This part is really correct... something which S'poreans need to understand...
Each train cost anything from 10-12 million dollars and you don't buy extra train just to store them in a warehouse... each train is custom built by a overseas company and you can't just buy one from the parking lots outside the factory. Each train need a year or so to be assembly and at least 6 mths or more of testing locally before they are put into service... if you order 20 train... the factory won't be build all 20 at the same time... maybe just 3-4. So, when SMRT/LTA order 20 new trains.. from biding, agreeing on the train spec, building and testing... it will take as long as 5 years before all 20 train make it here !! You not get one single train till at least the second year... and no more than 2 or 3 will be delivered every 5-6 month.
A train officer need at least 5 mth of training... 2 mth in class with the rest of the time on OJT. You'll then have to pass a written and oral exam. The basic pay is nothing to talk about... you work 7 type of shift, work most weekend and public holidays. A class of 20 normally end up with half that number as trainee quit to look for greener pasture. Those that pass, within 2 years... maybe only half will stay... the others will quit because they can't handle the shift or working condition.. also, the low starting pay doesn't helps. Which is why the latest group of trainees are bonded to discourage them from quitting right after training.
Therefore... when S'porean open their mouths and ask.. ''why can't just buy more trains and employed more workers''... non of you knows how difficult it is to ''just do this or that''. If there is not enough train to drive... no point to have extra employee sitting around. You need 20-30 worker... no way can you tell how many would still be around when the trains are here...
And all LTA have to said is.... ''we need extra train service because S'porean is complaining'' :sweat:
I totally agree with you on this, as the normal person on the street doesnt understand what is required, BUT both the government and SMRT have touted the MRT as World Class, so the normal person in the street, expects nothing less.
You cant just snap your fingers and more trains magically appear with fully trained staff.
In respect to the Oilfield having redundant systems, I was meaning here, that SMRT just cant shut down sections of tracks, for more rigorous maintenance inspections or repairs, because you have no way to reroute the trains.
On an Oil Rig, NOT all systems have redundancy, such as the Top Drive or Drawworks, but if they break down and Drilling Stops, its loss of production, then big problems for the operator if it cant be fixed ASAP. If this happens, it could lead to the current day rate for the RIG not being paid which could be anywhere from 100K to 750K per day depending on the size of the rig. So nothing is spared when it comes to maintenance of essential equipment, as the financial loss is not worth it.
You could of course shut down sections of tracks between stations, but what happens then, how to help the passengers or causing more road congestion due to adding buses to ferry people between stations. Imagine trying to shutdown any of the major interchanges.
Just MAYBE, when ALL the circle lines are complete, this may allow for more maintenance on the aging systems but cant the present system wait another 3 to 4 years.
Cheers ....
where should priorities lie???? I guess different people have different answers .....
