Snapshots of Hot Issues

The recent incidents relating to  transport issues are really worrying and one wonders if the relevant authorities and the ministry itself is fully in charge and in control of matters

SMRT

SMRT seem to be getting into the news for one incident after another - security breaches, overcrowding, frequent disruption to services (are we now going back to a 3rd world standard of transport services?). Yet no one seem to take responsibility or be held to account. The CEO apologises today for yesterday's major disruption but after that life goes on its merry ways as far as SMRT is concerned. No one is held to account

Taxis

Fare are increased across the board with no warning or consultation; taxi driver under the influence of drugs go on a rampage across the island

Buses

Bus drivers lose his way; commuters are taken on a merry go round for 2 hours. And today a bus driver is found guilty in court for causing the death of 2 young engineers.

Is the transport ministry doing something? anything?

I regret Saw Phaik Hwa's statement reported this morning that she will not be leaving SMRT.

Saw Phaik Hwa had been leading SMRT into multiple problems - not just train carriage problems, not just track problems, but also backup system problems such as lighting and ventilation, backup bus shuttle problems, it's clear that SMRT is facing systemic problems and not isolated or localised issues.

I do not believe she has the ability to run SMRT and hence she should not remain for a single day longer to "and put everything right".

I think most importantly, is to termniate the recent transport increase for a period of 3 to 6 months, since one of the reason for transport increase peg to Efficiency and quality service, unfortunately we see a reverse!!
 
MInister Liu and PTC should note that we pay more but we didnt see quality service.  Why is PTC so quiet, is time you come out and speak and review the fare again.  Instead of fining the SMRT, such compensation should go to the commuter.  A termination of that recent increase for a period of 6 mths, there after reinstate back will DEFINITELY help sooth commuters frustration, such compensation should go to the commuters instead!!  No point fining the SMRT and $$ goes to the other organisation.  Its time commuters get compensate.
 
SMRT should review its maintenance process, the relevant maintenance team should come out with a sop like a monthly or quarterly audit check on the detail check on the system and rail.  Just how many technicians and how much time are they given to do their routine or maintenace check.  If such check are tedious, and lack of manpower then maybe should look into forming a new department team, headed by specialist or consultant and technicians specifically take care of all these detail checks and audit. 
 
Also SMRT should relook the sop whereby when commuters are trap more than 20mins, then necessary action has to be taken to free the commuters first, what if baby and asthmatic commuters in the train suffocate, who is responsible for death?? 

we should really look into allowing drinking of water on trains.. a lot pple are drinking water on trains and eating sweets... some feeding babies.... feel that the rule need to be looked into.....

We always talk about numbers of trains during peak hours and time in between trains, but what about a system to control the passengers at these hours?? It seems like we do have lots of options but we normally choose to "opt" them out and "feel" that a fully packed train at peak hours is always acceptable as other countries are having the same problem....

yes.. i feel that something need to be done... if want strict... be strict on eating and drinking rule... fine alll parents... have a hotline to report parents feeding babies milk on mrt trains... etc

Traffic Issues – Accident Waiting To Happen As Always
 
To Mr Lui (our Transport Minister), please help to look into this issue with most Urgency before the people start to blame you.
 
From recent accident of Bus Drivers knocking down pedestrians as crossings, I strongly believe that the LTA can do something about it and not sitting there PASSIVELY.
 
We must appoint a Safety Officer in LTA responsible for Safety Issues and then there is OWNERSHIP.
 
We should have more Standard Behaviors in traffic light signaling and buses moving out from bus lane.
 
1.  Implement Turn Right Signal (Green Arrow/Red Stop) at all Traffic Junctions with pedestrian crossings.  Turn Right Red Stop lights up when Green Man pedestrian signal is lighted.  Turn Right Green Arrow lights up only if Red Man pedestrian signal is lighted.  This will prevent future unnecessary loss of life.  Today another 66 years old woman lost her life going under the bus.
 
2.  Implement Buses Right Of Way Exit Marking from Bus Bay at all bus-stops to make it mandatory for other vehicles to slow down and give way to buses at bus-stop.  This is to prevent things taken for granted.  Eg. Buses rushing out of bus bay without looking at bus-stops without Right of Way Exit Marking, causing dangers to other road users as they may not have slow down to give way.  This will also help to speed up the flow of public transport.
 
3.  Make it an offence for Heavy Vehicles, Lorries, Vans and Commercial Vehicles (60km/h or 70km/h) to travel on Expressway outermost Lane 1 or 3-lane main road outermost lane (except turning right 50m from junction).  This is to prevent road hogging and dangers to small car.
 
4.  Implement Speed Limiters to All Commercial Vehicles (max 75km/h, since speed limit is 70 km/h).  Too many Heavy Vehicles are speeding above 90 km/h on expressway (especially Malaysian Tour Buses & Lorries).  Even on normal main road, our Rubbish Trucks are speeding & zig-zag dangerously during the morning.  That why I saw Lorries or Buses flip and lying on its side in an accident quite a few times.
 
 
Thank you,
Gen-XY.

ST: Right of way dilemma at road crossings (6 Apr 2012)
Double-green system in spotlight following fatal accident
 
This PASSIVE Prof doesn't know the seriousness by saying this
"no change to the system is needed: 'Singapore has used this system for many years, and motorists should put into practice what they learnt while getting a driving license.' "
Do we want to wait passively, like MRT & LTA ignoring the calls for the installation of wall/doors on MRT platform, for more BODIES Count FIRST ???
 
These leaders are just irresponsible to the SAFETY of majority of general public.
IF Vehicle Congestion is really an issue, then Reduce the number of vehicles on our road.  Although I drive, but Most Singaporeans walk and take public transport.
 
Pedestrian SAFETY is of Utmost Importance!  Don't be so self-centre.
It is the drivers who are against the mandatory Right Arrow/Stop implementation at all traffic junctions.
 
Often I see drivers turning Right at traffic junction without keeping a look out for pedestrians at Green Man crossing and almost knocking into them.
 
Many times I also see drivers who don't slow down and stop for pedestrians to cross the Zebra Crossing too, accidents had happen before and will again. 
For those against. Better hope it is not your family members next time!
 
Definitely ACCIDENT IS WAITING TO HAPPEN!
 
We are an international city with many Nationalities who would not have taken a Full Singapore Driving Test and receive a PASS in Singapore driving license.  Many foreigners have just easily converted from their own country domestic license; standards may be different and driving behaviour & attitudes are different too.  We have many drivers from China & India among us who may behave differently and dangerously.
 
I know the dangers, that why I often remind my children and old folks of traffic junction & zebra crossing dangers.  There are just too many IMPATIENT DRIVERS on the roads nowadays.
 
Mr Lui.  LTA. 
Please review RESPONSIBLY for the safety of the general public and not just bias to the car drivers.  Otherwise if more Bodies get ramp down, the public will blame you for get high pay and not doing any serious work.
Good Luck.

To LTA,

Besides having LTA Traffic Wardens during bus-lane peak hours occasionally.
How about deploying LTA Traffic Wardens at zebra-crossings to video those impatient and dangerous drivers who do not stop for waiting pedestrians to cross the zebra-crossings during morning and evening peak hours too.

If not, convert all zebra-crossings at traffic junctions to Traffic Lights (Red/Green) if pedestrain traffic is very heavy.  Red Stop Light on Green Man.


Cheers!
Gen-XY.

COE system needs to change - Billions of dollars lost


Impact of current high COEs:

Billions in disposable income not flowing into the economy; let me elaborate. For example, if the average COE price is $80,000, and there are 2000 COEs released every 2 weeks, in a one year period, the amount spent on COEs is 80,000 x 2,000 x 26 = $4.16 Billion a year that does not flow into the economy. Imagine if there is no COE charge, and car buyers spent that $4+billion on other goods and services, what impact that would do to the economy?? I think there is a definite positive impact. Even if only half was spent, that is another $2+ billion flowing into the economy.

Not to mention the impact to companies cost of business, car fleet costs, transportation costs, etc. It will mean that cost of Taxi ownership will be lower, and thus taxi fares would also be lower, thus enabling even more disposable income.

Alternative

Instead of bidding for COEs why not just ballot them. Have a system of prioritization, ie, after each balloting excercise if you are not successful, for the next cycle you have a higher priority, and after x number of tries you are guaranteed a COE. Factors such as whether the bid is for first time car buyers, replacement car for existing car buyers or whether it is your 2nd or 3rd car for private buyers, etc will all become factors of prioritization.

I do acknolwedge that a lot of work needs to be done to determine what is the most equitable and formular for the prioritization, and of course the challenge of how to phase over to this from the current bid system; but it can be done.