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Mass Rapid Transit

Mass Rapid Transit

The name Mass Rapid Transit is used by the following specific metro systems, either as an official name or otherwise:
- the Mass Rapid Transit system in Singapore.
- the official name of the Bangkok Metro.
- the alternative name of the Taipei Rapid Transit System. ja:MRT

Metro

:This article is about high-capacity urban rail public transit systems. For lower-order systems, see tram, light rail, bus, and bus rapid transit. :Metro and Subway redirect here. For other uses of the words, see metro (disambiguation) and subway (disambiguation). For specific rapid-transit systems, many of which use one of the two words in their names, see list of rapid transit systems. list of rapid transit systems A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated, or metro system is a railway system, usually in an urban area, that usually has high capacity and frequency, with large trains and total or near total grade separation from other traffic.

Characteristics and nomenclature

There is no single term in English that all speakers would use for all rapid transit or metro systems. This fact reflects variations not only in national and regional usage, but in what characteristics are considered essential. One definition of a metro system is as follows:
- an urban, electric mass transit railway system
- totally independent from other traffic
- with high service frequency. But those who prefer the American term "subway" or the British "underground" would additionally specify that the tracks and stations must be
- located below street level so that pedestrians and road users see the street exactly as it would be without the subway; or at least that this must be true for the most important, central parts of the system. Conversely, those who prefer the American "rapid transit" or the newer (when used in English) term "metro" tend to view this as a less important characteristic and are pleased to include systems that are entirely elevated or at ground level (at grade) as long as the other criteria are met. A rapid transit system that is generally above street level may be called an "elevated" system (often shortened to el or, in Chicago, 'L'). In some cities the word "subway" applies to the entire system, in others only to those parts that actually are underground; and analogously for "el". For a more comprehensive listing showing names of this kind of system in cities around the world, see the list of rapid transit systems. Germanic languages generally use names meaning "underground railway" (such as "subway" or "U-Bahn"), while many others use "metro". See also passenger rail terminology.

Extent

passenger rail terminology In larger metropolitan areas the metro system may extend only to the limits of the central city, or to its inner ring of suburbs, with trains making relatively frequent station stops. The outer suburbs may then be reached by a separate commuter, suburban, or regional rail network, where more widely spaced stations allow a higher speed. These trains are often more expensive and less frequent, sometimes operating only in rush hours, and sometimes for political reasons they are operated by a separate authority that tends not to cooperate with the city's transit authority.rush hour Many of these regional railways were first built to operate in one direction from a city-center terminus, but some have been extended across the city center, sometimes running in tunnels. By making multiple stops in the city, they can offer suburban passengers a choice of stations, and also provide useful transportation within the city. A notable example is the Paris RER system, where (in cooperation with the city's transit authority) several pairs of existing suburban lines running in opposite directions from the city have been extended in tunnel to join up and form new through routes across the city. They are provided with frequent service and, within the city, the same fares as the Métro are charged, providing an integrated network. In German-speaking countries, such a system is called an S-Bahn. In Italian-speaking countries such a system is called Linea S or Treno Suburbano. In some cases, such as the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Washington Metrorail systems, the rapid transit system itself runs to the suburbs and effectively functions as a regional rail service as well. Where there are separate systems, the rapid transit system is typically a self-contained service with its own dedicated tracks and stations and technologically incompatible with other railways. Suburban rail services, on the other hand, often share tracks and stations with long-distance trains (historically they were usually operated by the same company, which also owned the rails and ran freight, although this has become less common) and are subject to the same standards and regulations. There are exceptions; some London Underground lines share track with suburban rail services. In some cases, metro lines have been extended by taking over existing regional rail lines, notably the Central and Northern Lines in London. London Underground, Greece double as museums. Antiquities found in excavations of its tunnels are on display there.]]The Athens Metro's Blue Line shares tracks with suburban rail services in order to connect the metro to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, but does not stop at the suburban rail stations because the platforms of the stations are a lot lower than the train's floor. In Hong Kong, metro-like frequent service on the KCR East Rail to the new towns is provided by electrifying existing railway line, while continues to share part of the tracks with the much less frequent intercity and freight trains. The KCR West Rail, on the contrary, is designed to accommodate intercity and freight traffic in future, while presently provides only metro-like service. Elevated railways were a popular way to build mass transit systems in cities around the turn of the twentieth century, but they have fallen out of favour and many elevated lines were later demolished, being replaced by subways or buses. Elevated rail saw something of a resurgence in the late twentieth century, with the construction of a number of new lines such as the Docklands Light Railway in London and the Vancouver SkyTrain; in the United States a few such lines have been built, including the AirTrain JFK and the Las Vegas Monorail, but these are typically seen as more futuristic, and are not representative of the overall trends in U.S. transit development.

Importance, functions, and station design

The volume of passengers a metro train can carry is often quite high, and a metro system is often viewed as the backbone of a large city's public transportation system. In many cities passengers beginning their journeys on a streetcar/tram, bus, or suburban rail system must finish their journey into the city center on the metro as their first mode of transport will terminate at a metro station to avoid congesting the city center above ground. Budapest is a perfect example where the two more modern metro lines connect with buses and trams and also with two circular streetcar/tram routes (one closer to and one further from the city center) that allow travel between suburbs and also into the centre of the city by changing onto the metro. In some cities, the urban rail system is so comprehensive and efficient that the majority of city residents go without an automobile. Hong Kong, London, Moscow, New York City, Madrid, Paris, and Tokyo have the most extensive and advanced metro systems in the world. Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston follow New York distantly, while the rest of the cities in the United States only have partial or poorly-used systems, such as Los Angeles, Saint Louis or Philadelphia. In the Western Hemisphere, Mexico City also has a large system. In Canada, only Toronto and Montréal have extensive metro networks serving their urban centers (see Toronto subway and RT and Montréal Métro); Vancouver's SkyTrain also provides high-grade service, but at present acts primarily as a connection between Vancouver and the surrounding area. SkyTrain Most underground systems are for public transportation, but a few cities have built freight or postal lines. One example was the Post Office Railway, which transported mail underground between sorting offices in London from 1927 until it was abandoned in 2003. Similarly, in its early days the London Underground's Metropolitan Line (then the Metropolitan Railway) transported goods as well as running passenger trains. Another example was the Chicago Tunnel Company, which had a dense grid of tunnels under downtown Chicago. During the Cold War an important secondary function of some underground systems was to provide shelter in case of a nuclear attack. Urban rail systems have often been used to showcase economic, social, and technological achievements of a nation, especially in the Soviet Union and other Communist countries. With their marble walls, polished granite floors and splendid mosaics, the metro systems of Moscow and St. Petersburg are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful in the world. Modern metro stations in Russia are usually still built with the same emphasis on appearance. Similarly, the Independent Subway System in New York City was built to compete with the private IRT and BMT systems, and succeeded in running them out of business (in conjunction with other factors, such as fare limits). The New York City subway system (actually only approximately 60% of total track miles are underground) is now owned by the city government. In fact, almost all subway systems around the world are owned by government entities. BMT.]] See also Metro station.

Technology

Train size and motive power

Some urban rail lines are built to the full size of main-line railways; others use smaller tunnels, restricting the size and sometimes the shape of the trains (in the London Underground the informal term tube train is commonly used). Some lines use light rail rolling stock, perhaps surface cars simply routed into a tunnel for all or part of their route. In many cities, such as London and Boston's MBTA, lines using different types of vehicles are organised into a single unified system (though often not connected by track). Although the initial lines of what became the London Underground used steam engines, most metro trains, both now and historically, are electric multiple units, with steel wheels running on two steel rails. Power for the trains, referred to as traction power, is commonly supplied by means of a single live third rail (as in New York) at 600 to 750 volts, but some systems use two live rails (notably London) and thus eliminate the return current from the running rails. Overhead wires, allowing higher voltages, are more likely to be used on metro systems without much length in tunnel, as in Amsterdam; but they also occur on some that are underground, as in Madrid. Boston's Green Line trains derive power from an overhead wire, both while traveling in a tunnel in the central city and at street level in the suburban areas. Systems generally use DC power rather than AC, even though this requires large rectifiers for the power supply. DC motors were formerly more efficient for railway applications, and once a DC system is in place, converting it to AC is generally considered too large a project to contemplate.

Tracks

motor Most rapid transit systems use conventional railway tracks, although since tracks in subway tunnels are not exposed to wet weather, they are often fixed to the floor rather than resting on ballast. The rapid transit system in San Diego, California operates tracks on former railroad rights of way that were acquired by the governing entity. An alternative technology using rubber tires on narrow concrete or steel rollways was pioneered on the Paris Métro, and the first complete system to use it was in Montréal. Additional horizontal wheels are required for guidance, and a conventional track is often provided in case of flat tires and for switching. Advocates of this system note that it is much quieter than conventional steel-wheeled trains, and allows for greater inclines given the increased traction allowed by the rubber tires. Some cities with steep hills incorporate mountain railway technologies into their metros. The Lyon Metro includes a section of rack (cog) railway, while the Carmelit in Haifa is an underground funicular. For elevated lines, still another alternative is the monorail. Supported or "straddle" monorails, with a single rail below the train, include the Tokyo Monorail; the Schwebebahn in Wuppertal is a suspended monorail, where the train body hangs below the wheels and rail. Monorails have never gained wide acceptance outside Japan, though Seattle has a short one (in November 2005 voters in Seattle decided against expanding this system, which dates to the World's Fair of 1962), and one has recently been built in Las Vegas. One of the first monorail systems in the United States was installed at Anaheim's Disneyland in 1959 and connects the amusement park to a nearby hotel. Disneyland's builder, animator and filmmaker Walt Disney, offered to build a similar system between Anaheim and Los Angeles.

Crew size and automation

Los Angeles trains, manufactured by Alstom of France, are fully automated and are not manned by any driver.]] Early underground trains often carried an attendant on each car to operate the doors or gates, as well as a driver (often called the "motorman"). The introduction of powered doors around 1920 permitted crew sizes to be reduced, and trains in many cities are now operated by a single person. Where the operator would not be able to see the whole side of the train to tell whether the doors can be safely closed, mirrors or closed-circuit TV monitors are often provided for that purpose. closed-circuit TV An alternative to human drivers became available in the 1960s, as automated systems were developed that could start a train, accelerate to the correct speed, and stop automatically at the next station, also taking into account the information that a human driver would obtain from lineside or cab signals. The first complete line to use this technology was London's Victoria Line, in 1968. In normal operation the one crew member sits in the driver's position at the front, but just closes the doors at each station; the train then starts automatically. This style of system has become widespread. A variant is seen on London's Docklands Light Railway, opened in 1987, where the "passenger service agent" (formerly "train captain") rides with the passengers rather than sitting at the front as a driver would. The same technology would have allowed trains to operate completely automatically with no crew, just as most elevators do; and as the cost of automation has decreased, this has become financially attractive. But a countervailing argument is that of possible emergency situations. A crew member on board the train may be able to prevent the emergency in the first place, drive a partially failed train to the next station, assist with an evacuation if needed, or call for the correct emergency services (police, fire, or ambulance) and help direct them. emergency.]] In some cities the same reasons are considered to justify a crew of two rather than one; one person drives from the front of the train, while the other operates the doors from a position farther back, and is more conveniently able to assist passengers in the rear cars. The crew members may exchange roles on the reverse trip (as in Toronto) or not (as in New York). Completely unmanned trains are more accepted on newer systems where there are no existing crews to be removed, and especially on light rail lines. Thus the first such system was the VAL (véhicule automatique léger or "automated light vehicle") of Lille, France, inaugurated in 1983. Additional VAL lines have been built in other cities. In Canada, the Vancouver SkyTrain carries no crew members, while Toronto's Scarborough RT, opening the same year (1985) with otherwise identical trains, uses human operators. These systems commonly use platform-edge doors (PEDs), in order to improve safety and ensure passenger confidence, but this is not universal: for example, the Vancouver SkyTrain does not. (And conversely, some lines which retain drivers nevertheless use PEDs, notably London's Jubilee Line Extension. MTR of Hong Kong also uses platform screen doors, the first to install PSDs on an already operating system.) Rapid transit systems in the United States do not use PEDs, with the exception of the Las Vegas Monorail which was the first system to use them in the country because of the city's desert climate. As to larger trains, the Paris Metro has human drivers on most lines, but runs crewless trains on its newest line, Line 14, which opened in 1998. Singapore's North East MRT Line (2003) claims to be the world's first fully automated underground urban heavy rail line. The Disneyland Resort Line of Hong Kong MTR is also automated, with a staff riding with the passengers. :See also People mover.

Tunnel construction

People mover] The construction of an underground metro is an expensive project, often carried out over a number of years. There are several different methods of building underground lines. In one common method, known as cut-and-cover (used in the first New York City subway line), the city streets are excavated and a tunnel structure strong enough to support the road above is built at the trench, which is then filled in and the roadway rebuilt. This method (used for most of the underground parts of the São Paulo and Guadalajara subways, for example) often involves extensive relocation of the utilities commonly buried not far below city streets – particularly power and telephone wiring, water and gas mains, and sewers. This relocation must be done carefully, as according to documentaries from the National Geographic Society, one of the causes of the April 22 explosions in Guadalajara, which happened in 1992, was a misrelocated water pipeline. The structures are typically made of concrete, perhaps with structural columns of steel; in the oldest systems, brick and cast iron were used. Cut-and-cover construction can take so long that it is often necessary to build a temporary roadbed while construction is going on underneath in order to avoid closing main streets for long periods of time; in Toronto, a temporary surface on Yonge Street supported cars and streetcar tracks for several years while the Yonge subway was built. Some American cities, like Newark, Cincinnati and Rochester, were initially built around canals. When the railways replaced canals, they were able to bury a subway in the disused canal's trench, without rerouting other utilities, or acquiring a right of way piecemeal. Another usual way is to start with a vertical shaft and then dig the tunnels horizontally from there, often with a tunnelling shield, thus avoiding almost any disturbance to existing streets, buildings, and utilities. But problems with ground water are more likely, and tunnelling through native bedrock may require blasting. (The first city to extensively use deep tunneling was London, where a thick sedimentary layer of clay largely avoids both problems.) The confined space in the tunnel also limits the machinery that can be used, but specialised tunnel-boring machines are now available to overcome this challenge. One disadvantage with this, however, is that the cost of tunnelling is much higher than building systems cut-and-cover, at-grade or elevated. Early tunnelling machines could not make tunnels large enough for conventional railway equipment, necessitating special low, round trains, such as are still used by most of the London Underground, which cannot install air conditioning on most of its lines because the amount of empty space between the trains and tunnel walls is so small. The deepest metro system in the world was built in St. Petersburg, Russia. In this city, built in the marshland, stable soil starts more than 50 metres deep. Above that level the soil mostly consists of water-bearing finely dispersed sand. Because of this, only three stations out of nearly 60 are built near the ground level and three more above the ground. Some stations and tunnels lie as deep as 100-120 meters below the surface. However, the location of the world's deepest station is not as clear. Usually, the vertical distance between the ground level and the rail is used to represent the depth. Among the possible candidates are: marshland, Russia metro depicts Ancient Greece; the word "sportivnaya" means "sporty" or "athletic".]]
- Deepest stations in St. Petersburg, Russia:
  - Admiraltejskaya (The Admiralty, 102 meters, still in construction, probably the best candidate)
  - Komendantskij Prospekt (The Commandant Avenue, 78 meters, launched 2005)
  - Chernishevskaya (Chernyshevsky, 74 meters, launched 1958)
  - Ploshad Lenina (Lenin Square, 72 meters, launched 1958)
- Arsenal'na station in Kyiv, Ukraine (built under a hill)
- Park Pobedy station in Moscow Metro (built under a hill)
- Puhung station in Pyongyang, North Korea (the Pyongyang metro doubles as a nuclear shelter)
- Washington Park station on Metropolitan Area Express in Portland, Oregon (built under a hill), 260 feet (80 m) One advantage of deep tunnels is that they can dip in a basin-like profile between stations, without incurring significant extra costs due to having to dig deeper. This technique, also referred to as putting stations "on humps", allows gravity to assist the trains as they accelerate from one station and brake at the next. It was used as early as 1890 on parts of the City and South London Railway, and has been used many times since. The proposed West Island extention to the Island Line of the MTR of Hong Kong will have stations over 100 metres below the ground level, to serve passengers on the Mid-levels. According to the latest proposal some of the entrances/exits will be equipped with high-speed lifts, instead of the conventional way to use escalators.

History

Mid-levels.]] The 2750-foot (850-m) Cobble Hill Tunnel in Brooklyn, New York (now part of New York City) is claimed to be the "world's oldest subway tunnel". This was formed in 1850 when an open cut on the Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad in the middle of Atlantic Avenue was bricked over to form a tunnel. The company was later taken over by the Long Island Rail Road, but the tunnel was closed in 1861. This tunnel was not a true subway, as it had no stations and was used for long-distance regional rail and streetcars. Soon after, the similar Murray Hill Tunnel on the New York and Harlem Railroad was roofed over in the 1850s. This ran under Park Avenue in New York City, and later even included an underground station at 38th Street, opened in 1870. [http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/38st.html] As with the Cobble Hill Tunnel, this carried regional rail and streetcars. The tunnel has since been converted for automobile traffic. The first real underground line in the sense discussed here was the Metropolitan Railway in London, which opened in 1863, using the era's most advanced propulsive technology: steam locomotives, specially designed to condense their exhaust steam when in the tunnels. It was an immediate success and many extensions followed; the Metropolitan eventually became an important part of the London Underground system. Steam working underground lasted until 1905. The first elevated railway in the world was the Ninth Avenue Elevated in New York City, opened in 1868 as a cable car and later converted for steam and then electric operation. Elevated railways were seen as a cheaper alternative to subways, but were often seen as dirty, ugly, and dangerous. In 1870 short single-track lines opened in both New York and London using alternative technologies, neither of which was a success. In New York, Alfred Beach built a 95 m tunnel (with a single station and a dead end at the other end) to demonstrate pneumatic train operation; this operated until 1873, after which the tunnel became a rifle range and was then abandoned. The Beach subway was demolished in 1912 to build the BMT City Hall station. In London, the Tower Subway provided a crossing under the River Thames using a tiny cable car for the 410-m journey; the line closed in a matter of months and the tunnel was given over to pedestrians, later becoming a utility conduit. The first deep-level underground line (other than the Tower Subway) was the City and South London Railway, which opened in 1890. Steam operation being considered ridiculous in view of the limited ventilation so far underground, cable traction was chosen; but during construction the management decided to try electric locomotives instead, and so the C&SLR became the first underground electric railway. It too is now part of the London Underground. London Underground), at first a trolleybus system, opened in 1980; the second line was opened in 1994, and a third line is in project.]] The first line of the Chicago 'L' opened in 1892; most of Chicago's system is still elevated, but a few subways have been built, the first opening in 1943. The first underground railway in continental Europe was the Tünel, an underground 573-meter funicular between the quarters of Beyoğlu and Galata in the European part of Istanbul, completed in 1875 by French engineers on behalf of the Ottoman Empire. It rarely figures as continental Europe's first metro, though, partly because of its limited length, partly because the cars were pulled by horses until the line was converted to electrical operation in 1910. After the Tünel, the first underground railway to be completed in continental Europe was opened in Budapest in 1896, after only two years of construction. It stretches from Vörösmarty tér (the city centre) to City Park and the local zoo, over a total length of 3.7 km (2.3 mi). It is now part of the Budapest Metro and remains largely in its original state, with the original cars modernised and the stations restored in keeping with their original design, and with the route the same except for a very short extension north to Mexikói Út to connect with the city's tram network. It lays claim to a second title, that is the first electric underground railway (collecting, as it does today, from overhead cables, like the Newcastle System, rather than the more common third rail) in the world..The 10.4 km (6.5 mi) Glasgow Subway in Scotland opened the same year and used cable haulage, until it was electrified in 1935. The first line of the Paris Metro opened in 1900. Its full name was the Chemin de Fer Métropolitain, a direct translation into French of London's Metropolitan Railway. The name was shortened to métro, and many other languages have since borrowed this word. The Berlin U-Bahn (for underground railway) opened in 1902; because large sections of the line were elevated, it was also called Hochbahn (high railway) until the 1920s. Boston has the oldest subway tunnel in the United States, part of the Green Line downtown, dating from 1897. The original construction was a short four-track tunnel downtown, with only two stations, built to take light rail cars from outlying areas off the streets. Later subways in Boston carried full-size trains; the Green Line still operates with light rail equipment. In 1901, heavy rail trains began to use the tunnel as part of the original configuration of the Main Line Elevated, the first elevated railway in Boston. Main Line Elevated in Jersey City, New Jersey, which helps to connect New Jersey with Manhattan.]] The New York City Subway, which has become the world's largest (by some measures), did not open its first section until 1904, but this was a fully separate four-track line, stretching 9 miles (14.5 km)[http://nycsubway.org/perl/caption.pl?/maps/historical/railways1906-54.gif] from City Hall to 145th Street. Extensions were soon built, reaching the Bronx and Brooklyn; this is now part of the system. Subway trains now run on right-of-way first used in 1863, and converted R44 cars run on the 1860 Staten Island Railway. In 1907, the first line in Philadelphia, now part of the Market-Frankford Line, began running on both elevated and underground structures. The oldest subway in the Southern Hemisphere opened in 1913 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which is also the oldest one in Latin America and the whole Spanish-speaking world. [http://www.urbanrail.net/am/buen/buenos-aires.htm] The system is now known as el subte. On 1923 the Mancomunitat de Catalunya opened the Barcelona Metro. Asia's oldest subway line is Tokyo's Ginza Line, opened in 1927. Now there are 12 subway lines running on about 150 miles of track. Other major Japanese cities also have subway systems, including Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kobe, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Sendai. The first underground in the former USSR (in Russian metropolitain or metro) opened in 1935 in Moscow. The first line — between Sokolniki and Park Kul'tury — was 11.2 km long. The Moscow metro was built during the reign of Stalin, and is one of the most elaborately decorated undergrounds of the world, with its stations often being called underground palaces. (As of 2005, the Moscow metro has 278 kilometers of railways and 171 stations.) In Russia and other republics of the former Soviet Union as a whole, subways opened in Saint Petersburg (1955), Kiev (1960), Tbilisi (1965), Baku (1967), Kharkov (1975), Tashkent (1977), Yerevan (1981), Minsk (1984), Nizhniy Novgorod (1985), Novosibirsk (1986), Samara (1987), Yekaterinburg (1991), Dnepropetrovsk (1995), Kazan (2005). In Volgograd and Krivoj Rog in 1980s a "metrotram" opened – it runs underground, along with common city trams. Krivoj Rog In 1949, A metro system was inaugurated in Lisbon. It was the first underground rail system in the Portuguese-speaking world. The Toronto Subway (1954) used the first aluminum subway car (which was at the time also the longest car in the world), which reduced weight and therefore operating costs. In Brazil, the first underground opened in 1974 in São Paulo, and now carries some four million passengers on an average weekday as part of the São Paulo Metro. Part of it consists of converted older railways; some of its stations actually date from the 1880s. Underground lines have been built also in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Porto Alegre and Brasília. The same year, 1974, a metro was opened in Prague. The Washington Metro in Washington, DC opened in 1976, as part of changing attitudes towards transportation in the United States, leading to subway systems in many cities that had done without. In 1979, Hong Kong's subway line, the MTR, began operations. It currently has seven lines, including four that run underneath Victoria Harbour. By 1982, the British Section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, now known as KCR East Rail, started to provide metro-like service upon electrification was completed. KCR East Rail]] Recent developments include new, elevated lines such as AirTrain JFK in New York City and surface lines such as the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail across the Hudson River in New Jersey. These are often seen as futuristic, or at least modern, and are compared favorably to old-style elevated railways. 1987 saw the Mass Rapid Transit in Singapore being completed. It was the world's first heavy rail system to feature platform screen doors. The country made news again by having the world's first automated heavy rail system. The network has three lines with another one to be ready by 2010. 2010 of Singapore.]] The most recently completed fully underground heavy rail metro line in North America is the Red Line in Los Angeles, which goes from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, through the mid-Wilshire area, East Hollywood, central Hollywood, and finally ending 17 miles away in North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley. Construction was started on this line in 1986 and completed in 2000. In autumn 2005, several politicians including Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa indicated a desire to complete the originally conceived subway route along Wilshire Boulevard to West Los Angeles and Santa Monica. As the original construction took 14 years, this line would likely not open before 2020.

Finance

Many early urban railways were originally constructed by private enterprise, either independently as in London, or under a government franchise as in Paris. Later, direct government control and ownership became the norm as corporations found it difficult to maintain profitability, although in recent years, this trend has been reversed to some extent with moves towards public-private partnership. Whatever its original financing, any metro system requires ongoing expenditure to maintain and replace its trains, tracks, tunnels, and other infrastructure. An under-financed system will become unreliable and unpleasant to use, and eventually unsafe, and thus will lose public support as it used to happen to New York's system between the 1970s through the mid 1980s, where its trains were infamous for graffiti and vandalism. In the United States, the lack of metro, subway, or other rapid transit systems except in a few of the larger cities has been attributed to automobiles, buses, and advocacy of public road-funding to compete effectively against existing streetcar and trolley systems. These went into decline early in the twentieth century due to a variety of factors including public preference, government regulation, corporate influence and decline in ridership due to failure of the operators to maintain their facilities. (The decline of rapid transit outside of major metropolitan centers gave rise by some to the General Motors Streetcar Conspiracy, a conspiracy theory that automobile and oil interests directly engineered the dismantling of rapid transit. The actions of General Motors and its corporate allies embodied one notable factor, but certainly not the only one, in the decline of streetcar networks.) In Hong Kong, where land prices are high, new railway projects are financed by the development right of lands adjacent to the routes, depots and stations the government granted to the railway companies. Thanks to the high density of urban development and high ridership, railway operations are usually profitable.

Similarities to light rail

Hong Kong]] There has always been some crossover between rapid transit and "lighter" streetcar/tram systems. For example, some lines of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company in New York City were elevated in built-up areas and ran at street level, often along streets, in less crowded areas. In many German cities, such as Hannover, the opposite applies, with trams descending into underground tunnels to cross the city centre. In the other direction, interurban streetcars provided rapid transit-style transit from cities to suburbs and other cities, running mainly on separate rights-of-way (sometimes sharing tracks with intercity rail) but using streetcar equipment. Most interurbans have been abandoned, but some (like the Norristown High Speed Line near Philadelphia) have been reconstructed to rapid transit specifications. Additionally, many streetcar/tram systems include underground and (less commonly) elevated sections, in which everything about the system except the right-of-way is built to streetcar standards. Notably, the first subway in the United States, Boston's Green Line, opened in 1897 to take streetcars off downtown streets, though it did carry elevated trains from 1901 until the Washington Street Subway opened. The coming of modern light rail in the 1970s brought new crossovers. New systems were built and old streetcar/tram systems were upgraded with higher capacity and speeds, but retaining some aspects of streetcars and trams. Some systems known as light rail, such as the Docklands Light Railway in London and New York City's AirTrain JFK, are rapid transit with some light-rail technologies (though the light rail in these cases may be a mislabeling of Bombardier's Advanced Rapid Transit). Other light-rail systems may use high platforms but otherwise run as streetcars. A few systems similar to interurban streetcars have even come back, such as New Jersey's River LINE, which operates over freight rails for most of its trip, and along streets on one end. The KCR Light Rail which runs as streetcars operates with hight platforms, with some of its sections elevated or right-of-way at street level, and some at ground-level by away from streets.

See also


- list of metro systems
- metro station
- U-Bahn
- S-Bahn
- public transit
- urban rail transit
- light rail
- Bombardier Advanced Rapid Transit
- monorail
- metrophile (A person with a devoted interest in these systems).
- All-four
- Rubber-tired metro

External links


- [http://www.urbanrail.net UrbanRail.Net] (formerly called metroPlanet) – descriptions of all metro systems in the world, each with a schematic map showing all stations.
- [http://www.fakeisthenewreal.org/subway/index.html Undistorted metro network maps, all at the same scale for comparison].
- [http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~wrankin/rc/?subways More undistorted maps, for all of the systems of North America].
- [http://www.cjvlang.com/Spicks/thegap.html Mind the Gap] "Mind the Gap" in Japanese, Cantonese and Mandarin.
- [http://www.sawlady.com/sawmemo.htm Memoirs of a subway musician] This musician played in the subway stations of NYC, Paris, Prague & Rome.
- [http://mic-ro.com/metro/ Metro Bits] Various aspects of the world's metros.
- [http://www.rapidtransit.com/ rapidtransit.com], which includes links to operating companies
- [http://world.nycsubway.org/ New York City Subway Resources], an extensive site that includes many photos and much information about ra

Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

.]] The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a rapid transit system which forms the backbone of the railway system in Singapore, serving almost half of Singapore's population of four million with a network spanning the entire city-state. The initial section of the MRT, between Yio Chu Kang and Toa Payoh, was opened in 1987, establishing the MRT as the second oldest metro system in Southeast Asia after the system in Manila. The network has rapidly grown ever since, as the country aims to develop a comprehensive rail network and reduce dependency on road-based systems such as the bus network. The MRT also works in conjunction with the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system, which links the MRT stations with public housing (HDB) estates. public housing (HDB) and North-East Line.]] As of 2004, the daily ridership on the MRT and LRT networks hovers at about 1.3 million per day — a figure which pales in comparison to the 2.8 million daily ridership on the bus network. The gap is narrowing as the rail network expands, and bus services are often withdrawn or amended to avoid duplication of services. The lines are constructed by the Land Transport Authority, with operating concessions given to SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit. These operators also run bus and taxi services, thus ensuring that there is a full integration of public transport services in Singapore. public transport services

The Mass Rapid Transit network

History of the MRT

public transport services public transport services pulling in.]] The history of Mass Rapid Transit can be traced back to 1967, when city planners forecasted the need for a rail-based urban transport system by the year 1992. Following a debate on whether a bus-only system would be more cost-effective, the parliament came to the conclusion that an all-bus system would be inadequate, since it would have to compete for road space in the land scarce country. The S$5 billion construction of the Mass Rapid Transit network was Singapore's largest public works project at the time, commencing on 22 October 1983 at Shan Road. The network was constructed in stages, with the North South Line given priority because it passed through the Central Area that has a high demand for public transport. The Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC, later named SMRT Corporation), was established on 14 October 1983. It took over the roles and responsibilities of the former provisional Mass Rapid Transit Authority. On 7 November 1987, the first section of the North South Line, consisting of five stations over six kilometres went into operation. 15 more stations were later opened and the MRT system was officially launched on 12 March 1988 by Lee Kuan Yew, then Prime Minister of Singapore. On 6 July 1990, after 21 other stations were added, Boon Lay station on the East West Line was opened, marking the completion of the system, two years ahead of schedule. The Mass Rapid Transit has had subsequent expansions in both stations and infrastructure. These include the S$1.2 billion expansion of the North South Line into Woodlands, completing a continuous loop. The concept of having rail lines which would bring people almost directly to their home led to the introduction of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system into the existing Mass Rapid Transit network. On 6 November 1999, the first LRT trains on the Bukit Panjang LRT Line went into operation. In order to promote tourism, the Changi Airport and Expo stations were built. The North East Line, the first line operated by SBS Transit, opened on 20 June 2003 and became one of the first fully-automated heavy rail lines in the world.

Safety on the MRT

2003 on the North-South Line.]] Numerous measures have been taken by operators and authorities to ensure the safety of passengers travelling on the system. Safety campaign posters are highly visible in stations and trains, and announcements are made frequently as safety reminders to passengers. Fire safety standards are established according to guidelines set out by the US's National Fire Protection Association. Bylaws are implemented in the system to deter uncivil, disruptive or dangerous acts, such as smoking, consumption of food and drinks, frivolous use of safety features, and going down onto the railway tracks. Penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment have been imposed for such offences. Platform screen doors are installed at all underground stations. These doors serve to prevent suicides, enable climate control within the station and restrict access into unauthorized areas. Above-ground stations have open platforms, with a wide yellow line drawn along each platform edge for passengers to stand at a safe distance from arriving trains. Safety concerns were raised among the public when several accidents occurred, but most problems have since been rectified. On 5 August 1993, two trains collided at Clementi station due to an oil spillage on the track, resulting in 132 people injured. There were incidents of passengers deaths caused by falling into tracks and being hit by trains at above-ground stations, but the authorities have decided against installation of platform screen doors due to doubts over functionality and concerns of high installation costs.

Security on the MRT

cost.]] Security concerns of the Mass Rapid Transit related to crime and terrorism were not high on the agenda of the system's planners at its original inception. However, in the wake of heightened security concerns after the foiled plot to bomb Yishun MRT Station and the Madrid train bombings in 2004, public transport operators began employing private unarmed guards to patrol the station platforms and check the belongings of commuters. Recorded announcements are frequently made to remind passengers to report suspicious activity and not to leave their belongings unattended. Plans have also been announced to install digital closed circuit cameras inside trains operated by SMRT Corporation, in line with existing fixtures in Alstom Metropolis trains on the North East Line. Trash bins and mail boxes have been removed from station platform and concourse levels to eliminate the risk of bombs being planted in them. On 14 April 2005, the Singapore Police Force announced its plans to step up rail security by establishing a specialised Police MRT Unit. These armed officers began overt patrols on the MRT and LRT systems on 15 August 2005, conducting random patrols in pairs in and around rail stations and within trains. They are trained and authorised to use their firearms at their discretion, including "shoot to kill" if deemed necessary.

Station facilities, amenities and services

shoot to kill, passenger service centre and faregates.]] All MRT stations are either above-ground or underground except for Bishan which is at ground level. All stations on the North East Line are underground. Underground stations are often deep enough to withstand conventional aerial bomb attacks and act as bomb shelters. Every station has at least four General Ticketing Machines (GTMs), a Passenger Service Centre, as well as LED displays and plasma display screens which show train service information and announcements. All stations are equipped with restrooms and payphones, although some restrooms are located on street level. Some stations, especially the major ones, have additional amenities and services such as retail shops and kiosks, supermarkets, convenience stores (7-Eleven or Cheers), automatic teller machines, and self-service automated kiosks for a myriad of services. The popular tabloid Today is distributed every morning at all stations, while an afternoon edition is distributed at some stations located within the Central Business District, such as City Hall and Tanjong Pagar. The older stations on the North South Line and East West Line were not originally constructed with fully accessible facilities, such as lifts, ramps, tactile guidance system and toilets for the handicapped. However, these facilities are being progressively installed as part of a program to make all stations accessible to the elderly and the handicapped. As of December 2005, 12 stations are undergoing retrofitting so that they will be handicapped-accessible by early 2007. 2007

Fares and tickets

Fares on the MRT system are distance-based, increasing in fixed stages for standard non-concessionary travel. Fares on SBS Transit's lines are slightly higher compared to those operated by SMRT Corporation, a disparity which SBS Transit justified by citing higher operational and maintenance costs, and lower ridership. Fares have been increasing in recent years despite complaints from the public.

Magnetic tickets (1987-2001)

SMRT Corporation When the MRT first came into operation in 1987, fares ranged from S$0.50 to S$1.10 in S$0.10 increments for all adult tickets, regardless of whether they were single-trip or stored value tickets. Several concessionary fares were available. Senior citizens and permanent residents above the age of 60 could travel on a flat fare S$0.50 during off-peak hours. Children below the height of 1.2 metres, and full time students studying in primary, secondary, pre-university and vocational training (VITB) institutions paid a flat fare of S$0.30 at all times. Magnetic strip plastic tickets were used and they came in various forms. The single trip ticket, coloured in green, was valid only on the day of purchase, and it had a time allowance of 30 minutes above the travelling time. They can be purchased from ticket vending machines at any MRT station, and were retained at the faregates upon exiting the paid area of the destination station. Stored value tickets were called farecards, and there were three types: the blue farecard for adults, the magenta farecard for senior citizens and the red farecard for children. In addition, monthly concession tickets were available in four values: The beige, pink, and purple tickets for primary, tertiary students, and full time national servicemen came with a value of S$13, $30 and S$36 respectively, while the peach ticket for secondary, pre-university and VITB students cost S$17 each. These concession tickets had a validity of one month from the date of purchase, allowed up to four trips per day, and were non-transferable.

EZ-Link card and Standard Ticket (2001–present)

full time national servicemen The EZ-Link card is a contactless smartcard for payments in Singapore, mainly used for transportation based on Sony's FeliCa smartcard technology. Established in 2001, it was promoted as a means for speedier transactions with less hassle and for preventing fare cheats, although there have been some cases of overcharging the commuters. Standard Ticket (single trip) adult fares are S$0.90 to S$4.10, excluding the S$1.00 refundable ticket deposit. With the EZ-Link card, fares are reduced to between S$0.65 and S$2.98. Concession fares are also available for children, students, senior citizens and national servicemen. The Visitor's Card which offers a package of services to tourists can also be used as an EZ-Link card. Students are given free personalised cards, complete with their photos, name and national identification number. Regardless of its type, each card is assigned a unique card ID that can be used to recover the card if lost and for lucky draws. At each station, there are several General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) that allow commuters to add value into their cards and to purchase or claim a refund for their Standard Tickets.

MRT rolling stock

national identification are the newest rolling stock on the MRT network.]] : Main articles : C151 Cars, C651 Cars, C751B Cars and Alstom Metropolis Cars Three variations of rolling stock can be found on both the North South Line and the East West Line. They are powered by 750 volts DC third rail, operate in sets of 6 cars, and utilise the automatic train operation system (ATO) that is similar to London Underground's Victoria Line. 396 C151 Cars, forming the majority of the fleet, are the oldest trains that are still in operation today. They were built between between 1986 and 1989, and were manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in consortium with Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corp and Kinki Sharyo. Plan for a S$142.7-million upgrade of these trains is currently under way and will be completed by 2008. 114 C651 Cars, manufactured by Siemens of Germany, were purchased in 1994 to complement the existing fleet of C151 trains when the Woodlands extension opened. Some of the trains have been previously reconfigured in experimental programs to accommodate more passengers, but such arrangements have since been abandoned. Woodlands extension Between 1998 and 2001, 126 C751B Cars built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Nippon Sharyo in a joint venture were introduced. The cars have a sleeker design and come with improved passenger information system, more grab poles, wider seats, more spaces near the doors and spaces for wheelchairs. As these trains were originally intended to operate on a direct service from Boon Lay to Changi Airport, luggage racks were installed on these trains for air travellers. However in April 2002, faulty gearboxes forced all 21 train-sets to be off-service and the service was temporarily suspended. The direct service was scrapped in July 2003 and the luggage racks were removed. 150 driverless Alstom Metropolis Cars have been operating on the North East Line since its opening in 2003. Alstom Transportation of France was contracted by Land Transport Authority in 1997 and 1998 to supply these cars. They are fully automatic, powered by overhead lines on 1500 volts DC, and are the first trains to have closed circuit cameras (CCTV) installed within their interiors. A further order of 120 cars are due to be delivered when the Circle Line begins operations in 2007.

Depots

SMRT Corporation has three train depots - The Bishan depot is the central maintenance depot with train overhaul facilities, while the Changi and Ulu Pandan depots only inspect and house trains overnight. Ang Mo Kio, Jurong East and Tanah Merah stations were built with a third middle track for off-service trains to stop at before they returned to their depots, but the latter two are now used as termini for the North South Line and the Changi shuttle respectively. The Sengkang Depot houses trains for the North East Line, the Sengkang LRT and the Punggol LRT, all operated by SBS Transit. The underground Kim Chuan Depot for the Circle Line is currently under construction and will be ready by 2006. 2006 of the Chinatown Station.]]

Art on the MRT

When the North South Line and the East West Line were initially constructed, the contractors did not build the stations with specific themes or identities in mind. The stations mainly consisted of similar architectural designs, with a few paintings or sculpture representing the recent past of Singapore put up on some major stations. Even then, such cultural additions are seldom highlighted. At the opening of North East Line, a series of artworks created under a programme called "The Art In Transit" were commissioned by the Land Transport Authority. Created by 19 local artists and integrated into the stations' interior architecture, these artworks aim to promote the appreciation of public art in frequently traversed environments. The artwork for each station is specifically designed to suit the station's identity. Only stations on the North East Line come under this programme.

Future expansion

Circle Line

public art.]] Currently under construction in 5 stages, the 33.3 kilometre Circle Line will be the next major rail line after the opening of the North East Line in 2003. It was originally scheduled to be opened in stages from 2007 to 2010, but due to the collapse of the Nicoll Highway station on April 20, 2004 during its construction, the completion of the first stage has now been postponed to 2010. Stations along the other 4 stages of the Circle Line are expected to be opened progressively from 2008 to 2010. The Circle Line is set to connect all the existing MRT lines, and allow commuters to travel around the country without passing the downtown area, reducing the congestion there. Circle Line

Boon Lay Extension

Plan for the Boon Lay MRT Extension (BLE) was announced by the Land Transport Authority on 29 December 2004. The 3.8 kilometre, 2 station line will extend from Boon Lay MRT Station on the western end of the East West MRT Line, with one station along Jurong West Street 63 between Jurong West Street 61 and Pioneer Road North, and the second station at Joo Koon Circle, near the junction of Benoi Road and International Road. The fully elevated line will cost about S$436 million, with construction planned to commence in the second half of 2005, and completion targeted at 2009. The extension's alignment along Jurong West Street 63, Upper Jurong Road, and International Road required the acquisition of 28,000 square metres of land.

Circle Line Downtown Extension

On 14 June 2005, the Land Transport Authority announced that it would be constructing a Downtown Extension (DTE) of the MRT to serve the Downtown at Marina Bay (DTMB) area, where an integrated resort and Singapore's second botanical gardens will be located. The 3.4 km fully underground extension is estimated to cost S$1.4 billion. Construction of the extension is to begin by 2007 and complete by 2012. Three new stations will be constructed underground linking the Promenade station on the Circle Line and the Chinatown station on the North East Line. Two stations tentatively named Bayfront and Landmark will be built to serve the DTMB area. Another station Cross Street will also be built along Cross Street near the Chinatown area.

Other future lines

The Bukit Timah Line, when constructed, is expected to alleviate heavy traffic along the Bukit Timah corridor. The Eastern Region Line and Jurong Region Line will benefit residents at both ends of the East West Line. These three projects, costing more than S$11 billion, are expected to be completed between 2015 and 2020. There are several other proposed MRT lines in various concept and master plans formulated by the Land Transport Authority and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). It is expected that many of these lines will not be built in the near future, and if built, the final routes, alignments, and names for these lines may differ from what are currently proposed.

Notes

# [http://www.mot.gov.sg/white_paper.html "A World-Class Land Transport System" (Online summary version)], Land Transport Authority, Retrieved 7 December 2005 # [http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/doc/Stats%20In%20Brief%20(2005).pdf "Singapore Land Transport: Statistics In Brief 2005"], Land Transport Authority, Retrieved 7 December 2005 # [http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/pt_rail_tracing.htm "1992 - The Year Work Began"], Land Transport Authority, Retrieved 7 December 2005 # [http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-263A&doctitle=RAPID%20TRANSIT%20SYSTEMS%20ACT%0a&date=latest&method=part "Rapid Transit Systems Act (Chapter 263A, Section 42)"], [http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/ Singapore Statues Online], Retrieved December 7 2005 # [http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1090 "Safety at MRT and LRT Stations - 'Respect The Yellow Line'"], Land Transport Authority, Retrieved November 20 2005 # López, M.J.J. (1996), Den Haag: RCM-advies, "Crime Prevention Guidelines for the Construction & Management of Metro Systems", pg. 35-39. # [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna/arrests/release1_020124.htm "The Link of the Yishun Videotape"], Minister for Home Affairs (Singapore) Press Release, January 24 2002 # [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/99715/1/.html "CCTVs at 35 elevated MRT stations to have recording capability by Oct 2004"], Johnson Choo, Channel NewsAsia, 7 August 2004 # [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/142602/1/.html "MRT stations to have armed police officers on patrol"], Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia, May 2 2005 # [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/163270/1/.html "Special armed police unit begins MRT patrols"], Johnson Choo, Channel NewsAsia, August 15 2005 # [http://www.scdf.gov.sg/html/info/inf02_shelter.html "Civil Defence Shelter Programme"], Singapore Civil Defence Force, Retrieved 7 December 2005 # [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/75146/1/.html "Tactile tiles to help blind navigate Singapore's MRT stations"], Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia, March 12 2004 # Land Transport Authority et al, Journeys Issue 42 (Jan/Feb 2003), "Get a Lift-up!", pg. 10. # [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/145571/1/.html "Public transport fare hike not justified as SMRT still profitable: CASE"], Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia, April 14 2005 # [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/148570/1/.html "Buses and the not so ez-link"], Ansley Ng, Today Online, May 20 2005 # [http://www.smrt.com.sg/smrt/train_sys.htm#trains "Train and System Information" (Trains)], SMRT Corporation, Retrieved November 7 2005 # [http://www.todayonline.com/articles/48640.asp "Fair grounds for fare hikes?"], Tor Ching Li, Today Online, May 4 2005 # [http://references.transportation.siemens.com/refdb/showReference.do?r=455&div=5&l=en "References - Metro System, MRTC, Six-Car Units, Singapore"], Siemens AG, Retrieved December 7 2005 # [http://www.smrt.com.sg/pressrele_arch55cga.htm "Commencement of revenue service at Changi Airport Station"], SMRT Corporation Press Release, February 6 2002 # [http://www.smrt.com.sg/pressrele_arch59bussvc.htm "Temporary Suspension of Boon Lay - Changi Airport Through Service"], SMRT Corporation Press Release, April 23 2002 # [http://www.smrt.com.sg/pressrele_arch90.htm "Shuttle Train Service Between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport Stations"], SMRT Corporation Press Release, July 17 2003 # [http://www.transport.alstom.com/home/Products_and_Services/TURNKEY_SYSTEMS/Urban_turnkey/10963.EN.php?languageId=EN&dir=/home/Products_and_Services/TURNKEY_SYSTEMS/Urban_turnkey/&docLink=7628 "Metropolis in Singapore"], Alstom Transportation, Retrieved November 7 2005 # Land Transport Authority et al, Journeys Issue 42 (Jan/Feb 2003), "Safe, Sound and Fully Automated", pg. 8-9. # [http://www.smrt.com.sg/smrt/train_sys.htm#stations "Train and System Information" (Stations)], SMRT Corporation, Retrieved November 7 2005 # [http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/doc/Art%20in%20Transit%20brochure.pdf "Art in Transit brochure"], Land Transport Authority, Retrieved 7 December 2005 # [http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1138 "Expanding The Rail Network: LTA To Build Boon Lay MRT Extension"], Land Transport Authority Press Release, December 29 2004. # [http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1268 "Expanding The Rail Network With Downtown Extension"], Land Transport Authority Press Release, June 14 2005. # [http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/index_proj_rail.htm "Other Rail Projects"], Land Transport Authority, Retrieved 7 December 2005

References

2005.]] Academic publications
- Sock, Y.P. and Walder, Jay H. (1999), Singapore’s Public Transport.
- Ilsa Sharp, (2005), SNP:Editions, The Journey - Singapore's Land Transport Story. Corporate and governmental sources
- Land Transport Authority, Singapore (1996) A World Class Land Transport System. White Paper presented to Parliament, 2 January. ISBN 9971884887
- Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore (1993) Stored Value - A Decade of the MRTC. ISBN 9810050348
- Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore (1987) The MRT Story. ISBN 9810002513
- Singapore MRT Limited (1987) MRT Guide Book. ISBN 9810001509

See also


- Chewing gum ban in Singapore
- Light Rapid Transit
- Transport in Singapore
- SMRT Corporation
- SBS Transit
- List of Singapore MRT stations
- List of Circle MRT Line station names

Links


- [http://www.smrt.com.sg SMRT Corporation Official Site]
- [http://www.sbstransit.com.sg SBS Transit Official Site]
- [http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/images/system_map.gif Official system map, Land Transport Authority]
- [http://www.urbanrail.net/as/sing/singapore.htm UrbanRail Singapore]
- [http://sg.geocities.com/singaporerail Singapore's Rail Transit System] Category:Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) Category:Rail transport in Singapore ja:シンガポールの鉄道

Singapore

The Republic of Singapore (Simplified Chinese: 新加坡共和国; Pinyin: Xīnjiāpō Gònghéguó, Malay: Republik Singapura; Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு), is an island city-state in Southeast Asia, situated on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of the Indonesian Riau Islands. Its coordinates are , just 137 km north of the Equator. The name Singapore was derived from Malay word singa (lion), which itself is derived from the Sanskrit word सिंह siMha of the same meaning, and the Sanskrit word पुर pura (city) . Singapore developed from a small Malay fishing village to become a multicultural, major global city, while attracting controversy for some of its current government policies. Throughout history, it has been posssessed by multiple countries and empires and changed hands many times, including being in the possesion of Melaka and the Sultanate of Johore in ancient history, the British Empire in the colonial era, Japanese Empire in World War II and Malaysia after merger. It finally achieved independence in 1965. After independence, government-led rapid industrialisation and open policies inviting foreign investments stimulated rapid economic growth and the country is now regarded as a developed nation. Presently, Singapore can be politically analysed as a democratic socialist country and has an extensive welfare system, although de facto it has a dominant-party system. The nation regards itself as multiracial, and the majority of the population are ethnic Chinese, with ethnic Indians, Malays and Eurasians being a significant minority. Singapore has little natural resources, so its economy must on exports of electronics and manufacturing from her port. More than 90% of Singapore's population lives in housing estates constructed by the Housing Development Board and nearly half utilises its public transport system daily. As a result of public transport and environmental initiatives by government ministries, Singapore's lack of pollution is a distinguishing characteristic from many other cities, and isolated to heavy industry located offshore in Jurong Island.

History

The first records of Singapore's existence are in Chinese texts from the 3rd century. The island was an outpost of the Sumatran Srivijaya empire and originally bore the Javanese name Temasek. Temasek rose to become a significant trading city, but subsequently declined. There are few remnants of old Temasek in Singapore other than archaeological evidence. In the 15th and 16th century, Singapore was a part of the Sultanate of Johore. During the Malay-Portugal wars in 1617, Singapore was set ablaze by Portuguese troops. 1617, erected at the spot where he first landed at Singapore. He is recognised as the modern founder of Singapore.]] In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, a British East India Company official, made a treaty with the Sultan of Johore and established Singapore as a trading post and settlement, and saw instant growth and immigration from various ethnic groups. Singapore was later made a crown colony by Britain in 1867. After a series of territorial expansions, the British Empire soon raised it as an entrepot town due to its strategic location along the busy shipping routes connecting Europe to China. During World War II, Japanese forces invaded Malaya and the surrounding region in the Battle of Malaya, culminating in the Battle of Singapore. The British were unprepared and swiftly defeated, despite having superior numbers of troops. They surrendered to the Japanese on February 15, 1942. The Japanese renamed Singapore as Syonan-to ("Light of the South") and occupied it until the Japanese defeat September 1945. In 1959, Singapore became a self-governing crown colony with Lee Kuan Yew from the People's Action Party (PAP) as the first Prime Minister of Singapore following the 1959 elections. After a national referendum in 1962, Singapore was admitted into the Federation of Malaysia along with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak as a state with autonomous powers in September 1963. After heated ideological conflict developed between the state government formed by PAP and the Federal government in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore was expelled from the federation on August 7 1965. It gained official sovereignty two days later on August 9 1965 with Malaysia the first country to recognise it as an independent nation, the date becoming Singapore's National Day. Singapore's National Days are celebrated with annual parades and other festivities. National Day]] National Day] The fledgling nation had to struggle for self-sufficiency, and faced problems including mass unemployment, housing shortages and the lack of land and natural resources, like oil. During Lee Kuan Yew's term as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, his administration curbed unemployment, raised the standard of living, developed Singapore's economic infrastructure and overcame problems such as lack of housing, social stability and an independent national defence. This elevated Singapore into developing nation and subsequently to developed status. On 26 November 1990 Goh Chok Tong became prime minister. Under his tenure the country tackled the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the SARS outbreak in 2003 as well as terrorist threats posed by the Jemaah Islamiah (JI). Lee Hsien Loong, the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, became the third prime minister on 12 August 2004 after securing the confidence of a majority of Parliament, which is still dominated by the PAP.

Politics and government

: Singapore is a republic with a Westminster system of a unicameral parliamentary government, with the bulk of the executive powers resting in the hands of a cabinet of ministers led by a prime minister. The office of the president was, historically, a ceremonial one as head of state, but the Constitution was amended in 1991 to create the position of a popularly elected president and also to grant the president veto powers in a few key decisions such as the use of the national reserves and the appointment of key judiciary positions. The legislative branch of government is the Parliament. Politics of Singapore have been dominated by the People's Action Party (PAP) since its independence in 1965. Critics have called Singapore a de facto one party state and have accused the PAP of taking harsh actions against opposition parties to impede their success, including gerrymandering and the filing of civil suits against the opposition for libel or slander. The media arm of the Government applies a somewhat monopolistic grip on the local mainstream media, often subjecting it to stringent censorship, as a result, opposition political parties in Singapore hardly get any mention or coverage. Critics claim that Singaporean courts have been favouring the government and the PAP in these lawsuits, although there were a few cases in which the opposition won. They consider the form of government in Singapore to be closer to authoritarianism rather than true democracy, and could be considered an illiberal democracy or procedural democracy. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Singapore has what many consider to be a highly successful and transparent market economy. PAP's policies contain certain aspects of socialism, which includes large scale public housing programme, public education system and the dominance of government controlled companies in the local economy. Although present in almost all segments of Singaporean society, the government has a clean, corruption-free image, and has consistently been rated as the least-corrupt country in Asia and amongst the top ten cleanest in the world by Transparency International since its first annual survey conducted in 1995. Although Singapore's laws are inherited from British and British Indian laws, the PAP has also consistently rejected wholesale Western democratic values, with former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew citing incompatibilities with "Asian values". Singapore's position is that there should not be a "one-size-fits-all" solution to a democracy. Most recently, the PAP has relaxed some of its socially conservative policies and encouraged entrepreneurship.