Lessons to be learnt from defective SMRT trains incident: Khaw
By Kimberly Spykerman
Posted 16 Aug 2016 23:48
SINGAPORE: There are lessons to be learnt from an incident where defective, China-made SMRT trains were recalled by the manufacturer and shipped back for repairs, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament on Tuesday (Aug 16).
The issue came to light after Hong Kong-based investigative journalism site FactWire claimed that the recall was being "kept secret" by China and Singapore.
For one, public communications on the issue could have been better. Said Mr Khaw, who was formerly Health Minister: "Something that I learnt especially during SARS period in risk communications. Because at that time, (there was) a lot of misinformation, a lot of lack of information, a lot of lies going on. And always coming out to share with people what you know, including what you don't know, and admit that you don't know at that point in time, and you'll find out; and when you find out, you let people know - that's always a better strategy than to try to keep information to your chest."
Another takeaway was from manufacturer Kawaksaki-Sifang's handling of the situation, he said. Hairline cracks were found on bolsters which support the train car body of 26 trains, and so it arranged for all bolsters and car bodies to be replaced. It also extended the warranty period for these parts.
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Really lessons learn ? Why then was the matter not revealed to the public ? It takes a foreign press to expose the leak . I wonder what else is LTA hiding ?
Really world class transport system indeed. Trains defective even before they are pressed into service .