SINGAPORE: Last Friday (4 Oct), SMRT addressed concerns regarding the flooring in some of its trains through a Facebook post, explaining that the surfaces may appear “dull and spotty” due to dirt accumulation trapped within the sealant.

The train operator outlined the steps being taken to restore the flooring to a cleaner condition.

Accompanying the post were photos showing SMRT workers cleaning the fourth-generation C151A trains.

After the initial cleaning is done, workers will then apply a fresh layer of sealant on the floor.

The cleaning process involves two steps: first, scrubbing away the trapped dirt, followed by the application of a fresh layer of sealant.

SMRT also noted that this process has been completed on most trains in the C151A fleet.

While many netizens expressed appreciation for SMRT’s efforts to enhance the appearance of train floors, some suggested extending cleaning maintenance to various stations.

One user pointed out the presence of thick dust and grime, particularly in high-traffic areas such as Orchard, Dhoby Ghaut, Little India, and Farrer Park.

The discussion also referenced a recent Facebook post by Lim Tean, the leader of the Peoples Voice (PV), who first raised the concern about the train floors.

On 1 October, Lim shared an image taken while riding the East-West Line, highlighting the “speckled flooring” he claims is a common sight.

“Doesn’t this look like a train in a third-world country? Has SMRT gone Bohemian, thinking that the trains they operate should exhibit a ‘natural wear and tear’ look, in line with their philosophy of not over-maintaining?” he questioned.

Lim further critiqued the privatisation of public services, alleging that corporate shareholders reap generous returns year after year at the expense of everyday commuters.

Lim’s post has since attracted over 220 shares, sparking further conversation about the state of public transportation in Singapore.

SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Friday (4 October) that the number of Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) available for bidding between November 2024 and January 2025 will rise to 15,834.

This represents a 3.6 per cent increase from the 15,283 available in the current bidding period from August to October.

In the upcoming three months, there will be 6,190 Category A COEs, which are designated for smaller and less powerful cars, as well as electric vehicles (EVs).

This is a notable increase of 5.6 per cent from the 5,864 pieces available in the previous period, translating to 54 more Category A COEs at each tender exercise.

Category B COEs, meant for larger and more powerful cars and EVs, will see their supply rise to 4,060 – a 2 per cent increase from the current 3,980 pieces.

The supply of Open category (Category E) COEs will also increase by 3.6 per cent, going from 1,035 certificates to 1,072.

When combined, the supply of Category B and E COEs represents a total increase of 2.3 per cent, amounting to 117 additional certificates compared to the previous three-month period.

Additionally, the supply of commercial vehicle (Category C) COEs will climb by 8.3 per cent to 1,407 pieces, up from 1,299. This results in an increase of 18 more COEs at each tender exercise. Meanwhile, the number of COEs for motorcycles (Category D) remains unchanged at 3,105 pieces.

The announced COE supply also factors in 3,315 certificates that have been redistributed from identified guaranteed deregistrations.

This includes 1,390 Category A COEs, 1,060 Category B certificates, and 865 motorcycle COEs.

This redistribution practice, initiated from the second tender exercise of May 2023, allows COEs set to expire in the next projected supply peak to be brought forward for allocation.