I REFER to the letters, 'Crowded trains: Bunching not the problem' by Ms Hannah Ruth Chia (Nov 25), and 'No thanks: Why commuter hasn't taken a train in two years' by Mr Camillus Yap (Online Forum, Nov 22).

Full Story

"Currently, we are already operating at our optimal frequency during the peak period. Outside peak hours, we continue to proactively monitor train loads and adjust train frequencies where appropriate."

peak period - optimal? or limited by outdated signalling system?
proactive? adjusts when appropriate? - who are they trying to kid?
Do we forever see letters to the forum complaining about HK or Taipei mass transits like our SMRTs' eternal brickbats? time to outsource the whole system log stock and barrel!

Spore's northsouth and eastwest MRT lines together basically form a circle line like those in London, Osaka, and Tokyo. The population of these 3 cities are about 2 to 3 times bigger than Spore. Yet I've never experienced the jampacked conditions in these cities as I do in Spore. SMRT has to space the trains 2 minutes or less during peak periods. But first things first; increase the fares by at least 50%. Spore's MRT rides are too cheap. commuters get what they pay for.

Another lame excuse from SMRT. At 1,200pax per train, it is already packed to the full and LTA standard is 1,600pax??? So they still have space to accomodate more pax?? Why don't SMRT engage some "pushers" during peak hours to push commuters into the train to meet 1,500pax or 1,600pax target???

I tell you, this is one typical template reply we normally get from them!!

By the way SMRT if you are reading our comments, please note that your announcements in the train can wake the dead up (it's so piercing loud) and the AC is turned so low we feel like we are entering North Pole. We always have to arm ourselves with a shawl or jacket! Can you please set the AC to some medium range where we do not need to suffer and shiver in the trains? Please we all need a comfy ride not one where we have to condition ourselves with!

I refer to NonoSings. I think your train travel times are usually at offpeak times. During peak hours, train travels can feel warmer than when you stand OUTSIDE on the platform. So, the IMPORTANT point is REGULATING of temperatures in trains by thermostats. Which I AM SURE they do NOT have.

Ya, I think trains shud have this regulating temperature otherwise it's either too stuffy or too cold, either one is bad! My train travel time is usually between 9am to 930am (not too off peak) and returning 6pm to 630pm, I think North bound trains only have this problem! When I use the East bound train, not too bad.

your3rdi - yes, the aircon is smrt trains during peak is horrible + vegetable. i'm not surpise their aircon do not have thermostats,

hile it is our aim to provide passengers with comfortable train rides while optimising train service frequencies, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is designed to transport large numbers of passengers promptly and efficiently.

Oops! Unstoppable force meets immovable object? Which of these two colliding objectives (especially at peak hour) is going to win?

Let me guess...
Pack them in like sardines, since the priority is to move people quickly. You sure learned something from Eichmann didn't you Miss Low.

All is clear now - since comfort is not the priority, it doesn't really matter how crowded the train becomes as long as it does not breach some theoretical maximum. I'm sure it's possible to hit the limit - commuters might even survive the trip, but might need some time to be revived - maybe SMRT can standby some pails of cold water? Or hose them down to revive them.

1600 people? What? Dwarves? Elves? Toddlers? Stack them two deep? 1600??? Hey I'm sure we can even hit 2000 if we REALLY REALLY TRIED.

After all, this is the unwashed MASSES RAPID cattle TRANSPORT.

I'm getting a car. Really. Gridlock or paying through your nose for ERP is better than suffering our world-class transport system.

I just realised that ST has deleted my comments. Perhaps my comments proved too embarassing for SMRT and LTA. Just goes to show, yet again, that ST is simply a govt mouth-piece!