Tag: SMRT

Singapore

SMRT Trains Burning Smell

richardjang

In recent months, you would have notice an increase in an occurrence of the burning smell on the NS and EW platform. This is alleviated at elevated stations as it is an open ventilated station.

There must be a change of parts associated with the braking mechanism recently which had caused this. The smell did not occur at the platform in 2017 or earlier.

SMRT had clarify no asbestos are used for their braking mechanism. This bad smell will provide an undesirable working environment for the SMRT service ambassadors who spent most of their time on the elevated stations platform. The question is what cause this burning smell to surface and SMRT had not provided any concrete evidence to support their case.

Join the discussion at HardWareZone Forum
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/smrt-respond-regarding-burning-smell-trains-station-platforms-5865679.html

Singapore, Transport

Cashless MRT Stations

richardjang

From Sept 1, 11 stations had been selected to go cashless. Admiralty MRT is one of them and I will need to made some adjustment. Currently I and my wife is already going cashless. But what about my children? They do not have atm or debit card.

Thus, it will inconvenience me as I have to do the top up for them. They cannot do it independently. I have not sure whether LTA have thought about it. I am definitely not going to ask them to top up at convenience stores as there are additional charges involved.

This is Singapore style, enforce the rules to ensure you comply to their policy. So remember to made adjustment to your travel needs.

The 11 stations going cashless are Admiralty, Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Buona Vista, Farrer Park, HarbourFront, Hougang, Lakeside, Pasir Ris, Serangoon and Yew Tee.

Transport

Train breakdown 28 June 17

richardjang

This is the first major breakdown that affect both directions on the North South Line. Free bus boarding services were available for those buses that ply past the MRT Stations.


It start with the notification and LTA also got the time wrong. 

Notice the timing difference with the posting and the actual content. The notification always are later than the actual event. Twitter is the best place to get the latest news than the incumbent news agency. There is a lot of procrastination on the ground level to prevent the out flow of information.


The massive crowd overflowing the Jurong East Station platforms. Everyone is eager to get home after work.


Everyone queuing to get heir chance to enter the station to proceed to the next destination.


The incumbent news agency had inform the communters to endure for a few more months. Singapore residents are gullible and had to listen. There are limited venues for you to get your message across in Singapore.

We have to endure as they fine tune the system at the expense of our time. Bosses, I am late as the public transport need times to adjust accordingly.

Singapore, Transport

Yishun Massive Human Jam

richardjang

There was a track fault earlier in the morning at Choa Chu Kang according to the PA announcement at Admiralty Station. This had caused the frequency of trains to increase to 5 minutes. I still managed to get on the train at Admiralty. But then you will feel like a sardine after it leave Sembawang station.

Yishun Station
The south bound platform form a snakey queue all the way to the north platform.

I was glad that I am exiting the station at this point of time. It is tough for the Yishun residents especially if you are travelling towards the city.

Yishun Station
Massive jam at the entrance of Yishun MRT fare gate

The fare gate were reprogram to two entrances only. This is a measure to stem the human traffic flow into the station. But the down side, is a bottle neck will form outside the station.

If you plan to buy your home in Yishun, do give a second thought especially if you are going to use the south platform during peak hours.

Transport

SMRT Pasir Ris Accident

richardjang

It was unfortunate that 2 SMRT maintenance staff lives were lost during their course of works. They were part of a team trying to rectify the signal issue on the track. They were knock down by the oncoming train.

SMRT Pasir Ris Accident
Credits from Mediacorp, Channel 8

The standard operating procedure (SOP) maybe correct for the staffs. But the risk assessment may have flaw. As the risk is higher, the train should have maintained a speed of 30KM/H or lesser. There is an airflow resistance force generated as air passing through is restricted between the train and the peoples. There maybe many factors on why they were throw off balance and hit by the oncoming train. We shall leave to the expert’s and investigation team to provide an answer to the deceased families and the general public.

May the 2 honorable SMRT staffs rest in peace.

Transport

Transport App for Singapore Trains

richardjang

LTA had commercialise the train network in Singapore. It is run by SMRT and SBS Transit. With the advancement of technology, an app for smart phone is still not visualize yet. They have leave this job to our government agency, LTA.

LTA had developed its own app but this does not address the needs of the commuters of Singapore at large. The announcement normally come later than Twitter as information need to shift through multiple channels.

Just look at the comprehensive app own by HongKong MTR. It highlight the breakdown to commuters by using their app with more information than LTA.

image

Singapore is at least 3 years behind HongKong in the development of smart phone app for the train network. I will see whether Mr Khaw, the new Transport Minister can realize this dream for Singapore.