- First man in, last man out
SMRT says its rail reliability improved in 2017. Yup. Really. Here’s how they got to that conclusion.
This irony can actually be quite simply explained.
By Fasiha Nazren | 10 mins
During transport operator SMRT’s annual review on Wednesday, Mar. 28, CEO Desmond Kuek announced that rail reliability last year has improved based on the Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF) indicator.
We bet this is what you look like after reading the above sentence:
And we understand why, since there were a couple of big incidents amongst several other train faults that happened last year.
Here’s a selection:
We could go on, but we’ve made our point.
But all that said, numbers don’t lie, so here’s what we understand about how they arrived at this splendid conclusion:
What is Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF)?
MKBF is an international performance indicator for rail reliability.
It simply measures how far trains travel before experiencing a delay that lasts for more than five minutes.
The bigger the number, the lesser delays are experienced, the happier commuters get.
Simple enough? Great.
continue reading here :
https://mothership.sg/2018/03/why-sm...improved-2017/
So do you guys think that the mrt service had really improved or not ? For your information I am still boycotting SMRT Trains service .
Can new chairman Seah Moon Ming change SMRT’s culture?
Let’s hope he is what the company needs.
By Jeanette Tan | 4 hours
The first time we heard the name “Seah Moon Ming”, we learned he had taken on the role of non-executive Chairman at SMRT.
And the first time we saw him?
Seah was executing two bows at the press conference that followed the Bishan MRT tunnel flooding disruption:
This was in October 2017, when Singaporeans were just wondering who this dude was and why he was apologising and bowing.
People have been questioning why SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek was not doing the apologising.
So what about the last time we heard about Seah?
It was a couple months after, when he announced he was leaving Pavilion Energy, the oil and gas firm he helmed as CEO:
This move won notable praise from Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who in a talk with engineers late last year quite significantly called on them to “render full and public support, not just for Seah Moon Ming, but also for his management, and the rank and file at SMRT” – and leaving out mentioning Kuek:
But certainly, we shouldn’t rely too heavily on who Khaw mentions or doesn’t.
So, we attended Seah’s first big press conference — since assuming the full-time role of SMRT Chairman on February 1. And here are some things we noticed:
Despite being at the helm of SMRT’s board, Seah was the first of the panel of the company’s leaders to enter the press room — a good 10 minutes before anyone else showed up to sit on the press conference’s panel.
Accompanied by Vice President for Corporate Communications Margaret Teo, he took time to make his way along the stretch of invited journalists, having conversations with every single one.
Eventually taking his seat behind a placard bearing his name and title, Seah remarked that he was glad to see that the media had “all the material… (companies) seldom provide everything. Transparency.”
After the press conference ended, SMRT’s communications staff asked the media to wait for the company directors to exit first.
continue reading here :
https://mothership.sg/2018/04/smrt-seah-moon-ming/
Since profits are down for SMRT he should just sack the CEO .
Track fault causes delay on East-West Line during morning rush hour
09 Apr 2018 08:11AM (Updated: 09 Apr 2018 09:08AM)
SINGAPORE: Train service along the East-West Line was delayed during the Monday (Apr 9) morning rush hour due to a track fault, operator SMRT said.
In its first tweet at about 7.40am, SMRT advised commuters to add 15 minutes to their usual travel time from Jurong East station to Joo Koon station “due to a track fault”.
The delay went up to 20 minutes at about 7.50am and 25 minutes at 8.40am, according to subsequent tweets by the rail operator. It also extended to Clementi station.
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...-koon-10118092
Well done SMRT . As expected blame on track fault . The only thing they never blame is themselves . Despite cutting down operating hours for urgent repairs these sort of breakdowns still occur. So How Mr Lee and Ah Khaw you guys still want to raise transport fares ? Such world class mrt transport system Singapore has . So you still want to vote for PAP ?
Track fault on East-West Line during Monday rush hour
Raj Nadarajan/TODAY
Published 08 April, 2018
Updated 08 April, 2018
SINGAPORE — A track fault on the East-West Line caused fresh delays for commuters during morning rush hour on Monday (April 9).
Those travelling between Jurong East and Joo Koon stations have been asked to prepare for delays of about 25 minutes.
Affected commuters took to social media to vent their frustrations. Twitter user Asyura said that she should have been in school by 8am, but was instead “stuck between Chinese Garden and Lakeside” MRT stations.
Smrt, not a good time to cock up. I have a test at 8.30. I left early and shld be in schl by 8 but here i am, stuck, in between cg and lakeside. Gtg man
— Asyura. (@Asyuraaa_) April 8, 2018
Transport operator SMRT first put out a tweet at 7.36am, advising commuters to be prepared for delays of about 15 minutes.
[EWL]: Due to a track fault, pls add 15mins train travel time from #JurongEast to #JooKoon towards #JooKoon.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) April 8, 2018
In an update at 7.54am, SMRT advised commuters to add some 20 minutes of travelling time between the two affected stations.
[EWL] UPDATE: Due to a track fault, pls add 20mins train travel time from #JurongEast to #JooKoon towards #JooKoon.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) April 8, 2018
SMRT then put out a third tweet at 8.23am, telling commuters that “we are working to recover service”.
continue reading here :
Track fault causes train delays for nearly 3 hours on East-West Line
PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO
UPDATED 16 MIN AGO
SINGAPORE - A track fault caused delays for almost three hours along a westbound stretch of the East-West Line (EWL) on Monday morning (April 9), with services resuming at 10.18am.
Rail operator SMRT first tweeted about the fault affecting travel from Jurong East to Joo Koon stations at 7.36am, warning commuters to add 15 minutes to their travel time.
Its subsequent updates said to expect delays of up to 25 minutes, with Clementi station also affected. “We are working to recover service,” SMRT added.
There are five stations - Jurong East, Chinese Garden, Lakeside, Boon Lay and Pioneer - between Clementi and Joo Koon.
According to SMRT, there was a track circuit failure between Pioneer and Jurong East stations just before 7am.
When The Straits Times arrived at Jurong East station at around 9am, train platforms appeared to be clear.
SMRT said in a tweet at 10.18am that train service on the EWL had resumed.
SMRT Corporation
@SMRT_Singapore
[EWL] UPDATE: Train service on the EWL has resumed. Trains are running normally now.
7:18 PM - Apr 8, 2018
6
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All 35 stations along the EWL have had their operating hours on weekends shortened since March 2, so as to provide more time for engineering staff to intensify testing of the new Communications-Based Train Control signalling system.
SMRT Corporation
@SMRT_Singapore
[EWL] UPDATE: Due to a track fault, pls add 25mins train travel time from #Clementi to #JooKoon towards #JooKoon. We are working to recover svc.
5:57 PM - Apr 8, 2018
13
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The shorter operating hours will continue till April 29.
The rush to get the new signalling system up on the EWL comes after a train collision at Joo Koon station on Nov 15 last year.
Investigations pointed to compatibility issues between the old and new systems, with the authorities deciding to separate the two systems.
This resulted in the suspension of train service between Joo Koon and Gul Circle stations, with service not expected to resume until June this year. Currently, commuters have to get off at Joo Koon and take a free bridging bus service to the next stop at Gul Circle to continue their westward journey.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...st-to-joo-koon
So what happen to train delays only less than 1 5 mins per month SMRT ? Do you think it is fair to your paying commuters ?
Train fault on North-East Line; no service between Outram and Potong Pasir stations
SBS Transit warned commuters to expect additional travel time of up about 15 minutes.
PUBLISHED 34 MIN AGO
SINGAPORE - Train service from Outram to Potong Pasir stations in both directions on the North-East Line (NEL) has been suspended on Wednesday morning (April 11) due to a train fault.
SBS Transit, which operates the NEL, first tweeted about the fault at Little India station at 7.35am.
It warned commuters to expect delays of about 15 minutes. This was later revised to 30 minutes.
SBS Transit expained that trains are moving at a slower speed due to the fault. It added that free bus rides have been made available at designated bus stops from Potong Pasir to Outram.
On Monday morning, commuters also faced delays on a west-bound strech of the East-West Line due to a track fault.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...g-morning-peak
As usual standard reply . But they never blame themselves . So how to increase mrt fares Mr Lee & Ah Khaw ?
Train service disruption along EWL and NSL on Tuesday morning
Published on 2018-04-17 by Martha Soezean
This Tuesday morning (17 Apr), train service was first disrupted along the East West Line (EWL) followed by the North-South Line (NSL), again without official information given on its media platforms by the transport operator, Singapore Mass Rapid Transport (SMRT)
At 8:30am Joepan posted a tweet wondering why the train stopped for too long at Eunos:
Cheng Hyork informed there was a train fault on EWL, causing delay on the West bound trains:
Joepan tweeted again that his train stopped at Paya Lebar for more than one minute; there was no announcement and the train kept stopping:
Other passengers also tweeted complains on the EWL delay, Mitaaaa wrote it was a train fault:
continue reading here :
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/201...esday-morning/
I wonder what is SMRT trying to hide . Again no public announcement to your paying commuters . Still want to increase fares Mr Lee and Ah Khaw ?
Former defence chief Neo Kian Hong to replace Desmond Kuek as SMRT CEO
18 Apr 2018 11:30AM (Updated: 18 Apr 2018 12:13PM)
SINGAPORE: SMRT chief Desmond Kuek is stepping down and making way for senior civil servant and former chief of defence force Neo Kian Hong, the company confirmed on Wednesday (Apr 18).
The appointment will take effect on Aug 1.
Mr Kuek, 54, also a former chief of defence force, will bow out after five-and-a-half years at the helm of the beleaguered transport company.
“It has been my privilege to have served alongside a most professional and dedicated team in SMRT, and to have led the company through this critical period of organisational transformation and system renewal," he said in a press release.
“While we have been through challenging times, I firmly believe the company is well-placed for better journeys ahead, and I see this as a timely juncture to hand over to a new leadership team to take the company to its next level.”
Mr Neo, who is also 54, succeeded Mr Kuek as the chief of defence force in 2010. After leaving the military in 2013, Mr Neo was appointed Permanent Secretary for Education Development at the Ministry of Education before joining the Defence Ministry last year.
He was also appointed a non-executive director of Singapore Technologies Engineering last June.
Currently the Permanent Secretary for Defence Development, Mr Neo will retire from the Administrative Service on Aug 1 with his appointment as SMRT CEO.
He said of his SMRT appointment: “I am conscious that there will be challenges ahead. I know the public expects safe and reliable train services. I will work very hard to meet their expectations.”
GLOBAL SEARCH FOR SUCCESSOR
Mr Neo’s appointment comes after a “global search” for a successor for Mr Kuek, said SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming.
He said the SMRT board was impressed with Mr Neo’s appreciation of interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as his vision and experience in leveraging new technologies for public service.
“I have had the opportunity to work alongside Kian Hong during the SARS crisis and witnessed his sense of mission, hands-on approach to problem-solving and decisive leadership,” Mr Seah said.
“Kian Hong had also proven his operational leadership when he led the SAF contingent in East Timor.”
The announcement comes less than three months after rumours that Mr Kuek was due to step down, and a series of personnel changes at SMRT including the departure of former vice-president for corporate communications Patrick Nathan and the appointment of new executive officers for rail operations and maintenance.
The transport operator has suffered several setbacks recently, including a train collision at Joo Koon MRT station, and the flooding of a train tunnel near Bishan station last year.
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...w-ceo-10147140
Seriously from one defence chief to another . I expect the environment still to be the same . Looks like SMRT is becoming a company to let our ex army generals and colonels becoming a training ground for them. I wonder if SMRT has lost its vision and direction ? Anyways I am still boycotting SMRT trains for now until I can feel safe enough to travel with them . Good luck to the commuters .
Desmond Kuek leaves SMRT to the man who replaced him as chief of defence force after earning close to $10 million in 5.5 years
April 18, 2018
Desmond Kuek is expected to step down from his post as president and group CEO after five and a half years at the helm of SMRT Corporation Limited, according to mainstream media reports. Kuek may reportedly be replaced by Neo Kian Hong – the same man who succeeded Kuek as Chief of Defence Force (CDF) eight years ago, in 2010.
Neo, who had served in the Singapore Armed Forces since 1983, succeeded Kuek as CDF on 31 March 2010. At the time, Neo had been serving as Chief of Army – a post he passed down to current Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Chan Chun Sing – one of the ministers hotly tipped to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as head of Government.
Neo retired from the Forces on 27 March 2013 and was replaced by Ng Chee Meng – a former Lieutenant-General who now serves as Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport.
Neo joined the civil service after leaving the Forces and presently serves as Permanent Secretary (Education Development) in the Ministry of Education – a post he has held since 1 July 2013.
Interestingly, Kuek took a very similar career route to the one Neo took. Just a year older than Neo, 55-year-old Kuek became the 6th CDF on 27 March 2007, taking over from his predecessor Ng Yat Chung. Ng went on to become an executive at national wealth fund Temasek Holdings before becoming CEO of Singapore Press Holdings last year.
Just after three years as CDF, Kuek relinquished his position to Neo. Just like Neo, Kuek took on an appointment as Permanent Secretary after retiring from the Forces. He served as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources between 1 July 2010 and 30 September 2012.
The very next day after he resigned from his post as Permanent Secretary, Kuek started his new job as President and Group CEO of SMRT Corporation Limited, on 1 October 2012.
continue reading here :
Global search for next SMRT CEO ends up with someone with zero experience in transport industry
Published on 2018-04-18 by The Online Citizen
by Chris Kuan
The global transport industry is truly in a dire state when a global search for the next SMRT CEO ends with someone with zero experience in the transport industry, zero experience working in the private sector and zero experience at board level of any company let alone a $1b company.
But it goes further. If SMRT is a fully privatized company, would shareholders particularly the asset managers be happy with such a CEO who is practically indistinguishable from the previous CEO? The answer would surely be no, in particular why change the CEO at all if his replacement is almost exactly the same? But worse because the new man does not have the 5-year experience of the former CEO’s tenure.
Normal investors and shareholders usually do not like the discontinuity or disruption at the top of the company for no new directions. Of course, we do know that the indirectly state-owned SMRT is not like a normal private sector company although it was supposed to be managed like one or so we were told.
continue reading here :