Multi-language signage & opening of PGLRT in early 2005

^tamago^ SG

From next year, LTA will start re-installing signages at MRT and LRT stations to reflect all 4 official languages at a cost of $2.2 million.

Installation will only take place during non-operation hours in the night.

Due to Punggol LRT being postponed to open in early 2005 (from original end 2004), the signages reflecting PGLRT will not come up until next year, and is expected to be completed by end of 2005. First to be changed is platform signages of station names, then those at station entrances, and finally directional signages in the station.

From Straits Times Interactive:

MRT signs to be multilingual by end 2005

BY THE end of 2005, multilingual signs will go up at all MRT and LRT stations to help those who cannot read English get around.

There will be Chinese and Tamil station names on signs at the station platforms and entrances, and on panels showing the map of the train system.

The word 'Fare' on fare charts in the station will also be translated into Chinese, Tamil and Malay.

The Land Transport Authority already revamped the signage system in July 2001 by differentiating MRT lines by colour and stations by numbers and letters.

But the opening of the North-East Line in 2003 - fully underground and therefore devoid of visual clues and landmarks for commuters - created new problems.

The 5,000 multilingual signs will cost the LTA $2.2 million.

The move, first mentioned by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday, is part of the effort to help older Singaporeans feel at home.

For fuller report, see Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.

sbst275 SG

Nothing special wah… Because they want it all across the board aft NEL started to have special signs at Little India, Farrer Park and Chinatown.

pkcheah100 SG

It another classic example of how the goverment waste our money…. Why can’t they get things right the first time….

sbst275 SG

This is NOT A WASTE of money. This is to help people who do not understand english like the old folks.
As for "Why they can't get things right in the first place", I cannot agree as nothing is perfect in the 1st place. You can't sasftify everyone

paperchicken SG

I think it is for the increasing number of Chinese and Indian tourist coming to SG. Neutral

yoongf SG

Not tourist lah..

I would tink it's for the large number of Indian and Chinese nationals working in Sg, as well as the older generation.

SBS9818A SG

It IS a waste of taxpayer money. They could have implemented multilingual signs when the MRT system was first launched. Instead they dilly-dally about and only realise that they must do this some twenty years down the road. What logic is this? If this isn't wasting money, what is?

Many times, I've seen newly paved roads and newly built bus stops, bridges being torn down for drain works or to build a new flyover. Isn't that wasting our money?

If PGLRT is to open in early 2005, this will spell a goodbye to Sv. 84, and the circuitous routes of PG Int services.

cck_190 SG

Originally posted by SBS9818A:

It [b]IS a waste of taxpayer money. They could have implemented multilingual signs when the MRT system was first launched. Instead they dilly-dally about and only realise that they must do this some twenty years down the road. What logic is this? If this isn't wasting money, what is?

Many times, I've seen newly paved roads and newly built bus stops, bridges being torn down for drain works or to build a new flyover. Isn't that wasting our money?

If PGLRT is to open in early 2005, this will spell a goodbye to Sv. 84, and the circuitous routes of PG Int services.[/b]

Hmm...I do agree with you that it is a waste of money, the new signages has just been up for about 2 years, and now, they're changing it? As I mentioned in another place, this is just wasting money for the sake of the minority. Rolling Eyes

sbst275 SG

You want to blame, blame MRTC in the 90's when they stopped doing it. If it's wasting our money, then dun do it and those elderly is continue to KBKB.

As for bus stops, they are indeed waste of money. The ADSHEL one cannot protect you from rain as it is very "open"

As for PGLRT, it beg to differ. Maybe Sv 3 will be direct to TPE. The rest like 136 may stay for students (Otherwise another espisode). 83 may just become a inter - town service with like 10 mins frequency

leeJZ SG

svc 3 will be direct. svc 84 will be chopped. svc 62 will be untouched. svc 136 will stay, as it is not that winding and the only service to the Edgefield Plains. svc 83 will either be chopped or kept, depending if SBST would still like to keep the Sengkang conection to the whole of Punggol.

tranquilice SG

Note that only PGLRT east loop will begins operation first, as the west loop still has "nothing" along its route. Mr. Green

sbst275 SG

That area will be more for recreation.

So coincidental, bth SKG and PGL West loop are last to be opened Laughing