'Mayhem' at Yellow Ribbon Prison Run: Participants get stuck in traffic and human jams
Complimentary shuttle buses were provided for participants of Yellow Ribbon Prison Run on Sept 1 morning.
But some taking the bus to the start point in Changi were stuck in traffic for so long that they decided to get out and walk 2km before the actual run.
Stomper Prem was one of them.
"Considering the Yellow Ribbon Project is in its 20th year, it was surprising how disorganised this year's run was," said the Stomper.
"I reached the Expo to park my car at 6.30am and took the shuttle some 10 minutes later. I reached the start point only at 8am. This was after requesting the bus driver to let us alight 2km before the start point and walking the rest of the way as it was faster than being on the shuttle."
The flag-off times were 7.15am for the 10km race and 7.45am for the 5km race.
Other participants also complained online about missing the flag-off due to the jam.
The problems didn't end there for the Stomper.
The finish line was at the Changi Prison Complex.
"It was mayhem as the organisers didn't segregate those entering the grounds for the exhibition and those leaving the site, causing a bottleneck," said the Stomper who shared a video of the crowd.
"People were jostling their way in as there was only one small entrance to the gated exhibition. Furthermore, the medal collection counter was placed too close to this entrance, causing more crowding.
"Not only was this a mess, but trying to reach the start point using the shuttle bus provided by the event organisers took over an hour from the Expo, resulting in many not being able to start the race on time.
"The organisers need to be more aware and the run be better organised."
On Sept 4, the Singapore Prison Service and the Yellow Ribbon Singapore issued a joint statement on social media that they are aware of the feedback on the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run.
Addressing the the shuttle bus issue, the statement said: "This year, in addition to the usual pick-up point at the Singapore Expo bus stop, we also provided complimentary shuttle services from Our Tampines Hub, and various ActiveSG Stadiums, for the convenience of more participants to get to the event's start point.
"We had also increased the frequency of shuttle buses from Our Tampines Hub and Singapore Expo to reduce participants' waiting time for the shuttle services.
"However, we understand that some participants were inconvenienced by the heavy traffic and service gaps in the shuttle services, and were thus unable to start their run events at the respective flag-off timings."
Regarding the crowding, the statement said: "We are also aware that there was some congestion at the carnival entrance/exit point at about 9.15am due to participants leaving and entering at the same time.
"We had immediately re-deployed volunteers to guide participants to the baggage collection point and helped to expedite the distribution of medals to them. The crowd at the carnival entrance/exit point eased by about 9.40am."
According to a Facebook post by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who flagged off this year's Yellow Ribbon Prison Run, the event had a record number of about 11,000 participants and the highest ever amount of more than $557,000 raised to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates and ex-offenders as well as their families.
