SINGAPORE: A Reddit user has called on SMRT to bring back the old LED route maps, criticising the current LCD screens for being ineffective and impractical.
Posting on the r/Singapore forum on Monday (24 Feb), the user shared an image of an LCD screen that appeared unreadable from a side view, as it looked fogged up or clouded.
The screens, introduced in 2017, have faced criticism for their impractical interface.
The user expressed frustration over the system, stating, “They’re literally useless now.”
They described the screens as unreadable and called for the old LED maps to be reinstated, saying, “Bring back the old LED maps and stop making useless upgrades to justify price hikes.”
They also highlighted that the problem was not confined to a single screen, noting that other screens on different train doors had similar issues.
After alighting from the train, they observed that while the screens appeared clear from the front, they became significantly harder to read from the side.
Netizens Prefer LED Maps Over LCD Screens
Under the post, many netizens agreed with the original poster, arguing that the old LED maps were more reliable.
One user suggested that a simple solution would be to have a large MRT map or at least a clear display indicating the current location.
Another commenter criticised the LCD screens for being dominated by advertisements or incorrect information, pointing out that passengers often end up looking at station signboards when they miss the announcements.
A different user questioned whether the screen in the post was simply broken, arguing that even the old LED boards were not immune to technical issues.
However, another commenter countered that while the LED boards could malfunction, they still allowed passengers to determine the number of stops remaining after hearing the next station’s name.
In contrast, they described the digital screens as completely useless, saying they now have to rely on Google Maps for navigation.
Some users lamented the removal of the old system, with one commenting that the original lighted full map system was efficient and clear, and that removing it was a waste of resources.
Another agreed, stating that the LED map was perfect and questioning why a TV screen with ads was considered a worthwhile change, insisting it was not an upgrade.
One particularly frustrated commenter argued that if an MRT passenger looks up at the signboard and cannot immediately tell which station they are at or heading to, then the authorities have failed in their design.
Concerns Over Public Transport Standards
Beyond the immediate issue with MRT screens, one user reflected on Singapore’s public transport history, recalling that the system in the 1990s and early 2000s was considered world-class, second only to Hong Kong and Japan.
However, they argued that standards began to decline in the mid-2000s after a shift in management philosophy, leading to major breakdowns in 2011 and 2015.
Although they acknowledged some improvements, they felt the system still fell short of its former efficiency and now lags behind Hong Kong and Japan in reliability.
They also expressed concerns over Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat’s comments about “avoiding over-maintenance,” suggesting a reluctance to enforce stricter regulations on transport operators.
With an incoming Prime Minister, they feared a shift from an “everything is good enough” to an “everything is still good” mindset, which they argued could lead to further complacency in Singapore’s public transport system.
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