READER RESPONSE DRAFT 3
In the news release “Trains on the north-south and east-west
line safe for service”, Land Transport Authority (LTA) (2016) approaches some
of the problems regarding trains that have been the topic of current media and
online dialogue. The website states that the three main problems are hairline
cracks, cover of the battery housing and improper installation of the
draughtscreen. According to LTA, for the “hairline cracks”, it is due to
“localized impurity” during the manufacturing process and these problems would
not affect the operational safety of the trains. LTA also discovers battery and
draughtscreen problems which are resolved by the manufacturer promptly. To
ensure sufficient trains, affected trains were sent back one at a time for
rectification. LTA assured that periodic inspections will be conducted to
ensure commuters’ safety. However, lack
of information regarding the contractors and the defects of the train have made
the purpose of this article unclear. Hence, the news release strikes a concern
from the public.
The first reason why the article is unclear is because
defects of the trains are briefly explained. LTA’s news release states that the
hairline cracks are formed due to “localized impurity” during the manufacturing
process. The article did not further elaborate on how severe it will be. Tan, a
senior transport correspondent, mentions that cracks do not always happen
catastrophically. They may begin as hairlines but if impurity in the metal is
the cause, the entire structure may weaken over time (Tan,2016). Lack of
information of the defects may raise concern about the safety of the trains
from the public.
The second reason that makes the article unclear is because
the lack of information of the awarding contractors, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
and CSR Sifang. In the article both of the contractors are briefly introduced
as the designer and manufacturer of the 35 new trains for NSEWL. The article
did not mention the background information of the contractors and why LTA had
awarded the project to them. An article in online citizen mentions that
Kawasaki Heavy industries and CSR Sifang were not the lowest bid and they
produced 26 defective trains out of 35 trains (People’s Power Party,2016).
According to an article in TODAY online, CSR Sifang tried to bid for contract
to supply passengers cars to Boston’s subways but was eliminated when
Massachusetts transport officials ruled that the technical, manufacturing and
quality assurance components were unacceptable (TODAY online, 2016). According
to an article in the online citizen, it states that although the trains
supplied by CSR Sifang caused many problems, LTA still continue to purchase
more trains for the upcoming Thomson line (Terry,2016). Not fully explaining
why the project was given to the contractors will raise more concerns from the
public.
In conclusion, although LTA shows concern and address to the
issue promptly, the developer’s decision making is vital, they should take into
consideration of the quality and safety factor before awarding the project to
the contractors. LTA should also further provide more information on the
reasons why the contractors were awarded the contract.
References:
Land Transport Authority. (2016, July 6). Trains on the North-South and East-West
Lines Safe for Service. Retrieved from Land Transport Authority: https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=0f8b1220-0289-4bef-99c9-b2455f17a66c#_ftn1
People’s Power
Party. (2016, July 07). People’s Power Party’s statement on defective trains
from China. Retrieved from The Online
Citizen. http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/07/07/peoples-power-partys-statement-on-defective-trains-from-china/
Tan. C. (2016, July 14). Nothing routine about MRT cracks.
Retrieved from The Straits Times: http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/nothing-routine-about-mrt-cracks
Terry. X. (2016, July 5). Did SMRT and LTA
hide defects of china manufactured trains? Retrieved from The Online Citizen. http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/07/05/did-smrt-and-lta-hide-defects-of-china-manufactured-trains/
TODAY online, (2016, July 8). Trains
cracks cast doubts on China’s rail ambitions. Retrieved from TODAY online: http://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/china/train-cracks-cast-doubts-chinas-rail-ambitions