Making train journeys more pleasant also vital: Lui

SINGAPORE — While the authorities are continuing their work to improve the reliability of MRT services, they should also try to make the journey more pleasant, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said yesterday.

He was responding to the mixed reception from commuters about the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) social experiments aimed at improving their experience, reported in TODAY on Monday. Among other things, there will be buskers performing at train platforms, elaborately-decorated themed carriages and staff clutching stuffed toy flowers and giving out tissues to welcome commuters.

While some commended the LTA’s efforts, others said its focus should be on bringing about tangible benefits such as reducing overcrowding and making trains more reliable.

Noting that the reliability of train services had improved compared with last year, based on data such as the withdrawal rate of trains, Mr Lui said: “Indeed, reliability is very important ... But at the same time, I think we can also try to make the journey more pleasant.”

He cited the LTA’s plans to roll out free Wi-Fi at selected stations and the installation of fans at stations, which have been welcomed by commuters.

Mr Lui said: “Graciousness is very much a part of what we are trying to do, so that even though you may be with a very big group of people in the cabin ... the behaviour of the commuters can contribute towards making the journey a much more pleasant one... So I think we have to tackle this along multiple fronts.”