SINGAPORE: Singaporeans can expect more temporary
closures of segments of the rail network on the North-South and
East-West lines in the future.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said the closures
are needed for major works, such as the upgrading of train
signalling systems and replacement of the network's older
parts.
The authorities would have a better idea of when the
shut-downs will take place, and for how long, by the year's end, Mr
Lui added.
But moving ahead, commuters will have to get used to temporary
closures of some MRT stations for upgrading works.
"If we were to do the upgrading (works) using only the hours
available to us now, between the revenue service periods (when the
trains are not operating), I think every night you may have at most
three-and-a-half or so hours ... (that) leaves very, very little
time for major upgrading works," Mr Lui said.
Planned closures of train stations for works to be carried out have
been done before. In 2010, stations in western Singapore were shut
to allow modification works at the Jurong East station to be
carried out. This was done over two weekends.
Mr Lui assured commuters that they will be told well in advance
about the planned closures, so that they can make alternative
travel arrangements.
There will also be bus-bridging services along the affected MRT
lines during the closures.
Mr Lui was speaking to residents from the Cheng San-Seletar ward
during his visit to the area on Sunday.
At the dialogue with residents, Mr Lui also addressed concerns on
the S$1.1 billion government funding to buy buses for SBS Transit
and SMRT.
"If you want this enhanced standard but you don't want the
government to put in the money, we think that bus fares on average
will have to go up by 15 cents and that's quite a lot. Essentially,
when we came up with this scheme, the way we were thinking about it
is that this is not a subsidy to the operator. It is actually a
subsidy to the commuter," said Mr Lui.
On the recent move to raise the age limit for taxi drivers from 73
to 75, Mr Lui said there are no plans to extend it to bus
drivers.
That's because they face a demanding schedule which has to be
looked at carefully before any changes are made.
Speaking on the Committee of Inquiry looking into the major train
disruptions on the North-South Line in December 2011, Mr Lui said
he hopes there's a clear conclusion on what caused the breakdowns
and also to take lessons from findings in order to improve how such
incidents are managed.
- CNA/wm/fa
