SMRT to hire 40% more rail engineers, set up teams to audit maintenance work
PUBLISHED 59 MIN AGO
Adrian Lim
Transport Correspondent
SINGAPORE - SMRT has set a target of hiring 40 per cent more rail engineers by 2020, beefing up the total number to 700 from the current 500.
It will also set up readiness inspection teams, which will report independently to an audit and risk committee, to audit maintenance works. The teams will serve as an additional layer of checks and balances.
These measures to boost MRT reliability were announced by SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming on Monday (Oct 23).
“We have a long road ahead of us as we drive towards rail excellence. We must win back the public’s trust and confidence in SMRT,” said Mr Seah in a speech, his first public remarks since last week’s press conference to address a tunnel flooding incident earlier this month.
“This is why we need engineers with a high level of competence, applied courageously and leveraged through the right connections,” he added.
Mr Seah was speaking at the Nanyang Technological University at One-North to 250 SMRT engineers who are attending a postgraduate certificate course jointly run by SMRT and the University of Birmingham.
Mr Seah said that even as SMRT works with the Land Transport Authority to upgrade older rail lines and to improve maintenance, engineering expertise will also be called upon to build resilience in the network with more “fail-safe” and “fail-soft” features.
This means that even when the rail system breaks down, it fails in a safe manner and it does not fail totally, with back-ups in place, he said.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...intenance-work
Hope you hire Singaporeans first and give them the necessary tools to do their job well.
Are MRT disruptions “normal accidents”?
By Adrian W J Kuah
Published: 7:30 PM, October 23, 2017
Updated: 7:35 PM, October 23, 2017
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system has suffered disruptions of increasing frequency and severity in recent years. The latest one occurred on Oct 7 on the North South line, caused by the dramatic flooding of the tunnel between the Bishan and Toa Payoh stations.
Are such disruptions the new normal for the MRT system? Or as the sociologist Charles Perrow might ask, are they “normal accidents”?
Prof Perrow coined the term “normal accident” in his study of the 1979 Three Mile Island Accident, in which cascading and interlocking technical and human failures resulted in a nuclear reactor meltdown. He argued that normal accidents are both inevitable and inherent in systems that exhibit “tight coupling” and “catastrophic potential”.
The elements of a tightly-coupled system – both technological and organisational – not only interact with each other but are interdependent. In fact, the different parts of the system are so enmeshed together that it is usually necessary to shut down the entire system in order to fix errors or even to maintain it.
And because of tight coupling, small failures in different parts of the system quickly and unpredictably combine to create a major failure that cascades throughout the system.
Does the MRT system exhibit such characteristics that make it prone to normal accidents? A train system is not usually the first example that comes to mind when we talk about complex systems.
The underlying technology is mechanical and is governed by the laws of linear, Newtonian physics. And the overarching organisation is a top-down hierarchy that is focused on command and control, and operates on the principle of a clearly-defined division of labour. Just think of every boxes-and-lines organisational chart you have ever seen.
Beyond a certain threshold, though, a linear and predictable engineering system can tip into a non-linear and unpredictable complex one.
For a public train system, it happens when the number of components of the system increases: from a basic configuration of North South and East West lines in 1987 to one markedly different today in terms of new lines and interconnections.
Also, the sheer spike in passenger volume over the years has pushed the MRT system to operating at capacity, and in the process eroded SMRT’s ability to effectively monitor and govern the system.
continue reading here :
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...rmal-accidents
Seriously what kind of an article is this ? Why can’t Singapore MRT system perform like that of Hong Kong ; China & Taiwan ?
And I wonder why doesn’t the government form a committee to look into the frequent mrt disruptions ?
Commuters report train delays on East-West Line
BY
KENNETH CHENG
9:41 AM, OCTOBER 24, 2017
UPDATED: 10:03 AM, OCTOBER 24, 2017
SINGAPORE — Commuters are reporting that several stations along the East-West Line are seeing large crowds on Tuesday (Oct 24) morning, with some saying the trains they are on have not moved for as much as 25 minutes.
Pictures posted on social media show platforms – from Pasir Ris to Bedok – overrun with commuters.
Massive train delay on EW line and no one is reporting about it. 15 min and counting. cc @SMRT_Singapore pic.twitter.com/e9blAbtXrI
— Liane Ng (@angmohlian) October 24, 2017
The line’s operator SMRT has not posted updates on any delay, as of 9.30am. TODAY has approached SMRT for comments.
Hey @SMRT_Singapore what’s happening at Pasir Ris? pic.twitter.com/sLmayqiDy4
— Farah Daley (@farahdaley) October 24, 2017
Commuter Lee Pei Zi, 26, said she waited 15 minutes to board a train at Bedok MRT station. The financial analyst, who was heading to Raffles Place MRT station, said announcements at the station blamed the delay on issues with the signalling system that was affecting the entire line, asking commuters to add an extra 10 minutes to their travelling time.
On Twitter, a user with the handle Mr Mo said he had just entered Simei MRT Station when a train delay resulting from a “signalling fault” was announced.
continue reading here :
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...east-west-line
So now become no more incident reporting from SMRT & LTA ?
Running out of excuses to give ? So how Mr Khaw ? Is that what you call " That’s Life " ? Still want to vote for PAP ?
Software fault on East-West Line’s signalling system sparks rush-hour delays
By Kenneth Cheng
Published: 9:41 AM, October 24, 2017
Updated: 3:14 PM, October 24, 2017
SINGAPORE — A software fault on the East-West Line’s existing signalling system led to crowded platforms and rush-hour delays on Tuesday morning (Oct 24).
The fault occurred around 8.30am and was rectified in about 10 minutes, said Mr Patrick Nathan, rail operator SMRT’s vice-president for corporate communications.
However, as the trains had to travel at slower speeds for safety, the East-West Line faced “some train traffic congestion during the morning peak” period, he added in an email reply to queries from TODAY.
Normal services resumed at 9am.
Apologising to commuters for the inconvenience, Mr Nathan said SMRT had made announcements in stations and trains to alert commuters to the fault. They were also told to add an extra 10 minutes to their travel time on the trains.
SMRT routinely warns commuters about train faults via its social media platforms. But the rail operator did not announce Tuesday morning’s fault on the East-West Line on Facebook or Twitter.
The East-West Line’s existing signalling system is set to be replaced by the same one currently being tested on the North-South Line. Tests on the East-West Line’s new system are expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Earlier on Tuesday, commuters reported large crowds gathering on station platforms, with some saying the trains they were on had not moved for as much as 25 minutes.
Pictures posted to social media showed platforms — from Pasir Ris to Bedok — packed with commuters.
The lack of updates on SMRT’s social media platforms left some commuters fuming.
A user with the Twitter handle Keen said announcements were made in trains but “not on Twitter or anywhere else”.
Another Twitter user Joey said: “(I) think SMRT gave up reporting train faults.”
Commuter Lee Pei Zi, 26, said she waited 15 minutes to board a train at Bedok MRT station. The financial analyst, who was heading to Raffles Place MRT station, said announcements at Bedok blamed the delay on issues with the signalling system that affected the entire line.
continue reading here :
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...east-west-line
Another new reason SOFTWARE FAULT .
Some more no announcement of train disruption . How many people late for work and school ? So how Mr Khaw ? Are you going to say " That’s Life " .
So you still want to vote for PAP ?
From track faults, train faults and signalling faults to software fault: SMRT pinpoints EWL peak hour delays to software issues
October 24, 2017
SMRT has pinpointed train service delays that peak hour commuters faced this morning on the East-West Line to a “software fault.”
Commuters shared online that the delays began from around 8.45am today.
Already crowded station platforms were overrun with commuters who were frustrated due to the longer waiting times at station platforms as SMRT initially advised commuters to add an additional 10 minutes travel time due to a “signalling fault.” Commuters complained online that the trains that did arrive after being delayed were so crowded that passengers were asked to alight the trains, making the platforms even more cramped.
The situation wasn’t improved for those who managed to board the trains either. Commuters reported that trains travelling on the EWL stopped for 3-5 minutes between each station.
Disgruntled commuters grew even more agitated when they found that SMRT was not releasing any information about the service delays on their social media channels or on the transport mobile application.
There was no updates about the EWL delays on SMRT’s Facebook or Twitter page at all today.
SMRT’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, Mr Patrick Nathan, finally issued a statement at 1.57pm:
“At about 8.30am today (Oct 24, 2017), the East-West Line encountered a software fault on the legacy signalling system. The fault was rectified in around 10 minutes, but the EWL experienced some train traffic congestion during the morning peak because trains had to move at slower speeds for safety reasons when the fault occurred. As such, commuters may have encountered delays to their journey this morning. Station and train announcements were made informing commuters of the fault and to add an additional train travel time of 10 minutes. Normal services resumed at 9.00am. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to affected commuters on their peak hour commute.”
continue reading here :
http://www.theindependent.sg/from-tr...ftware-issues/
Mr Khaw can please explain why no announcement were made at the affected line ?
Slower train service between AMK and Bishan
25 Oct 2017 06:39AM (Updated: 25 Oct 2017 07:05AM)
SINGAPORE: Commuters travelling between Ang Mo Kio and Bishan MRT stations will experience slower train service due to a track fault.
In a twitter post on Wednesday morning (Oct 25), SMRT said due to a track fault, trains to city will travel slower between Ang Mo Kio and Bishan. Free bus and bridging bus services are avail.
SMRT suggested that commuters can travel via Jurong East and take the East-West Line to the city.
Read more at
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...bishan-9341306
Well done SMRT & Mr Khaw . Such world class transport mrt system . So how Mr Khaw ? People are going to be late for work and school again .
Slower service on North-South Line to last till end of Wednesday
PUBLISHED2 HOURS AGO
Christopher TanSenior Transport Correspondent
SINGAPORE - Service on the North-South Line is expected to be slow for the rest of Wednesday (Oct 25) as a track fault can only be fixed after operational hours.
A rubber insulator melted along the city-bound tracks of the MRT line early Wednesday morning, creating a gap between running rails.
For safety, transport operator SMRT has been running trains at lower speeds over a 150m stretch between Bishan and Ang Mo Kio stations.
This has resulted in a bunching up of service on the heavily-used line during the morning peak, which is expected to repeat during the evening peak.
The Straits Times understands the melting was caused by an electrical arcing - similar to the one which sparked a trackside fire between Marina Bay and Raffles Place stations on Oct 7, and which was caused by a build-up of debris.
Wednesday’s incident came a day after a delay on the East-West Line, which SMRT said was caused by a software glitch.
Track fault results in slower city-bound trains on North-South Line on Wednesday morning
On its Facebook page, SMRT said its engineers “are monitoring the situation closely”. It added that free bus services between Yishun and Toa Payoh are available.
“Bridging bus services will also serve commuters from Yishun towards Toa Payoh. Alternative bus travel options are available at http://$$$$$$$/2rMan0V,” it added. “You can also consider taking the North-South Line towards Jurong East station and transfer to the East-West Line. We do apologise for the inconvenience this is causing you.”
Just last week, SMRT apologised for an unprecedented flooding of the North-South Line which disrupted service for 20 hours on Oct 7 and 8.
Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said: “It is extremely unfortunate that there have been train delays on the East-West Line and North-South Line in the past two days. It is understandable that commuters are frustrated by the delays as they have been inconvenienced again.
“Our train operators must work hard to rectify any faults expediently and ensure that repeat incidents are mitigated. If there is a systemic issue to be addressed, it should be addressed.”
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...d-of-wednesday
Such horrible service . Will there be another public apology ?
According SMRT twitter track fault reported yet again from Ang Mo Kio to Bishan MRT . No official media announcement so far . Train services have already resumed according to SMRT twitter . So you still want to vote for PAP ? How Mr Khaw another breakdown in service . Do you think it is fair to the commuters ? Do you guys still want to increase fares ?
Second track fault in 3 days affects city-bound trains on North-South Line
PUBLISHED 46 MIN AGO
Lee Min Kok
SINGAPORE - Train services on the North-South Line were delayed briefly on Friday (Oct 27) morning due to a track fault between Ang Mo Kio and Bishan stations.
This is the second time in three days that the same stretch of line was hit by a track fault.
It was not clear if the faults are related.
SMRT first tweeted about a 20-minute delay from Ang Mo Kio to Bishan in the direction of Marina South Pier at 5.56am, adding that free regular bus services had been activated.
Normal service resumed at around 6.30am.
On Wednesday, trains had to run at lower speeds over a 150m stretch between Bishan and Ang Mo Kio for much of the day due to a track fault.
Electrical arcing had caused a rubber insulator to melt along the tracks near the Bishan swimming complex, creating a gap between running rails.
This caused bunching up of service on the heavily-used line during peak hours.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...rth-south-line
Now then report when the incident is over . Also your report never indicate what type of track fault . So how Mr Khaw are you going to punish SMRT or not ? Seemed like they have not learned anything . Or will you take responsibility for them and do the honourable thing and resign ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
skyleon
At least he is sincere but Mr Khaw and Kuek did not bow .
The 2 fellows behind him should be SACKED .
Why are these 2 jokers still on the job ???