Long term capacity

In my line of trade, I implement and design IT systems for my customers. One fundamental question which never failed to be discussed and debated over is "how many users are you expecting to be using the system over the next 5 years", a.k.a. capacity planning.


But it seems that, for our policy makers who are over-seeing 'systems' that are directly impacting hundreds and thousands of lives, this simple thought never actually crossed their mind. I find it hard to believe they lack such basic sensitivity over an item that, to me, comes right out of a book like 'Urban Planning for Dummies'.


Or they chose to ignore it? over things like cost-effectiveness or basic dollars and sense. Is every living and breathing commuter that passes through the transportation system tagged with a certain statistic that is directly linked to the profit and loss chart of the transportation companies?


Now that the trains are bursting at their seams and noses pressed against train doors, they finally decided that it is time to 'consider' adding capacity.
 " two-car trains were being considered as part of a review of the long-term capacity needs of this system"? 


So, all along the policy makers were not looking at long-term capacity of when they started to dump millions of dollars into building houses and train stations? 


Then why are we dumping millions of dollars to get these people to be in-charge? 




http://www.straitstimes.com/Parliament/Story/STIStory_737088.html

"To address overcrowding on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT system, the Government is considering converting the current one-car system to a two-car one.

This will allow more passengers to board the LRT, especially during the morning peak periods.

Minister of State (Transport) Josephine Teo said this in response to a question from Dr Janil Puthucheary (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) on whether the Land Transport Authority was working with LRT operator, SBS Transit, to implement two-car trains on the Sengkang LRT system.

Mrs Teo said two-car trains were being considered as part of a review of the long-term capacity needs of this system"