Overcrowded Boon Lay MRT station between 6pm and 6.30pm a 'dangerous pressure cooker': Stomper
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Update on Sept 25:
After the article was published, SMRT Train President Lam Sheau Kai told Stomp: "On Sept 15 at around 6pm, two escalators at Boon Lay station were out of service.
"As this coincided with the evening peak period, the situation led to crowding on the station platform.
"To ensure the safety of commuters, two trains were directed to bypass Boon Lay station to help ease platform congestion.
"During this time, one escalator and the station lift remained operational, and our station staff were on-site to assist and guide commuters."
In-train and station announcements were made to keep commuters informed, and additional station staff were deployed to support crowd management efforts, said Mr Lam.
He added: "We worked closely with the escalator original equipment manufacturer, Otis, to expedite repairs. One escalator was restored to service the same evening, while the second was fully operational on Sept 17.
"We thank our commuters for their patience and understanding."
Original article:
Taking the MRT during evening peak can be a nightmare.
But Stomper Alvin fears it can be unsafe and even deadly at Boon Lay MRT station.
Sharing photos of the crowd on Sept 15 between 6pm and 6.30pm, he said: "The platforms of Boon Lay MRT station became a dangerous pressure cooker.
"It was a scene that should alarm every commuter and every transport authority in Singapore - platforms heaving with people, passengers shoulder-to-shoulder, trains continuing to arrive and offload even more bodies.
"And yet no clear announcement on what had gone wrong, what commuters should do, or how the situation was being managed."
While there have been several MRT service disruptions in September, none were reported on Sept 15.
The Stomper acknowledged: "For many, it was just another frustrating evening commute.
"But make no mistake, what unfolded at Boon Lay was more than an inconvenience. It was a public safety hazard, the kind that, under slightly worse circumstances, could have turned deadly.
"Commuters stand packed across the platform, hemmed in by walls on one side and train tracks on the other.
"Each new train arrival, instead of offering relief, worsens the situation as more passengers are forced onto an already overcrowded space."
But what especially concerned the Stomper is the lack of information.
"The glaring absence of public announcements stands out. No guidance on the cause of the disruption," he said.
"No instructions on whether passengers should hold back, seek alternative transport, or move to less crowded parts of the station. The silence left commuters guessing, and guessing breeds anxiety.
"This is the essence of poor crowd management."
The Stomper warned: "Overcrowding by itself is stressful but often manageable when passengers are informed and directed.
"Overcrowding combined with silence and inaction is a recipe for panic and disorder."
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