Shorten interval times of peak-hour trains
ACCORDING to SMRT, the current peak-hour trains run at two-minute intervals.
However, I have been taking SMRT trains during weekday peak hours, especially on the North-South and East-West lines, and the trains often arrive at intervals of up to six minutes.
Whenever a train arrives at intervals of more than three minutes, there will always be issues of congestion.
I applaud the Government's efforts to enhance our rail network, especially on the older lines.
But during this interim period, SMRT should strive to improve on the efficiency of the lines by making use of existing infrastructure to ensure trains arrive within three minutes of each other during peak hours. This would ease congestion.
Han Jiajing
Peg driving-test standards to overseas ones
IT TAKES many hours of practical lessons and costs about $1,500 to $2,000 to get a driver's licence here.
However, if one has lived overseas for more than a year and got his licence there or for those who hold a foreign licence, then all that is needed is a pass in the Basic Theory test to convert the licence to a Singaporean one.
While many countries have driving-test standards comparable with Singapore's test, there are countries where driving licences are more easily obtained.
There should be a review of the driving test such that the standards are pegged to the easier overseas tests to be fair to those getting a licence here.
Vasanthan Govindasamy
Amber light's duration of three seconds is too short
THERE is another possible reason for bus drivers running red lights ("Stop bus drivers running lights" by Mr Seah Kian Chong; last Tuesday).
The duration of the amber light between green and red at most intersections is only three seconds. This is much too short for traffic to come to a gentle stop.
If one allows for an average reaction time of half a second, the time available to come to a dead stop from 50kmh is only 21/2 seconds.
Bus drivers are faced with a dilemma: whether to brake hard and risk causing some passengers to fall, or to continue through the intersection and risk being hauled up for running a red light.
Perhaps the Land Transport Authority could review the timing of the traffic signal lights to make for smoother driving.
Wee Gek Sian
ACCORDING to SMRT, the current peak-hour trains run at two-minute intervals.
However, I have been taking SMRT trains during weekday peak hours, especially on the North-South and East-West lines, and the trains often arrive at intervals of up to six minutes.
Whenever a train arrives at intervals of more than three minutes, there will always be issues of congestion.
I applaud the Government's efforts to enhance our rail network, especially on the older lines.
But during this interim period, SMRT should strive to improve on the efficiency of the lines by making use of existing infrastructure to ensure trains arrive within three minutes of each other during peak hours. This would ease congestion.
Han Jiajing
Peg driving-test standards to overseas ones
IT TAKES many hours of practical lessons and costs about $1,500 to $2,000 to get a driver's licence here.
However, if one has lived overseas for more than a year and got his licence there or for those who hold a foreign licence, then all that is needed is a pass in the Basic Theory test to convert the licence to a Singaporean one.
While many countries have driving-test standards comparable with Singapore's test, there are countries where driving licences are more easily obtained.
There should be a review of the driving test such that the standards are pegged to the easier overseas tests to be fair to those getting a licence here.
Vasanthan Govindasamy
Amber light's duration of three seconds is too short
THERE is another possible reason for bus drivers running red lights ("Stop bus drivers running lights" by Mr Seah Kian Chong; last Tuesday).
The duration of the amber light between green and red at most intersections is only three seconds. This is much too short for traffic to come to a gentle stop.
If one allows for an average reaction time of half a second, the time available to come to a dead stop from 50kmh is only 21/2 seconds.
Bus drivers are faced with a dilemma: whether to brake hard and risk causing some passengers to fall, or to continue through the intersection and risk being hauled up for running a red light.
Perhaps the Land Transport Authority could review the timing of the traffic signal lights to make for smoother driving.
Wee Gek Sian
