Repost Reader's response (revised)

 

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  the feasibility of two alignment and have each alignment 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 and poorer air quality. The longer 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. I feel that direct alignment is much more practical in terms of cost and travel time for the commuters in the long term.

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, 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 for the entire project. The higher the construction cost, the more taxes citizens will have to pay. In my opinion, people would be happier if the direct alignment as it would reduce the overall taxes being paid

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 or it might 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

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

Figure of price fare from Punggol to Hougang

Note: this figure shows the exact detail of the overall price and travel time from Punggol to Hougang.

 

 

Figure B

Figure of price fare from Punggol to Serangoon

Note: this figure shows the exact detail of the overall price and travel time from Punggol to Serangoon.