‘Stay on track’, says Desmond Kuek in email to SMRT staff
SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek.
25 Jan 2018 07:29PM (Updated: 25 Jan 2018 11:58PM)
SINGAPORE: Amid media reports that he is “expected” to step down, SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek sent an email to SMRT employees last week to deny the rumours.
In an email to SMRT employees on Jan 19 seen by Channel NewsAsia, Mr Kuek said that even though it is not usual practice to comment on market rumours, a Straits Times report on his potential resignation has “generated ground concern that must be addressed”.
“I would like to assure you that when I do (step down), one day as we all must for leadership renewal, you will hear about it from me first. It will not be through some speculative piece in the newspapers,” he wrote.
“For now, my focus is to work with everyone toward our goals. Let’s stay on track, with everyone on board, so that we can be on top again very soon.”
Mr Kuek also dismissed the rumours on Thursday on the sidelines of an SMRT event.
The Straits Times reported last week that SMRT’s vice-president of corporate communications Patrick Nathan had quit and “observers are expecting chief executive Desmond Kuek to step down as well”.
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...-staff-9895886
So how the state media can you confirm the news is real or not ? Or this just a fake news by the state media ? Like that how can we trust the state media ?
SMRT CEO confident of rebuilding public trust
Commuter confidence hit by two major rail incidents last year, PTC survey shows
ADRIAN LIM, TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
Jan 26, 2018 06:00 am
SMRT group chief executive Desmond Kuek is confident that the rail operator can rebuild commuters’ trust and confidence following two major incidents last year.
He was responding to the results of a Public Transport Council (PTC) survey that showed commuter confidence in public transport dipped following a case of flooding in an MRT tunnel and a collision between two trains.
“Trust and confidence in our network is (something) we continue to need to work on.
“I am very confident that we will in time rebuild that trust and confidence in commuters,” Mr Kuek told reporters on the sidelines of a media event.
He also dismissed talk that he will be stepping down, saying reports of his impending departure were “purely speculative”.
continue reading here :
http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/smr...g-public-trust
Honestly with him and his management team that is still at SMRT Trains I do not trust them at all . I am still boycotting the SMRT Trains .
Reporters asked SMRT CEO ‘Easy’ to ‘Difficult’ to ‘Are you quitting?’ questions
That build-up lasted three-and-a-half minutes.
By Belmont Lay | 10 hours
A programme to get all 1,400 SMRT frontline employees trained in skills to better help commuters with special needs was announced on Jan. 25, 2018.
And on the same day of the programme’s announcement, the Public Transport Council (PTC) unveiled a raft of recommendations.
These include suggestions to make the public transport system more accessible for those with special needs, and to improve commuters’ experience.
SMRT CEO answers reporters’ questions
So, just when there were plenty of events and announcements occurring at the same time, at the training programme launch at Ang Mo Kio MRT Station on Thursday was traditionally media-shy SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek.
He was on hand to speak to reporters, which was an uncharacteristic move.
But since he availed himself for questioning, the reporters were more than ready to ask the CEO a host of questions, that seemingly went up one level after each response:
Talk about the SMRT training programme (Easy)
Explain how the programme differs from what has been rolled out (Slightly less easy)
Explain timing for this programme (Moderate)
Respond to the survey showing commuter has lost trust in SMRT (Difficult)
Comment if he is going to quit (Very difficult)
A 3-minute 30-second video of the interview, with impromptu questions ranging from easy to “Are you quitting?”, can be seen here:
Note: The interview started off breezy with some low-ball questions and answers, and became increasingly edgier.
The initial talk of Kuek stepping down was first broken by transport correspondent Christopher Tan from The Straits Times.
In response to that news, Kuek sent a same-day e-mail to SMRT staff on Jan. 19 addressing the speculation about his future.
He wrote: “I would like to assure you that when I do, one day as we all must for leadership renewal, you will hear about it from me first. It will not be through some speculative piece in the newspapers.”
continue reading here :
https://mothership.sg/2018/01/smrt-c...ers-questions/
Such an easy question to answer and he doesn’t give a straight answer .
SMRT to outsource more maintenance work
PUBLISHED 6 HOURS AGO
Christopher TanSenior Transport Correspondent
SINGAPORE - Transport operator SMRT is outsourcing more non-rail maintenance work to improve the speed and quality of such work.
Since October’s tunnel flooding at Bishan - which was traced to lapses in pump maintenance - the Temasek-owned company has outsourced the servicing of tunnel pumps.
It also intends to outsource the maintenance of MRT station air-conditioning and tunnel ventilation systems - adding to an already long list of work which is handled by external contractors.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, SMRT director of building and facilities Siu Yow Wee said the move does not mean the company is washing its hands of risks associated with poor maintenance.
“We will not outsource our responsibility away,” Mr Siu said. “In tandem with the outsourcing move, SMRT maintenance staff will step up to supervisory or inspection roles.”
He explained that outsourcing allows SMRT to fix defects across its network more speedily.
“Engaging an external contractor - some of whom are original equipment manufacturers - allows us to work on multiple sites concurrently as we can mobilise the contractor’s manpower,” he added.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...intenance-work
Looks like more SMRT workers will be sacked .
SMRT confirms departure of corporate communications VP Patrick Nathan
29 Jan 2018 06:24PM (Updated: 29 Jan 2018 06:53PM)
SINGAPORE: Transport operator SMRT on Monday (Jan 29) announced its vice-president for corporate communications Patrick Nathan will be leaving the company this March to “pursue other interests”.
In a human resources circular sent to all SMRT staff and seen by Channel NewsAsia, the company said it wished to express its gratitude to Mr Nathan for his contributions. He joined SMRT as director for Security and Emergency Planning and was appointed to his current position in 2013.
Local media reports had stated earlier this month that he had resigned from the transport operator.
Mr Nathan said of his six years at the company: “I would like to take this opportunity to convey my appreciation to the chairman, Board members, CEO, management and all staff for the wonderful support I have received during my six years at SMRT.
“I joined the company at a time of great change and was part of this incredible journey that saw significant upgrade and renewal programmes being undertaken to lift rail reliability. I am extremely proud to be part of a public transport company that provides a frontline, daily and essential service to Singaporeans.”
The company said that as vice-president of corporate communications, he had built up SMRT’s digital media presence, and was “deeply involved” in its reputation management and crisis communications efforts.
Taking over his position from Feb 1 this year is Ms Margaret Teo, and she will be the chief spokesperson for SMRT Group, the circular added.
Ms Teo will lead the organisation’s external and internal communication strategies and, in tandem with its strategic objectives, will “drive strategic messaging, media relations, internal communications, corporate affairs, community engagement, corporate social responsibility and online engagements through new media platforms including the SMRTCONNECT app”.
The executive joined SMRT in August 2014 as head of Corporate and Marketing Communications.
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...atrick-9907342
So the news is true afterall . So will that Ah Quak be the next one to leave ? Hope the new person will be better in communicating info to your commuters . Your paying commuters deserve better .
Train delays along EWL and NSL on Tuesday morning
Published on 2018-01-30 by Martha Soezean
The train commuters on East West Line (EWL) and North South Line (NSL) experienced delays again this morning (Tuesday, 30 Jan) with no official explanation from Singapore Mass Rapid Transport (SMRT).
At 8:06am Keen posted a photo showing that Pasir Ris Station was crowded; No information was provided for the cause of the delays.
Jimmy Seah wrote to TOC, noting that there was a train fault at commonwealth station towards Pasir Ris at 0842am. Passengers were forced to alight from the train.
And another tweet from pok informed it took 20 minutes to get to Raffles Place from Dhoby Ghaut:
continue reading here :
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/201...esday-morning/
So why didn’t SMRT communicate to the public about the train delays which is more than 10 mins long . Why didn’t the state media these incidents ? So how you expect your voters to trust your state media ? Still want to vote for PAP ?
State media collaborated with SMRT to stop reporting train disruptions
January 31, 2018
Singapore’s government-controlled state media has collaborated with state-owned transport operator SMRT to stop reporting train service disruptions. The North-South Line (NSL) today (Jan 30) during the peak hour morning has been hit with track faults according to local public address announcements. Commuters are seeing trip delays up to 20 minutes, with trains moving at around 20km/hr. This is however not reported in SMRT Twitter or in the state media. There is also no response from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Nearly all NSL stations are affected with Sembawang, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Newton and Raffles Place stations especially overcrowded at the moment.
Crowd at Ang Mo Kio station Jan 31
Facebook groups operated by the Singapore government have also censored postings of train disruptions reported by members, with any posting that happened before on the current day being deleted on TATA SMRT Facebook group. The move is aimed to cover up the actual disruption reporting.
Just earlier this week, the SMRT vice-president of corporate communications resigned from his post, making way for a new “Chief Communication Officer”. However, the newly-appointed executive did not deliver timely disruption notifications as well.
continue reading here :
http://statestimesreview.com/2018/01...n-disruptions/
So how can we trust the state media ?
How can we trust SMRT ? How can we trust LTA ? How can we trust Ah Khaw ? How can we trust the PAP ?
Service disruption along NSL on Wednesday morning
Published on 2018-01-31 by Martha Soezean
Another track fault along the North South Line (NSL) occurred this morning (31 Jan), causing slow train speed, crowded trains and platforms. And again, without any official explanation given by the Singapore Mass Rapid Transport (SMRT).
A tweet at 7:29am from Richard Jang first highlighted the service disruption on NSL. He noted that there were 4 trains waited to enter the Sembawang Northbound Platform to Jurong East:
Vijayan Haridas’ tweet questioned the lack of information for the delay:
Other commuters’ tweets also complained on the crawling pace and crowded trains:
A commuter, Mary Lee posted a photo of an excuse slip from SMRT dated 31 Jan on SMRT’s Facebook page and asked why there was no announcement from the company.
continue reading here :
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/201...o-track-fault/
Yet another train disruptions without notifying your commuters . Well done SMRT . Where is your new communication officer ? So fast MIA ? How can we trust SMRT ??? Looks like I have to continue to boycott SMRT Trains .
NSL break down again for second day in a row
February 1, 2018
Stations between Newton and Raffles Place on the North South Line (NSL) saw it’s second break down again during the peak hour morning crowd today (Feb 1) after yesterday’s disruption. According to a commuter, he took 20 minutes to travel 3 stations from Newton station to Dhoby Ghaut station.
Like yesterday, there was no service announcement today and commuters waited blindly for a train, flooding the platforms and forming queues hundreds of metres long. Even the government-created application to update service disruption was not functioning.
The government-controlled state media has unofficially collaborated with SMRT and stopped publishing news of train breakdowns, as part of the propaganda attempt. As suppression information of public concerns is not a crime, the state media and transport authorities will not be taken to task.
It appears the Singapore government is trying to improve rail reliability statistics, by choosing not to report service disruptions of more than 10 minutes. According to Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, rail reliability has improved 49% based off his numbers, even though train breakdown is becoming more frequent.
continue reading here :
http://statestimesreview.com/2018/02...-day-in-a-row/
Seriously what is happening to SMRT ? How come still got so many breakdowns ? How come no public service announcement ? How come state media did not report such incidents ? Like this how can we trust SMRT ; LTA ; state media ; AH Khaw and PAP ?
Commuters drenched at Yishun MRT platform complain – “Build Shelter that Cannot Shelter for What?”
February 1, 2018
Peak-hour commuters waiting to board trains at Yishun MRT platform were drenched on Tuesday evening as strong winds blew heavy rains onto commuters, drenching them.
While there is a shelter that is supposed to keep the rain away from commuters at the station platform, the shelter only extends up to the doors of the trains, if there is a train waiting at the platform. If there is no train at the platform, commuters at the platform do not have adequate shield from such heavy rain that was blowing towards them.
The weather was so bad around 5pm on Tuesday that even when trains were at the platform, the small gap between the roof of the trains and the shelter allowed heavy winds to blow rain directly onto commuters attempting to board. Rain also drenched commuters after it was deflected off the top of trains that stopped at the platform.
Many commuters understandably did not expect to get drenched. Some tried using umbrellas to shield themselves but even that proved ineffective and they, too, ended up soaked.
Commuters shared their frustrations with the Chinese daily. One commuter, Ng Hao Yi said, “Like that, build shelter that cannot shelter for what?” while another commuter, Sharon Sim, suggested: “It’s an old station. Maybe the LTA should relook the design of the station and make improvements where necessary.”
Heavy rains also pelted several other parts of the island on Tuesday. Flash floods struck the Seletar region while residents at Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Seletar and Sengkang reported being hit by rare hailstones.
More unusual weather hit the East yesterday as East Coast Park visitors were seen and heard screaming and ducking for cover as heavy winds in the area this evening caused boats at the National Sailing Centre and trash cans around the park flying towards them.
continue reading here :
http://www.theindependent.sg/commute...lter-for-what/
Even God is not happy with Yishun . I wonder why ?