Getting Singapore’s rail network back on track in 2018
By Olivia Siong
24 Dec 2017 09:29AM (Updated: 24 Dec 2017 10:50AM)
SINGAPORE: From Phase 3 of the Downtown Line to the Tuas West Extension, new sections of rail lines opened this year to bring more convenience to commuters. But 2017 may be remembered by Singaporeans for two major rail incidents instead.
Despite this, industry experts Channel NewsAsia spoke to said there are lessons to be learnt and noted that rail reliability could improve in 2018.
MRT TUNNEL FLOODING: “STORM IN A TEA CUP”
On Oct 7, a heavy downpour resulted in the tunnel between Bishan and Braddell MRT stations being flooded with rain water.
Train services were disrupted on the North-South Line for over 20 hours, affecting more than a quarter of a million commuters.
Investigations later revealed that a group of staff working for operator SMRT had falsified maintenance records, resulting in a water pump system to fail.
Eight staff were fired, and during a media conference to address the incident, SMRT's CEO Desmond Kuek pointed to "deep-seated cultural issues" in the company.
“For it to be revealed only in recent times is a bit surprising,” said Dr Lawrence Loh, Director of the Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations at the National University of Singapore’s business school.
“It's a bit like tea - culture needs to brew and I think what is surprising is it takes a storm in a tea cup for this matter to surface."
Addressing the incident in Parliament on Nov 7, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said SMRT's management is responsible for building the right work culture.
Though, Dr Loh noted, that turning a company around could be a long-drawn process, with some consultants suggesting it may take about three years to do so.
"You need to have very committed management engagement of all the employees,” said Dr Loh. “With that engagement as a sign, then you can actually get a sense of what the real thinking of the people are and if there are any areas you may want to further develop.”
This could be done by sending staff for training or technical classes, or helping them develop in other areas like communication and supervision of staff.
“I think we need to drill in as well as create this sense of urgency, sense of belonging,” said Dr Loh. “Everyone will have to do it not only for the organisation per se, but it's also in the employee's interest.”
EAST-WEST LINE TRAIN COLLISION
But Singapore’s rail woes did not stop there.
On Nov 15, 38 people were injured when two trains on the East-West Line collided at Joo Koon MRT station - the second such incident in the MRT's 30-year history.
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...n-2018-9523438
Getting the right people with the right skills and expertise to do the job will go a long way as to someone who volunteers for the job. What have we learn throughout the whole year ? That the mrt services seemed to be getting worse and worse even with the new train model . Until a trail collision and even a lightning strike from God . The commuters have lost confidence in Singapore's mrt service and the PAP government ability to resolve the matter . The commuters don't even expect the mrt service to improve in 2018 and in fact some have made alternative mode of transport arrangement . For myself I have boycotted SMRT train services and commute by bus or even taxi .