MRT use

arball SG

in a war situation, would the MRT still remain sustainable as a transport system? perhaps as a means of transporting supplies and ammo?

tankee1981 SG

This is a feasible idea. The MRT network by then will cease to be a form public transport and can act as a transport for the war effort by transporting personnel and supplies(less bulky types). It is likely that the road networks will be clogged with vehicles with people escaping to overseas, on the way home or to shelters.The underground stations can act as air raid shelters.

However, for those above ground tracks will not be suitable as it is vulnerable to air and long range rocket attacks.

kopiosatu SG

transport within singapore?

but honestly, if we have to start fighting IN singapore.

lose already

Shotgun SG

Ditto. But we'll still fight none the less. MRT tunnels are definitely considered part of defence operations. There are tunnels that aren't open to public as well... I think.

caleb_chiang SG

Erm... What I heard... Underground Mrt stations serves as a bomb shelter if war broke up in SG.

As for the transport, maybe... Cos mostly electricity would be insufficient if war broke out and the trail would most probably be ruined.

Eddyvlad SG

If I'm the SMRT ceo and the military or civil defense wants to use my stations, I'll say, "Wahh... LTA fine me $387,176 that time nobody come and help me. Now you're telling me I must help you?"

^tamago^ SG

Civil defence bomb shelter only…

^tamago^ SG

If I'm the SMRT ceo and the military or civil defense wants to use my stations, I'll say, "Wahh... LTA fine me $387,176 that time nobody come and help me. Now you're telling me I must help you?"

MRT stations belong to LTA. SMRT is just an operator.

Shotgun SG

Yes. In time of War, military takes control of everything. Period.

arball SG

perhaps there's a tunnel connection between the underground ammo depot and the mrt line? can somebody investigate that ? tnks!

the mrt tunnels are also quite deep underground too right? so with the layer of ground + road + piping etc, above it, such tunnels should be quite resistant to blast too true?

edwin3060 SG

In a non-forward defence scenario, you can be sure that a potential agressor would take out the MRT network as one of the priority targets, given that 1) It gives a quick form of transportation to the defenders and 2) It would be a good way of demoralising the population.

tankee1981 SG

With all the official MRT tunneling, construction of underground expressways,shopping malls, ammo dump and even the massive sewage system. I have reason to suspect that not all of these underground constructions are 100% civilian in nature(not including the ammo dump of course).

In land scarce Singapore, the only way is to go high and deep. We have build pretty high buildings for almost all our surface constructions inclusive of military ones, so there is little reason to believe that we didn't build deep underground facilities for military purposes other than the ammo dump.

Eddyvlad SG

MRT stations belong to LTA. SMRT is just an operator.

Fine their own operator. hmm...

http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_218876.html

Arapahoe SG

Is it possible to have a Battle of Leningrad scenario in Singapore?

Atobe SG

For those with an OTH vision, be comforted with the news that the Malaysian Federal Government and the Johor State Government is preparing a site for the eventual extension of the SMRT line to terminate with a station in Johor Bahru.

This could be a welcome development as it will mean that the Malayan Railway will pull out from its historical site at Tanjong Pagar, and terminate its service in Johor Bahru; resulting in the eventual return of all the land to Singapore - which now has the railway tracks cutting across the island.

pigsticker SG

Yes. In time of War, military takes control of everything. Period.

yesh... even civilian resources can be requisited ...

Arapahoe SG

i thought this would be compensated in substituting other part of land in exchange for the rail and the station?

Atobe SG

i thought this would be compensated in substituting other part of land in exchange for the rail and the station?

The compensation package was offered to entice the Malaysian Authorities to move the Railway Station from Tanjong Pagar to a new station to terminate next to the Woodlands CIQ.

This was unfortunately taken off the table when the previous Malaysian PM Mahathir stalled progress in the ongoing quid-pro-quo talks that included the water pricing issues.

The original agreement signed during the end of the Colonial Period allowed the Malayan Railway to continue occupy Singapore land as long as the trains services continue to operate; but should the railway stop operating then the land which it occupy will naturally return to the Singapore Authorities - {no compensation was mentioned, as in all probability the land is used without any charges or maybe on a token basis}.

With the SMRT being proposed to extend a line into Johor Bahru, is there any further need for the train services to enter and track into the heart of downtown Singapore - cutting up choice real estate as it meander through the choiciest real estates ?

Making use of the SMRT lines in times of war ?

It certainly make sense to use the SMRT lines as a means to move men and supplies under cover, and this will expose the above ground tracks to attacks at the onset of aggression.

Arapahoe SG

it would be difficult to assume that MY would just gave up without trade off. After all if I remember correctly the lease is 999 for the station and the rail.

Paradise Lost SG

Extremely feasible. Especially with the impending constructing of the Circle Line, Downtown Line etc, the bombing of any given segment of the MRT network would not disrupt the use of the MRT tracks to move goods and supplies in times of war.