> stronger regulation – to require SMRT to run more trains during off-peak hours
> allow small operators to provide feeder service, like in Hong kong
> look after the interest of consumers as well, besides being pro-business.

A few simple steps can make a big difference, and can be implemented quite quickly (and not wait for years).

Thanks for sharing your experience. The waiting time is okay, but the crowded trains are the issue. The only way to reduce the over-corwding is to run more trains, and that mean a train at shorter intervals. Remember, that we only have 1 track and only 1 train can be at the station at any time.

If there are more passengers, we need to have more trains running at shorter intervals. If there are less passengers, it is okay to have less train and to wait longer for the traim. Up to 10 minutes is okay.

i support ERP as it is a moe equitable model for use as you pay, except the ERP should charge accordingly to the engine capacity, i.e. Higher engine capacity pay more erp charges.

Your suggestion of using smaller capacity van or bus is not viable, the operating cost is the same as 45 seater bus.

Waiting time is ok with me. It is around 3 mins on the average. Of course, if you miss the train when you step onto the platform, it will take you up to 5 mins but seldom I was so unlucky.

I checked with my son who travels daily to NUS from our home in Yeo Chu Kang area. His experience is: waiting time around 3 mins, occasionally 5 mins. During busy hours it is about 1 to 2 mins as there are more trains. However, the trains are packed especially at the Jurong interchange. He has seen some improvement recently though.

So mrt waiting time doesnt seem to be an issue with our family . What we would like to see is a comfortable ride (less packed).

As for bus transport, I fully agree with Mr Tan Kin Lian’s proposal to have frequent feeder buses or vans like what Hong Kong does.

I dream of the day when we can get out from our home, walk a short distance to take a feeder buses or buses and reach any places on this island with ease. I think it is possible if LTA sets this as a target.

If we want to increase the population, if we want to lessen the cost of living, if we want to be environment friendly, we have to cut down cars significantly and do something aggressively to encourage more people to take public transport.

The govt. reluctance to introduce competition is mystifying as I’m sure they have no vested interest to protect the duopoly since the govt goal is to serve its citizen..

or maybe is there not enough voices inside the govt serving the citizens?

“increase more trains=more comfort= more people will take train
=more crowded=square 1″

More trains – cannot – as you explained.
More vehicles – cannot also – as more ERP.
More roads – also cannot – space limited also – and a lot are quite close to residential blocks.

More ppl can lah – 2+million to 4+million + targeted to 6.5+million.
Hey, more ppl will mean more commuting needs, hence commuting modes.

GS, as you are quite good in your logical explanation from your past posts, Could you please juggle the above variables to give me a good fit.

More trains – cannot – as you explained.
More vehicles – cannot also – as more ERP.
More roads – also cannot – space limited also – and a lot are quite close to residential blocks.

More ppl can lah – 2+million to 4+million + targeted to 6.5+million.
Hey, more ppl will mean more commuting needs, hence commuting modes.

GS, as you are quite good in your logical explanation from your past posts, Could you please juggle the above variables to give me a good fit.

simply flawed.

Do you know what is the meaning of regular maintenance?

You are simply arguing on the wrong point. We are talking about increasing the frequency will make the trains less crowded. We are not complaining about the 5 minutes wait. You can keep your argument

increasing more trains = more wear and tear = more breakdown.

there is wear and tear. there are breakdowns – can we afford to have more breakdowns?

increase more trains=more comfort= more people will take train
=more crowded=square 1

where do we draw the line?
MRT needs to improve – agreed.
the question is how fast the change and how soon.
No doubt some of us may not live long enough to see the change
but that’s life.

I still think a 5 min wait is OK. I still think that taking about an hr travelling to reach your work place is still OK. I still think that a lot of things in Sg now is OK.

We can do with more comfort, etc, etc – but if not – it is still OK.

It is OK.

Using public transport daily to commute to work is an essential service. Going to shopping centre looking for toilets is an emergency.

#38 The MRT is not a perfect system in the first place when it was first mooted. it still isn’t. If you put too many trains or too many carriages, etc wear and tear, etc – if the train has a minor breakdown, etc etc… everybody suffers.

Are you implying that currently there is no wear and tear and no breakdowns?

Kin Lian’s contenytion:
If more trains are operated during the off-peak hours, the operating expenses may increase marginally. But the passengers can enjoy a significant improvement in comfort and quality of service. Less crowded trains will encourage more people to take the train, especially during the off-peak hours. This increase in business will more than offset the higher operating cost. It is the classical “chicken and egg” question.

The call to increase the frequency of trains is not totally unreasonable. The increase in frequency will definitely ease the sardine packed trains and make it less stressful for commuters.

The fact that they are increasing the frequency of trains during the F1 race is proof that smrt can do it but refuse to do it.

We are talking improving the service and make travelling in mrt a little more comfortable. It is right to say that the mrt system is not perfect and this is where they have to imporve upon it.

————–

Aiyoyo, why the worrys? the majority no the worrys, you no need worrys lahs.
Rain or shine, the majority no the worrys.

If 1 or 2 m i l l i o n more new citizens come in, not including the future PRs, foreigners, foreign workers and expats, laboreres and housemaids, I help you ease your worrys.

I propose more hikes to solve problems.
1. road more cars? no problem, hike the very effective traffic buster ERP . still some gap between London peak hour rate and here’s.

2. for anything else, just hike. Maybe can solve even more problem. But I may be wrong huh. Dont take my words for it hor.

3. Baby no enough ? add more money to entice.

4. MNCs cannot compete well ? no worrys, use supply and demand theory. More supply from far far away, employers very happy. You more happy ah. You get to keep your next month salary ah. Else if they leave, you eat grass ah.

Sporeans have spoken time and time and time x 49 again so they must be happy. I think only lah. I no no wan.

regards
Ho Pinkie
the stylo milo

There is no need for you to be rude. If you do not like this article, just ignore it.

The other readers are happy to read the article and give their comments. As this is Public Transport Week, the editor decided to re-pubish this “old” article, as it is relevant to the main theme of the week.

Then again do you wait patiently. In that situation what do you do – c’mon NS trained – improvise. Leave earlier or later, walk to the front or to the back, do what you must until such time when things improve.

The MRT is not a perfect system in the first place when it was first mooted. it still isn’t. If you put too many trains or too many carriages, etc wear and tear, etc – if the train has a minor breakdown, etc etc… everybody suffers.

A young girl want to do an implant to solidify her asset but the father could not afford it. she pestered. so the dad agreed.
but do one at a time. the subject was never brought up again.
nothing to do with train actually ….

running more trains / more frequently is just doing that – a temporary fix to a problem. I m sure it is a problem and that it needs fixing but it has to be done rite in due course.

Not that the problem can be fixed by just running more trains more frequently etc…

Patience is sure a virtue.
cheers

No one else seems to be seeing (or bothering to state) this problem:

SMRT was started when Singapore’s population was only about 3+ million.
They decided to build train stations that can only accomodate 6 carriages.

Now that the population is 4.5+ million, the trains would have to carry an equivalent load of 8 carriages.

When the population gets to 6+ million?
Heh… Let’s see if they are long-sighted enough by designing the circle line stations with the capacity to handle at least 10 carriages.

Its really a matter of SWISS STANDARD can do it , you can do it or not?

Do you know how big is Switzerland?
Do you know how frequent their public transport system arrives on time on target?
Do you know how difficult it is ? And do you know they Boleh! ?

Enjoy more good years!
Swiss standard ler.
Everyone believes this.
me too. U no the believing of the me meh?
yibah untooneh!

Pardon for my harsh words. I really would like to read new insightful stuff and i believe this website can play a meaningful part to benefit all.

Cheers