SMRT should train their drivers

With all the extensive reports and extensive checks on the train, SMRT seems to overlook one thing - their train drivers.

Unlike the NE line and the Circle line which the train is fully automated and driverless, for the NS/EW lines, someone IS at the front to drive the train. And looking at their train-driving skills, it is little wonder to understand why the trains and the tracks wear out sooner than expected.

Let me quote an experience on a rainy morning sometime ago before all these disruptions saga take place:

Scenario 1: It was raining, tracks (elevated) are wet, trains are ful of passengers due to the morning peak.

Here's how the driver drive the train: Door closed, ready to go, full throttle on a wet track, wheels skidded, traction control kicks in. You can feel that the power is applied but the train is not really moving and your hear some sound of skidding from underneath. Throttle is not released until train reaches optimal speed.

Scenario 2 (still in the same train): Still raining, track still wet, train still full of passenger.

Before reaching station, hard brakes and ABS kicks in, wheels skids again but controlled by ABS. Managed to stop in position but passengers are not happy at all.

Scenario 2 happened not only to the particular train I am talking about on that day but also on several other occasions.

While the North South / East West line cannot be fully automated, the drivers can be trained to handle the trains in a more professional way. Audits have to be conducted to check on the driving behaviour of the driver to ensure a smooth ride, not only for the passengers comfort but also to ensure the tracks and trains are not damaged due to absurd driving skills.

I think the bus drivers are more professional in this respect. Most of them.