GE 2015, Public Transport Woes, again?

Since I could not decide, which Political Party that I will be giving my vote to on 9/11; last night, I attended an Opposition Party Rally; close to where I am staying.

I spent about 2 hours there and actually learned in some new words from a Cantonese Speaking Election Candidate when he addressed PM Lee, in full Cantonese. “Lee Hsien Loong”, literally, in English as “calling” or “awaken” the Dragon. Cool !.

To me, PM Lee’s given name is “benevolence” to our Country.

Let’s come back to the title of this blog.

Almost all the 9 opposition party that contesting for this GE2015, almost every night, during their rally, it was reported that, MRT or more specifically SMRT is like an untouchable or out caste in Singapore.

I was so awkward when the speakers took turn to shoot arrows on the same subject of train breakdowns, bah, bah, bus brunching, bus overcrowded, bus waiting time too long, cannot find a seat, bah, bah….

Most of the election opposition candidates, which have spoken on bus or train issues, actually do not have much idea and understanding on what they are talking about.

Just like a broken-recorder, repeating second-hand know-how from either CNA or local newspaper.

All their words and statements are mere complaints;

None have even attempt to propose or give their suggestion on how to solve this public transport issues. “Bo liao lah” and certainly not qualify to talk on this subject, in my opinion.

None have mentioned, that, actually, our public transport system has been improved since 2011 and it is now about 75% full! And soon it can be better; have confidence ya, my dear folks.

For the buses services, do they know, actually on a daily basis, how many incidence of buses breakdown?  From where I am now servicing as Bus Captain, I can tell you, easily there 3-5 buses breakdown daily. Since, buses operational mode is a “discreet function” and it is not a “continuous function” like the MRT driven system; any bus breakdown, it can be rectified within minutes. And you commuter will have no idea at all of the said breakdown.

For MRT services, in my view, it is already a “close to perfect operational system already”.

Why I said so?

My understanding is that, the rail network is been subjected to the statistical outcome of defective part per million issue (dppm).  From the empirical train breakdown data so far (since 2011 till to date 2015); the train ability to service all the commuters daily, is in excellent tip-top conditions; with an extremely high process capability (CpK) of 6-sigma;

My observation is that, the way our rail network been wired up and sewn up; even with just 1 count of electric fault; the rail network will stop operating, and the net effected is always a "Massive-disruption " manner.

To Recall the abbreviated “MRT”, and please correct, if I am wrong here; the letter “M”, stands for “Mass” or in full, mass-rapid-transit, got it.

The foresight is " mass-transit" and the hindsight will be "mass-disruption" lor!, can you accept it or not?

To further explain, the electric current, needed to run the trains, has to be connected in a circuitry manner. However, when there is a small electric disturbance or intermittent in one remote branched-tail end of the circuit; it is capable to affect (in a negative sense of words), the entire electric current supply to operate the trains; leading to the rail network been shut down promptly.

The bottom line is whether can the public commuters accept this extremely low defective rate, and be grateful to the Transport Ministry and the rail operators that, for every 1 million trip done; there are 999,997 successful train trips to ferry you from MRT station to your workplace or home; or continue as you wish; to increase the caustic intensity of your words to the Ministry and to the rail operator, when there is just 1 train breakdown.

Lastly, I wish to ask for your understanding, not to continue to shoot blank arrows to the rail and bus operators; if the train breakdown is induced by the universal natural law of impermanence or an outcome from statistical process capability.

And if proven beyond doubt, and it is a workman induced screw-up or an omission of due diligence, then by all means, fire at will.

THANK You.