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Thanks for the explanation. So on one day, 2 years ago, after 15 years of perfect order, two lines went down. I understand what you're saying about the standa

Thanks for the explanation. So on one day, 2 years ago, after 15 years of perfect order, two lines went down. I understand what you're saying about the standards going down and it's good that the Singaporeans are so demanding toward the authorities. Still, it is not regarded an extinction-level event in most places. In Melbourne (Australia), for instance, only 87% of the trains are required to arrive within 5 minutes of the schedule. That is, over every 10th train can be late and it's OK with everybody. See here: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/about-ptv/victorias-public-transport-network/performance-monitoring/ https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/about-ptv/victorias-public-transp... The average time between trains is 10-15 minutes, up to 20 in off-peak hours. (For trams and buses, the standards are more lax, obviously.) This is normal; Melbourne transportation is regarded as generally of decent quality worldwide and yes, CBD-bound Melbourne commuters generally use public transport, too.

ValentineC 9y ago
> So on one day, 2 years ago, after 15 years of perfect order, two lines went down. The Singapore train system has been around for 30 years, but that's not the point. It hasn't been 15 years of perfect order — my experience for the past year has been that I cannot rely on the train system to reach a destination on time, nor can I rely on announcements, since the government mandates that only delays above 10 minutes need to be announced. [1] On the ground, I have rolled my eyes at the many delays that go by unannounced, presumably because they're only "9:59 minutes" long. > Still, it is not regarded an extinction-level event in most places. It's really bad in Singapore because the train system is the only thing that can cope with the population. This is the sight at bus stops when a small section of _one_ line was disrupted for just _two_ hours: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/commuters-hit-with-2-hour-mrt-disruption http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/commuters-hit-with-2-h... Just three days ago, our newest line (which is between 1 to 4 years old) was hit by delays [2]. For a lot of Singaporeans, the problem isn't with not being able to use the trains — it's with: 1) the companies not being transparent and forging maintenance records [3]; 2) being unable to plan alternative routes because of the lack of announcements; and 3) a Minister of Transport who shifts blame to everything and everyone but himself [4]. -- [1] http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/rail-operators-required-to-inform-commuters-of-delays-exceeding-10-minutes http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/rail-operato... [2] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/delays-hit-downtown-line-during-evening-rush-hour-due-to-9492618 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/delays-hit-do... [3] http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/how-systemic-are-smrts-cultural-issues http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/how-systemic... [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaw_Boon_Wan#Minister_for_Transport_(2015_-_present) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaw_Boon_Wan#Minister_for_Tra...
- vadimberman 9y ago
  I appreciate the wealth of info (really interesting), but really, if a delay of 10 minutes within a span of half an hour makes national news, it's head and shoulders above the rest. BTW, the bus picture: I went to Switzerland in 2015; even though it was only a week-long visit, my wife and I encountered a train cancelation because of some kind of an issue with the tracks; everyone was shepherded to the buses in not a very orderly fashion, which looked like your picture. To our question whether it was an extraordinary event, the other commuters smiled and said, nah, happens once in a while. Don't get me wrong - I think it's a good thing, but IMO you guys have very high standards.

ValentineC 9y ago

> So on one day, 2 years ago, after 15 years of perfect order, two lines went down. The Singapore train system has been around for 30 years, but that's not the point. It hasn't been 15 years of perfect order — my experience for the past year has been that I cannot rely on the train system to reach a destination on time, nor can I rely on announcements, since the government mandates that only delays above 10 minutes need to be announced. [1] On the ground, I have rolled my eyes at the many delays that go by unannounced, presumably because they're only "9:59 minutes" long. > Still, it is not regarded an extinction-level event in most places. It's really bad in Singapore because the train system is the only thing that can cope with the population. This is the sight at bus stops when a small section of _one_ line was disrupted for just _two_ hours: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/commuters-hit-with-2-hour-mrt-disruption http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/commuters-hit-with-2-h... Just three days ago, our newest line (which is between 1 to 4 years old) was hit by delays [2]. For a lot of Singaporeans, the problem isn't with not being able to use the trains — it's with: 1) the companies not being transparent and forging maintenance records [3]; 2) being unable to plan alternative routes because of the lack of announcements; and 3) a Minister of Transport who shifts blame to everything and everyone but himself [4]. -- [1] http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/rail-operators-required-to-inform-commuters-of-delays-exceeding-10-minutes http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/rail-operato... [2] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/delays-hit-downtown-line-during-evening-rush-hour-due-to-9492618 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/delays-hit-do... [3] http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/how-systemic-are-smrts-cultural-issues http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/how-systemic... [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaw_Boon_Wan#Minister_for_Transport_(2015_-_present) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaw_Boon_Wan#Minister_for_Tra...

vadimberman 9y ago
I appreciate the wealth of info (really interesting), but really, if a delay of 10 minutes within a span of half an hour makes national news, it's head and shoulders above the rest. BTW, the bus picture: I went to Switzerland in 2015; even though it was only a week-long visit, my wife and I encountered a train cancelation because of some kind of an issue with the tracks; everyone was shepherded to the buses in not a very orderly fashion, which looked like your picture. To our question whether it was an extraordinary event, the other commuters smiled and said, nah, happens once in a while. Don't get me wrong - I think it's a good thing, but IMO you guys have very high standards.