Singapore Visit

[red dragin]

Hi all,

Currently running around in Singapore on holidays for a few days.

Been using the trains a lot, for $20 SGD I got a three day tourist pass (go card style) with unlimited train, bus and LRT travel. Pass is read about 2cm off the reader, rather than having to try to force it through the reader like some GoCard readers.

Longest wait for a train has been 7 minutes! Bus to the Zoo was a 15 minute wait.

Saw a local couple get separated yesterday when the platforms doors closed between them, was only 4 minutes to the next train - how would they cope in Brisbane!

Driverless trains are an amazing system, still not 100% comfortable with the absence of anyone visibly controlling the train though. Love being able to watch where we are going out the front though.

Saw signs stating that the East-West line (driver operated) is getting a signal upgrade to allow a train every 100 seconds in peak. The dwell times on this line seem to be less than 15 seconds of doors open.

Brisbane will never require these types on services (in my lifetime anyway), buts it's amazing to see what can be achieved.

Will be interesting to experience Kuala Lumpur's system in a few days time.

[ozbob]

Thanks for your observations.  Fascinating, enjoy your travels!

[BrizCommuter]

Will be there in a few days. Interesting to see how easy it is to use with a double pram!

[Arnz]

MRT operates every 3 minutes in peak on all lines (Driverless and Driver-operated of SMRT and SBS Transit).

It'll be interesting to see how it'll address the overcrowding on the EW Line once the signalling upgrade goes through to allow 1.5 min headways. 

[red dragin]

Will be there in a few days. Interesting to see how easy it is to use with a double pram!

Lifts will be your best friend. Noted a warning on a lift at one station of a lift fault at another station on that line.

People are pretty good with boarding - a double pram about to run them down should sort out the rest. Been running around with a two year old and a stroller.

[#Metro]

Will be interesting to experience Kuala Lumpur's system in a few days time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelana_Jaya_Line


If you have the chance, could you consider taking a few snaps of the KJL? It's a Skytrain system that is automated.

[BrizCommuter]

MRT operates every 3 minutes in peak on all lines (Driverless and Driver-operated of SMRT and SBS Transit).

It'll be interesting to see how it'll address the overcrowding on the EW Line once the signalling upgrade goes through to allow 1.5 min headways.

Not to sure of the planned 100sec headway is theoretical or timetabled. May be possible on the EW line, but may be somewhat difficult to operate on the NS line due to Marina Bay terminus design.

[red dragin]

Will see what I can do Lapdog. We have 11 days in KL so shouldn't be a problem.

Anything in particular or just general pictures?

[red dragin]

Rtt,

Not concerned about the safety at all, just my brain struggling with the no driver aspect.

Tin can was flown (to a point) for an hour or so - we took the council built road (bumpy)! Got us in nearly an hour early though.

[#Metro]

Will see what I can do Lapdog. We have 11 days in KL so shouldn't be a problem.

Anything in particular or just general pictures?

Pictures, Video (interior) would be good. If there is a timetable can you photograph it? I would like to know what the maximum frequency is of the service.

Just a suggestion - I realise that it is your private holiday.

Thanks again!
LD

[BrizCommuter]

If there is a timetable can you photograph it? I would like to know what the maximum frequency is of the service.

Most metro systems do not have a publicly available timetable, and even publicly available frequency information is to the nearest minute. To find out the actual timetabled frequency/headway can take a bit of googling.

[Mr X]

Been using the trains a lot, for $20 SGD I got a three day tourist pass (go card style) with unlimited train, bus and LRT travel. Pass is read about 2cm off the reader, rather than having to try to force it through the reader like some GoCard readers.

Interesting. I was in Singapore last year and I don't recall their being an option for $20 unlimited 3 day travel? I think I only spent like $25 on PT anyway over 4 1/2 days.

[cartoonbirdhaus]

Remember the tin can you flew over there on was probably on auto pilot from near take off to landing or just prior. Yes there is two guys up front supervising and can take over at any time, but they don't unless its real bad

Autopilot's not as automatic as most of us think.
http://www.askthepilot.com/questionanswers/automation-myths/
That being said, there would be far fewer things that could go wrong on a grade-seperated railway than in the air.

[red dragin]

Will see what I can do Lapdog. We have 11 days in KL so shouldn't be a problem.

Anything in particular or just general pictures?

Pictures, Video (interior) would be good. If there is a timetable can you photograph it? I would like to know what the maximum frequency is of the service.

Just a suggestion - I realise that it is your private holiday.

Thanks again!
LD

Shouldn't be an issue, wife and kid have a nap during the day so that gives me a few hours. Might have to check with staff before taking photos.

I'm interested to have a ride on it with the LIM drive system. Been on a few roller coasters with it so will be interesting.

[Gazza]

Shouldn't be an issue, wife and kid have a nap during the day so that gives me a few hours. Might have to check with staff before taking photos.

I'm interested to have a ride on it with the LIM drive system. Been on a few roller coasters with it so will be interesting.

3 of the roller coasters at Universal Singapore use LIM/LSM systems. Well worth checking that place out!

[red dragin]

Shouldn't be an issue, wife and kid have a nap during the day so that gives me a few hours. Might have to check with staff before taking photos.

I'm interested to have a ride on it with the LIM drive system. Been on a few roller coasters with it so will be interesting.

3 of the roller coasters at Universal Singapore use LIM/LSM systems. Well worth checking that place out!

ROTM - awesome
Battlestar - major closure again 

Transformer - incredible but I don't handle motion Sims well

Going to ride the Times Square KL one, just need to check my life insurance policy first  Saw them "adjusting" the unload station brakes with a rubber mallet after a test run this morning.

[BrizCommuter]

I found the Singapore MRT to be very accessible with a double pram - lifts at every station. Very clean system, but not surprising due to $500 fines for littering. No graffiti, as that results in a Singapore spanking.  Off-peak frequencies could be better at busier periods (e.g around 5pm on Sunday), with overcrowding noted. ToddlerCommuter enjoyed the front window view on the driverless Circle Line. Very cheap system, approx 90c for a 5km ride!

[BrizCommuter]

I forgot to add that Marina Bay on the NS Line has a very odd terminus crossover layout. Approaching the two track (reverse in platforms) terminus is a trailing crossover, followed by a facing crossover. The facing crossover appears to be long enough to fit a train and thus creates a short 3 track section. This means that trains can depart from the right hand platform (in direction of departure) that requires a conflicting move, without having to wait for the crossover to be clear. However the length of track to/from the crossover from this platform would result in dwell times of around 60secs in the peaks to maintain a 2 minute frequency.

[red dragin]

Will see what I can do Lapdog. We have 11 days in KL so shouldn't be a problem.

Anything in particular or just general pictures?

Pictures, Video (interior) would be good. If there is a timetable can you photograph it? I would like to know what the maximum frequency is of the service.

Just a suggestion - I realise that it is your private holiday.

Thanks again!
LD

Never got the chance to look at it sorry  Can tell you all about the shopping centers though.

Gaza - if your ever in KL take a ride on the Cosmic Oddysey coaster, unique design and good fun.