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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Another 17 trains to be added by 2012
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Mr Benny Tan's Online Forum letter, 'Speed up frequency, improve air-conditioning' (Feb 23).
The maximum operational speed of our trains is 78kmh. After factoring in acceleration, deceleration, station stops, lower speed over curved tracks and switches, the average speed of our trains is 45kmh. In cities such as Bangkok, Hong Kong and New York, the average speed of trains is 35kmh.
The current frequency of trains arriving and departing at Jurong East MRT station is between 2.5 and 4.5 minutes during the morning peak period. During this period, some north-bound trains terminating at Jurong East MRT station will be scheduled for south-bound service. Unlike other terminal stations like Boon Lay and Pasir Ris MRT stations which have two tracks, north-bound trains that are scheduled for south-bound service will make use of the middle track (single track) at Jurong East MRT station for the turnaround. This means north-bound trains from Bukit Batok can enter the middle track only after the south-bound trains leave the platform at Jurong East MRT station.
Due to these infrastructure constraints, we are unable to increase the number of train trips.
However, the authorities are currently making plans to change the infrastructure at Jurong East to alleviate the situation so as to relieve crowding during peak hours. A new track alignment and platform is currently being constructed by the Land Transport Authority, and another 17 trains will be added by end 2012. The completion of the project and the additional trains will give SMRT the flexibility to increase train trips on the existing lines.
As for air-conditioning in our trains, it is currently set at an optimal temperature of 24 deg C for passenger comfort while maximising energy efficiency. The air-conditioning is controlled by thermostats that regulate and control the temperature in each train car. Line flow fans have been installed in upgraded trains to help circulate cool air to reduce temperature in the train's interior.
However, external factors such as higher passenger load during peak hours and longer stopping time at stations for passengers to board and alight may result in an influx of hot air into the train, requiring more time for the temperature in the train cars to return to the desired level.
We hope this clarifies and we thank Mr Tan for taking time to provide his feedback.
Bernadette Low (Ms)
Manager, Corporate Marketing and Communications SMRT Corporation
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Mr Benny Tan's Online Forum letter, 'Speed up frequency, improve air-conditioning' (Feb 23).
The maximum operational speed of our trains is 78kmh. After factoring in acceleration, deceleration, station stops, lower speed over curved tracks and switches, the average speed of our trains is 45kmh. In cities such as Bangkok, Hong Kong and New York, the average speed of trains is 35kmh.
The current frequency of trains arriving and departing at Jurong East MRT station is between 2.5 and 4.5 minutes during the morning peak period. During this period, some north-bound trains terminating at Jurong East MRT station will be scheduled for south-bound service. Unlike other terminal stations like Boon Lay and Pasir Ris MRT stations which have two tracks, north-bound trains that are scheduled for south-bound service will make use of the middle track (single track) at Jurong East MRT station for the turnaround. This means north-bound trains from Bukit Batok can enter the middle track only after the south-bound trains leave the platform at Jurong East MRT station.
Due to these infrastructure constraints, we are unable to increase the number of train trips.
However, the authorities are currently making plans to change the infrastructure at Jurong East to alleviate the situation so as to relieve crowding during peak hours. A new track alignment and platform is currently being constructed by the Land Transport Authority, and another 17 trains will be added by end 2012. The completion of the project and the additional trains will give SMRT the flexibility to increase train trips on the existing lines.
As for air-conditioning in our trains, it is currently set at an optimal temperature of 24 deg C for passenger comfort while maximising energy efficiency. The air-conditioning is controlled by thermostats that regulate and control the temperature in each train car. Line flow fans have been installed in upgraded trains to help circulate cool air to reduce temperature in the train's interior.
However, external factors such as higher passenger load during peak hours and longer stopping time at stations for passengers to board and alight may result in an influx of hot air into the train, requiring more time for the temperature in the train cars to return to the desired level.
We hope this clarifies and we thank Mr Tan for taking time to provide his feedback.
Bernadette Low (Ms)
Manager, Corporate Marketing and Communications SMRT Corporation
