MRT Security and why I can't write here

MRT “Security”

Believe me when I say the TV screens mounted above our heads at every MRT platform are just big, expensive decorations that happen to release light and sound energy.

True, they let us know how much longer to the next train. They even bring in some advertising dollars so SMRT Corp. won’t have to deduct so much from our ez-Link cards every time we travel.

But running the same advertisements over and over again, screening security messages that get cut off every minute so a big 3 mins can be flashed is hardly my idea of transitionary entertainment. A few ads are chuckle-worthy, but then there are so few of them it’s like watching a home-made video on infinite loop, interrupted only by the minutes ticking down. If some SMRT executives see was a great way of getting (even) more advertising space, what I as a commuter is money that could have been better spent. More seating, maybe, or further measures to aid the disabled in boarding and alighting.

And getting more trains to run so the ones that finally pull in aren’t so hideously overcrowded there’s no room to even turn.

Please, SMRT. Show a bit of brain to justify those fares we commuters pay every day. Nobody is going to pay any attention to an ad or security warning that disappears Every. Single. Minute.
I don’t know about you, but I prefer the countdown to stay at the top where it belongs, flashing red to indicate another minute down. I bet Samuel Chong himself doesn’t appreciate being cut off. Please, this is a WARNING! If SMRT doesn’t care about its own public safety messages, don’t expect commuters to.

Stagnation

Sometimes it’s hard finding stuff to write. I plead guilty—though I will keep any excuses to myself, if you don’t mind. Suffice it to say it's the novelty wearing off, something I always thought I was immune to.

I thought wrong. God forgive me.

Or maybe it’s just a phase. You can never tell...