The BIG Breakdown or Meltdown

[snowman.022851697]

well let me share my 2 cents here


Singaporeans take public transport for granted. Whenever we board a bus or train, we expect them to take you to your destination fast.

I've been on both the Nanjing Metro and Nanjing's buses. I have to admit that the standard of their trains is comparable to Singapore. Their buses, however, are not. SMRT Buses have the passenger information system on every bus. How come no one notices? And I believe audio announcements for buses aren't feasible given our bus stop naming. Imagine \"Next Station, Before Lamp Post 42?\" What kind of an announcement is that?

Also, for buses, would you rather have
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262343_241294262562892_100000469613406_1081364_7031794_n.jpg
OR

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320x320/403102_339112502781067_100000469613406_1473931_497138896_n.jpg

Also, I'd like to say that Singaporeans complain FAR TOO MUCH. We complained when the MRT broke down. That is reasonable. I went down myself to check out the situation. This was what I saw:

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393194_339128466112804_100000469613406_1473984_595270025_n.jpg

Which could be far better, but I'd like to say that it isn't all an oversight on SMRT. I think we'd have to understand that SMRT operates buses too. I was on one of those buses and the timetable showed \"67AM15\", which indicated that it had been pulled over from service 67. Can you imagine the shock the driver would've received when he was suddenly instructed to drive a route that he had probably never driven in his life?

There was also this giant traffic jam along Orchard Rd and Scotts Rd due to Christmas shopping. Obviously this isn't something SMRT can control and obviously it'd have an effect on the frequency.

Also, I'd like to say that Singaporeans can come up with a LOT of creative ideas. Like having a motor that can run itself when the collector shoes break. Firstly, with 1 motor for each train, the train wouldn't even be able to accelerate. When your MRT pulls out from the station, every carriage has a motor powering. Even if 1 of those motors is switched off, there will be a significant loss in pickup. Also, the security system will prevent the motor from working due to low voltage since the collector shoes screwed up. If you'd ever been stuck in one of those trains that stopped between stations, that's what happened. Due to low voltage, the security system tripped and the train applied emergency brakes. There's no way to override the security system unless you use Restricted Manual mode, but there's no power so it can't be done there WAS backup power, but the point is that the batteries ran out. So please do your necessary research before suggesting ideas, and please, tell us how it would be implemented too.

I'm going to wait for the LTA's official report since there's not enough evidence to point to anything. By the way, the slabs are below the tracks themselves. Are they going to rip off the track everyday to check the slabs and put it back in less than 3.5 hours?

Oh for more information, my fellow transport enthusiasts and I have created a Facebook page to answer public transport queries but since advertising isn't allowed here I won't post it

[hquek]

Thanks snowman.697. It’s always interesting to hear about the technical stuff that few bother to clarify. I’ll know not to gripe so much, but still, I’m going to pray for smooth journey each time I get onto a train now.


Was in Paris recently and was impressed that at every bus stop (okay, I only saw those in the city centre), they have information on when the next, and next next, bus is coming. This is something we are still in the midst of implementing. But then, each bus stop has only like 3/4 buses stopping, that could be easier to have done.

[Way2GO]

snowman.697:

well let me share my 2 cents here


Singaporeans take public transport for granted. Whenever we board a bus or train, we expect them to take you to your destination fast.

I've been on both the Nanjing Metro and Nanjing's buses. I have to admit that the standard of their trains is comparable to Singapore. Their buses, however, are not. SMRT Buses have the passenger information system on every bus. How come no one notices? And I believe audio announcements for buses aren't feasible given our bus stop naming. Imagine \"Next Station, Before Lamp Post 42?\" What kind of an announcement is that?

Also, for buses, would you rather have
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262343_241294262562892_100000469613406_1081364_7031794_n.jpg
OR

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320x320/403102_339112502781067_100000469613406_1473931_497138896_n.jpg

Also, I'd like to say that Singaporeans complain FAR TOO MUCH. We complained when the MRT broke down. That is reasonable. I went down myself to check out the situation. This was what I saw:

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393194_339128466112804_100000469613406_1473984_595270025_n.jpg

Which could be far better, but I'd like to say that it isn't all an oversight on SMRT. I think we'd have to understand that SMRT operates buses too. I was on one of those buses and the timetable showed \"67AM15\", which indicated that it had been pulled over from service 67. Can you imagine the shock the driver would've received when he was suddenly instructed to drive a route that he had probably never driven in his life?

There was also this giant traffic jam along Orchard Rd and Scotts Rd due to Christmas shopping. Obviously this isn't something SMRT can control and obviously it'd have an effect on the frequency.

Also, I'd like to say that Singaporeans can come up with a LOT of creative ideas. Like having a motor that can run itself when the collector shoes break. Firstly, with 1 motor for each train, the train wouldn't even be able to accelerate. When your MRT pulls out from the station, every carriage has a motor powering. Even if 1 of those motors is switched off, there will be a significant loss in pickup. Also, the security system will prevent the motor from working due to low voltage since the collector shoes screwed up. If you'd ever been stuck in one of those trains that stopped between stations, that's what happened. Due to low voltage, the security system tripped and the train applied emergency brakes. There's no way to override the security system unless you use Restricted Manual mode, but there's no power so it can't be done there WAS backup power, but the point is that the batteries ran out. So please do your necessary research before suggesting ideas, and please, tell us how it would be implemented too.

An emergency power backup does no good if it fails during an emergency. Dis clearly demonstrates maintenance failure. Do you know how often SMRT check n test dis backup? IMV, it is an oft neglected aspect of operation.

I'm going to wait for the LTA's official report since there's not enough evidence to point to anything. By the way, the slabs are below the tracks themselves. Are they going to rip off the track everyday to check the slabs and put it back in less than 3.5 hours?
There has to be a better way than ripping off d tracks to check d slabs. What is SMRT current practice? These slabs r d ones on d 3rd power rail? If d slabs r misaligned n damaged d collector shoes, couldn't d slab misalignment be inferred from d damaged collector shoes?Just trying to get a better understanding here.

Oh for more information, my fellow transport enthusiasts and I have created a Facebook page to answer public transport queries but since advertising isn't allowed here I won't post it

[Chenonceau]

We are lucky that there has been no loss of life. Some mechanical failures do lead to fatalities. If there had been fatality we would not so easily say that Singaporeans love to complain and make technical excuses for poor performance. My opinion is not to wait for loss of life before calling SMRT to accountability. We can’t go through life making excuses for each other just because we fear being called a nation of complainers.


It is inexcusable that there had been no plans for infrastructure upgrades and new train purchases until after the elections. It is inexcusable that we have so little redundancy in routes. This is profit efficient… not commuter efficient. Someone gains but the nation loses because the reputation we have for efficient transportation is under fire.

The issue goes beyond whose fault it is. We are optimising tangible profits at the cost of something else less tangible but infinitely more valuable than someone’s bonus and shareholder value.

[Edureach]

SMRT must learn from SAF, our three formations all hve a detailed maintainance programme in particular our air force n navy. When one talks about contigency plans, SAF has the solutions.


Maybe our deputy pm or transport minister can appoint someone who fully understands operational readiness to head the organisation once the current problems hve been addressed.

Strictly speaking, for an organisation that requires an efficient maintenance programme on top of operational readiness at all times, i think a guy on the top job is more suitable.

[kiddo]

verykiasu2010:

\"privatisation\" without competition in the market is not privatisation

profit maximisiation without keeping to maintenance standards is management failure
just like an airline / airplane, compromise in safety checks and maintenance will end up paying a high cost one day, sooner or later
obviously the SMRT's \"daily check\" on the track / rail is simply going through the motion without thinking, looking at the thing with eyes shut. As Minister $$ said, such items' wear and tear don't happen over night. And as reported, there was no check on the slab in the last 10 years !!!! If they could discover in one night so much damages, how come they did not discover them in the daily check every night for the past how many years/months?
Those claws and power line cover damages don't happen over night
Since it was possible to go into their depot to deface the train, anything is possible
It is absolute management failure

VK - I hate to have to agree with you
The next thing I am wooried about is the inexperience
of the SMRT team.....do they understand what is \"derail\"?
if the tracks are dying for a major overhaul :sad:

[Chenonceau]

Edureach:

SMRT must learn from SAF, our three formations all hve a detailed maintainance programme in particular our air force n navy. When one talks about contigency plans, SAF has the solutions.


Maybe our deputy pm or transport minister can appoint someone who fully understands operational readiness to head the organisation once the current problems hve been addressed.

Strictly speaking, for an organisation that requires an efficient maintenance programme on top of operational readiness at all times, i think a guy on the top job is more suitable.

When I saw how SBS Transit was after privatisation, maintenance budget still was cut. Fellow in charge was a GUY leh... After noting the malaise in BOTH transport and education ministries, I seriously wonder if the defence ministry has weaknesses no one knows about because we have not yet been to war.

I think our nation's problem is pride. We are so proud of what we have achieved that we now fail to see that we are NO LONGER that wonderful. Nothing to do with male or female CEO. We're just so enamoured of our past success we're no longer looking in front of us.

Whatever possessed whomever it was who appointed SPH, that he/she would believe that a CEO of a retail organisation (strong in sales service) could run an organisation that relies so heavily on technology.

THAT is the fellow who deserves a good rap.

[Chenonceau]

kiddo:

verykiasu2010:

\"privatisation\" without competition in the market is not privatisation

VK - I hate to have to agree with you

Me too... I hate to have to agree with you. :rotflmao:

[Oppsgal]

buds:

In train now with my 3 children. Hope no hiccups while we're in it.

Good luck.

[Edureach]

Running an organisation that’s centered on providing customers with a good experience whether in retail, consumer banking, private banking is entirely different from one which is centered on operational readiness and safety.


Still prefer the next ceo of smrt to be one with a military background.