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Tag: Land Transport Authority

  • SMRT: Charters Are Not Without Precedent

    SMRT: Charters Are Not Without Precedent

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    Hi everyone,

    We would like to update all of you on our decision to deploy Circle Line trains for Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) on Tuesday.

    Five Circle Line trains were assigned to transport some 3,000 ACS(I) students for a one-way journey from one-north MRT station to Stadium MRT station. We are grateful that the school informed us beforehand as it gave us time to make the operational scheduling decisions that minimized inconvenience to other commuters along the line. When the request was surfaced for decision, the key considerations were operational, and whether we could support it with minimal impact to other commuters. Given the advance notice, staff were able to work with the school to move the thousands of students along the Circle Line in a smooth, timely and efficient manner even while stations along the line remained open to other commuters.

    We were able to insert five trains to support this request because it was planned during the off-peak period. The nature of operations in CCL is such that while the current train fleet is insufficient to meet commuter demands during morning and evening peak periods, the overall average train capacity utilized throughout the day is only 20%-30%. There is excess capacity during off-peak hours such that as part of our daily schedule, we are able to withdraw some trains from service because of low passenger loadings. The 5 trains inserted on 26 August were part of the trains withdrawn during off-peak hours.

    We are pleased to note that normal Circle Line train services ran smoothly throughout the transit. The story may have been different had 3,000 students descended on the Circle Line with no prior notice at the same time without crowd control measures in place, catching commuters and our station staff by surprise. Prior notice by ACS(I) allowed SMRT to put in place crowd control measures at the two stations as both the school and the destination were close to MRT stations.

    The response from the students was terrific. Read their responses here in this video: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/smrt-may-face-lta-sanctions-allowing-use-trains-private-use-without-a

    The charters are not without precedent. Tens of thousands of students from many schools have experienced similar charters done in support of National Education shows in recent years – all moved efficiently and safely and without fuss. No permission was sought from LTA in these charters.

    We encourage more schools in the neighbourhoods located close to MRT stations to consider such charters, during off-peak periods, should they see a need to move a large number of students along our network. All things considered, we feel the effort was genuine and worthwhile as it transported a large number of students efficiently and safely.

    Going forward, we will keep the relevant agencies updated on such arrangements.

    We will review such requests on a case-by-case basis to assess how we can best meet people-mover needs, while ensuring the safety and reliability of travel on SMRT Trains.

    Best regards,

    Lee Ling Wee
    Managing Director, SMRT Trains

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  • LTA May Take Action Against SMRT for Allowing ACS (I) to Five Charter MRT Trains Without Approval

    LTA May Take Action Against SMRT for Allowing ACS (I) to Five Charter MRT Trains Without Approval

    SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is looking at taking “appropriate action” against SMRT after Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) chartered five MRT trains to transport students and teachers to a rugby match on Tuesday (Aug 26).

    MediaCorp’s 938 Live reports that more than 3,000 students, staff and other supporters such as parents and alumni match were to be ferried to the match in time for its 4pm kick-off. The hired trains travelled from One-North station to Stadium MRT station at seven-minute intervals.

    LTA said SMRT did not seek its approval before agreeing to provide the service to ACS(I). “Under the Circle Line licence, SMRT has to seek LTA’s prior approval for the provision of train services that are not open to the general commuting public,” LTA said in a statement.

    LTA said it has also reminded SMRT that its primary focus must be to ensure good service delivery to the commuting public at large.

    The ACS(I) principal had explained that chartering trains was more convenient than hiring 80 buses for the same price. Still, the resulting photos of trains flooded with a sea of yellow shirts and the sight of the school motto “The best is yet to be” flashing on LED signs on board set tongues wagging on social media.

    The ACS boys beat St Andrew’s Secondary School 28-8 in the National C Division Rugby final.

    Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/acs-i-rugby-train-ing-lta/1331292.html

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  • Singapore and Johor Set To Increase Entry Fees

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    JOHOR BARU: Consumers can expect a hike in the delivery charges by local freight forwarding companies to Singapore following the city-state’s decision to increase the Vehicle Goods Vehicle Permit (GVP) fee next month.

    Federation of Malaysia Freight Forwarders (FMFF) president Alvin Chua said forwarding companies would not absorb the fee hike.

    “The huge increase will have a significant impact on our members’ operating costs,” he said, adding that the additional cost of S$30 (RM77) would be added to the overall transportation fee next month. FMFF has about 1,100 members nationwide.

    He said local companies exporting their goods to Singapore, however, could opt to revise their rates by striking a deal with companies in Singapore.

    “I think it is fair that we charge it back to them (Singapore companies) as the increase in the GVP fees was imposed by their government.”

    On Tuesday, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority had announced that effective Aug 1, the GVP fee would be raised by 300 per cent from S$10 (RM25.70) to S$40 (RM102.80) a month while the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee by more than 50 per cent from S$20 (RM51.40) to S$35 (RM90) a day.

    With the hike, operators of more than 3,000 lorries entering Singapore via both checkpoints in Johor will have to spend a total of S$1.44 million (RM3.7 million) a year for the GVP fee alone.

    However, the hike will not affect buses, taxis or foreign-registered motorcycles, which are charged at S$4 (RM10.28) per day.

    Johor Sand and Granite Lorry Operators Association president Chia Jee Onn said the hike would have affect customers as the operating cost would also be raised.

    “Customers can expect lorry operators to increase their charges because the GVP fee hike is significant. We can’t absorb such a high increase.”

    He estimated more than 3,000 lorries from Malaysia entering Singapore daily to deliver all sorts of goods, from granite and building materials to electronic goods and finished products from factories.

    “We have yet to calculate how much the (operating) cost would increase. We need about two weeks to get the response from our members.”

    On Tuesday night, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said all parties must respect and accept the decision by the Singapore government.

    He said the state government had submitted a proposal to the federal government for the introduction of a charge to every Singapore-registered vehicle entering Johor Baru through the Causeway or the Second Link Highway five months ago.

    It was proposed that an entry charge of RM20 is imposed, of which RM5 is for road maintenance purposes.

    “We are still waiting for a decision. We hope the federal government will expedite the decision on this,” said Khaled, while dismissing that it was a retaliatory move by the state government.

    In Sepang, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Johor government’s proposal would be considered and a thorough study done.

    “It is not something that could be implemented immediately as Malaysia has many entry points.

    “The proposal must be studied carefully and properly especially on the implementation method.”
    Source: New Straits Times

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