Shorter wait for trains on two oldest MRT lines

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has revealed that the average waiting time for trains during peak periods on Singapore's two oldest MRT lines - the North-South and East-West lines - have been reduced to 2.3 minutes, from 2.5 minutes in January. The transport authority also added that off-peak intervals have been shortened to five minutes, from seven minutes, after more trips were added to the network.

For the North-East Line, waiting time during the evening peak period is now 2.7 minutes, down from three minutes. Outside the morning and evening peak periods, the average waiting time on this line is now five minutes - a minute shorter than it was in January.

Meanwhile, peak-period waiting time on the Circle Line remains unchanged at 3.5 minutes, although its off-peak interval is now down from seven minutes to six minutes.

Commuters said the situation has improved incrementally, on the back of fewer disruptions and delays, but trains remain crowded and train speeds on the older lines remain low, reported The Straits Times. Observers said significant improvement will be possible only after the bulk of new trains arrive towards 2019, and when the signalling system on the older lines are upgraded by 2018.