SINCE last Thursday train breakdown, the public have been experiencing serial disclosure/disruption of the similar cases on the route to/from work. Most of head line news in the local newspaper are taken by train related incidents news and voice of commuters. Since, Singaporean are easy to complain, they started to voice out so that authority and responsible party could hear their displeasure. The government initially seem silent and later look into the matter after SMRT CEO admit they didn't prepare for such large scales incident. The transport operator failed to oversee such unwanted incidents despite they started train operation in 1987. The train driver and MRT staffs fail to update the latest status to the panic commuters stuck in the underground trains and it put SMRT's handling skill from bad to worse. As usual, the opposition party started to raise their concern to grab people's votes in the expense of other party.
The government privatized the train operating service and awarded to two major operators, SMRT and SBS. The reason making public property to privatizing is to create competition which can improve quality of service at lower wages. However, the commuters are facing the opposites as the two operators are doing business on separate lines. It make people little choice on choosing their public transportation. Thus some residents voice out to accuse monopoly business by two big operators. The train operators admit on their flawed service and continuously pledge to improve their service to better satisfy public. In the meantime, the PM and LTA step in to make full investigation on what had wrong and the found are reported in local newspaper with the hope of seeking commuter's sympathy.
As a person from third world country, I find republic's public transport is world class and satisfy with servicing as I had witnessed the worst back in home land. As a people of poor country, we have no choice to blame on public transport but use alternative routes. In here, SMRT arranged free shuttle bus ride for affecting commuters. But that is not enough to please those people from demanding society. I need to spend about 2 hours a day on board train to bridge between work and home. As I am living in northern part of city and my work is located at the eastern part, it's inevitable to use public transport. Everyday I have to pass city area with the full stretch of underground route.
Unfortunately, all recent incidents were happened in underground section and I'm aware of tasting that. Today paper state that train speed must be necessarily reduced by half from maximum 80mph to 40mph especially in the section of underground. Meaning, commuters need longer travel time to reach their destination. Since public safety cannot be compromised, people have no choice but leave home early to ensure they get work on time. Last time commuters are much aware of terrorist threat and now the breakdown of train is overtaking this. Everybody cautious in listening any announcement from speaker now with the prospect of stuck in the train. For me, it's praying time when the train start through underground until escape from it. What a good practice is it for me? I believe, all religion people will act the same with me for the safe of all lives. In this perspective, we all should thank to SMRT rather than blaming them.
May all commuter enjoy safe ride to work and home.
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