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Trains almost up to pre-breakdown speeds: Lui

Trains were running smoothly on Wednesday morning, said transport minister Lui Tuck Yew after conducting checks on three stations along the North-South Line.

Making these remarks in a post on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Lui said that the intervals between trains on the line were “largely satisfactory”, and that train operator Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) has been able to send trains at intervals “very close to what it was before the two major incidents last week”.

After visiting Sembawang, Yishun and Bishan stations between 7:40 and 9:25am, Lui observed that there was just one stretch between 8:15 and 8:30am at Yishun station where trains came at four-minute intervals, instead of two or three.

“Generally, most commuters could get onboard the first train,” he added.

Lui also said that since last week’s double-breakdown on the North-South Line, SMRT has repaired 11 out of its 13 damaged trains that were taken out of service, and were on Wednesday able to run a total of 108 trains.

He added that he is also looking at eventually increasing the 40km/h speed limit that was imposed on Sunday.

“The engineers from LTA and SMRT have inspected the trains and third rail every night since (Sunday),” he wrote.

“Many commuters have had to wait longer for trains to arrive,” he added. “Your journeys have taken slightly longer. I know this has caused you some inconvenience. I hope to improve on this soon.”