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[h=2]Singapore universities panicked and introduce ‘MRT delay plan’ ahead of coming examinations[/h]Posted by temasektimes on April 19, 2012
In a sign of how low public confidence in Singapore’s once highly vaunted public railway system has plummeted, the three Singapore universities – NUS, NTU and SMU have rolled out ‘MRT delay plan’ to prepare for possible train disruptions head of the coming end of semester examinations.
In the last one week alone, SMRT suffered at least three MAJOR disruptions lasting more than 30 minutes along ALL its lines with the 2 hour suspension in train service on the Circle Line yesterday morning affecting more than 18,000 commuters.
Given the high frequency of MRT breakdowns and delays, both students and teachers are worried that the students may not be able to arrive on time to take the examination paper.
Speaking to queries from the media, an SMU spokesperson said:
“The university will take into consideration special cases whereby the delay in reaching the examination venue is due to unforeseen circumstances and valid evidence is produced to support students’ cases.”
When contacted, NTU registrar Chan Kwong Lok said NTU has informed the MRT operators about its upcoming exams from April 20 to May 4.
“They have kindly agreed to alert us if there are any service disruptions during this period. In the event of a major train disruption, NTU would consider making alternative arrangements for late-comers,” Mr Chan said.
A NUS spokesperson added that “the start time of an examination may be delayed by up to 30 minutes in the event of unforeseen events such as inclement weather and untoward traffic situations which are reported in reliable media sources.”
One NTU Business School undergraduate Kenneth Teng, who lives in Pasir Ris, said he plans to stay over at a friend’s place during his exam period.
“I cannot afford any MRT disruption especially since it takes me two-and-a-half hours to get to NTU (in Boon Lay). A taxi trip to school would cost me a bomb,” Mr Teng said.
Meanwhile netizens continue to lampoon, curse and swear at SMRT in cyberspace with one creative netizen creating a fictitious ‘Singapore Pools odds for SMRT breakdown’:
In a sign of how low public confidence in Singapore’s once highly vaunted public railway system has plummeted, the three Singapore universities – NUS, NTU and SMU have rolled out ‘MRT delay plan’ to prepare for possible train disruptions head of the coming end of semester examinations.In the last one week alone, SMRT suffered at least three MAJOR disruptions lasting more than 30 minutes along ALL its lines with the 2 hour suspension in train service on the Circle Line yesterday morning affecting more than 18,000 commuters.
Given the high frequency of MRT breakdowns and delays, both students and teachers are worried that the students may not be able to arrive on time to take the examination paper.
Speaking to queries from the media, an SMU spokesperson said:
“The university will take into consideration special cases whereby the delay in reaching the examination venue is due to unforeseen circumstances and valid evidence is produced to support students’ cases.”
When contacted, NTU registrar Chan Kwong Lok said NTU has informed the MRT operators about its upcoming exams from April 20 to May 4.
“They have kindly agreed to alert us if there are any service disruptions during this period. In the event of a major train disruption, NTU would consider making alternative arrangements for late-comers,” Mr Chan said.
A NUS spokesperson added that “the start time of an examination may be delayed by up to 30 minutes in the event of unforeseen events such as inclement weather and untoward traffic situations which are reported in reliable media sources.”
One NTU Business School undergraduate Kenneth Teng, who lives in Pasir Ris, said he plans to stay over at a friend’s place during his exam period.
“I cannot afford any MRT disruption especially since it takes me two-and-a-half hours to get to NTU (in Boon Lay). A taxi trip to school would cost me a bomb,” Mr Teng said.
Meanwhile netizens continue to lampoon, curse and swear at SMRT in cyberspace with one creative netizen creating a fictitious ‘Singapore Pools odds for SMRT breakdown’:
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