Elite says: Major disruption in 24 years is understandable

[Cerano]

A major disruption in 24 years is understandable - and forgivable

 

AS A Singaporean who has spent a good part of the past 10 years in Japan, and now in Spain, let me offer a different perspective to last week's train disruptions in Singapore ('Commuters delayed as Circle Line breaks down', last Thursday; 'MRT breakdown chaos', last Friday; 'PM orders inquiry as trains break down again', Sun-day) .

 

Japan has one of the most efficient transport systems in the world, yet it is also prone to the occasional disruption, whether it is caused technically or for other reasons.

 

In Barcelona where I live, the transport system is vulnerable to workers' strikes, which sometimes mean disrupted service for long periods.

 

Yet in both places, the public react calmly and do not point fingers at their government in anger.

 

By contrast, I read my friends in Singapore who rant online about operators, the Ministry of Transport and even the minister.

 

This reflects a population pampered by an efficient society who have grown intolerant.

 

A major breakdown in 24 years of operation is understandable - and forgivable.

 

We can improve the current systems by revising ways of communication so commuters can be better informed in an emergency.

 

For example, when a disruption occurs in the train network in Japan, information about the incident is immediately available on the website of the company, various news websites and a banner is displayed on Japanese tele-vision channels. This allows affected passengers to check the latest information online with their mobile phones, and lets them consider alternative routes before they travel.

 

This will allow us to maintain our world-class transport reputation.

 

Samson Guanglin Lee

 

Barcelona, Spain

[Typhoonz]

A major disruption in 24 years is understandable - and forgivable

 

AS A Singaporean who has spent a good part of the past 10 years in Japan, and now in Spain, let me offer a different perspective to last week's train disruptions in Singapore ('Commuters delayed as Circle Line breaks down', last Thursday; 'MRT breakdown chaos', last Friday; 'PM orders inquiry as trains break down again', Sun-day) .

 

Japan has one of the most efficient transport systems in the world, yet it is also prone to the occasional disruption, whether it is caused technically or for other reasons.

 

In Barcelona where I live, the transport system is vulnerable to workers' strikes, which sometimes mean disrupted service for long periods.

 

Yet in both places, the public react calmly and do not point fingers at their government in anger.

 

By contrast, I read my friends in Singapore who rant online about operators, the Ministry of Transport and even the minister.

 

This reflects a population pampered by an efficient society who have grown intolerant.

 

A major breakdown in 24 years of operation is understandable - and forgivable.

 

We can improve the current systems by revising ways of communication so commuters can be better informed in an emergency.

 

For example, when a disruption occurs in the train network in Japan, information about the incident is immediately available on the website of the company, various news websites and a banner is displayed on Japanese tele-vision channels. This allows affected passengers to check the latest information online with their mobile phones, and lets them consider alternative routes before they travel.

 

This will allow us to maintain our world-class transport reputation.

 

Samson Guanglin Lee

 

Barcelona, Spain

 

How come these people who have left Singapore for such a long time can comment on current matters... I'm sure this fella won't be so forgivable if he was the one of many who were trapped in the train?

 

[Ssbcc]

What makes him an elite?

The fact that he lives in Spain?

Or his name?

[Rncw]

another lee

[Cerano]

What makes him an elite?

The fact that he lives in Spain?

Or his name?

 

his mindset, his clear educated background and finally his past. I dont know about you but I have never lived in spain or japan for extended periods and none of my friends have

Edited December 20, 2011 by Cerano

[Evillusion]

he din compare the wages paid. shouldn't our ministers and ceo draw theequivelant amount to their compatrot in the country mntioned!

[Gearoil]

Samson obviously does not understand that it was ..

 

Not that the disruption was not 'forgivable'..

 

The actual issue is and has always been ..

 

the' underground stench' that those managing the train company have been thriving on for so long in regard to their behaviour that..

 

with such...

 

BIGGER shxt will blow up if this 'stench' is not taken care off ..

 

once and for all...

 

maybe a puclic enquiry will reveal the 'actual source of the stench'and the correct way to deal with it.

[Good-Carbuyer]

A major disruption in 24 years is understandable - and forgivable

 

AS A Singaporean who has spent a good part of the past 10 years in Japan, and now in Spain, let me offer a different perspective to last week's train disruptions in Singapore ('Commuters delayed as Circle Line breaks down', last Thursday; 'MRT breakdown chaos', last Friday; 'PM orders inquiry as trains break down again', Sun-day) .

 

Japan has one of the most efficient transport systems in the world, yet it is also prone to the occasional disruption, whether it is caused technically or for other reasons.

 

In Barcelona where I live, the transport system is vulnerable to workers' strikes, which sometimes mean disrupted service for long periods.

 

Yet in both places, the public react calmly and do not point fingers at their government in anger.

 

By contrast, I read my friends in Singapore who rant online about operators, the Ministry of Transport and even the minister.

 

This reflects a population pampered by an efficient society who have grown intolerant.

 

A major breakdown in 24 years of operation is understandable - and forgivable.

 

We can improve the current systems by revising ways of communication so commuters can be better informed in an emergency.

 

For example, when a disruption occurs in the train network in Japan, information about the incident is immediately available on the website of the company, various news websites and a banner is displayed on Japanese tele-vision channels. This allows affected passengers to check the latest information online with their mobile phones, and lets them consider alternative routes before they travel.

 

This will allow us to maintain our world-class transport reputation.

 

Samson Guanglin Lee

 

Barcelona, Spain

So lucky, no mention COE only ten years.

[Jman888]

not everyone blame the disruption caused by the technical part, it was how they handle the situation!

[Tom_kkh]

its ok to have breakdowns but after ispection, so many major parts and missing for dono how many years.

 

this just get to shows maintenance was not been done. simple as that

Edited December 20, 2011 by Tom_kkh

[Assaxefour]

This guy has got no fuking idea whats happening here, yet talks.. please go fuk spider or bull or what ever the spanish fuk!

[2BDriver]

A major disruption in 24 years is understandable - and forgivable

 

AS A Singaporean who has spent a good part of the past 10 years in Japan, and now in Spain, let me offer a different perspective to last week's train disruptions in Singapore ('Commuters delayed as Circle Line breaks down', last Thursday; 'MRT breakdown chaos', last Friday; 'PM orders inquiry as trains break down again', Sun-day) .

 

Japan has one of the most efficient transport systems in the world, yet it is also prone to the occasional disruption, whether it is caused technically or for other reasons.

 

In Barcelona where I live, the transport system is vulnerable to workers' strikes, which sometimes mean disrupted service for long periods.

 

Yet in both places, the public react calmly and do not point fingers at their government in anger.

 

By contrast, I read my friends in Singapore who rant online about operators, the Ministry of Transport and even the minister.

 

This reflects a population pampered by an efficient society who have grown intolerant.

 

A major breakdown in 24 years of operation is understandable - and forgivable.

 

We can improve the current systems by revising ways of communication so commuters can be better informed in an emergency.

 

For example, when a disruption occurs in the train network in Japan, information about the incident is immediately available on the website of the company, various news websites and a banner is displayed on Japanese tele-vision channels. This allows affected passengers to check the latest information online with their mobile phones, and lets them consider alternative routes before they travel.

 

This will allow us to maintain our world-class transport reputation.

 

Samson Guanglin Lee

 

Barcelona, Spain

Not surprising to read sameson Lee defencing stands, God knows is he related to the Mighty Lee's

[Kiario]

'This reflects a population pampered by an efficient society who have grown intolerant.'

 

complained and people say we are pampered/intolerant.

 

keep quiet and people say you are the 60.1% or pappies.

 

very difficult to be singaporeans nowadays.

[Windwaver]

A major disruption in 24 years is understandable - and forgivable

 

Samson Guanglin Lee

 

Barcelona, Spain

 

Did he say how much they're paid?

[Speedsun]

This make more sense.

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_746787.html

 

Cultural faults we must correct

 

TWO aspects of Singapore culture are relevant. First is the Government's practice of placing top people where they have no experience. Second is the reactive, rather than proactive, nature of organisations and citizens.

 

Over the years, the Government has placed people without industry experience at the highest levels of government-linked companies.

 

Singapore Armed Forces generals and government scholarship holders have parachuted into top positions in telecommunications, air travel and shipping government-linked companies. Some have been successful. Some others have not. Ms Saw Phaik Hwa, while not a government scholarship holder, was similarly selected as chief executive officer (CEO) of SMRT Corporation even though she lacked expertise in the specialised area of urban railway systems or indeed transport in general - her experience was in retail.

 

The job of managing this critical component of national transport should have been given to an experienced practitioner, perhaps someone with decades of experience in city train systems. For example, an experienced train company administrator from Tokyo could have been head-hunted for the top job because the Japanese capital probably runs the world's most efficient system.

 

This is where recruitment of foreign talent would have been justified.

 

Such a person would have known from experience the maintenance, risk management and crisis management systems to implement.

 

Perhaps with such expertise, the recent incidents might have been avoided.

 

On the second point, organisations and citizens tend to react only when problems blow up rather than to pro-actively address and nip issues in the bud. We lack a culture of risk management and attention to detail. Lapses like those affecting SMRT are not uncommon - they just usually do not attract as much attention.

 

Generally, we are not alert to problems and risky situations. Even for people who notice problem situations, most do not bother to do anything.

 

The attitude is one of 'everything should be fine', until something goes wrong.

 

A case in point was the brazen escape of Singaporean terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari who climbed out of an unsecured detention centre window. Many people must have noticed the window but simply did nothing, assuming that all would be well.

 

I venture that the committee of inquiry investigating the train disruptions will find they were caused by something that could and should have been noticed and addressed.

 

We must correct these two aspects of our national selves.

 

Tan Soon Meng

[Evillusion]

'This reflects a population pampered by an efficient society who have grown intolerant.'

 

complained and people say we are pampered/intolerant.

 

keep quiet and people say you are the 60.1% or pappies.

 

very difficult to be singaporeans nowadays.

easy lar! give up citizenship n stay in other country.....when children all grow up ask them to comeback as ft.....later apply pr...then can bring whole extended family......and enjoy the benefits. [laugh]

[2BDriver]

Did he say how much they're paid?

Did this Sameson Lee dare to mention how chaos and disastrous are the commuters got stucked in the train cabins for 40+ minutes in the tunnel ?

And also how smrt poorly re-acted in breaksdown contingency plannings and managements ?

This guy is a super boot licker ! :angry:

[PSP415]

Ya, 24 years is a gd long time to wake up now frm complacency.

 

Most ppl are more upset + annoyed abt e lack of clear, accurate + fast communication on e part of e train operator den e technical faults.

 

There will be delays caused by human faults or technical glitches frm time to time. Even our cars can break down or get into an accident. But the problem is aggravated when no proper contingency plans are in place to help ease e situation of ferrying stranded commuters efficiently to their destinations. If quick updates are disseminated as soon as faults are found, less ppl will be caught unawares and can make alternate plans which will help ease e human jams. Complacency lurks around ppl who become bo-chap or lazy.

 

 

Another reason to hold on to our rides.......for as long as possible.

 

 

Cheers