Singapore’s reputation for efficiency took another hit recently as three separate MRT disruptions within a week caused frustration and inconvenience to thousands of commuters.
These breakdowns have sparked widespread anger among netizens, with many questioning the reliability of the public transport system, the competence of transport authorities, and the accountability of key decision-makers.
LTA Collaborates with SMRT and SBS Transit to Probe February MRT Disruptions
On Thursday (13 February), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that it is working with train operators SMRT and SBS Transit to investigate the three MRT disruptions that occurred between 7 and 11 February.
The disruptions, which affected the North-South Line (NSL), North East Line (NEL), and Circle Line (CCL), caused significant delays during peak hours.
LTA emphasised that while the disruptions were unrelated, it takes a serious view of these incidents and is working to determine their root causes.
LTA reiterated its commitment to ensuring MRT reliability and minimising future disruptions.
LTA said the North-South Line faced a disruption on 7 February when an engineering vehicle broke down at Bishan Depot at 5:15 am, blocking train deployment.
Attempts to move it using a rescue train caused some wheels to derail, leading to longer train intervals. SMRT redirected East-West Line trains and provided free bus services to ease congestion.
The vehicle was removed by 5:30 pm, allowing services to resume for the evening peak.
On 10 February, a signalling fault at Buangkok MRT delayed North East Line services from 6:08 am to 8:00 am, with SBS Transit replacing a malfunctioning electronic card.
On 11 February, a power trip due to a signalling fault on the Circle Line disrupted 17 trains between Paya Lebar and Marymount but was restored within five minutes.
However, the Central Automatic Train Supervision (CATS) System responded slower than expected, delaying full recovery. LTA and SMRT are working with Alstom to develop a software patch for the CATS system, set for deployment after testing.
Netizens Demand Accountability, Compensation, and Management Pay Cuts Amid Rising MRT Fares
Observing comments on state media outlets such as CNA, The Straits Times, and Mothership, as well as LTA’s official Facebook page, netizens voiced frustration over rising MRT fares despite declining reliability.
Some called for pay cuts and reduced bonuses for top management until service improvements are made, while others suggested compensating commuters for each breakdown to enhance accountability.
Some users criticised the justification for fare increases, questioning why train reliability is not considered a key factor in pricing adjustments.
Many expressed frustration over rising costs despite persistent breakdowns, calling LTA’s response inadequate and disappointing.
‘Call for Cultural Shift to Address Complacency’
A user criticised complacency and a reluctance to address issues directly within large institutions. The comment argued that to resolve the root cause of the problem, accountability should start at the top, with leadership changes, including the Minister.
Netizens Urge Chee Hong Tat to Explore Global Best Practices for Improving Train Systems
There are comments criticised Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat for not opposing fare hikes and instead supporting every motion for increases.
Many felt that he should take the lead in studying how other countries manage their train systems instead of merely showcasing maintenance efforts.
Some accused him of stonewalling concerns while earning a million-dollar salary for what they viewed as superficial actions.
‘Acknowledging Frustrations While Recognising Overall Reliability’
However, some netizens took a more balanced view, acknowledging that while breakdowns are frustrating, Singapore’s MRT system remains reliable most of the time.
They pointed out that people seldom appreciate the efforts of transport workers when things run smoothly and suggested that commuters should also recognise the system’s overall efficiency, given that it operates without major disruptions 98% of the time.
While some defended Singapore’s MRT system as better than those in Western countries, others argued that given the high cost of car ownership and taxis, the MRT must operate efficiently as part of Singapore’s social compact.
Netizens Propose Real-time Monitoring and Data-Driven Atrategies to Improve Train System Maintenance
Some speculated that overcrowding and increased train frequencies might be accelerating wear and tear on the system.
Some netizens suggested enhancing maintenance efficiency by equipping trains with external sensors and cameras to monitor rail conditions, power cables, and wheel vibrations in real time.
They argued that with the transport system operating long hours and only a five-hour nightly shutdown for maintenance, robust data collection could help the daytime team analyse issues more effectively.
This would allow better strategising and prioritisation of night maintenance work across different parts of the track and vehicles.
Chee Hong Tat Warns That Raising Train Reliability Target May Lead to Higher Costs for Taxpayers and Commuters
Despite repeated calls for improvements in Singapore’s train reliability, Minister Chee Hong Tat stated during the November 2024 parliamentary session that raising the reliability target would incur significant costs, which would ultimately be passed on to taxpayers or commuters.
He provided an update on MRT network performance, noting that the Mean Kilometers Between Failure (MBKF) had improved from 1.8 million train-KM in September to nearly 2 million train-KM by the end of October 2024. Chee confirmed that all MRT lines had met the MBKF target of at least one million train-KM.
While he assured the House that safety and reliability remain top priorities, he maintained that the current MBKF target, set several years ago, is still a relevant and achievable standard.
He cited that this target aligns with the best rail systems globally, including those in Taipei and Guangzhou.
However, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh challenged the Minister, asking if the Ministry was considering raising the MBKF target given the improvements in reliability.
In response, Chee emphasised the importance of carefully assessing the trade-offs before making any changes to the current target.
According to a report released by the LTA on 22 November 2024, train service reliability has declined over the 12 months ending September 2024, with the East-West Line (EWL) experiencing the steepest drop following a major disruption in September.
The LTA’s Performance of Rail Service Reliability report, based on a 12-month moving average of mean kilometres between failures (MKBF), showed that MRT trains ran 1.798 million train-km without significant delays (over five minutes) from October 2023 to September 2024.
This marks a notable decrease from 2.077 million train-km in 2023 and a drop from previous years: 2.089 million train-km in 2022 and 1.994 million train-km in 2021.
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