LTA ‘reserves the right’ to take action against parties involved in Nov 15 MRT collision
PUBLISHED 9 HOURS AGO
Adrian Lim Transport Correspondent
SINGAPORE - Action could still be taken against the parties who were involved in a collision of two MRT trains on Nov 15, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday, in response to queries from The Straits Times.
The LTA said it “reserves the right” to take appropriate action, without stating what that might be.
The French company building the new signalling system for the line has taken full responsibility for the collision, which left 38 people injured and caused train delays affecting nearly 13,000 commuters.
It was caused by compatibility issues between the existing signalling system and the new communications-based train control (CBTC) system which Thales is installing for the East-West Line.
An LTA spokesman said: “Thales has acknowledged its responsibility for this incident, and has apologised to the public. It has also committed to establishing a CBTC simulation facility in Singapore, including stationing engineers to support the set-up phase.”
The facility, whose location was not stated by the LTA, will support additional testing of Thales’ signalling system.
In its investigation report released yesterday, the LTA said several remedial actions had been taken following the collision.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...-in-nov-15-mrt
So can commuters take legal action against SMRT & LTA ?
LTA: LTA and SMRT not responsible for train collision
December 19, 2017
In their closing report released yesterday (Dec 19), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) concluded that SMRT and the government is not responsible for the train collision incident that injured 38 passengers. Pushing all blame to the signalling system supplier, Thales, LTA said the bug in their software is the main cause:
“A “software logic issue” with the new signalling system and a “confluence of failure conditions” caused the train collision at Joo Koon MRT station on Nov 15, 2017… Thales has acknowledged its responsibility for this incident, and has apologised to the public.”
However, there will be no punishment for Thales or SMRT.
LTA yesterday explained in details about the software glitch saying that they overlooked the integration testing between the two signalling system:
“The collision arose from an “abnormal condition” on a train-borne CBTC signalling equipment. When this occurs, the CBTC system will, by design, apply a Non-Communicating Obstruction (NCO) protective ‘bubble’ around the affected train to ensure its safety. This was the requisite start state for the incident,” LTA said. However, the train crossed “the only track point” that has not yet been fully modified for compatibility with the CBTC system. The protective “bubble” was then “unexpectedly disabled” by the CBTC system, “as the software logic cannot correctly process a track point that has yet to be fully modified for compatibility with the CBTC system when running in passive mode. This is not an issue when the CBTC is running in active mode on the North-South Line and the Tuas West Extension (TWE) as they are fully on the CBTC system.”
continue reading here :
http://statestimesreview.com/2017/12...ain-collision/
Sure or not ? So who authorise and approve the use of the new signalling system ?
Buskers to bring festive cheer to MRT stations, bus interchanges
RAFFAELLA NATHAN CHARLES
Dec 20, 2017 06:00 am
There will be live music and other performances at selected MRT stations and bus interchanges from now till Christmas Eve.
Rail operator SMRT has scheduled performances at major bus interchanges and stations across the East-West, North-South and Circle Lines to spread the festive cheer.
The performances started on Monday at Orchard and Jurong East MRT stations.
Buskers entertained a lunchtime crowd outside Bugis MRT station’s East-West Line exit yesterday, performing festive songs such as Silver Bells, Let It Snow and some Mandopop and Malay tunes.
It is the first time that SMRT has scheduled performances at MRT stations and bus interchanges in the lead-up to Christmas.
“It’s much more lively with the music and performances. It’s quiet on most days,” said Miss Fateha Yunos, 27, an assistant station manager at Bugis MRT station.
Besides the performances, Christmas-themed stickers will be given out by 4,500 frontline SMRT staff and over 200 staff volunteers. To add to the festive mood, all SMRT passenger service centres have been decorated with special Christmas decals as well.
Ms Dawn Low, project chair of the SMRT festive cheer committee and managing director (commercial), said: “This festive cheer initiative is a joint effort across all our staff from trains, buses, taxis to come out and greet commuters at various MRT stations and bus interchanges.”
At Bugis MRT yesterday, people stopped to enjoy the music or take videos of the buskers.
Ms Cheri Wu, 37, a banker, said: “It’s a good initiative, it really brightens up the station. They should do this more.”
continue reading here :
http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/bus...s-interchanges
Will this help to improve on the performance of the mrt ? I am still boycotting SMRT trains until their services improved . Until I feel safe enough to travel on their trains .
SMRT creates new ‘chief commuter engagement officer’ role to improve service
The team led by the new officer will further promote the development of SMRT as a passenger-centric organisation that provides a safe, reliable, caring and comfortable train service, said SMRT.
PUBLISHED 5 HOURS AGO UPDATED 1 HOUR AGO
Samantha Boh
SINGAPORE - SMRT has appointed a chief commuter engagement officer for the first time, to enhance service quality.
This is one of several initiatives to improve train services launched by new SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming, reported Lianhe Zaobao.
Mr Seah told the Chinese daily on Tuesday (Dec 19): “Commuters are at the heart of everything we do at SMRT. We see the importance of listening to and acting on feedback from commuters in a timely and effective manner..
He said the new chief commuter engagement officer, who will officially take up the job next month, will champion the needs of commuters by looking at various aspects of the operations and maintenance of the MRT that affect their journey experience.
“We must proactively take care of our commuters’ interests. SMRT values every feedback and will deliberate each and every one in a careful and considered manner,” he added.
SMRT noted that the team led by the new officer will further promote the development of SMRT as a passenger-centric organisation that provides a safe, reliable, caring and comfortable train service.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...mprove-service
Did you hire a local Singaporean or a foreigner ? Will the train services improve or not ? I am still boycotting SMRT trains until I fell that it is safe enough for me to travel on .
Train fault on Downtown Line causes delays during morning rush hour
21 Dec 2017 07:51AM (Updated: 21 Dec 2017 08:23AM)
SINGAPORE: A train fault on the Downtown Line (DTL) caused travel delays during the morning rush hour on Thursday (Dec 21).
SBS Transit said on its official Twitter account at around 7.50am that train service on the line was delayed from Downtown station towards Expo station, and that commuters should add 10 minutes to their travel time.
It said at around 8am that full service had resumed.
A Channel NewsAsia reader who did not want to be named said he boarded the train at Bukit Panjang MRT station at around 7am, but the train did not move off and an announcement was made 10 minutes later telling commuters to alight.
Commuters were told that bridging bus services were available.
Photos showed a packed scene on the Bukit Panjang MRT platform.
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...-fault-9515328
New line also got problem . And the problem always occur during rush hour . So how Mr Khaw still do not want to set up an Independent committee of inquiry ? Why PAP is so quick to set up committees including the Oxley affair and yet so slow to set up an Independent Committee of Inquiry for the train disruptions ?
LTA to stop live experiments with commuters and conduct offsite testing
December 19, 2017
Only after a train collision that saw 38 injured with some broken bones and teeth, the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) will no longer be continuing live human experiments where commuters are used as guinea pigs to collect data. LTA announced on Monday (Dec 18) that they will be conducting a comprehensive train testing with their supplier Thales at an offsite facility.
In the meantime, the two stations where the Nov 15 collision occurred – Joo Koon and Gul Circle – will remain closed until mid 2018 while LTA conduct offsite experiment. According to the LTA, the collision was a result of a software logic mismatch between the new Tuas extension line terminal at Gul Circle and the existing East-West line terminal Joo Koon.
Signalling system supplier Thales was not punished for the collision incident, despite being made the sole scapegoat. However, in a secret deal with LTA, Thales had to bear the cost of an undisclosed amount to set up a simulation facility.
LTA and SMRT are also currently conducting live experiments with commuters on the North-South Line (NSL), which saw numerous train delays from alleged software glitches in the new signalling system. There has not been an incident injuring commuters yet, but economic losses from late workers chalked up at least S$50 million to date due to island-wide system failure and delays.
Despite the worsening state of rail reliability, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan claims otherwise, based off a government-published data which sees “multi-folds” improvement instead. For undisclosed reasons, SMRT was also excused from the Excess Waiting Time framework which should see the transport operator fined S$4,000 for every 6 seconds. The last punishment was in July 2014, and there has never been an update on punishments from LTA since then.
continue reading here :
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 .
Spelling fault? SBS apologises for “Marry Christmas” sign at MRT station
December 26, 2017
SBS Transit apologised today for a message wishing commuters a “Marry Christmas” instead of “Merry Christmas” at one of the MRT stations on the Downtown Line that the transport operator runs.
The spelling error was displayed yesterday, on Christmas, on an electronic display board that is typically used to inform commuters of when trains are expected to arrive.
SBS Transit’s senior vice president, corporate communications, Ms Tammy Tan said today, “We are very sorry for the error in spelling and have corrected it. We hope this has not marred the festivities for any of our commuters.”
The blunder occurred on the same day that another erroneous spelling of the word “Merry” was spotted at a Malaysia airport, across the
continue reading here :
http://www.theindependent.sg/spellin...t-mrt-station/
Such is the state of Singapore’s world class transport system can’t even do a simple spelling correct how can we trust the PAP and the SBS Transit to operate the mrt system ?
Former and current SMRT workers charged with cheating in case involving S$9.8m worth of contracts
29 Dec 2017 12:32PM (Updated: 29 Dec 2017 01:55PM)
SINGAPORE: One SMRT employee and two others who previously worked for the rail operator, as well as a company director, have been charged with cheating offences involving contracts worth of a total of S$9.8 million, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said on Friday (Dec 29). The offences allegedly took place between 2007 and 2012.
Three of them were each charged with four counts of conspiring with each other “to cheat SMRT Trains by dishonestly concealing the fact that they had an interest in Enovation Industries (EI)”, resulting in SMRT being deceived into awarding contracts worth S$3,900,000 to EI, said CPIB in a news release.
They were 60-year-old director of Enovation Industries Akbar Ali Tambishahib, 61-year-old former SMRT manager Jamalludin Jumari and 59-year-old former SMRT assistant engineer Zakaria Mohamed Shariff.
Akbar Ali, Jamalludin, Zakaria were also charged with 24 counts each of conspiring with each other to “cheat SMRT Trains by dishonestly concealing the fact that they had an interest in Enovation Technology (ET)”, resulting in SMRT being deceived into awarding contracts worth S$5,900,000 to ET, CPIB added.
The amount in each purchase order were between S$3,700 and S$3.9 million.
A fourth person Zulkifli Marwi, 52, also faced the same charges. He is a line manager at SMRT.
CPIB said Jamalludin absconded in 2013, but was found recently in Malaysia and brought back to Singapore to face charges.
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...n-case-9817942
So easy to cheat SMRT Trains ? So what are the top management doing ? Never check and verify ? Just sign blindly ?
CPIB: Corruption found at SMRT
December 29, 2017
In a media release today (Dec 29), three employees with Singapore state-owned public transport operator SMRT were found to have engaged in corruption by awarding S$9.8 million worth of contracts to a company where they have vested interests. From SMRT, line manager Zulkifli Marwi, 52, former manager Jamalludin Jumari, 61, and assistant engineer Zakaria Mohamed Shariff, 59, were revealed to have conspired to award various contracts ranging from S$3,700 to S$3.9 million to a company called Enovation Industries.
The fourth person to be charged is the director of Enovation Industries, Akbar Ali Tambishahib, 60. One of the four guilty, Jamalludin Jumari, absconded and left Singapore in 2013, but was found in Malaysia and extradited to face charges in Singapore.
CPIB made the announcement without explaining how did the contract award process resulted in the corruption:
“Three of them were each charged with four counts of conspiring with each other to cheat SMRT Trains by dishonestly concealing the fact that they had an interest in Enovation Industries (EI), resulting in SMRT being deceived into awarding contracts worth S$3,900,000 to EI. Jamalludin absconded in 2013, but was found recently in Malaysia and brought back to Singapore to face charges. The CPIB had worked closely with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission who acted expeditiously on our request for assistance.”
continue reading here :
http://statestimesreview.com/2017/12...found-at-smrt/
So can we ever trust the management of SMRT ? Can we trust Desmond Kuek ? How much tax payer money was lost ?