5/05/2013

Ominous signs to slow down





The latest discovery in the MRT story is rail crack. Monday morning peak hour, crack was found on the North South Line causing massive jams and delays to the train service. Subsequently the speed of all trains was slowdown as a precaution. MRT quoted an incident in England that resulted in several deaths due to rail cracks.


The main cause of rail cracks is metal fatigue contributed by a combination of temperature, age and uneven wheel.  Are these the signs of an ageing system that needs either a complete overhaul, a complete change or just simply to slow down, and things will be ok again? Or we really need a change, a new system to replace the ageing system that is getting sicker by the day and there is no other option left?


Monday’s morning the East West trains were also travelling at much slower speed. Would this be the new beginning, a new trend of travelling in our MRT system, our not so rapid transport system?

Looking at the bigger picture, our rapidly maturing economy may also need to slow down to avoid overheating and heart burns. Everything is running at full steam for so long and maximized to yield results but getting marginal or diminishing returns. Even our workers, those past expiry date types, are still recycled into the job market to keep the economy going. The Dad’s Army is still kicking in the food courts and hawker centres.


And strangely, the PMETs, some very much younger, have been pulled out of the system before their expiry dates. But this is a different story altogether. Maybe they should consider themselves lucky to be able to slow down and not be squeezed dry for another few more years. We need much younger and more talented workers to drive the economy faster than the lazy and not good enough PMETs, we need to bring them in to replace the locals for a more energized economy. No losers allowed.


Our cars are retired when many were still in peak conditions and could run for another ten years or more. Our housing is being pulled down only to rebuild with more levels to increase the yield. Our land are harvested to the fullest, every inch must be made useful. We are running out of training grounds for NSmen and soon there will be no land for military camps.


We need to slow down. The symptoms being thrown out daily by the MRT are ominous signs that we cannot go at the same speed anymore or we risk more breakdowns and accidents. Heed the warning signs and avoid going over the cliff. There is no remedy to ageing.

23 comments:

  1. Change the ones in charge. Fire those under performing. Shareholders to exercise ownership. Vote for change.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The main cause of rail cracks is metal fatigue contributed by a combination of temperature, age and uneven wheel.

    Not only this but also due to over loaded with too many people.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Concur with all that is said in the Thread except the training of NS Men.

    There is no need for NS and for training of professional fighters, they can train with computers and in airconditioned simulator.

    ReplyDelete
  4. "To those waiting with bated breath for that favourite media catchphrase, the U-turn, I have only one thing to say: You turn if you want to. The lady's not for turning." - Margaret Thatcher, 1980, at a Conservative Party conference to colleagues urging her to soften her economic policies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PAP wants to U-Turn also too late now now.

      They are going straight into oblivion after 2016.

      Too messy now to clear up the shits.

      KBW said my flats expensive you know. If not afford please think of the interest rates going to go up after the impending great recession and depression.

      Afterwhich, we will have a Great Singapore Sale.

      Delete
  5. Maybe there is need for all to know a little facts of life such as beings will get sick, age and die.
    Mishaps, wear and tear happen to everything.
    Aphrodisiacs will not help all the time such that virility cannot be available even if one is filthy rich.
    Last but not least, how powerful one is does not make one invincible and immortal. Turning into dust is a fate no one can escape, just hope the end is not too miserable and agonizing or regretful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What ominous signs?

    As far as the train system is concerned, be it grafitti on the train, loosen clips and cracked rail, it is either failure or negligence.
    When properly maintain, they shall function properly and safely.

    Overloading is definitely a major factor in causing crack. Maybe the combat engineers from the army can help to solve the problem as part of their training before the need for the SCDF is needed.

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  7. Raymond, why don't u turn so net citizens can screw your ass lor, Tio Bo?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Remember someone said about some carriages that were too heavy.

    This is the first time that a minister said prices can come down. KNN last time they always said prices can only go up. Keep until 99 years. Don't sell.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, I just wish and hope that RB will not slow down in tandem with the economy and mrt. I wish that he continue to educate and entertain us with his blogs.
    To keep his energy level up, I will have to click more on his adverts including those women from Guanzhou looking for mates

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  10. Now, taking the MRT is no guarantee you will arrive at your destination on time.

    Metal fatigue is one problem. Anything that relies on computer chips and digital system is a recipe for disaster sooner or later.

    The lifespan of things like computers and handphones are very short and problems start to arise after a year or two. So, what about the MRT system. Don't tell me that our system is World class, top ranked and all that shit. After more than 25 years and a spate of minor mishaps, anything is possible with our MRT system. Not just metal fatigue!

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  11. Rail crack and breakdown are no longer news here.Nothing usual lah.
    Another few days or hours,it may happen again.
    Without these breakdowns,there will be lesser jobs for locals.Sinkies will never realise that our MRT technical staff are doing a good job .We should create jobs and allow this to happen once a while.
    And dun expect them to get the best supplier for the best material.They need to change the spare parts regularly so that suppliers and manufacturers can have business .

    I am more interested in news like how many Ah Nia got their backside burnt when being seated in our trains.At least can make my mind go wild.

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  12. Sorry,should read as nothing unusual lah

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Fua Jenkins, welcome to the blog. Hope you enjoy the photos of Guanzhou.

    And thanks for the kopi.

    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Why not SMRT follow PAP.
    Start a National CONversation lasting 2 years.

    Just talk.
    No need to repair the train network.

    Maybe the MRT trains will repair themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Have you all forgotten Sim Wong Hoo's NUTS? No U Turn Syndrome.

    ReplyDelete
  16. MRT is like the current ruling party - outdated, full of shits and time for a change.

    bond

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  17. As long as the motherfuckers running the world's central banks keep monetizing debt (i.e. printing money backed by unrepayable loans) expect an economy like Singapore to barrel along at full speed. Even a slight downturn at "reduced speed" is considered "fast" by historical standards.

    Everything gets more expensive -- especially assets -- until a tipping point is reached, and then the big crash.

    Slowing down? Are you nuts? These are human beings you are talking about. They won't slow down. Our species is a PARTY ANIMAL species -- we will keep the party going until people are collapsing from sheer exhaustion, extreme states of over indulgence and near-toxic drunkeness.

    Keep the party raging! Keep buying useless shit, and keep on borrowing money to buy useless shit.

    Let's Dance!

    ReplyDelete
  18. SMRT and PAP use the same book of strategy.
    We can predict their "solutions" and the outcome of their solutions even before they announce it.

    e.g.
    The result of MND's review of AIM.
    Really?
    Was the result and conclusion of MND ever in doubt?

    ReplyDelete
  19. BBC

    [High levels of metal in underground air raise concerns]


    "Questions have been raised over the health impact of high levels of tiny airborne metal particles discovered in a European underground train system."


    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22404446

    ReplyDelete
  20. ST Forum 06May

    [Infrastructure can support tourism growth, replies STB]


    Yap Chin Siang
    Assistant Chief Executive
    Policy & Planning
    Singapore Tourism Board


    "The impact of visitor arrivals on our infrastructure is well within our capacity.

    Tourist flows make up 2.5 per cent of the overall load factor on our MRT capacity,
    and this is predominantly during non-peak periods.

    We believe the tourism sector will remain a bright spot in Singapore's economy in the years to come."


    http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/infrastructure-can-support-tourism-growth-replies-stb-20130506

    ReplyDelete
  21. MRT. Whose fault?

    Let's see.

    It's not the tourists' fault.
    It's not the fault of the Foreign Talents.

    It's not the previous CEO's fault.
    It's not the gahmen's fault.

    I know! I know!
    It's the fault of those damn Singaporeans.
    The stupid FUXXers don't know how to vote in good people to run our MRT trains and our country.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Today the North South Line was really slow... Probably like 30 km/h, slower than the usual 60-70km/h (or faster). I guess it's probably due to insufficient power for the rails, or either the train had a serious problem.

    Train carriage I was on was 3312. From Jurong East to Admiralty, the train was moving at a snail's pace, sometimes a short "speed boost" at certain parts of the rail. It was only after the train left Admiralty for Sembawang that the train started to "behave" normally. However, when travelling between Khatib and Yio Chu Kang, the train just slowed down all of a sudden.

    Ang Mo Kio to Bishan.... damn slow man (usually 2 mins can reach Bishan, now 4 mins to reach Bishan). Finally got off at Bishan to wait for the next train.

    Thankfully, the next train had no problem. Whew, SMRT gotta do a serious check of their 10+ to 20+ year old trains before anything major starts to reappear (for example the rail cracks which happened in May 2013).

    ReplyDelete