WHEN my family first rode the Singapore Flyer early this year, we were very impressed by the excellent service provided by its ground staff.
News reports say that it had broken down twice before, and this makes me wonder whether complacency has kicked in.
The latest incident on Tuesday also raised an important question: Have Flyer staff and the authorities conducted any simulation of a breakdown and come up with a set of procedures for evacuation?
What about the issue of addressing passengers' fears and concerns in such situations?
I can't imagine the effect on a child of being lowered from the Flyer with a rope and harness.
The process might traumatise the child, which is totally unnecessary. I hope that operators of other public facilities, such as the MRT, can draw a lesson from this unfortunate event and will be prepared for future emergencies.
What would happen if an MRT train were to be stalled during peak hour?
Are MRT staff well-prepared to handle the evacuation procedure?
While investigations are being carried out on the Flyer and the necessary action being taken, the authorities should conduct regular audits on the evacuation procedures of public facilities.
The procedures may look good on paper, but might not work so well in practice.
Let the Flyer incident be a lesson.
Singapore might be tops in many things, but is it well-prepared for emergencies?
