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Are commuters ready to pay more for luggage racks on trains, buses to Changi Airport?

Last week, letter-writer Lim Kwee Choo called for improvements to the trains and buses serving Changi Airport. Suitcases, she noted, cannot be secured because these vehicles lack luggage racks like those on Hong Kong’s airport buses and trains.

Readers say commuters must be prepared to pay more for amenities such as luggage racks on trains.

Readers say commuters must be prepared to pay more for amenities such as luggage racks on trains.

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Last week, letter-writer Lim Kwee Choo called for improvements to the trains and buses serving Changi Airport. Suitcases, she noted, cannot be secured because these vehicles lack luggage racks like those on Hong Kong’s airport buses and trains. Many readers agreed with the writer’s suggestion, but some went further to call again for a direct rail service linking the city and Changi Airport. Others said that commuters must be prepared to pay more for these comforts.

That's a good suggestion. We can make use of overhead space like what many countries have done. Nothing in this country is planned meticulously. Our Land Transport Authority is usually passive and reactive, not pro-active. GOH RAYSON

Absolutely. Go to Taipei and see how they do it. You can even check in from the city before boarding a train to the airport. EDMUND EDDY TEO

A few train cars should have luggage compartments for travellers, rather than have them all over… This will prevent travellers from blocking or causing difficulties for other users entering the train during peak hours. SUSAN LIM

Buses and trains plying the Changi Airport route should be equipped with luggage spaces. This is especially so for bus service 858 from Woodlands, which is used heavily by commuters. KENNETH TAN

Off-site luggage check-in points must be provided to minimise such loads in trains and buses. But certainly, some luggage carriage space should be set aside in MRT trains for casual travellers. ANDREW LEONG

The trains to and from Changi Airport also need to be in better condition, or they will do a disservice to Changi Airport’s high standards and international reputation. Just look at Hong Kong. It’s also better to have a direct service from the city than a stop at Tanah Merah MRT Station, since tourists are carrying luggage. IAN ONG

What's the use? Trains only go up to Tanah Merah. Then? The rest of the trains don't have luggage racks. KEVIN LIM

This is assuming that you have express buses and trains. If you are willing to pay three times more, then why not? JIMMY BEANY

What the writer failed to say is what the fare costs on the Hong Kong Airport Express. TI BENG HOW

That's a good initiative, but I don't know how much of a budget the Land Transport Authority and the bus companies have to provide such facilities. CALEB YANG

Buses and trains are more for workers and passengers with light baggage — for example, budget travellers… Those with huge pieces of luggage, please take a taxi. EDWIN TAN

Not feasible. It’s already a squeeze during peak hours, with prams, wheelchairs and, from next year, priority cabins. Now, luggage cabins? If you have lots of luggage, I advise you to take a taxi, Grab or Gojek. JOANNE CHUA

If it’s an express service, yes. But if it’s regular public transport, I am not keen on it. That space could be used for more commuters to squeeze in during peak hours. MOHAMAD SYAHID ARIF

No need. What we have is good enough. Don’t give our bus captains a headache. KYLE QUASIA

These comments were first posted to TODAY's Facebook page. They have been edited for clarity and length.

Related topics

transport mrt buses Changi Airport

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