We thank Mr Lee Foo Hoe for his feedback and are glad that he agrees that a balanced approach must be taken between ensuring convenience and affordability for public transport users (Ridership will improve with express bus services, 30 Aug 2024).

It is with this trade-off in mind that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) closely monitors MRT ridership and adjusts train frequencies in response to passenger demand. During off-peak hours, when demand is lower, train intervals are longer. On weekdays, train frequency averages two to three minutes during peak hours, and around five minutes during off-peak hours and weekends, with the exception of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) where off-peak frequency is currently around six minutes based on existing demand. This approach allows LTA to continue providing convenient and accessible MRT services, while ensuring that the costs of doing so and hence fares for commuters are kept affordable.

Based on our data and observations, commuters are able to board the trains without having to wait for the next one during off-peak hours.  It is not true that the trains are crowded during off-peak periods.  Our train frequencies for peak and off-peak hours are also comparable to those of overseas rail metro systems such as Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway and the Taipei Metro.

We do provide bus alternatives to MRT lines, to meet specific needs and improve network resilience. For example, as part of the new Bus Connectivity Enhancement programme, we will introduce more peak-hour express bus services as an alternative option for residents to complement the busier MRT lines. However, it is not cost effective to provide express bus services that parallel MRT lines that already have good capacity, since express bus services will not be faster than the MRT.

We will continue to grow and improve our public transport system taking into account changes in passenger demand, so that it remains convenient, accessible, and affordable for commuters.

Yeo Teck Guan (Mr) 
Senior Group Director, Public Transport 
Land Transport Authority