You also forget that the lines SMRT runs are older in terms of
average age..
For what SMRT has been doing to ensure the lines are running as
smooth as possible, esp with all its upgrading programmes for
NSEWL, I think they have already shown that they are better than
they were before..
On the contrary SBST should be the ones who need to up their
rail game.. Though it does run its lines okay their crisis
management is abhorrent whenever the line breaks down.. Buses are
nearly nonexistent and there is often a shortage of staff and thus,
order. Case in point recent DTL breakdown management.
If you ask me SBST should just ditch its MRT ops.. In exchange
they should take BPLRT from SMRT. Firstly, when the LRT messes up
that's less trouble SBST needs to handle. Secondly, SBST is actl
doing a great job at the LRT. Anyway, Since you so claim that they
are so competent, why not give them a chance to prove themselves,
by letting them have a go at restructuring the BPLRT?
Recent years of breakdowns until today shows regardless of the
age of the rail lines, CCL, NSEW, NEL, DTL. The NSEW lines still
breaks down even after the sleeper replacement, and SMRT still has
a lot to do to improve its rail operations.
I don't see the need to let SBST to take over BPLRT just to
ditch the rail operations. In fact, the rail operations should not
be just monopolized by SMRT alone since it cannot handle the loads
of the rail routes countrywide. A smaller operator, like
SBST, can help to alleviate it's burden, since it has the
capability and financial resources to run the rail lines.
Actually LRT is a waste of money and land space and buses can do
a far better job at lower costs. LRT, especially BPLRT, should have
closed down for good, since LTA has done great improvements to the
bus services in Bukit Panjang, making the BPLRT seriously
redundant.