Transport minister Khaw Boon Wan has responded to the feedback by commuters in Singapore who are experiencing crowded conditions on MRT trains on April 17, as a result of a reduction in bus and train operations during this circuit breaker period in Singapore.

In a Facebook post on April 18, Khaw wrote that the Land Transport Authority is "studying the data" and will refine the headways for implementation on Monday.

In other words, the frequency of buses and trains will be adjusted on April 20 to ensure more space is available to adhere to safe distancing guidelines.

Khaw specifically called for LTA to "err on the side of generosity".

You can read his full post here:

With Circuit Breaker in place, Singaporeans are working and staying at home, except essential workers. Demand for buses and trains has plunged, as it should. Instead of running empty buses and trains, wasting precious resources, we are adjusting headways to better match supply with demand. But we will do so carefully, without causing unnecessary crowding and undermining safe distancing policy. Yesterday was the first day of our adjustments. It has caused some crowding in some stretches of NSEWL and CCL during the usual morning peak hours. LTA is studying the data and will refine the headways for implementation on Monday. I have told LTA to err on the side of generosity, i.e. to over-provide rather than under-provide. During CB, the priority is safe distancing and ensuring our essential workers can reach their work places safely and punctually. For non-essential workers, please work from home and stay at home.

Background

The frequency and operating hours of public buses and trains were cut down on April 17 during the circuit breaker period as fewer people are out and about this Covid-19 pandemic.

Operators have reduced services to save costs due to a fall in ridership.

However, the reduction in services has led to some train commuters to experience crowded cabins on the first day of reduced operations, which runs counter to the existing measures for people in Singapore to space out.

Fewer trains arriving at longer intervals caused more passengers crowding platforms and carriages.

The frequency of trains on the North-South, East-West, North East, Circle and Downtown Lines have been reduced to no more than five minutes during peak periods and around 10 minutes during off-peak periods.