Waiting times cut with new platform at Jurong East MRT station
By Qiuyi Tan | Posted: 16 May 2011 1433 hrs <LINK rel=image_src href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/phpSG2ZHp.jpg">
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SINGAPORE: Commuters can look forward to shorter waiting times on the North-South and East-West MRT lines, starting later this month.
A new platform at Jurong East Station will open on May 27, allowing more trains to be deployed from the station.
"Jammed... crowded!" exclaimed one commuter.
"It's very crowded especially for me... (Furthermore) with my age, very hard to get a seat," said another commuter.
These are often heard complaints about the morning rush hour at Jurong East MRT station.
But the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said things are set to change as the new platform is expected to ease a bottleneck that used to restrict the number of trains going through the station.
Five new trains will also be added to the train system this month, and another 17 in December, bringing the total number of new trains in the system to 22.
The 22 new trains are expected to raise capacity on the red and green lines by 15 per cent, and see the total number of trains in service go up to 128.
The new platform will be opened in the morning peak hours on weekdays from 7am to 9am as a start.
The five new trains will be deployed elsewhere for the rest of the day, especially during the evening rush hour where crowding is more severe at other stations, said LTA.
When asked why the platform will only open in the mornings for now, Chew Hock Yong, Chief Executive of LTA said: "In the morning, people are constrained by working hours whereas in the evening peak (times), people go home at different time, different hours."
It will be opened in the evening peak hours come December when more new trains are delivered, said LTA.
LTA's chief executive said the new Jurong platform and new trains will benefit the entire train system.
He added that commuters can look forward to shorter waiting times of 2-3 minutes at the busiest stretches, compared to the current 2.5 to 4 minutes.
With six boarding platforms now at Jurong East station, LTA is making sure no one gets lost.
It is putting up new signs and electronic display screens, and there will also be service ambassadors to guide passengers.
Audio announcements highlighting which trains will arrive at which platform will also play in the station and on trains.
- CNA/ir/ls
By Qiuyi Tan | Posted: 16 May 2011 1433 hrs <LINK rel=image_src href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/phpSG2ZHp.jpg">
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SINGAPORE: Commuters can look forward to shorter waiting times on the North-South and East-West MRT lines, starting later this month.
A new platform at Jurong East Station will open on May 27, allowing more trains to be deployed from the station.
"Jammed... crowded!" exclaimed one commuter.
"It's very crowded especially for me... (Furthermore) with my age, very hard to get a seat," said another commuter.
These are often heard complaints about the morning rush hour at Jurong East MRT station.
But the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said things are set to change as the new platform is expected to ease a bottleneck that used to restrict the number of trains going through the station.
Five new trains will also be added to the train system this month, and another 17 in December, bringing the total number of new trains in the system to 22.
The 22 new trains are expected to raise capacity on the red and green lines by 15 per cent, and see the total number of trains in service go up to 128.
The new platform will be opened in the morning peak hours on weekdays from 7am to 9am as a start.
The five new trains will be deployed elsewhere for the rest of the day, especially during the evening rush hour where crowding is more severe at other stations, said LTA.
When asked why the platform will only open in the mornings for now, Chew Hock Yong, Chief Executive of LTA said: "In the morning, people are constrained by working hours whereas in the evening peak (times), people go home at different time, different hours."
It will be opened in the evening peak hours come December when more new trains are delivered, said LTA.
LTA's chief executive said the new Jurong platform and new trains will benefit the entire train system.
He added that commuters can look forward to shorter waiting times of 2-3 minutes at the busiest stretches, compared to the current 2.5 to 4 minutes.
With six boarding platforms now at Jurong East station, LTA is making sure no one gets lost.
It is putting up new signs and electronic display screens, and there will also be service ambassadors to guide passengers.
Audio announcements highlighting which trains will arrive at which platform will also play in the station and on trains.
- CNA/ir/ls
