Foldable Bikes on the MRT & LRT - Forum Page reply from SMRT

[baru]

  Took me a while but finally found the Forum Page letter from SMRT on why standard bicycles are not allowed on the MRT but foldable bikes are allowed. This is the Forum Page reply from SMRT dated 14 July 2006.

Pub Date: Jul 14, 2006     Pub: ST        Page: H12
Headline: Why bicycles are not allowed on trains
Heading: FORUM, STRAIT TIMES
Type: LETTER

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I REFER to the letters, "Allow bikes in last cabin of MRT train" by Nuryusman Ibrahim (ST, June 27), "Provide more MRT trains and let bikes on-board" by Jenson Chen Zhirong (ST Online, June 30), "Allow bikes in last cabin of MRT" by Andy Ab Samad (ST Online, July 5), "Bikes in trains could lead to problems" by Heng Cho Choon (ST Online, July 5) and "Disciplinary action needed on some MRT commuters'' by Paul Chan Poh Hoi (ST Online, July 7).

Currently, only foldable bicycles are allowed on board our trains. Irrespective of a suggested fare charge, standard bicycles, being fairly large, pose problems of space as well as safety, particularly when the train is crowded.

In addition, there are other concerns, such as the transportation of bicycles from the concourse, through the fare gates and up onto the platform, the soiling of station and train premises due to mud, grime or grease from bicycle wheels, as well as the consideration of other commuters.

With regard to the suggestion of having a dedicated train car for bicycles, we would like to share that during peak hours resources are already fully deployed to run trains at a regular frequency to meet demand. Hence, designating special train cars to cater to a specific group of commuters will affect train capacity and schedules.

On train service frequencies during peak hours, these are planned and reviewed after careful consideration of travel demand and the need to optimise train operations and efficiency. Over the last two years, we have increased train service frequencies during peak and off-peak hours for both the East-West and North-South lines. In particular, during peak hours, our train service frequencies range between two and six minutes. This takes into account the need to maintain a minimum distance between trains.

Regarding the perception of congestion, we would like to share that SMRT is ranked among the top five, with one of the lowest densities of passengers on our trains when benchmarked against 15 of the world's top metro operators from major cities. During peak hours, we have an average of four passengers per square metre, as compared to six for metros located in other densely populated cities.

Notwithstanding this, our MRT network is designed to transport a large number of commuters, hence due consideration must be given to the safety and needs of other commuters when discussing the issue of allowing bicycles on trains. As for the issue of eating, drinking and littering in the trains, we take a serious view of commuters who flout the rules in our system and we do deploy
staff to be on the lookout.

When our staff conduct random checks and observe passengers eating, drinking or littering in the trains, they will advise them not to do so. Commuters are liable for a fine of up to $500, and up to $5,000 for littering under the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations. Last year, 137 commuters were fined for consuming food or drinks in the SMRT system. From January to June this year, 89 people were fined.

We would like to remind commuters to help keep the SMRT system clean, and not to obstruct the doorways and passageways in the trains by sitting on the floor. As it is not possible for our staff to conduct checks at stations and in trains at all times, commuters are advised to report rule breakers and inconsiderate commuters to our station staff.

We thank the writers for their feedback.

Dawn Low (Ms)
Senior Manager, Corporate Marketing and Communications
SMRT
Corporation Ltd

[Leo]

Hi baru,
Where did you find this reply from SMRT? Is it from the ST online forum? I dont seem to find it. Could you provide the link?
If it is from the printed newspaper, could you help to take a picture or scan, and post in the forum?

Thanks.

[awcute]

Ah, I remember this letter because of the "4 passenger per square meter" remark during peak hour.
I was talking  with my friend, about non-disclosure of factual information, plain lie, and statistics.
She did not say peak hour is measured from what time to what time. So she fall under "statistics" and "non-disclosure of factual information", and probably she never really travel by MRT during peak hour.

Anyway, at least strida definitely not going to dirty MRT with grime and grease. Mud... as long as we do not cycle on muddy road.
As for consideration to other commuters, please please please... use the last and first train. Play by the rule, else I will be annoyed if any one of us causing some commuter to complain to SMRT and even folding bikes are banned, because the person is not in the first or last train compartment.

[baru]

Hi baru,
Where did you find this reply from SMRT? Is it from the ST online forum? I dont seem to find it. Could you provide the link?
If it is from the printed newspaper, could you help to take a picture or scan, and post in the forum?

Thanks.

Hi Leo

I managed to get the forum letter from a friend who works in SPH who retrieved the letter from their online info library.  Think it wont be kept in the online ST forum.  Not from a printed newspaper though. 

[davidtch]

I tried to google headline & this is the only result yield
"Why bicycles are not allowed on trains"

Most of the time, these letters are taken offline within 7 days.

[awcute]

Hi baru,
Where did you find this reply from SMRT? Is it from the ST online forum? I dont seem to find it. Could you provide the link?
If it is from the printed newspaper, could you help to take a picture or scan, and post in the forum?

Thanks.

Hi Leo

I managed to get the forum letter from a friend who works in SPH who retrieved the letter from their online info library.  Think it wont be kept in the online ST forum.  Not from a printed newspaper though. 

Let me ask my friend who works at NLB if they keep newspaper archive.
In Melbourne I know the central library keep them using microfilm and you can search, first by computerised catalog then retrieve the microfilm image, then read using their microfilm machine, and each print is charged some amount.

[awcute]

I have almost given up. Finally found it.

Why bicycles are not allowed on trains
Straits Times, The (Singapore)
July 14, 2006
Link to NLB eResource

Unfortunately it is as good as baru's version, no microfilm anymore.