A letter from a Joker...
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Peak-hour capacity: Expand train platforms at MRT stations to accommodate more carriages.
I REFER to the front-page report, 'PM's Bali call: Go green without sacrificing growth' (ST, Dec 13), where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called for pragmatic and cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as greater use of public transport.
At present, our six-carriage MRT trains are usually packed to maximum capacity during the morning and evening peak hours on weekdays. It is not unusual for commuters to have to wait for the next service to board the train.
This situation will get worse if more people answer the Prime Minister's call by using the MRT train service.
It will also put pressure on the existing service in one or two years' time when the population is set to increase with the influx of foreign workers coming here to make this nation their home.
Our locals may find it more sensible to depend on the MRT system as a means of transport because of the high cost of petrol which makes driving expensive.
Could the SMRT do something to improve its train service, especially during peak hours?
Will it be possible to expand its train platform at MRT stations to accommodate more carriages as a long-term solution?
Nelson Quah
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_188700.html
THIS GUY IS A JOKER WHO HAS LOST TOUCH WITH REALITY.
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Not joker. What he state is quite true.
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Agreed. Nowadays, MRT trains are so packed. imagine when the population reaches 6 millions.Originally posted by caleb_chiang:Not joker. What he state is quite true. -
lol u still have to increase carriage and extend all stations. underground stations can extend meh .
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Theoretically speaking it sounds true to him, but in reality, how is this going to work?Originally posted by caleb_chiang:Not joker. What he state is quite true.
Expansion of the train platform means that a larger part of the track has to be straight. How is this going to work at stations like Braddell and Lakeside, whereby it's a straight merging curve right outside the station?
Next, for underground stations it means addition of Platform Screen Doors. And we all know it costs a hefty sum for PSDs to be installed in all stations. Approx. 1 million per set of doors.
Thirdly, expansion of stations means more train cars are needed. How is SMRT going to do that, now that most trains are already fixed at 6 cars and to get additions it means buying more train cars (not koping train cars from other trains).
Lastly, for aboveground stations, how is extending of the platform going to work now that buildings and roads have already been built around it? Furthermore like I said, all MRT platforms are built in a straight line which means train tracks needed to be straightened for this to work. And in reality, this can't be achieved.
Although I might agree adding more passenger trips would work, expansion of the train platform is seriously a nonsensical and rubbish idea. -
1) Redigging of tunnelsOriginally posted by anhydrouscoppersulphate:lol u still have to increase carriage and extend all stations. underground stations can extend meh .
2) Re-alignment of train tracks
3) Addition of Platform Screen Doors
4) Addition of train cars
If Mr. Quah can provide SMRT with all these in terms of money as well as the power of God, I'm sure SMRT would be more than willing to. -
what rubbish. the existing rail infrastructure is not economical for further railcars, platform and station extension. its not worth undergoing such extensive and high-risk civil engineering and upgrading works just to add another train carriage.
The rail authorities have already been reluctant to upgrade the existing elevated train stations with platform screen doors and air-condition it due to high costs despite the several rail suicide cases, let alone extending the existing infrastructure.
with more upcoming rail lines, i think it'd help to solve some of the current congestion; but i doubt so for the city area.
bus routes and proposals should be further relaxed to help supplement the existing rail services. its a good initiative from our bus operators to implement Express, Fast Forward, Premium and City Shopper svcs to compete with the MRT. hope for more to come! -
It is easy for those who has even basic knowledge of such systems to know that the person's suggestion is not achievable, however I feel it is very unfair to slam the person using words such as "rubbish".
Please think through the choice of words and phrasing before replying, regardless of how absurd the post might be. The person wrote in with good heart and initiative to bring up such a topic. You don't want the forum to appear as stuck up and elitist to the general public who comes in. -
i certainly do not find anything funny, plain absurd or impossible to carry out in nelson quah's letter. he frequently writes to the ST forum and some of his letters are true to the point.
yes although we cannot expand the train platforms, SMRT can either increase the frequency of trains by, yes, having more trains, buy more. yes you can say it's millions of dollars but look, in the future, there IS demand. the human sardine packaging that is happening today in our trains will be far more worse in the future.
you wouldnt want smrt personnel standing by our platforms to push in the passengers, would you?
but even increasing the frequency of trains may have a problem in the future. 2 escalators/staircases per platform may not be enough. this is yet another problem. even if we have killer one-minute frequencies, the crowd stuck on the platforms cannot get to the concourse level by the time the next train pulls in. another human jam trying to get to the escalators, a funnel effect.
these are problems for our dear SMRT. maybe they can do a good job. being paid a few thousands per month those professionals. -
even increase the carriages also not enuf one.. peak hour got too many ppl, and those cb kias who die die want to carry their bag the size of 14" TV on their back, same thing for bus as well.
I see also sian. not abt the trains, more abt our ppl. -
SMRT does not take charge of these works, LTA does. LTA owns the tracks and right of way, so want to blame, blame the government.Originally posted by Oceane:1) Redigging of tunnels
2) Re-alignment of train tracks
3) Addition of Platform Screen Doors
4) Addition of train cars
If Mr. Quah can provide SMRT with all these in terms of money as well as the power of God, I'm sure SMRT would be more than willing to. -
Train platforms can be curved. As long as the curvature isn't very sharp, a gap filler (ie a machine which joins the train to the platform, can be operated only when a train is stationary along the curve) would not be needed. Many MTR platforms are curved slightly but have platform screen doors.Originally posted by Oceane:Lastly, for aboveground stations, how is extending of the platform going to work now that buildings and roads have already been built around it? Furthermore like I said, all MRT platforms are built in a straight line which means train tracks needed to be straightened for this to work. And in reality, this can't be achieved. -
Basically, this is what LTA/MRTC (Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, statutory board until 1995) probably done wrong during the planning of the MRT lines.
1. Building platforms which are too short.
2. No Express tracks and platforms
3. Building stations which have narrow platforms
Root cause, government's inability to forcast population growth accurately, they'd already made a blooper when they made an adrupt change from "Stop at two" to "Give birth more".
Short term solution:
Good frequency, more alternative ways (more buses)
Long term solution,
Extend platforms
Build Express tracks (maybe AMK don't need, cos already have third track).
Older transit systems have exprienced partial closure during upgrading of systems, if this had been done before, I don't see how we can't do it if we do it station by station.
Want to have better ride on MRT? Pay more tax. -
During the 1980s I think having 6 train cars was sufficient to meet the demands of the public then.Originally posted by Scania:Basically, this is what LTA/MRTC (Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, statutory board until 1995) probably done wrong during the planning of the MRT lines.
1. Building platforms which are too short.
2. No Express tracks and platforms
3. Building stations which have narrow platforms
Root cause, government's inability to forcast population growth accurately, they'd already made a blooper when they made an adrupt change from "Stop at two" to "Give birth more".
Short term solution:
Good frequency, more alternative ways (more buses)
Long term solution,
Extend platforms
Build Express tracks (maybe AMK don't need, cos already have third track).
Older transit systems have exprienced partial closure during upgrading of systems, if this had been done before, I don't see how we can't do it if we do it station by station.
Want to have better ride on MRT? Pay more tax.
I think doing partial closure would not work. Just imagine the chaos below the tracks, with super packed buses and taxis. -
They dun want buses to operate w/ duplication but rather asking ppl to pay more! Ok, Express and Fast Forward might workOriginally posted by SBS3688Y:what rubbish. the existing rail infrastructure is not economical for further railcars, platform and station extension. its not worth undergoing such extensive and high-risk civil engineering and upgrading works just to add another train carriage.
The rail authorities have already been reluctant to upgrade the existing elevated train stations with platform screen doors and air-condition it due to high costs despite the several rail suicide cases, let alone extending the existing infrastructure.
with more upcoming rail lines, i think it'd help to solve some of the current congestion; but i doubt so for the city area.
bus routes and proposals should be further relaxed to help supplement the existing rail services. its a good initiative from our bus operators to implement Express, Fast Forward, Premium and City Shopper svcs to compete with the MRT. hope for more to come!
Premium services might not go well with the mass crowds
At this rate it does not get the mass to switch to public transport -
maybe ask them to build bullet train underground ... hahas ... or make all parts of singapore with lots of shopping center so people dun need to travel much as they can find work near their homes . =)
NVm i'm just CRAPPING -
He is not joker lah, hes just trying to do make suggestions.
Your frequency is no good, thats why they make these suggestions.
Another way to solve the current 'congestion' is to allow duplication of MRT lines then. -
Many train stations around the world has curved platforms. Singapore is an exception as we have a very minimal platform gap. Since most of the wheelchair lots are around the centre of the train set, why cant able-bodied passengers cross a slightly wider platform gap? Even if the platform pinches together, there wouldn;t be much passengers going to the end nyway. So, it is a plus for those who would like to avoid the crowd.
Expanding train platforms isnt a solution as the Joker did not ask SMRT to buy new train cars so point invalid.
The MRT isnt as packed as what the Joker claims to be. No matter what, most passengers would have a small personal space between them and the next person. Apparently the Joker thinks that the MRT is his car.
For those working in the CBD and living up north, my advise is to backtrack to Marina Bay. That way, you have a higher chance of gettign a seat. Only downside is that you have to get out at Marina Bay to see the train destination.
If the Joker can't even wait for 2 minutes, perhaps he should learn to wake up earlier. -
Can one, close those not so popular stops temporarily, and then do a Dover-style construction (trains running through, station closed). Those more popular ones, do a Bishan style construction (trains and platforms still operational). Buses ha, just use SS buses, like what they did before MRT opened to shuttle between the closed stations and the nearest open stations.Originally posted by Oceane:During the 1980s I think having 6 train cars was sufficient to meet the demands of the public then.
I think doing partial closure would not work. Just imagine the chaos below the tracks, with super packed buses and taxis. -
SMRT's current answer: Refurbish the trains.
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I think some of you guys are missing the point here. The complain is about the sardines packed in the train at times, it's a joke, girls get molested (well almost), could be your girlfriend or mother or aunt, but we don't care, the problem here is that the mrt is totally packed at the moment, it will be worse in the future if nobody address this issue. Instead of saying there are no solutions or your solution is totally stupid (well it might not be, for some silly solution could be tweaked to become perfect solution just by looking at different angles), we're more concern about the problem so we can recognize it and try to address the issue, not to laugh at other people's proposed solution.
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suggested solution is possible.... hell saince they say nothing is impossible...
lets say installing PSDs on BSH stn is taking like 6 months... imagine how long it takes to dig and build like 2 cars worth of platform... plus on every station... what u gonna do? close MRT for like 10 years? or carry on the work on every station at the same time? like that u gotta hire like thousands of workers to get the job done.
solution is to either get SMRT and SBS to increase off peak freqs to 3 mins or get them to purchase more trains if this isnt possible. i guess more $12m trains is much cheaper than trillions of bucks spent on expanding platforms. -
Aiyah, just squeeze a bit more lah.
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can le..Originally posted by anhydrouscoppersulphate:lol u still have to increase carriage and extend all stations. underground stations can extend meh .
dey can make a Basement2 underground mrt station -
Originally posted by Oceane:
But come to think of it, the 'joker' has not lost touch with reality what...if not why he call it LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
[b]Peak-hour capacity: Expand train platforms at MRT stations to accommodate more carriages.
I REFER to the front-page report, 'PM's Bali call: Go green without sacrificing growth' (ST, Dec 13), where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called for pragmatic and cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as greater use of public transport.
At present, our six-carriage MRT trains are usually packed to maximum capacity during the morning and evening peak hours on weekdays. It is not unusual for commuters to have to wait for the next service to board the train.
This situation will get worse if more people answer the Prime Minister's call by using the MRT train service.
It will also put pressure on the existing service in one or two years' time when the population is set to increase with the influx of foreign workers coming here to make this nation their home.
Our locals may find it more sensible to depend on the MRT system as a means of transport because of the high cost of petrol which makes driving expensive.
Could the SMRT do something to improve its train service, especially during peak hours?
Will it be possible to expand its train platform at MRT stations to accommodate more carriages as a long-term solution?
Nelson Quah
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_188700.html
THIS GUY IS A JOKER WHO HAS LOST TOUCH WITH REALITY. [/b]
Evidently, he recognizes these constraints.