Why train Disruptions Are A Big Deal

Singaporeans
Two stereotypes attributed to Singaporeans, are that of being too pampered/sheltered, and that of being overly fond of complaining. And even though that is tragically true way too often for my liking, I do feel that the uproar over the train disruptions are actually well justified, and not another just another instance of “Singaporeans being Singaporeans once more”. And this is why I think so:

Comparisons
One of the most commonly heard arguments against the uproar is that it is actually very common in other countries. If Tokyo and New York suffer constant train disruptions and don’t make a big deal, why are we complaining? Well, the fact is, I’m not just comparing with countries with a poorer track record. I’m not even comparing it with countries out there that might have a better track record than us (Germany and Switzerland come to mind). The fact is, every country’s transport system has its strengths. Some come on time and run like clockwork, some have a very efficient system, and others run for years without ever breaking down. And I understand that in return for such strengths, there are tradeoffs in other areas. No system is so spectacular that is trumps everyone else. So let’s not compare with others. I’m only asking that we compare with ourselves, and our past history. A downward spiral over the years surely points to poor management and ineptitude. Copious complaints of an overloaded system that have been ignored for years resulted in a massive breakdown that wasn’t a one-off incident, but actually repeated incidents over numerous days and on numerous service tracks. I believe the resulting public backlash has been pretty much a product of the proverbial ticking time bomb.

It’s a Long Story
I also believe that the public outcry is symptomatic of a population that has been driven to the brink of frustration by the leaders of the country. In other words, we need to look at the outcry from a bigger angle.

There is an unspoken recognition that Singapore is an extremely small hub, where almost all of its private and public leaders originate from a pro-PAP camp. You would hardly ever find anyone with an opposing political ideology occupying any position of significant influence, be it in the public sector or even in the pseudo-private enterprises. So after our senses become numbed to the reeling shocks of our recent failures, from Mas Selamat’s escape to the repeated floodings around our island, outrage has been brewing in the hearts of Singaporeans, flabbergasted at how we can be paying our leaders so much only to hear excuses in return for their repeated flops.

When the Government went against their mandate and built the casinos despite significant public opposition, they not only surrendered their credibility further, they effectively carved up a rift that alienated themselves from the people they promised to serve. When no one in the Government stood up to take responsibility for failings whenever they cropped up, choosing instead to all hide behind the same sorry excuse that “these things happen”, the public soon understood that these people weren’t leaders, they were career politicians.

Perhaps its unfortunate that the SMRT CEO has become the scapegoat for such pent up frustrations. I personally think she came across as being absolutely clueless in her handling of the crisis, and my grouse would more likely be with the committee that hired her. But the fact remains that a disruption of such a scale proved to the straw that broke the camel’s back, and culminated in such a severe uproar that it even prompted the PM to cancel his leave to personally take charge of limiting the damage (further highlighting the incompetence of the CEO at defusing the situation).

In Short
I believe it is too naïve and simplistic to simply chalk this up to a population “pampered by an efficient society who have grown intolerant”. It is the culmination of the growing worry and anger that the country is on a steady decline due to the lack of leadership in the country.

If I were to borrow from Hamlet, I would say many strongly feel that “something is rotten in the state of Singapore”.