Public reacts with mixed feelings as new MRT trains arrive in Singapore
The first batch of new MRT trains has arrived in Singapore, set to replace the 35-year-old fleet. “The first two new North-South and East-West Line trains are home!” the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Facebook on Feb 21. These are part of a larger fleet of 106 trains, designed in Germany, assembled in China, and sourced from parts across Europe.
The new trains feature advanced monitoring technology for preemptive maintenance and refreshed displays for passengers. They are currently undergoing rigorous testing and will enter service by the end of 2022.
While many welcomed the upgrade, others expressed concerns about the quality, especially after the 2018 incident where 11 defective trains had to be shipped back to China for repairs. Some netizens questioned the reliability of China-made trains, recalling how 26 out of 35 delivered trains were found to have cracks, despite being only five years old.
Others worried the upgrade would lead to fare increases, with some commenting that the new trains might be accompanied by a rise in transportation costs.
