MRT disruption rate 3 times Hong Kong’s?

September 29, 2015

I refer to the article “Khaw explains reasons for taking on transport role” (Today, Sep 29).

Hong Kong had 12 disruptions last year

It states that “the public has to be realistic about the MRT system. Even for Hong Kong, which has been touted as having the best rail operator, there were 12 major disruptions last year”.

When I read the above – I had the feeling – kind of like being left hanging in the air.

How many in Singapore? 

Since there were 12 major disruptions in the last year in Hong Kong – how many were there in Singapore? The media reported 12 disruptions in Singapore in the first nine months of 2014.

20 disruptions in 6 months?

In this connection, I found a listing of MRT breakdowns in 2015 and counted 20 major disruptions (30 minutes or more) from 1 January to 7 July 2015.

So, 12 disruptions in a year in Hong Kong compared to 20 disruptions in just over six months in Singapore?

Singapore’s disruption rate 3 times Hong Kong’s?

Does it mean that Singapore’s major disruptions rate is about three times more than Hong Kong’s?

Hong Kong penalises corporate officers?

Disruptions aside, I understand that MTR senior corporate officers get pay linked to poor service performance and may also get pay-cuts linked to disruptions, in stark contrast to Singapore.

Cheaper fares?

Also, the MTR adult single trip fare starts from HKD4 (S$0.74 ) compared to S$0.79 in Singapore’s MRT, and bus fares from HKD2 (S$0.37) to Singapore’s S$0.79.                        

Hong Kong monthly pass from S$67?

In Hong Kong, an adult can pay just HKD360 (S$67) to HKD565 (S$105) for a monthly pass extra for unlimited travel on designated lines plus a 25% discount on other travel.

So, people in Kong Kong can pay as little as S$67, especially for the poor who can try to limit their travel to within the designated lines.This is as much as about 44% cheaper than Singapore’s monthly unlimited travel pass at $120, and arguably cheaper than what an average Singaporean spends on public transport relative to wages.

Leong Sze Hian

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.