Assignment 2: LTA Impact Study - (reader response) draft 2

In the news release, “Feasible for Cross Island MRT Line to run under Central Catchment or skirt around it”, the Land Transport Authority (2019) addressed that the new MRT line based on the report in which both are feasible and have impacts on the environment. Nature groups mentioned that direct alignment would affect the ecology and biodiversity. LTA claims that skirting alignment poses a bigger threat to the standard of living for the residents than direct alignment. Skirting route construction would cause issues such as noise pollution, poorer air quality. The route would cost an additional of $2 billion and take a longer traveling duration of 6 minutes. The article addresses the pros and cons of two feasible options. However, I feel that direct alignment is much more practical in terms of cost and travel time for the commuters.

Firstly, implementation of the direct alignment would reduce the transportation fare for commuters. Cheng (2019) mentioned that Dr Lam said “government should take into consideration the construction cost, travel time, as well as potentially higher fares for the longer option that skirts the reserve.” The cross-island line is forecast to have an estimated daily commuter of 600,000 and will continue rising exponentially and over time it will be the most heavily used rail line in Singapore. Figures A and B portray how additional travel time of 5-6 minutes would affect the overall travel fare by a range of 25 cents to 35 cents. The longer travel time and the increment in overall travel fare will be deemed unfavourable among Singaporeans. In my opinion, people would prefer a more convenient way of traveling. Most Singaporeans would not be willing to pay an additional travel fee to arrive at the same destination.

Secondly, the direct alignment would reduce the overall construction by $2 billion which will greatly benefit the commuter who are the taxpayer. In the article “$2b extra cost if Cross Island Line Skirts Central Catchment Nature Reserve”, Chew (2016) stated that the government would consider all factors including the distance and travel time for commuters and the costs to taxpayers. The skirting route takes a longer route of 11km as it requires more manpower and resources to construct. Thus, leading to an increase in construction cost. The higher the construction cost, the more taxes citizens will have to pay. In my opinion, there will be a conflict of interest for the taxpayers as $2billion is not the finalize value since it was a projected valuation.

Lastly, the direct alignment would reduce the overall travel time by 6 minutes as compared to skirting route. Ong (2019) mentioned that Prof Agarwal said “(They) care about the reliability of reaching where (they) have to reach on time … especially when there are work related issues.”  He stated that there were more working adults using trains as a mode of transportation than buses.  In my opinion, the government should prioritize working adults’ wellbeing as they are the nation taxpayer. I feel that the working adults should not be expected to squeeze for an additional 6 minutes due to the skirting route as it instils a sense of frustration in them.  In my opinion, the commuter can utilize the additional 6 minutes for personal leisure or even spending more time with family members. Many of them would not be happy to travel a longer distance.

Singapore is a globalized and well-developed country, where people expect things to be fast and convenient.  By building the direct alignment, the government will be able to save a hefty sum of money to focus on Singapore’s future projects.

References

Cheng, K. (2019 December 4). Govt will do ‘whatever it can’ to protect Central Catchment Nature Reserve: Lam Pin Min. Today. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/govt-will-do-whatever-it-can-protect-central-catchment-nature-reserve-lam-pin-min

Lee, P. (2016 October 12). More Singaporeans take bus, MRT to work: government survey. The Strait Times.https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-singaporeans-take-bus-mrt-to-work-government-survey

Lim, A. (2016 February 22). $2b extra cost if Cross Island Line skirts Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The Strait Time. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/2b-extra-cost-if-cross-island-line-skirts-central-catchment-nature-reserve

Ong, J. (2019 November 24). NUS public transport study: Working adults want reliable travel times; seniors, students focus on cost. Today.https://www.todayonline.com/working-adults-want-reliable-travel-times-public-transport-while-seniors-students-focus-fare-cost

Tan, C. (2019, January 26). Cross Island Line's first phase to be completed by 2029. The Straits Times.https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/cross-island-lines-first-phase-to-be-completed-by-2029

Transit Link (Diagram) https://www.transitlink.com.sg/eservice/eguide/rail_info.php

 

Appendix

Figure A

Estimated travel time and total fare for Punggol to Hougang

 

Figure B

Estimated travel time and total fare for Punggol to Serangoon

Revised 19th October