Manage commuters’ expectations during MRT signalling tests

I refer to the latest series of North-South Line signalling tests, and a related suggestion (Extend free early morning MRT rides during signalling tests; June 30).

Improving the signalling infrastructure is necessary to avoid the problems observed in other ageing subway systems round the world. The inconvenience and unhappiness accompanying the tests, however, can be reduced by managing commuters’ expectations.

By proceeding with full-load weekday tests without mitigating measures, the operator and relevant authorities are suggesting that trains are operating in business-as-usual conditions, which is not the case, as teething troubles with retrofitting the infrastructure are still being uncovered.

Conversely, if there are incentives to signal that these are extraordinary circumstances, commuters can adjust their expectations and take steps to make alternative travel arrangements, and operators also have the opportunity to improve their service standards.

Since the issues with the signalling system appear to be associated with increasing the load on the network, it may be instructive to gradually ramp up the commuter and train loads to reduce the impact of unanticipated events on commuters.

This could involve spreading the load to off-peak hours and other modes of transport through the introduction of dynamically priced discounts and free rides.

If discounts or free rides were offered for bus-bridging services throughout the testing period, for example, then the rush for the services if and when disruptions occur could be avoided.

So that this is not excessively at the expense of the operator, these incentives should not be carried out indefinitely. One might imagine, for example, that they are provided until the North-South Line passes the 150-day milestone without disruption.