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Tag: SMRT

  • Desmond Kuek: Spate Of Train Disruptions Underscores Need For Continued Vigilance And Maintenance

    Desmond Kuek: Spate Of Train Disruptions Underscores Need For Continued Vigilance And Maintenance

    The recent spate of train disruptions underscores the need for SMRT to keep up its vigilance and maintenance efforts, said its President and Group CEO Desmond Kuek.

    Mr Kuek was speaking at a media conference on Friday morning (Mar 6), following a series of train disruptions.

    The most recent were on Tuesday, where two disruptions during the morning and evening rush hour along the Circle Line and East West Line, respectively, brought trains to a stop. SMRT issued an apology for the disruptions later that day.

    Mr Kuek said that there has been steady progress made in enhancing rail reliability over the past few years. The number of train withdrawals for every 100,000 kilometres dropped from 3.3 in 2012 to 2.2 in 2013, and a low of 1.05 last year, he said.

    With new systems are brought in and ageing systems are renewed, the train operator has also expanded its engineering and technical staff, and is looking to recruit more over the coming three years, he added.

    By 2018, the number of SMRT engineers and technicians is expected to grow by 39 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively. This is to meet with an “expanded network and higher operating standards”, the rail operator said in a press release on Friday.

    INITIATIVES TO STRENGTHEN RAIL RELIABILITY 

    Over the next two years, a total of 45 new trains will progressively be added to the North-South and East-West Lines, while the Circle Line will have 24 more new trains. Thirteen new trains will also be added to the Bukit Panjang LRT system, SMRT said.

    According to SMRT, a new fleet of trains will be introduced in 2018 to address components such as doors and brakes that have been the primary cause of delays owing to train faults. Design studies will be completed this year, followed by the testing of a prototype in 2016 and the systematic upgrading of the train fleet thereafter, the rail operator added.

    To reduce track faults on the East-West Line, SMRT said it will commence re-sleepering works starting April this year and the track renewal is set to complete by 2017. The re-sleepering works on the North-South line are close to completion, and commuters can expect a smoother ride from next month as the speed restrictions are progressively lifted, SMRT said.

    SMRT also said a new signalling system will be installed to increase train frequency, leading to reduced waiting time and congestion on station platforms and trains. It is expected to be fully operational on the North-South Line by 2016 and on the East-West Line by 2018.

    INCIDENTS A REMINDER THAT THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE: LTA

    Responding to the SMRT statement later on Friday, a Land Transport Authority (LTA) spokesman said the agency “fully empathises with commuters’ frustrations over the recent spate of service disruptions on the SMRT rail network”. The LTA is working with SMRT on remedial actions to improve the situation, the spokesman added.

    While pointing out that SMRT has made improvements to strengthen its maintenance regime, the LTA spokesman said that the incidents in the past weeks “are a reminder that there is more to be done”. LTA said that it will work with SMRT to review SMRT’s management of resources and processes relating to the maintenance of the rail system to “identify areas for improvement”.

    The LTA said it will also work with SMRT to improve its recovery processes, and will require SMRT “to deploy additional staff and resources to facilitate faster service recovery, crowd management and information dissemination. For instance, more service ambassadors will be deployed to better assist commuters in the event of a service disruption”.

    This report was edited at Mar 6, 4.45pm, after SMRT and LTA clarified that the number of train withdrawals for every 100,000km was 1.05 in 2014, not 1.0 as SMRT announced at their morning press conference.

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • German Vandals Sentence To Nine Months Jail And Three Strokes Of Cane

    German Vandals Sentence To Nine Months Jail And Three Strokes Of Cane

    SThe two Germans who trespassed on Bishan Depot last year to scrawl graffiti on an SMRT train have each been sentenced to nine months’ jail and three strokes of the cane.

    Andreas Von Knorres, 22, and Elton Hinz, 21, each pleaded guilty yesterday to two charges of unauthorised entry into the depot, as well as to a third charge of vandalising the train.

    In announcing the sentencing, District Judge Liew Thiam Leng said it had to serve to deter others from committing similar offences.

    The court heard that at about 2.20am on Nov 7, the duo entered Bishan Depot through the drainage system. To reach the level where the trains were located, they had to scale a wall. They observed where the trains were and left the depot the same way they had entered.

    The next day at about 2.48am, the men entered the depot again, using the same route, and climbed to the level where the trains were located. There, they took a selfie of themselves in front of a train. They then began spraying graffiti, 10m in length and 1.8m in width, on the left side of the train, using 12 cans of spray paint they had bought two days earlier. The duo later threw the cans under some wooden crates near the rail tracks and left the depot the same way they had entered.

    Von Knorres and Hinz reportedly left Singapore on Nov 8, but were arrested on Nov 20 by the Malaysian police at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where they were about to board a plane to Australia. The two men have been in remand in Singapore since Nov 22 and their prison sentences will be backdated to that date.

    Further investigations showed that Von Knorres and Hinz worked in Australia and that they had committed the offences while on their first visit to Singapore.

    The duo’s case — the second security breach to hit Bishan Depot last year — brought to light security vulnerabilities at the depot, arising from a network of canals and drains running underneath it.

    SMRT had stated earlier that it was working with the authorities to “urgently address the identified points of vulnerability to further safeguard the depot and its transport assets”.

    The maximum sentence for vandalism is up to three years’ jail, and/or a fine of up to S$2,000, with between three and eight strokes of the cane. Those who trespass on protected areas may be jailed up to two years and/or fined up to S$1,000.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Commuters Slam LTA And SMRT, Asks Lui Tuck Yew To Follow Suggestion Khaw Boon Wan Made To WP In Parliament

    Commuters Slam LTA And SMRT, Asks Lui Tuck Yew To Follow Suggestion Khaw Boon Wan Made To WP In Parliament

    It was reported that yesterday alone (3 Mar), SMRT was hit by two train service incidents, both during peak hours.

    In the early morning, a signalling fault at HarbourFront station on the Circle Line stopped all trains between Haw Par Villa and HarbourFront. And in the evening, track faults disrupted services on the East-West Line. Track faults at Clementi and Lakeside stations caused trains to slow down from Queenstown to Boon Lay. Commuters were advised to add 20 minutes to their travelling time between Bugis and Jurong East stations in both directions as bridging bus services were activated. Services resumed about 2 hours later.

    Many commuters were, understandably, angry with SMRT and lashed out at SMRT on social media (‘SMRT: Recent train incidents were ‘technically unrelated’‘).

    In all, there were 5 train disruptions in the spate of 9 days. LTA also joined in to condemn SMRT, saying that the situation is “unacceptable”.

    On LTA’s Facebook page yesterday, it said [Link]:

    “Today’s disruptions on the Circle and East-West Lines are the latest in a recent spate of incidents on the SMRT rail network. Commuters have been severely inconvenienced again. This is unacceptable.

    LTA has directed SMRT to investigate the various disruptions and give a full account of them. LTA is also conducting our independent investigations.

    LTA will be working with SMRT on the immediate remedial actions to turn around the situation. We expect the SMRT Board and management team to put in maximum effort and resources. We intend also to review again SMRT’s management of resources and processes for the maintenance of the rail system.”

    SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek was forced to come out to make, yet, another public apology.

    However, commuters were still not pleased. They also took the opportunity to slam LTA on its Facebook page:

    Shao Wei Chui Dear LTA, you most certainly do not keep my world moving. You keep mentioning that it’s “unacceptable” but so what? All that happens is a slap on a wrist on the transport companies and a fine but nothing changes and the fares go up to cover the fine

    Leon Chow: Don’t be a joke. If you all bother, things would not have gone out of hand. Useless jokers

    Shibly Mahmat: After investigate then what? Increase the fares again citing doing this for better service. Thats what you guys have been saying. But has the services ever improve? As far as all of us are concern, train disruptions due to faults are at an all time high now..is this your idea of better service?

    Evonne Sim: LTA, what can/will u do besides telling us this is unacceptable. How many times u want SMRT to investigate/explain! How many times we have to go thru these inconvenience over & over again! n what u going to do besides having endless meetings with no outcome? stop FINE SMRT as it will not solve any problem other than increasing their so-called operating cost n resulted fare hike. don’t juz lip service, we want to see action by the authority…

    Edmund Khor: you said you wanted to improve service.. but 4 years already, and it keeps getting worse. talk is cheap..

    Ken Ong: It’s all wayang. Lta n smrt management are pretty useless. They should all step down n resign.

    Calvin Xun Hui Wong: Another classic scene of relevant authority ‘takes action’ and ‘fine’ transport company, then on the other hand transport company takes the opportunity to raise fares with support from PTC (AKA the authority) to ‘improve transport system’. Its like LTA condemning SMRT but making the commuters pay their fines. So this is ‘action taken against SMRT’ ?

    Some even asked Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew to do what National Development Minister Khaw had suggested to WP MPs during the AHPETC saga, which Mr Khaw blamed WP:

    Rongjing Zeng: “In Japan, the chairman and CEO would call a press conference, take a deep bow and, in the good old days, they may even commit hara-kiri.” – KBW

    Gordon Teo: Why Tuck Yew haven’t hara kiri yet ah?

    Jabez Chai: What is our Transport’s Minister doing about it after so many years of breakdown and while doing nothing… He are being paid millions of dollars….

    Some questioned the rationale of approving the recent transport fare hike when the train services are “unacceptable”:

    Vasanthan Kanagasundaram: Could you also review why you think you deserve a fare hike.

    Ray Ng: Dear SMRT, the upcoming fare hike in April is not written in stone. please have the conscience to delay the fare hike in light of the recent train faults

    Robin Low: LTA, please justify why you allow price hike when there is no improvement and still lots of profits.

    Still, others think that it’s the fault of the government to increase the population of Singapore quickly by importing too many foreigners:

    Jeffrey Lim: So y import so many foreigners in the first place, if our mrt system can’t cope with it???

    Tan Cheng Siong Leslie: Nothing new. Cant imagine if population is 6.9, those top ‘elite’ mgmt dun care coz they dun take public transport, to them say a few words of apology n conduct investigation for show fat salary still goes to their pocket. TALK ONLY la.. Increase fare some more? Aiyooo, i so paiseh to say tat!

    Daniel Tan: Don’t blame SMRT, LTA. Blame the people who made the decision to overcrowd Singapore.

    Finally, one commuter said:

    “Main reason why I still hold on to my motorbike. Screw public transport. Now COE high, MRT haven’t improve, wanna encourage to take public transport. Screw that! I’ll never EVER let go of my motorbike!!”

     

    Source: www.tremeritus.com

  • LTA Tells SMRT That Spate Of Breakdowns Are Unacceptable

    LTA Tells SMRT That Spate Of Breakdowns Are Unacceptable

    The authorities are investigating the recent spate of train service disruptions on SMRT’s rail network and plan to review the operator’s resources and processes for maintaining the rail system.

    Calling the situation “unacceptable”, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it has asked SMRT to investigate the disruptions — with two incidents today (March 3) bringing the count to five in nine days — and provide a full account.

    “The LTA will be working with SMRT on the immediate remedial actions to turn around the situation,” a spokesperson said today. “We intend to review again SMRT’s management of resources and processes for the maintenance of the rail system.”

    This evening’s disruption on the East-West Line began at 5.35pm, when track faults at Clementi and Lakeside stations caused trains to slow down from Queenstown to Boon Lay.

    Commuters were advised to add 20 minutes to their travelling time between Bugis and Jurong East stations in both directions as bridging bus services were activated. SMRT later announced at 7.12pm that normal service had resumed.

    In the morning, a signalling fault at 7.28am at HarbourFront station on the Circle Line stopped all trains between Haw Par Villa and HarbourFront. Passengers on four trains had to be driven manually to the nearest stations, while free buses and seven shuttle bus services were activated. Service resumed at 8.11am.

    In a statement today, SMRT said it was looking into the cause of the Circle Line incident. It also gave an update on investigations into the three service disruptions last week — two on the North-South Line (NSL) and one on the Bukit Panjang LRT line.

    Investigations showed that the NSL incident on Feb 23 was caused by a damaged power collective device on the train that affected the third rail, which supplies power to the train.

    “A fleet-wide inspection of all trains that service the North-South, East-West Lines was completed to ensure all power collecting devices on the trains are in good condition. In addition, we have also inspected the third rail condition along the incident stretch of track to ensure that it is fit for use,” the operator added.

    The Bukit Panjang LRT disruption on Feb 24 was caused by a dislodged power and signal collecting assembly on an LRT train, which hit a signal rail and caused a power trip. The damaged signal rail had to be repaired. No anomalies were found during a system-wide check on all other trains and tracks.

    The third disruption occurred on the NSL on Feb 27, when a man climbed onto the track between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak stations. “We are reviewing the existing security measures at those sections with the relevant authorities to further reduce the areas of vulnerability within the network,” SMRT said.

    Commenting on the incidents, SMRT Trains managing director Lee Ling Wee said: “While SMRT’s investigations into these four incidents indicate that the cause of each incident was different and technically unrelated, we are clear that any service lapse for whatever reason affects the quality and reliability of service to our commuters.”

    He added that SMRT has noted the feedback over gaps in its service recovery efforts — in particular the bus bridging services — and will work with the SMRT buses team to better manage them.

    Mr Desmond Kuek, SMRT Corporation president and group chief executive officer, added: “We apologise for the rail incidents over the past week…The SMRT team will stay focused on safety and reliability improvements as we work to renew Singapore’s ageing rail network to the benefit of our commuters.”

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Harassment Of Blind Busker At Woodlands MRT Resolved By SMRT

    Harassment Of Blind Busker At Woodlands MRT Resolved By SMRT

    Dear Netizens and all FB friends,

    Mr Suhaime Roa and Wife, Siti Aisah Sawie have met with SMRT official, Andrew last Friday. We were happy with the outcome of the meetings where the SMRT official offered their apologies for the incidents.

    According to them, they were not aware of the situation till it was highlighted through the social media. They took the matters seriously and the said Station manager has been given warning, reprimanded, would be send for training and would not be at Woodlands MRT for the longest of time.

    As SMRT already took responsibility for the unbecoming behavior of one of their staff high handed approach in dealing with Mr Suhaime, Mr Suhaime have decided to close this matter and move forward.

    On behalf of Mr Suhaime family, from the bottom of my heart I can only thank each and everyone of you for being there for them. At 3R Sincerely & Giving, ONE STARFISH AT A TIME, everyone matters! Please continue to support our cause to give a bright spot to those who need us.

    Having said all this, I am just disappointed that a simple issue if taken seriously by the authority like the MP’s and Police where an appeal and complain has been lodged, this case would not need be blown out of proportions. Their heck care attitude to the disable left much to be desired!
    I will personally write to the said MP to highlight this matter to him.

    I too was toying with the idea of any possibilities of gathering our buskers for a concert or maybe a get together for them to entertain us at Hong Lim park perhaps? Any promoters can take up this challenge? Just a thought!

    Please comment responsibly. No racists or vulgarities yah! LOVE ONE LOVE ALL!

    Zarina jaffar
    3R Group

     

    Previously…

    Dear Editors,

    Suhaime Roa is a prolific song writer and singers back in the 80’s. He is visually handicap and is a father of 4 children. For the past few years he has been busking at CWP and Civic centre. Woodlands. He hasNAC license for it.

    Sometimes back he has been harassed by Edmund Chong Kong Lum from Woodlands MRT. This idiotic of a guy try to exert his authority by ordering Suhaime to move away from the usual place he used to play.Suhaime would comply. If not he would call the police.

    This harrassment got so bad that a police report has been lodged against him but it still continued. I will copy and paste the convoy I had with his wife.

    By the way when he played its not even on SMRT Ground. following are her PM’s “We’ve been tolerating this far too much. We did go to MPs to seek advice n help.

    As a responsible man, Suhaime just want to earn a living by trading his talent for the family. Insyaallah.” TODAY AFTER I LEFT THE STATION, HIS WIFE PM AGAIN ”

    He came again. Demand to see Suhaime’s busking license. He want to make report to NAC tomorrow. We refused to give. Told him that he got no right to see as we are not in his ground. He said he will call the police. We told him to go ahead…” “He call Transcom Policeman. They also agree that it’s not MRTground.” “Just now, he’s not happy when Transcom Police refuse to give Suhaime’s particulars because the policemen said that Suhaime is not MRT ground. He call NPC. NPC came n told him the same thing.

    Our friend still not happy:, when the Transcom Policemen refused to give Suhaime’s particulars to him, he took down the Policemen’s particulars? What was he up to? Is he trying to manipulate with the Police too? “Even the CWP staff talk to him. He wants to show his power” UNQUOTE

    In one of the pictures you would see he very the kurang ajar put a barrier in front of Suhaime while the other picture is he standing threateningly. This has been going on for 2-3 years by the same person. SitiAisah Sawie please feel free to share more.

     

    Suhaime Roa Station Manager Suhaime Roa

    We are all here for you and Suhaime Roa Ok Guys please help to stop this! Together we have a duty to make a difference to someone in need of us now!

    Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com