Shifting goal posts

If transport industry is a game of soccer, there are sure signs that the goal posts are shifting*.

Goalpost #1:

Previous goal post (1996): LTA White Paper
We only started MRT operations in 1987. We cannot grow a comprehensive network over the next few years. However we will build up the network incrementally, properly sized to match our city of the future. Over a decade or two, the results will be significant and clearly visible. Our target is to have as high as percentage of trips on a quality public transport system as in Zurich, where 75% of trips into the city centre are by public transport.

Current goal post (2006): Speech by Raymond Lim, 23 Oct
The aim is to increase the proportion of trips taken on public transport during the morning peak period from 63% today to at least 70% over the next 10 to 15 years.

Goalpost #2:

Previous goal post (2001): Speech by Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, 23 Oct
Provided the financial position of the Government remains strong, the plan is to increase the network from 90 km today to over 150 km in 2006, and to about 240 km by 2012. In the long-term rail masterplan, the network will reach over 500 km, which is more than five times today's coverage.

Current goal post (2007): Speech by Mr Mah Bow Tan, 9 Feb
LTA will be evaluating other new lines as well as extensions to current lines in different parts of Singapore which are currently under-served by the RTS network as part of the overall master plan. In the long term, we may need to at least double our rail network. (Author's note: current RTS network stands at 138km. Doubling rail network will reach about 280km.)

Goalpost #3:

Previous goal post (1994): Basic Bus Service Standards (Public Transport Council, PTC)
a) At least 100% of bus services to operate at headway of not more than 10 minutes during weekday peak periods (excluding pubic holidays), unless otherwise stipulated by the PTC.

b) At least 100% of residential bus services to operate at headway of not more than 15 minutes during off-peak periods, unless otherwise stipulated by the PTC.

Current goal post (2006): Quality of Service Standards (PTC)
a) At least 80% of bus services to operate at headway of not more than 15 minutes during weekday peak periods (excluding pubic holidays), unless otherwise stipulated by the PTC.

b) At least 85% of bus services to operate at headway of not more than 20 minutes during off-peak periods, unless otherwise stipulated by the PTC.

Let me clarify that I am not against shifting goal posts per se (a.k.a refining the targets) because I totally appreciate that targets need to be adjusted or refined due to change in commuters' expectations and other factors that could render them unattainable or unrealistic. However, my observation is that the goal posts were shifted without providing any rationale. And the best part of this saga? The new targets, which are of a lower standards, are hailed as the next great milestones to achieve.

* Shifting goal posts (v): changing positions or targets. Used by Prof S Jayakumar (Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore) in Jan 2003 to explain to Parliament on how Malaysia repeatedly changed its positions in negotiation of water supply to Singapore. For more details on the shifting goal posts saga, click here (quote in point 11 of main text).