be more attentive and strain my eyes. I'd rather have safer roads than save money,' he said.

However, cabby Tony Wong, 38, who took the same road on Thursday night, said he did not notice any difference and had no problems even though there was a downpour.


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

Thats sad......no more nice photos in front of the tunnels! :cry:

I havent even got the chance to see it once -_-

I've only been on the NEL once in my life, last year.

I havent even got the chance to see it once -_-

I've only been on the NEL once in my life, last year.
You would have seen the lights if you have been on the train what...

Business Times - 18 Jun 2004

NEL turns 1, exceeds availability target

SBS Transit, which operates NEL, said the world's first fully automated underground heavy rail system has 'performed very well' by achieving a system availability rate of 99.6 per cent. The target rate is 95 per cent.

'We are proud of the achievements that NEL has attained in the first year of our operation,' SBS Transit chief operating officer Ong Boon Leong said in a statement yesterday.

He said NEL has become the backbone of travel along the north-east corridor and average ridership has grown by 23 per cent from 142,000 initially to 174,000 passenger trips today.

NEL has been incurring losses since it began operations. But parent company ComfortDelgro reported that for the first quarter ended March 31, losses were lower than expected.

NEL lost $5.9 million in the first quarter but this was cushioned by $1 million in advertising and rental revenue.

'NEL is a long-term investment and we don't expect to recoup such a large investment overnight,' explained group corporate communications officer Tammy Tan. 'But we do expect losses to narrow as ridership goes up.'

Ms Tan added that NEL's turnaround is dependent on how soon housing developments along its route come up, for example, in Sengkang and Punggol.

The government built the NEL at a cost of almost $5 billion and SBS Transit is said to have spent an estimated $100 million in operating costs.

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

Year-old NEL did better than expected

18 June 2004

Operator SBS Transit says new line had fewer delays and above-target reliability and service availability

By Goh Chin Lian

ONE year after its driverless trains started rolling, the operator of the North-East Line (NEL) reports its performance has exceeded expectations.

Delays were fewer and reliability was above target - outcomes that have won over many doubters of its new technology, said SBS Transit yesterday.

On average, it had only one delay exceeding 15 minutes every six weeks.

Before the new trains were introduced last June, commuters were warned to expect such delays twice a week.

Service was also available 99.6 per cent of the time, above the Land Transport Authority (LTA) initial target of 95 per cent.

To achieve this standard, total train delay over a 20-hour daily schedule cannot exceed two minutes.

The LTA told The Straits Times it will raise the bar for the NEL to that of the SMRT's North-South and East-West lines once the system stabilises. It has yet to set a date for the new target of 98 per cent.

Ms Tammy Tan, spokesman for ComfortDelGro, which owns SBS Transit, highlighted the odds when she said: 'The system has been more reliable than we had expected, recognising the number of firsts in terms of technology and equipment.'

Its staff also learnt to spot early signs of system failure and nipped problems in the bud, she added.

When the system slowed, those in the control room jumped into action rather than wait for it to freeze, while roving customer service officers on board the trains swiftly took over the driving of the trains and implemented other recovery measures.

'The driverless technology has won over many of the doubters,' said Ms Tan.

MP Chay Wai Chuen (Tanjong Pagar GRC), who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, believes the results 'have proven the technology works'.

He noted: 'Earlier, people had doubts: whether driverless trains were risky, whether you needed them and if they were consistent with the economic situation.'

The question mark now hangs over the financial viability of the NEL, which cost the Government $4.6 billion to build.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong even suggested last October it made sense for SMRT to take over the NEL from SBS Transit, but the companies have yet to show any interest.

The NEL records about 174,000 trips each day, below the 250,000 planners initially projected. At this rate, transport analyst Teo Hiang Boon estimates the NEL may lose between $16 million and $20 million a year.

ComfortDelGro expects ridership to go up as more housing projects come up in the Punggol and Sengkang areas.

ComfortDelGro's Ms Tan said: 'This is a long-term investment, and we are confident losses will narrow as ridership goes up.'

On Sunday, SBS Transit will celebrate the NEL's first anniversary with young commuters in mind.

Balloon sculptors and clowns will ride the trains, while primary, secondary and tertiary students who use their student concession cards can win up to $500 cash in a lucky draw.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Showcase for rail specialists

EVERY other week, the North-East Line turns into a showcase for foreign transport officials and rail specialists keen to know how one of the world's first driverless heavy rail systems is run.

Close to 300 delegates from Canada, China, India, Japan and elsewhere have visited the fully-underground line over the past year.

Mr J.G. Kroon, managing director of Dutch transport giant GVB, said he was impressed by what SBS Transit achieved in the short time it was given to run the line, which 'belongs to the very best I have seen worldwide'.

In an e-mail to SBS Transit, he said: 'Part of this quality is made possible by the disciplined behaviour of your travellers, but there remains enough of your own doing.'

Mr Kroon, who visited the line last week with a group of government officials and directors of three Dutch transport companies, also said the line's experience will help GVB prepare for Amsterdam's fourth metro line, which is being built and is due to start running in 2012.

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 20 June 2004 1951 hrs

Commuters give one-year-old North East Line the thumbs up
By Derek Cher, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The North East Line turned one on Sunday, and commuters have given the island's youngest MRT service the thumbs-up.

Looking at the year ahead, SBS Transit says security will continue to be a concern.

It also says it may consider opening Buangkok station if the Government's sale of land there leads to major development.

There were some unusual commuters on the North East Line on Sunday -- balloon sculptors and clowns.

They spent the day travelling from station to station handing out souvenirs and putting a smile on the face of children.

Even though it is 25 percent more crowded on the NEL since it opened, many commuters had kind words for the operator.

"(The service so far) is very good. I think it's getting better and better," one said.

"We love the train service. The kids really like them. It's very convenient, so we're pretty happy with it," another said.

"We're happy because where we're staying just right downstairs is the MRT. So wherever we go, we don't have to take the bus," said a passenger.

In fact, NEL trains have been running smoothly 99.6 percent of the time -- way above the target set by the Land Transport Authority.

Even though the NEL's performance has exceeded expectations, its operator SBS Transit says safety and security remain a top priority.

The challenge is to continue training its staff to deal with any emergency situation that may arise.

"The system had been more reliable than what we hoped it would be," said Simon Lane, chief operating officer (rail business) at SBS Transit.

The aim is to maintain "our combat readiness to make sure that our staff are ready, to make sure that if there are faults and failures in our system, that our people are able to quickly deal with them and deal with them safely," he said.

There was also good news for those living around the Buangkok station that has yet to open.

The Government is hoping to sell the land adjacent to the station in the next few months, and if this leads to major residential development, SBS Transit says it will consider opening the station. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

was at kovan recently. first visit after the commencement of NEL.. really puzzled by the design of the station. why make us walk an S shape to get to the bus stop at the other side?! and it is not a short S. gotta walk almost a train's length.

dunno what they were thinking. as if there is no land for them to dig.

was at kovan recently. first visit after the commencement of NEL.. really puzzled by the design of the station. why make us walk an S shape to get to the bus stop at the other side?! and it is not a short S. gotta walk almost a train's length.

dunno what they were thinking. as if there is no land for them to dig.
:lol:

They want to use up as little land as possible on both sides of the station I recon, since one side has a mall, and the other will be for an upcoming condo?

Seems like the NEL(service between Hougang and Potong Pasir from 6.20pm to 8.10pm)encounter a breakdown of 2 hours yesterday(5/9/04):

http://www.zaobao.com/images/smzaobao.jpg
新闻：新加坡 2004-09-06

东北线停顿近两小时

东北地铁线介于后港站和波东巴西站之间的列车服务，昨天傍晚停顿了将近两小时，服务中断的原因还无法确定。

受影响的车站包括波东巴西、实龙岗、高文以及后港；东北地铁线的其他列车没有受到影响。

新捷运的文告说，昨天傍晚6时20分，后港站的列车服务开始中断。公司于是立刻调派巴士免费载送乘客往返文庆站和后港站。这段列车服务在晚上8时10分，随着实龙岗站及高文站重新开放后，才恢复川行。

在调查故障原因

新捷运还在调查列车服务发生故障的原因。任何受到影响的公众可在接下来的3天内，到东北地铁线的搭客服务柜台索取车资退款。

去年6月25日早上，东北地铁线通车后5天，首次发生系统故障，榜鹅站和盛港站之间列车服务停顿约90分钟之久，估计影响400名乘客。当时，盛港站南向列车服务也受影响，延误了15分钟。那次的系统故障，是由于一个通讯调制解调器（communication　modem）失灵而导致。

今年2月8日早上，由于实龙岗站的电流供应突然中断，导致列车无法继续开动，而使实龙岗站和榜鹅站之间的北向列车服务停顿了将近一小时，估计有250名乘客受影响。

hrmm singapore's mrt system seems to be suffering an unusual number of setbacks lately (not referring to the advert).

Seems like the NEL(service between Hougang and Potong Pasir from 6.20pm to 8.10pm)encounter a breakdown of 2 hours yesterday(5/9/04):

http://www.zaobao.com/images/smzaobao.jpg
新闻：新加坡 2004-09-06

东北线停顿近两小时

东北地铁线介于后港站和波东巴西站之间的列车服务，昨天傍晚停顿了将近两小时，服务中断的原因还无法确定。

受影响的车站包括波东巴西、实龙岗、高文以及后港；东北地铁线的其他列车没有受到影响。

新捷运的文告说，昨天傍晚6时20分，后港站的列车服务开始中断。公司于是立刻调派巴士免费载送乘客往返文庆站和后港站。这段列车服务在晚上8时10分，随着实龙岗站及高文站重新开放后，才恢复川行。

在调查故障原因

新捷运还在调查列车服务发生故障的原因。任何受到影响的公众可在接下来的3天内，到东北地铁线的搭客服务柜台索取车资退款。

去年6月25日早上，东北地铁线通车后5天，首次发生系统故障，榜鹅站和盛港站之间列车服务停顿约90分钟之久，估计影响400名乘客。当时，盛港站南向列车服务也受影响，延误了15分钟。那次的系统故障，是由于一个通讯调制解调器（communication　modem）失灵而导致。

今年2月8日早上，由于实龙岗站的电流供应突然中断，导致列车无法继续开动，而使实龙岗站和榜鹅站之间的北向列车服务停顿了将近一小时，估计有250名乘客受影响。
Wah luckily I was at home snoozing!!! I usually take the NEL at about 17:30 to 18:00!

Did they turn off the lights in the tunnel?? Seems quite dark when i took NEL recently......:yes:

I think i noticed today that they turn off the NE3 Outram Park Ceiling Light

NEL security measures ensure safe travel

26 Jul 05

WE WOULD like to assure Mr Alvin Lim ('Vital to have MRT staff on board all trains'; ST, July 12) that though North-East Line trains are driverless, measures are in place to ensure passengers can contact our staff for assistance.

We have roving customer service officers patrolling all the trains during peak periods and in half of all trains during non-peak periods. They also monitor boarding as well as provide assistance to passengers on board.

All our trains are installed with CCTV cameras. There are 14 in each train, with two internal cameras in each carriage and one external camera at each end of the train. The cameras allow staff at the Operations Control Centre (OCC) to monitor what is happening in the trains. Public announcements would be made when required.

A safety video that is played frequently in our NEL trains shows what passengers can do in an emergency and during evacuation.

In the event of an emergency, passengers can communicate with our staff at the OCC through the passenger intercom, of which there are 24 in each train, located beside the exit doors.

If there is a need to evacuate, the customer service officer on board will guide passengers to the nearest emergency exit. Passengers can also open the emergency doors by following the instructions on the doors at both ends of each train. Directional signs in the tunnel will be lighted to guide passengers on the direction to evacuate.

Tammy Tan (Ms)
Director
Corporate Communications
SBS Transit

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.

The eight white elephants are very cute.

If they still don't want to open the station, they should at least rename Buangkok Station to "White Elephant Station" :hahaha:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/165384/1/.html

Residents bring up 'white elephant' Buangkok Station during minister's visit
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia


SINGAPORE : Punggol South residents have tried again to get Buangkok MRT Station opened -- in not so many words, but the message was just as clear.

Eight white elephants were erected at the station to indicate just what they thought the MRT station is now.

They did this during Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan's visit to the area on Sunday.

At the start of his visit, Dr Balakrishnan got to see how Punggol South, which used to be a fishing village, has grown to become an urban, modern town.

Sungei Serangoon, formerly the lifeline of fishermen here, now sees more water sports such as canoeing and kayaking.

Then it was off to four more stops where the minister got to meet residents.

But along the way was an unexpected sight -- eight white cardboard elephants in various poses lined the road that leads to Buangkok MRT station.

And the message was not lost on the minister.

Said Dr Balakrishnan, "I saw eight white elephants on the roadside leading up to the station. I think there's a message which some residents wanted to send to me. I thought since I'm there I might as well take a look at the station."

The issue of Buangkok Station was also brought up at a dialogue with residents later.

Said Dr Balakrishnan, "Let me say that your message is taken, you don't need to convince me. I understand your wish to have the station open, I understand your frustration -- the thing is ready and yet the gate is not open but the PM has said two or three years, Mr Yeo Cheow Tong has said that once you have 2,000 units. It's just a matter of time."

MP for the area Charles Chong said that complaints from residents tapered off in 2003, but flared up again recently when the transport fare hike was announced.

Said Mr Chong, "The bus fare went up, ERP gantries went up -- it sort of resurrected a lot of their frustrations … Every day when they see the site and not being able to use it and incurring higher transport costs for a station that's further away, I think this has irritated quite a lot of them."

Mr Chong plans to bring up the issue again when parliament sits next month.

He said, "I think the PM has already said when he opened the NE line that the station will be opened within two to three years. This month is already two years. I think that next month when parliament sits I will file a question again on when the station will be opened. And if they can't give us a firm date of when it will be open, then they should give us reasons that we have not heard before."

Buangkok Station has always been a bone of contention for residents here.

Completed in 2003, it is still not operational, the reason being that there are not enough commercial or residential developments within 400 metres of the area.

Other issues that residents brought up include post-secondary education for all students, under the plan mapped out by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally.

Dr Balakrishnan said the focus now on polytechnics and ITEs is a signal that there is hope for all Singaporeans to advance in many different ways.

Said Dr Balakrishnan, "What we are most worried about is students who drop out of school, and then they have nothing to do, hang around the void decks and get engaged in undesirable activities and their future is lost . Everybody, everybody must go beyond secondary schools. If your have dropped out now, please look for ways to get back into schools and come to the MPs and community and we will get you reintegrate into the education system."

He urged students to seize the various opportunities available to go to university as well. - CNA /ct

i agree. amusing protests should occur more often

I think this is suppose to be here although this is a very old thread.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269807_10151258060387040_1105311515_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269807_10151258060387040_1105311515_n.jpg

source: TODAY (www.todayonline.com)

I think this is suppose to be here although this is a very old thread.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269807_10151258060387040_1105311515_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269807_10151258060387040_1105311515_n.jpg

source: TODAY (www.todayonline.com)

Wasn't this reported in Zaobao about a month ago?

Wasn't this reported in Zaobao about a month ago?

I'm Malay, why would I read Zaobao? Besides, news is news, no matter what.

A small disruption on the NEL this morning.


NEL train services experience disruption
Posted: 12 November 2012 1135 hrs

SINGAPORE: Train services on the Northeast Line have resumed after a delay due to a train fault on Monday morning.

According to commuters' tweets, there was a delay of more than 15 minutes.

SBS Transit posted an alert at 10.31am on its website to inform commuters of the train delay.

At 10.56am, a second alert was posted, saying regular services had resumed.

- CNA/xq


source: CNA (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1236668/1/.html)

Derp. So that's what my friend on Facebook was talking about this morning.

News on the disruption that occurred on NEL.


Train service disrupted on NEL due to train fault
Posted: 20 December 2012 1658 hrs

SINGAPORE: Services on the North East Line (NEL) have been delayed due to a train fault on Thursday.

A statement from SBS Transit said there is no service between Punggol and Little India due to a train fault.

Free bus rides are available at designated bus stops near affected NEL stations.

Train service from HarbourFront to Punggol has resumed, but repairs continue for affected stations from Punggol to Little India.

SBS Transit has apologised for the inconvenience caused.

A caller to the MediaCorp hotline said a train had apparently broken down.

Another commuter said she had been stuck in the train for about 30 minutes.

- CNA/xq


source: CNA (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1243747/1/.html)


Train service on NEL resumes after disruption
Posted: 20 December 2012 1738 hrs

SINGAPORE: Services on the North East Line (NEL) have resumed after a disruption due to train fault.

SBS Transit said full operations resumed at 5.18pm on Thursday.

Earlier, a statement from SBS Transit said there was no service between Punggol and Little India.

Free bus rides were made available at designated bus stops near affected NEL stations.

SBS Transit has apologised for the inconvenience caused.

A caller to the MediaCorp hotline said a train had apparently broken down.

Another commuter said she had been stuck in the train for about 30 minutes.

- CNA/xq


source: CNA (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1243751/1/.html)

News on the disruption on TODAY.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406631_10151344530047040_70300430_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406631_10151344530047040_70300430_n.jpg

source: TODAY (www.todayonline.com)

News on TODAY regarding the disruption.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/603107_10151380172402040_1845638449_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/603107_10151380172402040_1845638449_n.jpg

source: TODAY (www.todayonline.com)[/QUOTE]

Same news from mypaper.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394795_10151380172822040_1822451735_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394795_10151380172822040_1822451735_n.jpg

source: mypaper (mypaper.sg)

this thread is the de-facto NEL breakdown tracker :lol:

Forever the HarbourFront - Outram Park tunnel...

Again and again and again and...

There should be a contingency plan to allow NEL trains to use one side of the HBF-OTP tunnel everytime the other side fails. Easier said then done, I know.

Bus services from Dhoby Ghaut (the nearest crossover) can ferry people to Outram Park. But taking a bus from Outram Park to HarbourFront is impractical (I think, I don't know the routes). So a train can still serve limited service towards the terminal.

We really need a CCL6. For a major mall and tourist attraction, it's only served by a branch of the CCL in the west and a lone linkage through NEL. It's ironic that Singapore's biggest mall is linked to the CBD by a single lone purple line.

You are right, Outram Park and Harbourfront are further apart by road (bus). Buses have to travel along Eu Tong Seng St, Kampong Bahru Road via Keppel Distripark, Lower Delta Rd and then Telok Blangah Rd towards Vivocity. The route is littered with tons of traffic lights, junctions, and susceptible to jams.

Latest update. NEL will be extended by 2 KM for one more station to Punggol North.

^^ I feel it is a replacement for the cancelled LRT North Loop.

Either a replacement or a complement. We just have to wait and see.

One observation is that the line seems to swerve eastwards from Punggol, while we all know that the existing line actually swerve westwards. That will mean that LTA may dig up the the ground again to demolish the existing tunnels, and connect the extension to Punggol Station.

That is if these western tunnels exist. I wonder how they are going to tunnel north with the mess of LRT viaducts in the way.

All in all, a NE18 is welcomed for easier access to Punggol Downtown. (and whoever choose Punggol North as the station name will have thousands of Nyan cats sent to their house)

...what?

I think Sengkang residents will be cursing and swearing as the extension and the connectivity may result in crowded trains by the time they arrive at Sengkang much like the situation at Simei. But considering that Punggol will have 100,000 homes it will happen extension or not, but taking northbound trains to turnaround will take a lot more time. Well anyway that will be in 2030, 17 yrs later...

Trains are mostly packed by the time it reaches Kovan. With the population of Punggol increasing over the years, CRL should hopefully snare passengers bound for Serangoon and relieve NEL.

...what?

Just saying Punggol North stations sounds...funny.

I am still not used to NorthEastSouthWest as station names, I guess.

News from TODAY.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/734373_10151391491552040_1823080096_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/734373_10151391491552040_1823080096_n.jpg

source: TODAY (www.todayonline.com)

Same news from mypaper.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394795_10151380172822040_1822451735_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394795_10151380172822040_1822451735_n.jpg

source: mypaper (mypaper.sg)

Quite a sight. Quite a sight.

Trains are mostly packed by the time it reaches Kovan. With the population of Punggol increasing over the years, CRL should hopefully snare passengers bound for Serangoon and relieve NEL.



Just saying Punggol North stations sounds...funny.

I am still not used to NorthEastSouthWest as station names, I guess.

CRL doesn't go to the city centre...

Passengers bound for Serangoon = transferring at CCL. CRL could relieve current travellers on CCL bound for Central and Western Singapore.

To be real honest, the NEL is hardly at the point where it needs alleviating.

In 2030, there will be a real need for NEL to be alleviated with Punggol North and Punggol being developed estates.

In 2030, there will be a real need for NEL to be alleviated with Punggol North and Punggol being developed estates.
That's only true to a small extent. Aside from a rail link to northern Singapore, the rail infrastructure and connections planned for the NEL corridor is perhaps second to none. Strategically, the CCL and CRL targets the NEL's higher catchments at Hougang and Punggol, alleviating traffic from the source. Even Tampines and Jurong East will not have that level of rail links to the city and the different regions, and at such a convenience.

In 2030, there will be a real need for NEL to be alleviated with Punggol North and Punggol being developed estates.

Let's not forget the upcoming Woodleigh Estate

Based on the map in Land Use Plan released by MND, the NEL extended from punggol station where it first bend westward (current overrun track) and before bending back eastward and terminate just before the linkway toward Coney Island, where a plot (in blue) is reserved for commercial use.

Punggol North station should be located in the red circle below.

http://i47.tinypic.com/212y8gh.jpg

Punggol North station should be located in the red circle below.



according to the URA land use plan, i think it should be slightly closer to the link to coney island instead, something like this (circled in blue):

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/14936_10200113909746079_95587230_n.jpg

Interesting that North East Line is going to curving towards the east... Perhaps a further extension to Coney Island might even be built in the far future

Coney Island will not be touched by rail nor road. URA/National Parks has also released a plan for it. :)

http://i49.tinypic.com/20uo61l.jpg

Coney Island Park, located on the north-eastern half of Coney Island, will be kept as rustic as possible. It forms part of the greenery provision for Punggol and will be developed by 2015.

To retain its existing ecology, Coney Island Park will be vehicle-free and built with facilities that are sensitive to the natural environment. These will offer park users a back-to-nature experience in an urban landscape.

As for the NEL diagram, was just circling a portion close to it for reference.

I believe that Coney Island will still need roads (perhaps in a form of wider paths), at the very least for services purposes (e.g. sanitation, maintenance, etc.)

Coney Island will not be touched by rail nor road. URA/National Parks has also released a plan for it. :)

http://i49.tinypic.com/20uo61l.jpg

Coney Island Park, located on the north-eastern half of Coney Island, will be kept as rustic as possible. It forms part of the greenery provision for Punggol and will be developed by 2015.

To retain its existing ecology, Coney Island Park will be vehicle-free and built with facilities that are sensitive to the natural environment. These will offer park users a back-to-nature experience in an urban landscape.

As for the NEL diagram, was just circling a portion close to it for reference.

I think the article meant that Coney Island PARK itself will have no roads within (as opposed to Botanic Gardens now), but there will still be roads on Coney Island as shown in the plan shown above in black. Hahah. In fact the black portions should eventually be developed into waterfront housing if we are to follow the new land use plan.

Oops I really need to read better.

The Land Use Plan depicts the southern portion as a reserved site, so probably not residential.

News on the findings on the disruptions in August 2012 & January 2013.


LTA, SBS Transit experts to look at ways to strengthen NEL
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 15 February 2013 1151 hrs

SINGAPORE: A joint team of experts from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and operator SBS Transit will look at more ways to strengthen the overall North East Line (NEL), following recent disruptions.

The cause of the two major breakdowns on the North East Line in August last year and this January were due to corrosion of the bolts supporting the power line.

A joint team of experts from LTA and SBS Transit revealed the findings on Friday during a visit by Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew to the Sengkang depot.

Plans are underway to make the line more robust by the middle of next year.

Trains on the North East Line receive power from the overhead power line. Components such as U-bolts and Balance Weight Anchor wires help to keep the power line taut and in place.

The power supply gets disrupted should any of the components fail.

And that was what happened in March and August last year as well as January this year -- when either of the components failed.

One common cause of all three incidents was corrosive agents found between the HarbourFront and Outram Park stations.

The March incident was due to chloride from tunnel water seepage which contributed to the failure of the wires, while chloramines were the corrosive agents that caused the failure of the U-bolts in the August and January incidents.

Preliminary tests concluded that chlorine and traces of ammonia were found at the stretch of the tunnel. Further tests will be conducted to locate the source of these corrosive agents.

The joint team, however, believes there is no indication to suggest that this is a system-wide problem.

There are plans to replace the material used for the components -- for example, the bolts within the NEL system will be replaced, and Mr Lui said the type of bolts will be decided on by the end of the year.

Mr Lui stressed: "You want to be able to have more graceful degradation, you want to have time to be able to pick it up, stop the service, do a quick repair so that you can bring up the service safely and as quickly as possible.

"We hope to be able to make a decision on this before the end of the year, on what is the most suitable material, given the environment that we have because you don't want to change it to something else that will give you different problems.

"So you need to have a proper consultancy, a much deeper understanding of the methodological plus gaseous interactions and then make a decision on what is the most appropriate step or measures that we need to take."

In the meantime, the operator will continue maintaining the system with the old bolts.

SBS Transit has started replacing all the 1,600 U-bolts along the stretch of the tunnel between HarbourFront and Outram Park stations. Half of the bolts have been changed out, while the remaining 800 will be replaced by mid-April this year.

All the Balance Weight Anchor wires within the system will also be replaced with a new material, once the study for this is completed in May this year. The replacement programme will be completed by mid-2014. SBS Transit has been paying for all the replacement work so far.

An independent consultant will also be engaged to conduct a comprehensive review to enhance the maintenance and recovery procedures. The study is also slated for completion by the middle of next year.

Mr Lui said SBS Transit will also work at reducing the number of faulty trains pulled out of service.

To facilitate this, the rail operator will bring in 25 per cent more staff to work on the operations and maintenance of the North East Line and Light Rail Transit, by the end of the year.

The transport minister said he had also asked the Fare Review Mechanism Committee to submit its report by the end of May.

He had also asked the committee to study the feasibility of fare concessions for certain groups, such as the disabled and polytechnic students.

- CNA/ck/al


source: CNA (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1254413/1/.html)

They should just perhaps convert the North-East Line to third rail. Difficult, yes. Impossible, no. This has been done before in other countries.

Which is more reliable anyway? Especially since SBS has been running NEL pretty well in the recent years with disruptions localized to the HarbourFront end.

They should just perhaps convert the North-East Line to third rail. Difficult, yes. Impossible, no. This has been done before in other countries.
The question would be, why? Third rail isn't significantly more reliable than overhead catenary. In fact, overhead catenary is more cost effective over the long run. So far, the causes of disruption on the North East Line, while disruptive, is mostly due to a single minor issue - the loosening of the wires leading to a break in the power supplied to the train. And that's no reason nor justification to switch to third rail.

Overhead catenary systems have proven track records worldwide, including electrified railways, in Japan, Europe, Australia and America. Most of the systems are in fact a lot more exposed to the elements. The problem I guess arose from the materials used.

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/letter-informs-ubin-residents-possible-resettlement-20130412

Perhaps the NELe's new orientation make sense..

http://i48.tinypic.com/2us8rop.jpg

Looks like Ubin's fate is sealed. Maybe 10 more years and it will turn into yet another plastic nightmare.

Looks like Govt is really determined to squeeze money from each piece of land...

Erm... http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/no-plans-evict-pulau-ubin-residents-sla-040733499.html

Can stop embellishing on old news?

Sorry, that ST article was my last update on the matter.