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Most Singaporeans doubt they have been told the truth about MRT issues: survey

PHOTO: Blackbox Research
PHOTO: Blackbox Research

A majority of Singaporeans polled doubt that they have been given the full picture about the issues plaguing the MRT, according to a new survey by market research company Blackbox Research.

Some 57 per cent of the 1,000 Singaporeans polled – who are aged 15 and above – said they are not at all confident or not very confident that they have been kept informed and told the truth about current problems with the rail system. Also, 65 per cent of respondents had no or little confidence that the MRT is being well managed.

Should Desmond Kuek resign?

Half of the respondents believe that SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek, who took over the reins of the train operator in 2012, should resign. Fifty-five per cent of those polled rate the MRT’s current performance as not so good or poor.

To add to the negative outlook, only 41 per cent of the respondents believe that current issues will be resolved and that things will improve in the next 12 months.

PHOTO: Blackbox Research
PHOTO: Blackbox Research

The survey results were drawn from Blackbox’s latest monthly omnibus conducted between 10 and 16 November, a period during which the Joo Koon train collision of 15 November in which 38 people were injured took place. Quota controls were applied to ensure representative demographic coverage of the resident population, including age, gender, ethnicity and dwelling type.

In recent months, the MRT system has been plagued by breakdowns and high-profile incidents. In October, a flood in the tunnel between Bishan and Braddell caused an almost day-long breakdown in train services on the North-South Line, affecting some 250,000 commuters.

Sixty-nine per cent of respondents in the Blackbox poll agreed that there should be a public inquiry on the flood. Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan told Parliament earlier this month that his ministry would not be convening a Committee of Inquiry on the incident.

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