10 more MRT stations to get ‘traffic lights’ showing crowd levels

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/10-more-mrt-stations-get-traffic-lights-showing-crowd-levels?singlepage=true

Following what SMRT said was positive feedback from commuters, the transport operator will be rolling out its “traffic lights” system — green, amber and red lights to indicate how crowded MRT station platforms are — to 10 more stations with high passenger flow by the first half of next year.

It will also install display systems that provide information on train delays at 15 more stations. The iDisplay panels are currently installed at 17 stations.

The traffic lights system was piloted at the Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar MRT stations in December last year and January this year, respectively.

SMRT declined to reveal the locations of the next 10 stations where the system will be rolled out. Stations that have faced issues with congestion include the City Hall and Jurong East MRT stations.

Although analysts welcomed the system, they felt that commuters should be given more information at an earlier stage.

Under the traffic light system, lights are installed at station entrances to indicate the crowd levels.

If the lights are green, commuters can catch the arriving train.

If the lights are amber, they have to wait for approximately two trains to pass before they can board.

Red lights indicate prolonged waiting time.

Speaking to TODAY, several commuters who take the MRT regularly at Tanjong Pagar station said they did not notice the lights.

Those who did, choose not to heed them. Mr Kenny Yap, 31, a public relations director, said:

“Usually, by the time you want to take the train from there, you don’t have many alternatives. So you’ll still just go in and wait, unless the sign says there is a train breakdown.”