Jeraldine Phneah
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Work
  • Learn
  • Money
  • Family
  • Wellbeing
  • Environment
SUBSCRIBE
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Work
  • Learn
  • Money
  • Family
  • Wellbeing
  • Environment
Jeraldine Phneah
No Result
View All Result

Why do Singaporeans Get So Upset About MRT Breakdowns?

in Politics
Reading Time: 6 mins read
14.4k 146
Home Politics
14.6k
VIEWS

This article is written for those who feel that Singaporeans as ‘pampered’ and overreacting about the MRT breakdowns.

I am a regular Singaporean who takes the MRT to and from work every day.

In the past few years, there have been quite a few major train breakdowns. The first major one in December 2011. There were promises to improve things since then.

However, minor train disruptions still happen almost daily on my way to work. Whenever I take the East West line before and after work, the train often stops in the middle of the track for about 2 minutes before resuming its journey.

Major disruptions continue multiple times annually. This year itself, there were multiple major disruptions in the first quarter of the year.

I was born in the 1990s and this has never occurred in my many years of living in Singapore before infrastructure failed to keep up with immigration.

Earlier in July, what could potentially be the worst MRT breakdown to date occurred. During the peak period where most Singaporeans needed the train the most, the North-South and East-West lines were down for hours.

During that period, I saw quite a few comments online about Singaporeans being spoilt to be so upset about a train breakdown.

Others called us for being unreasonable and defended SMRT saying that train breakdowns are normal given that these two lines were the first major lines to be built and inefficiencies are inevitable.

Thus, I hope to provide my perspective as a local to share insights as to why Singaporean’s reactions were more than reasonable and why train disruptions are so incredibly frustrating and upsetting for Singaporeans.

 

1. Transport fares and SMRT’s CEO salary has risen greatly but what hasn’t increased is the efficiency and reliability of the MRT

The CEO of SMRT, Mr Desmond Kuek, has seen his salary increase from around $500,000 in 2013 to $2.5 million in 2015. This money comes from tax payers given that we pay fees for riding the train and that SMRT is supported by public funds although it is a ‘private company’.

Read: Why spend public funds for private use?

On the other hand, fares for commuters increased by 2.8 % just a few months ago.

Given that the CEO is paid so much more and fares are increasing each year, it is only reasonable that Singaporeans have high standards of the public transport. You pay what you get for right?

However, what hasn’t increased at all is the reliability and efficiency of our public transport system. It is just as overcrowded as a few years ago (if not more) and train breakdowns are much more frequent.

The same argument above can be used to answer why Singaporeans have such high expectations of their ministers. 

I mean if you hire an employee and pay him $5000 a month, you’d naturally expect much more from him than someone in the same role that gets only $1000 a month. Similarly, our attitude towards ministers are if you are paid so handsomely with taxpayer’s money, you’d better do a good job to prove you are worth that sum.

While some may point out that things are not so rosy for SMRT as they are constantly being fined by the Land Transport Authority, I personally find it ineffective and just for show.  After all, both SMRT and SBS just received 1 million in April 2015 for “better service“.

Seriously, what is the purpose of such hefty fines? Nothing gets improved and SMRT continues to receive public funding. It is just left pocket out, right pocket in.

With public transport standards declining over time; taxis becoming complacent and having poor service and private transport now being out of reach of the ordinary Singaporeans; it is no surprise that transport apps like Grab and Uber are becoming increasingly popular.

 

2. Public transport is the only option for many Singaporeans

If the MRT train breakdown elsewhere, people still have the luxury of private transport. However, in Singapore, for the majority of the population i.e. lower and middle-income Singaporeans, public transport is our only option.

Private transport has become a luxury. Cars are incredibly expensive.

The government has recently also increased the COE premium of motorcycles which in my opinion is pretty stupid. Not only does this policy harm poor people in Singapore, it is also ineffective in solving the road congestion problem. Motorcycles only have a minimal impact on road congestion and pollution with a 7 percent increase in bikes compared to a 53 percent increase in cars from 2003 to 2013.

Read: The COE system now hurting motorcyclists too

Given that Singaporeans are forced to rely on public transport, all the more we expect it to be run well.

Personally, I think that the only way to stop congestion in Singapore is first to stop overrelying on immigration as a means for economic growth and secondly, to improve the speed, reach and reliability of our public transport.

3. The government has not kept its end of the bargain

This point was raised by playwright Faith Ng which I felt was extremely well written and true.

What she is saying is basically:

Singaporeans have been told this narrative for a long time that we are young, vulnerable, no natural resources blah blah… thus, we all have to give up sacrifices to ensure our society is peaceful and things run smoothly.

For instance if we don’t give up our rights to free speech; rights to press freedom; rights to free assembly; rights to love someone of the same gender, the consequences are dire. There will be racial riots, we will become uncompetitive and families will break apart.

We’re also told that our society is run on Asian values where we’ve to put this community before ourselves. In return, we’d be given a good life with world class transport, healthcare, education blah blah.

So when our trains don’t arrive on time, people get upset because we feel we’ve kept our end of the bargain, why haven’t those in power kept theirs?

 

4. We’re always told that our infrastructure and facilities are  ‘world class’

One of the ways the Singapore government tries to instill a sense of pride in us is to constantly give us the impression that we are the best.

Our pride and identity as Singaporeans is derived from the fact that we have world class standards of living and world class education, healthcare, transport etc.

Thus when trains break down so frequently all of a sudden, Singaporeans start to see that our transport system is no longer the best, that even cities like Moscow have much better public transport system. This threatens our deeply held beliefs about Singapore and pride in our nation.

 

So, before you label Singaporeans for being too pampered because we’re upset about train breakdowns, try to see things from the perspective of the mainstream Singaporean.

Things are different when you are born in an era where public transport ran smoothly and then declined over the years. Compared to if you came from a country with poor public transport and moved to one with a better system.

Things are different when you are living in a country where public transport fares grow each year along with the ceo’s salary and yet no improvement is being made.

Things are different in a country where most people only have public transport as an option.

Things are different when citizens are told they should make sacrifices in their life to keep things running smoothly only to realize those in power did not keep their end of the bargain.

So, please don’t be too quick to judge us Singaporeans as pampered individuals who are just over reacting about the MRT breakdowns.

Please share this post with your friends so they can understand our situation.

Let’s stay in touch!

I write regularly on current affairs, travel and personal development. To find out more about me, check out my profile and follow me on Facebook and Instagram:

 

SendShareShare13637Share1019
Previous Post

Why Are There So Many Poor Elderly In Singapore?

Next Post

Moscow: One Of The Most Afforable And Beautiful Cities

Related Posts

Politics

Why are Singaporeans upset about the Presidential Election walkover

3.7k
8 Times Low Thia Khiang Spoke Up For Singaporeans
Politics

8 Times Low Thia Khiang Spoke Up For Singaporeans

8.3k
A Middle Ground Perspective on Lee Kuan Yew
Politics

A Middle Ground Perspective on Lee Kuan Yew

3.5k
Why Is Ong Teng Cheong One Of My Favourite Politicians?
Politics

Why Is Ong Teng Cheong One Of My Favourite Politicians?

9.1k
Load More
Next Post
Moscow: One Of The Most Afforable And Beautiful Cities

Moscow: One Of The Most Afforable And Beautiful Cities

Maid Abuse

Why are there so many cases of maid abuse in Singapore? And, what can we do to help?

jeraldinephneah

Today is the start of a new quarter for me. I spen Today is the start of a new quarter for me. I spent my CNY holiday taking a break and reflecting on life. I also had a chance to have deep conversations with some friends to correct some false beliefs holding me back.

For the past few years, I think I’ve done quite a good job with prioritising my physical health, and being someone who has gotten their finances/work in order. It is time to focus more on building myself internally.

This quarter onwards, I aim to start taking life a little slower; stop trying to distract myself with so many activities; spend more time on self-reflection and focus inwards a little more.
Buying 春联 for my house and supporting @grassro Buying 春联 for my house and supporting @grassrootsbookroom and @leeter_tunku_kopitiam

They will be selling calligraphy every Sunday till 30 Jan 😊
Mosburger by the bay Mosburger by the bay
I've always had a clear idea of what I wanted and I've always had a clear idea of what I wanted and a specific strategy on how I was going to get there.

I thought I had my life planned out in my 20s and going exactly the way I wanted. Yet at 30, the ENTJ in me has begun to accept that there is a limit to how much I can plan.

Even the most well-thought plan is powerless against the uncertainties and curveballs in life.

We cannot control every single thing, but what I've learned is that three things are essential.

1. Hope/Optimism - life is constantly changing whether we want it or not. Sometimes, we win and sometimes we lose. Yet, these losses are meant to direct us down a path that is better for us. 

2. To learn - to treat each setback as a learning opportunity and continually work on being the best person you can be for yourself and the people around you. 

3. Choice - you cannot control your fate but you can alter your destiny by choosing how to respond and focusing on how you can turn challenges into an advantage.

Looking forward to 2022 and what life has to bring 😊
Our team of SDRs, BDR, AE (myself) and Solution En Our team of SDRs, BDR, AE (myself) and Solution Engineer finally met in person ytd evening!

One thing which makes me grateful about being at Workato is having a strong supportive team and a good boss (not in this picture).

When it comes to working with our team, I go by 4 principles which I share with everyone.

1. Alignment - I will aim to provide visibility into overall plan; my schedule and progress

2. Open Communication - I will be tactful, candid and two-way. Please hold me accountable and provide direct feedback when you feel I can do better. This is inspired by @raydalio principles on radical candor. 

3. Care - I will strive to engage you on a personal level and with generosity, authenticity, and vulnerability.

4. Empowerment - No one is too junior to share ideas, speak up in meetings with customers and contribute ideas. We all have something valuable to bring to the table as long as we put our customers’ interest first.

#kakīlâng #家己人 #workato
Follow on Instagram

© 2021 Jeraldine Phneah

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Work
  • Learn
  • Money
  • Family
  • Wellbeing
  • Environment

© 2021 Jeraldine Phneah

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?