Ministers really need to stop using jargon and bureaucratese and speak in plain English. This is what Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew recently said to TODAY:
"It is LTA's responsibility as regulator to hold operator accountable for delivering a reliable system. LTA fell short, must do better."Rather than relying on a corrective approach to rectify problems, we must adopt a systems approach towards maintenance to pre-emptively identify potential areas of concern.
"LTA’s regulatory framework will be enhanced to be more prescriptive, exercise greater oversight on areas affecting reliability and commuter comfort. LTA will require SMRT to engage independent experts to audit their maintenance processes every three years."
My friend Leslie, after reading Lui's convoluted statement three times (I read it four times myself), came up with this translation:
"LTA fell short in making sure SMRT did not mess up. They must do better."Rather than waiting for problems to happen, we must catch them before they do.
"LTA will get more involved in telling SMRT what to do, watch them closely, and make sure they are more reliable and give commuters a better ride.
LTA will make sure SMRT hires independent experts to check them every three years."
See? So much clearer, right, Minister?
[image via TODAY's Facebook]
