SINGAPORE

The East-West Line has been under scrutiny lately, with multiple disruptions affecting service, notably a prolonged outage from September 25 to 30, and another glitch recorded on October 10. The latest issue has left passengers facing a very wet floor during their commutes, raising questions about the train system's ability to resist the elements.

On October 14, a commuter named Don Seah shared two eye-opening photographs in the Complaint Singapore Facebook group, showcasing a train cabin plagued by puddles and streams of water due to recent rain showers. His post read: “1st world transportation. East-West line! Not rainproof!” echoing frustrations among passengers.

In one of the photos, a passenger was seen with her feet propped up to avoid wet shoes, but luckily, the cabin was less crowded, sparing many from having to navigate through standing water. The post ignited discussions amongst users, with some defending the system while others pointed out the realities of inclement weather.

Some users argued that such incidents are to be expected during heavy downpours. “Eh deh. Your first day? Heavy rain will cause the water to come inside MRT la. Duh,” mocked one commenter, suggesting that complaints about rain intruding into the train are unwarranted given that similar issues have persisted since the transport line’s inception. Another user voiced appreciation for the train crew’s uninterrupted service, even acknowledging that water seepage might occur through raindrop entry when doors open at stations.

A frequent contention among netizens was related to commuters’ own umbrellas, which tend to drip water onto the cabin floors, further exacerbating the problem. “Come on, when your house door and window open during heavy rain with strong wind, sure will get splashed,” one user exclaimed, giving a relatable analogy to household leaks.

Yet, not everyone found solace in these explanations. There were voices among the crowd that recalled experiences on other train systems that managed to keep dry even during severe weather. “I don’t remember any train I’ve ever sat in getting wet during rain,” said one commenter, while another lamented the issue, stating, “Getting from bad to worse… Last time, no matter how heavy the rain was, I had never seen this situation.

As the debate continues, it raises a critical question about urban infrastructure: How resilient are mass transit systems against natural elements? While some Singaporeans remain steadfast in their loyalty to the East-West Line, others express growing concern over the implications of such water-related issues, especially as climate change brings about more unpredictable weather patterns.

With ongoing discussions on public feedback loops and transport system resilience, commuters hope that solutions will spring forth to improve the experience during heavy rainfall, ensuring that Singapore's reputation for world-class transport doesn’t get washed away.