[Bigiron]

An MOT investigation on last year's EWL disruption revealed multiple issues. 

Among its findings were omitted maintenance records, & warnings that were erroneously dismissed as "false". 

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 https://bit.ly/4kXBOvg

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[Bigiron]

The Mothership article details the findings of a Ministry of Transport (MOT) investigation into a six-day disruption on Singapore's East-West Line (EWL) in September 2024. The "bullshit" or "忽悠" isn't in the article itself, but rather in the practices it reveals within SMRT's maintenance and safety protocols. The article highlights several instances of negligence and potentially misleading practices:
 
1. Omitted Maintenance Records and Unheeded Warnings:
 
- Bullshit/忽悠 aspect: The most significant issue is the deliberate omission of maintenance records and the dismissal of critical temperature warnings. This isn't just incompetence; it suggests a systemic effort to avoid proper documentation and address potential problems, potentially to cut costs or meet operational targets. The "false" dismissal of warnings shows a disregard for safety protocols and potentially a cover-up.
- Evidence: The article explicitly states omitted records for twice-extended train overhaul intervals, exceeding permissible limits without proper assessment or justification. The temperature warning system failure to identify the train and the controller's dismissal of the warning due to lack of training highlight procedural failings.
 
2. Systemic Issues with Null ID Warnings:
 
- Bullshit/忽悠 aspect: Repeated occurrences of "Null ID" warnings, coupled with the lack of training and resolution, created a culture where such warnings were routinely dismissed. This indicates a systemic failure to address known issues, leading to a desensitization to alerts and potentially a dangerous disregard for safety protocols. It's not a single mistake but a pattern of neglect.
- Evidence: The report specifically notes the repeated generation of Null IDs, feedback from staff, and the failure to resolve the underlying issue, leading controllers to believe these warnings were false.
 
3. Extended Overhaul Intervals:
 
- Bullshit/忽悠 aspect: Extending the train overhaul intervals beyond standard limits without proper assessment creates a false sense of security and risks overlooking potential mechanical failures. This isn't outright deception but a dangerous practice that could have been avoided with proper oversight and documentation.
- Evidence: The article details the extension of overhaul intervals twice, omitting required assessments and approvals, leading to the train operating far beyond its recommended maintenance schedule. The fact that the axle boxes were problem-free at the standard 500,000km mark, but issues arose after exceeding this, is a significant indicator of this risky practice.
 
In short: The article doesn't contain lies, but it reveals a systemic pattern of negligence and potentially misleading practices within SMRT's operations, that directly contributed to a major rail disruption. The "bullshit" and "忽悠" are not found in the writing, but in the reported behaviours and actions of SMRT, which were uncovered by the investigation.