I had the opportunity to travel on Taipei MRT as early as 2003.
Taipei Mass Rapid Transport system first started its
operation in 1996 with only a total of 12 stations to spare.
At my first encounter with Taipei MRT, I couldn't resist
the temptation of comparing the newly-constructed Taiwanese MRT system with
ours so as to ascertain the world-class-transport-system proclaim of SMRT.....and
well, to polish up the vanity of our achievement too.
I had a suspicion that it was precisely of such proclaim
that has helped me to appreciate Taipei MRT which brought about a new interpretation
of the definition of a world class transport system, at least for me. Unfortunately
for our SMRT, it was not and it is still not just about hardware provisions but the heartware that lies in the
core of any system that enables a
system to rise to the world class level. Without the heartware, the hardware
would simply be reduced to an ornamental function.
Taipei
MRT’s provisions in the early 2000s: Catering to the needs of commuters and the
society
1) Multi-languages station announcement
Taiwan does not publicize itself as a multi-racial
society but its mass rapid transport system recognizes the diversity of its
people by providing station names and announcements in four languages: Mandarin,
Taiwanese, Hakka and English. Three Chinese dialects and one international
language. Compare that gesture with our SMRT. Ironically, we have terrorism to
thank before SMRT grudgingly employs our ethnic languages for terrorist alert
announcement. However, the usefulness of such “announcements” on daily MRT
journeys is virtually non-existent as they do not enhance our MRT trips.
2) Facilities for the
disabled
Taipei MRT has already addressed to the needs of the
disabled even back then. User-friendly public transport for the disabled enhances
their physical mobility and that plays a significant role in re-connecting them
with the society. Ramps, public phone booths and toilets for the disabled can
be found at all stations although lifts meant for the disabled were only
available at certain stations at that point of time.
3) Night-time wait zone for ladies
A night-time wait zone monitored by CCTV dedicated to female
passengers travelling at night to ensure their safety. Whether that measure reflects
the extent of risk for lone women travelling at night in Taipei, I have no idea, but this is one gesture
that again exemplifies the awareness of the existence of different needs among commuters
and the willingness to address them.
4) Free umbrellas
For those who habitually leave their umbrellas at
home, Taipei MRT caters to that group of people too with free provisions of
umbrella for a rainy days. Yes, it is FREE and don’t ask me where Taipei MRT
forks out that kind of money please.
5) Recycling bins available
Recycling bins and standard bins can be found at all Taipei
MRT stations. By the way, Taipei
MRT does ban food and drinks from trains but that hasn’t stopped the management
from realizing that food and drinks are not the only two sources for litter. In
the same year (2003), free distribution of lightweight plastic bags was banned
in Taiwan.
The Taiwanese put into practice their concerns of the environment that they and
the rest of the world live in. And that concern goes as far as their MRT system.
6) Queue markers
There are marked spaces for queues on the platform to create
an unobstructed space for alighting passengers. Order and safety for both alighting
and waiting passengers comes under the radar of the management of a newly
operated MRT system.
Taipei
MRT moves with time
Taipei MRT did not just stop in the year of 2003. A decade later, it has already
moved into providing:
1) Free
mobile charging points
There are free charging points dedicated to mobile
phone users at the stations, as well as free wi fi. This is in response to the digital
and internet era
2) Multi-language
reminders on social etiquette
Even in the digital era, it should not encroach public
space and cause discomfort to other members of the public. Therefore, users of
electronic devices are reminded to be mindful of the volume of their gadgets when
they are in the cabins. Again, this message is disseminated to the passengers in
four languages. Taipei MRT’s philosophy has definitely served beyond a public
transport provider and goes as far as shaping their society in reinforcing the
importance of social etiquette. They have in mind the kind of society that they
desire.
3) Breastfeeding
rooms
Taipei MRT is meticulous in identifying different
groups of people existing in their society. Yes, there are breastfeeding rooms
located at 21 MRT stations in support of mothers.
4) Platform
screens
For improved reliability and safety, platform screens were
installed by 2006 at two high-capacity interchanges.
5) Gondola
service
The gondola service is an extension of the existing
MRT routes in Taipei
that spans across approximately 4km in distance and rises to a height of
approximately 300m. Ticket pricing for both standard cabins and crystal cabins with
transparent glass floor share the same pricing that ranges between NT$30
(S$1.25) and $50 (S$2.09).
***
By the way, the cost for the use of Taipei MRT Easycard
(similar to our EzLink card) is kept low at NT$20 (S$0.87) while the cost of
our EzLink card is S$5.
***
Unfortunately again for SMRT, being people-oriented is
not a mere rhetoric meant only for the ears. It has to be actualized to benefit
the people as claimed, and it is demonstrated by the Taipei MRT through its
services and facilities by highlighting different groups of users such as the
senior citizens, the IT savvy, the overseas visitors, the handicapped, lone
women and mothers. The consequence is an astounding difference in terms of service
quality between a truly people-oriented public transport provider and a
profit-driven one.
Taipei
MRT recognizes the existence of the people to whom it owes its existence to. The same philosophy spurs the public
transport provider to understand the various travelling needs among its
clients, the social etiquette that defines a civic-minded society and the relation
between people and the environment. There is pride in their service for the
masses. The people are truly at the center of its service.
Even back in 2003, Taipei MRT has already
distinguished itself from the level of SMRT. To an organization that is focused
on immediate economic benefits, the people whom they are supposedly serving
will be dehumanized for the purpose of profits. The interpretation of what it meant to be “people-oriented” in a
profit-driven context is, placing the people at the core to be milked.
Taipei MRT provided me a chance of feeling my own
existence as an individual, an entity of a society which stems from the
collectivity of individuals. However, more often than not, we are so used to
being blanketed by the concept of society and unconsciously assume the
uniformity of all individuals within the society. We rarely, or cultivated not
to, think of the groups of individuals beyond that single blanket of society.
If Taipei MRT is a loose representation of the kind of
society Taipei
is, then what kind of society is being reflected through our SMRT?