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