5 persons per square metre
Now I know why the train to work is so bloody pack every morning. Accordingly to the news, the operating standard for crowd limit is 5 persons per square metre. I think the LTA must be giving themselves a pat on their back because currently it is only AVERAGE 4 passengers per square metre. As usual, one can see the smart use of various numbers to convey how the current situation isn't that bad.
The Straits Times compared the results with their selected 5 countries and you know what? Singapore transport has the least number of people per square metre! We should uncork a few bottles of champagne to celebrate our achievement.
I have another good suggestion to make our transport better. LTA should attend the various varsity orientations where they have this game which people have to try to squeeze themselves onto one piece of newspaper. They can gather the statistics and easily set operating standard to 8 persons per square metre based on the results. I can already imagine the headlines:
Trains not overcrowded. Persons per square metre only half the limits compared to operating standard.
Sarcasm aside, this news reflects the importance of using metrics correctly for managing a business performance. Businesses need to have metrics that are relevant, are properly measured and with an appropriate level of expectation. Compare yourself with the better performers, not the lousy performers so as to strive for improvements that meet the market needs.
Without having the need to take the buses and trains or ability to understand the frustrations of the commuters, it is not surprising that Mr Lim would callously say that the crowding level is still below what is acceptable.
