COVID-19: 75% plunge in ridership sees train frequency reduced from 17 April
SINGAPORE — The frequency of almost all train services will be reduced while selected bus services will be suspended from Wednesday (15 April) in light of Singapore’s ongoing partial lockdown and a plunge in ridership amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Tuesday, it was revealed that daily bus and rail ridership has fallen by more than 71 per cent and 75 per cent respectively, compared with the pre-COVID-19 period.
LTA will therefore adjust the operations of bus and train services, with effect from Wednesday for buses and Friday for trains.
“These adjustments will help to mitigate the significant financial impact caused by the reduced riderships, and help keep public transport operations financially sustainable,” said the agency, which added that the measures would also help commuters to maintain a safe distance from one another.
The adjustments will last for the period of the so-called circuit breaker measures, which end on 4 May, and be reviewed thereafter.
The measures – announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 3 April – include the closure of schools and most workplaces. Only essential services like food establishments, markets and supermarkets, transport, and key banking services will remain open during the month-long closure.
Bus services
Selected bus services serving the Central Business District or recreational places will be suspended as trips to these destinations have decreased the most.
LTA said that it will work closely with bus operators to adjust the frequency of the remaining services to match commuter demand.
Train services
Almost all SMRT and SBS lines will have their frequencies reduced and/or operating hours shortened.
The current frequency of the North-South, East-West, North East, Circle and Downtown Lines stands at no more than three minutes during peak periods and around five minutes during off-peak periods. These will be reduced to no more than five minutes during peak periods and around 10 minutes during off-peak periods.
In addition, operating hours for these lines will end around 30 minutes earlier.
The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will continue to operate at frequencies of around seven minutes during peak periods, and 12 minutes during off-peak periods.
TEL currently operates on shorter hours to facilitate system integration works for TEL Phase 2, and will see its hours further shortened to operate between 6.30am and 8.00pm.
Meanwhile, Sengkang-Punggol LRT will operate a single loop service during off-peak periods and end train service around 30 minutes earlier, given reduced ridership.
Only the Bukit Panjang LRT service, which is already operating a single loop service during off-peak periods, remains unaffected.
Commuters can get the latest updates on affected bus and train services at MyTransport.SG as well as through the Facebook and Twitter feeds of LTA and the various public transport operators.
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