MRT TRAIN CARRIAGE

MRT TRAIN CARRIAGE:

(Guidelines on maximum passenger capacity): 18.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport whether LTA has any guidelines as to the maximum passenger capacity for each MRT train carriage and whether the maximum capacity, if any, is adequate to ensure a reasonable level of comfort for the passengers in the train.

The Senior Minister of State for Transport (Mrs Lim Hwee Hua) (for the Minister for Transport): Sir, under the

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current Operating Performance Standards (OPS) for train services, a maximum passenger loading of up to 1,700 passengers per train is allowed during the morning and evening peak periods. This translates to approximately 5 pax/sqm of train standing space. Actual passenger loads are lower than this – at the most crowded stretches during the morning peak loading, we are seeing a maximum loading of 1,300 to 1,400 passengers per train or approximately 4 pax/sqm.

LTA will be revising the Operating Performance Standards for RTS operators to prescribe minimum train headways during different time periods. Increasing the frequency of the trains will provide extra capacity that will give commuters a more comfortable ride. As part of this, LTA will also be reviewing this maximum passenger loading standard of 1,700 passengers per train. Commuters’ comfort and international benchmarks, as well as system capability will be some of the key considerations in the review, whilst bearing in mind that the Mass Rapid Transit system is designed to convey masses of people, as the name implies. We expect that this review will be completed in a few months’ time.

As with many other areas of land transport, commuters also have a significant part to play to improve the level of comfort for passengers on the trains. Commuters are encouraged to use carriages at both ends of the train, which are typically less crowded than the middle sections. Also, moving to the centre of each carriage would create more space for all passengers. I hope we can all practise mutual accommodation and social graciousness so that the journey on our public transport system is more enjoyable.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Marine Parade): Sir, recently, many passengers have complained about trains being overcrowded. I myself have taken trains on several occasions and I also feel that it is

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very crowded. I wonder whether the Minister could advise when would the review be carried out such that the rides on the train could be more comfortable. And surely the Minister will agree that making train ride more comfortable with more space for passengers would be an incentive to persuade car owners to switch to public transport.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua: Mr Speaker, Sir, I will agree with the Member that, certainly, a more comfortable ride will induce more motorists to switch to the trains. It is for this reason that we are reviewing the operating standards as far as the passenger loading is concerned. But if I may be allowed to just put in context what some of the international benchmarks look like. The actual loading, for example, in New York, is 4.4, in Tokyo it is 7.1, as compared to our 5.0 – 5.0 as the standard and 4.0 in terms of actual loading. For London, it is 5.0. Hence, our current standard is not too far out of what is being achieved elsewhere. But, nonetheless, we are mindful of the expectations of commuters and we are reviewing that. The other constraint that we would have to bear in mind is actually the signalling system which will determine the minimum headway that must be kept between trains as well.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: In Australia, some of the trains actually provide free transport during off-peak hours, so that passengers can actually spread out the load to off-peak hours and peak hours become less congested. Are there plans of differential pricing for peak hours and off-peak hours on trains in Singapore, so that you can actually spread the passenger load more to the off-peak hours?

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua: Sir, differential pricing is certainly something which the operators can consider. Right now, what is prescribed by the Public Transport

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Council is the maximum fare that they can charge.

Mr Speaker: Mdm Phua, last question.

Mdm Cynthia Phua: Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand that there is a limit to the number of trains that you can actually put in during the peak period. Is that true?

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua: Mr Speaker, Sir, this is what I was referring to in terms of the minimum headway that must be observed. For example, the minimum headway on the North-South Line is about two minutes. So you cannot really pack in more trains.