Community

20 MRT Seats Repurposed For Yishun Void Decks, More Places For Residents To Rest

MRT Seats From Decommissioned Trains Installed At Yishun Void Decks

You know how it’s sometimes impossible to find a seat on the MRT, especially during peak hours?

If you live in Yishun, it might be possible to find one at your void deck — though you won’t be going anywhere in them.

That’s because 20 old MRT seats have been installed at several void decks across Yishun.

Source

They’ll provide residents with an extra place to rest, as well as drive home the message on upcycling.

Old MRT seats installed in Yishun on 26 Mar

In a Facebook post on Saturday (26 Mar), Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng said the seats were installed that same morning.

Source

A total of 10 sets of two-seaters were set up for a start — that means 20 extra seats for residents.

Source

He said they’ll be placed throughout the estate. He did not specify the locations, so it looks like residents will have to look around.

 

Seats are from decommissioned trains

The MRT seats are from decommissioned trains, said Mr Ng.

That’s why it’s a nice touch that they come with the MRT map for residents to admire as they take a breather on the seats.

Source

According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the seats came from the 66 first-generation trains that used to serve the North-South and East-West lines since 1987.

The trains were decommissioned in Jun 2020, and at the time, the LTA said they were exploring how they could be upcycled for other purposes.

Source

It looks like they found one way that they can continue to serve the community, indeed.

Source

Getting the upcycling message out

In fact, the initiative, a collaboration between the LTA and Nee Soon Town Council, is also about changing mindsets on sustainability, Mr Ng said.

Rather than focusing on just recycling, he hopes the seats will get residents to think about reducing, reusing and upcycling too.

These will help save our planet even more than recycling alone, he added.

Challenging to upcycle old trains

However, it remains a challenge to find ways to upcycle the old trains, The Straits Times (ST) reported.

Only a few have found new uses at educational institutions, heritage institutions and even the police for training.

Due to their size and age, it’s often better to take them apart so their parts can be put to good use.

Thus, the installation of the seats in Yishun is one of the first times that old train parts have been utilised to benefit the community.

Source

If you have an idea on how to use the decommissioned trains, do write to LTA at lta_train_repurpose@lta.gov.sg.

Kudos for the ingenious plan

By installing the old MRT seats at Yishun void decks, they can continue to do what they do best — providing tired Singaporeans with a place to rest their bums.

The initiative is also an effective way to teach residents that even old stuff has its uses if you think creatively.

Kudos to LTA and Nee Soon Town Council for the ingenious plan.

Hopefully, we’ll see more MRT seats popping up in the heartlands and bringing back memories of the familiar trains that served, and continue to serve, us so well.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Lianhe Zaobao and Louis Ng on Facebook.

Jeremy Lee

Analog person making do with a digital world.

Recent Posts

Continuous heavy traffic expected at S’pore-JB checkpoints till end of 2024: ICA

A record of more than 553,000 travellers crossed both checkpoints on 13 Dec.

22 Dec 2024, 7:25 pm

H5N1 poses ‘highest risk’ of becoming next pandemic, S’pore health authorities monitoring situation

There has been no year-end Covid-19 wave, as had been expected.

22 Dec 2024, 6:42 pm

Wagyu beef worth S$5,700 found in car entering JB from S’pore, M’sian driver arrested

The beef was imported without a veterinary health certificate and halal certification.

22 Dec 2024, 5:40 pm

Long queue forms at Jalan Besar Stadium for tickets to ASEAN Championship semi-final

One fan started queueing as early as 7am.

22 Dec 2024, 4:50 pm

Toys“R”Us in Japan sends parcels in plain boxes before Christmas, praised for protecting ‘Santa’s surprise’

The company made the change after parents said they wanted to make sure their gifts…

22 Dec 2024, 4:36 pm

Google Maps helps Spanish police arrest murder suspects caught transporting corpse on Street View

An incredible twist of fortune for the police -- and a stroke of bad luck…

22 Dec 2024, 2:59 pm