Trolleys full of old cardboards

They have become part of our social landscape. They are seen pushing their trolleys full of old cardboards with their backs bent and attracting sympathy from onlookers. These rugged old folks have recently become the focus of a group of young people who are interested to know more about them.

Photo Credit: Tan Chuan-Jin

For years now, these old folks have been plying their trade, collecting cardboxes and selling them, and Why do they have to do it? Some observers speculate that these folks collect cardboxes just for the money. Others think they do it out of boredom. Well, they are all correct.

Photo Credit: Gilbert Goh

I have met many of them and spoken to them. There is a small number who do it out of boredom. These folks are already receiving some financial aid from the CDC or Comcare but would rather spend their time collecting cardboard. The majority, however, do it to make some money.

But there are many more old folks that I have come across who sit alone in the void decks and open spaces, often doing nothing at all. They are the lonely old folks who seem to have nothing to look forward to and wither their time away in loneliness. Whenever I stop to speak with them, they have so much to share with me and are happy to know that someone cares enough to listen to what they have to say.

We will all grow old one day. Then, will we also be pining for someone to talk to us like these lonely old folks?

THEME: From SMRT & SBS Transit to MRT Commuters: Perfecting Attitudes

In my last blog on our MRT System, I stopped at the COI report on the train disruptions in December 2011.

The COI report was delivered on 3 July 2012 and the essence of it was simply this. Both the regulator (LTA) and the operator (SMRT) had not paid enough attention to the maintenance of the ageing NSEWL, resulting in recurring disruptions train services. In conclusion, the Committee expressed that "With the various recommendations implemented, the COI is confident that future incidents, should they recur, will be much better managed."

Since the release of the COI report, steps have been taken by LTA and SMRT to address most of the problems in line with the recommendations of the Committee. On 11 March 2014, LTA even released news of its "Rail Network Enhancements" on expanded capacity, shorter waits and more travel options. There were plans to add more trains, upgrade signalling system for NSEWL and new rail lines for faster and more connections. However, the latest incident on 7 July 2015 suggests that some basic problems have yet to fully addressed. This was also the perception given when the promise for better train services reliability was qualified by SMRT at their subsequent press briefing co-chaired with LTA (http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/smrt-chief-desmond-kuek-apologises-for-train-disruption-promises-better-train).

The breakdown of our MRT system is not just a matter of our rail network failing. The latest incident has further revealed that our overall public transport system is ill-equipped to cope with the fallout of a major train service disruption (http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/mrt-disruption-puts-strain-buses-taxis). It is therefore imperative for us to deepen our analysis of the entire situation, including how to address public frustration. For a start, the people are not convinced that another CEO appointed to SMRT in October 2012. who does not have the relevant technical skills or experience in running a train operator. was the right move. And for LTA to repeatedly impose a fine on SMRT for delays hardly solves any problem.

The cause of the frequent breakdowns and disruptions are technical in nature. The long-term solution is for both LTA and SMRT to appoint an independent 3rd party technical expert in the field of urban-rail operations to fully investigate and recommend all the measures to be taken to effectively address the problems once and for all. Both LTA and SMRT can then look into implementing the recommendations, which may eventually require a lot of understanding and patience from the public. I believe that the public would understand and be able to withstand the periods of disruptions necessitated in carrying out these recommendations to prevent recurring train disruptions that cause so much more inconvenience to everyone.

Meanwhile, improvements can be made in the communication of train disruptions and the provision of alternative transport for affected commuters. One measure is to ensure that clear and immediate dissemination of information of disruptions are further made at all transport waiting points, including bus stops and taxi stands. There should also be deployment of ground staff to guide train commuters to the location of supporting bus services and to provide bus information. Ad-hoc taxi stands can be set up for those who wish to take taxis and support staff can help in calling/hailing taxis. In addition, motorists who are en-route could be roped in to help ferry commuters and help alleviate the heavy load on buses and taxis.

We do not live in a perfect world. What is important is that we learn how to perfect our attitudes towards every difficulty that comes our way. Only then can we become a great nation.

THEME - Transport: From MRTC to SMRT & SBS Transit

Yesterday's disruption of the NS and EW train services was unprecedented. Never has it happened before that two major train lines would be disrupted at the same time. Has the worst yet to come? What will it be? Are we ready for it?

I will be writing a series of blogs to reflect my thinking on a couple of topical issues. I have chosen the acronym, THEME, to represent the 5 major topics. 

The letter "T" stands for Transport and with the massive train disruption yesterday, it is timely for me to start with our Mass Rapid Transport ("MRT") system. To get a better grasp of the topic, it's always good to put things in perspective.

From MRTC to SMRT & SBS Transit 

Our rail-based urban transport system or MRT was once the toast of our people, praised for its comfort and speed. But in recent memory, it has been the cause of much unhappiness in a nation where most people commute by train.

When our MRT system was built, the regulator of train services was also the operator. It was known as the Mass Rapid Transport Corporation ("MRTC"). Formed in 1983, MRTC took over the role of the provisional Mass Raid Transit Authority ("MRTA") to oversee all roles and responsibilities of the train network. It would later be combined with the Registry of Vehicles and Roads & Transportation Division to form the new Land Transport Authority ("LTA") in 1995. 

The initial cost of building the MRT was S$ 5 billion and on 7 November 1987, the first line (NSL from Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh) was launched. On 6 March 2000, the Singapore Mass Rapid Transport Corporation was formed and it became the operator of the MRT lines. It was set up as a public-listed company to be a multi-modal public transport operator, providing rail transport services, taxis, engineering and commercial services. 

On 20 June 2003, when the NEL was completed at a cost of S$ 4.6 billion, SBS Transit Ltd (previously known as Singapore Bus Services Ltd) was appointed by LTA as the second train operator to foster competition with SMRT. Currently, SBS Transit Ltd runs the NEL and DL ("Downtown LIne") whilst SMRT runs the NSL, EWL and CL ("Circle Line").

Train disruptions

Prior to 7 July 2015, there has been a number of disruptions in train services. The NSL and EWL broke down due to power traction failure. As many as 250,000 commuters were affected and this was not the first time a major disruption has occurred. 

In December 2011, 2 major disruptions in the NSL led to the formation of a Committee of Inquiry ("COI") to investigate the causes of a series of disruptions that had occurred over a period of time. If you wish to appreciate the severity of the problems that plague our MRT system, the COI report provides a good start. Here's the link http://www.mot.gov.sg/news/COI%20report%20-%20Executive%20Summary.pdf

(To be continued).