There is a need for rules, some of which should be made mandatory as soon as possible because of health endangerment to residents who live near the railway station.

There is no reasonable time schedule for engine warm-ups which are always done for hours, with engines idling late in the evening or in the wee hours of the morning.

During these times, we not only have to steel ourselves against engine noise and intermittent blasts of train horns at decibels which exceed even non-permitted construction-related noise, but are also exposed to a lot of carbon residue from engine emissions which enter our homes and lungs daily. I hope the authorities will take stringent measures to end such inconsiderate practices.

Ongoing discussions on proposed MRT lines connecting Johor and Singapore should consider these issues for incorporation in the plans, developing the entire stretch of land from north to south currently used by KTM Railways, and using environmentally friendly trains with optimal use of land. With no jurisdiction over the land lease, the fact that people are exposed to such health endangerment is frustrating, considering that the Malaysian government revoked the agreement for the use of Malaysian airspace by Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft because of excessive noise and health concerns raised by Malaysian residents.

Meanwhile, we must endure the same pollution caused by Malaysian trains, with no right to voice our concerns.

Francis Heng