SBC 1980 - The Singapore MRT Debate (Part 2/2)

*All sources are duly credited to Singapore Broadcasting Corporation*
This documentary showcases a debate on issues surrounding the construction of the MRT. Among the topics raised and addressed are: the assessments and reports by the 2 consultancies engaged by the government; namely Hansen and Wilbur Smith & Associates, speed of the trains in peak hour conditions, express buses, construction of new expressways and operating costs.

[@wongfm11]

In hindsight, a wise decision was made by the government of the day. Amazing that the proponents of the MRT got most of their assumptions and vision spot on. Looking forward towards the future, projecting vehicle population growth, road congestion, limited land space, and the costs of sticking to the traditional system of bus transportation, was most enlightening at that period of time. The opponents of the MRT System hinged their case on the exorbitant cost of building the system, acquiring land spaces, and that the population growth would be more limited than projected. Surprisingly, Mr. Mah Bow Tan, who represents SBS, pointed out that the all-bus proposal had been oversold as a comparable system, a more convenient and cheaper option to the MRT system. A good debate between both consultancies, with many far-sighted views.

[@eebengchong]

on hindsight , the MRT was a right decision overall. agree that it was a far sighted view and decision

[@tedchandran]

Jai Hinduja. Only one Minister Ong Teng Cheong stood in the way of endorsing the All Bus System

[@wongfm11]

@@tedchandran while Mr. OTC was the main supporter of the MRT, it should be noted that the decision to go with the MRT proposal was taken by the cabinet as a whole, which pointed to a collective action after evaluating the merits, despite strong reservations from the ministers opposing it.

[@windydragon6522]

Maybe there were more bosses benefitting from an all-bus system?

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Spank Bang Captain

[@jeny7177]

2023 and who else are watching? Nice !!

[@Branch7ShuZhi]

Today, it is obvious that the land value enhancement with MRT far exceeded the construction cost of the train system.

[@usernameryan5982]

This short comment perfectly encapsulates what opponents of rapid transit do not understand. They may look at the high cost of something grade separated rail but they don’t understand the unlocked productivity in the land around it that when done correctly, more than makes up for the capital cost of the the project.

[@carr16k]

Singaporean accent sounded better back then.

[@user-um8wi5ym4y]

That is standard English that some Singaporeans are still capable of.

[@carr16k]

@@user-um8wi5ym4y not exactly. Current standard English now sounds localised with local intonation. Whereas back then there was a hint of the British intonation and it didn't sound forced or fake.

[@namele55777]

@@carr16k agreed, if you listen to old tapes of speeches or debates by some of the OG politicians you can catch a whiff of british intonation - think goh keng swee, ky lee, wee kim wee, chiam see tong.

[@whackino]

MBT was amazingly sharp and visionary . What has happened to him when mrt started to have problem ..

[@emptyangel]

Curious, why were Americans consulted on this? America has some of the most atrocious public transport use ever.

[@ReviveHF]

America was a great super power in the 1980s unlike now.

[@tedchandran]

Jai Hinduja. In the G20, the Collective West led by US and India will be building a transportation corridor linking India to Europe via Saudi Arabia, Israel and Greece.

[@user-ijh7tl5ie3]

Unfortunately, the US today is a very pale shade of its glorious past. It’s now a pathetic hegemony struggling with tons of internal social & economic problems, and crumbling infrastructure.

[@huaiwei]

Because you use your current anti-American views to assume people also held those views about them back then. Obviously it is not the case.

[@xthene]

this is 1980

[@omaewamoshindeiru616]

im glad we can see this now... so we can remember the ones who made it possible as well as the idiots who were opposed to the idea... imagine us having a system like Johor Bahru... habis

[@tedchandran]

Jai Hinduja. As a general note, countries especially in Africa which need to borrow for infrastructure from international banks are required to bring in Western consultans.

[@ianhomerpura8937]

Most of whom are insanely carbrained. They want more highways than trains, and recommend the same to countries where they become consultants.