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SINGAPORE: With a “significant drop” in the number of people taking public buses and trains during the COVID-19 circuit disruption period, train frequencies will be lowered and selected bus services will be suspended, said the Authority for Ground Transportation (LTA) in a statement. press release on Tuesday (April 14).
“Compared to the period prior to COVID-19, the number of daily bus and train passengers has decreased by more than 71 percent and 75 percent, respectively,” LTA said.
“These adjustments will help mitigate the significant financial impact caused by the reduction in passengers and will help keep public transportation operations financially sustainable.”
Changes to bus services will take effect on Wednesday, and adjustments to MRT services will begin on Friday.
BUS SERVICES
Selected bus services serving the Central Business District or recreational venues will be suspended as travel to these destinations has decreased further, LTA said.
These are the affected services:
(Table: LTA)
TRAIN SERVICES
Frequencies for trains operating on the north-south, east-west, northeast, circle, and downtown lines will be reduced to no more than five minutes during peak periods and about 10 minutes during periods of less activity.
They currently operate at frequencies of no more than three minutes during peak hours and around five minutes during periods of least activity.
Hours of operation will also be shortened, ending approximately 30 minutes earlier.
The Thomson-East Coast (TEL) line will see its shortest hours to operate between 6.30 a.m. and 8 p.m. It currently operates shorter hours to facilitate the system integration work for TEL Phase 2.
It will continue to operate at frequencies of about seven minutes during peak periods, and 12 minutes during off-peak hours.
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The Sengkang-Punggol LRT will operate a single-circuit service during off-peak periods and will terminate train service some 30 minutes early, given the reduction in passengers, LTA added.
There are no changes to the Bukit Panjang LRT service, which is already operating a single loop service during off-peak periods.
(Table: LTA)
With these changes, LTA said operators will also ensure that there is enough space for travelers to maintain a safe distance from each other.
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