After years of high-profile breakdowns, a collision, flooding and even deaths, the worst may finally be over for Singapore’s beleaguered subway system. In July the MRT network made a breakthrough in service quality when its trains collectively covered their millionth kilometre for the year without a delay of more than five minutes. This was a far cry from 2017 when the system managed a measly 181,000km. More than half of the MRT’s planned infrastructure upgrades have now been completed, and commuters are seeing the benefits. Billions of dollars have been poured into the network to rejuvenate the ailing system. The timely improvements could finally allow a political hot potato to be handled before the country’s next elections, enabling the ruling People’s Action Party to present a sharper report card. The MRT’s troubles forced two successive transport ministers from office at the last two GEs, but experts say a repeat is not likely this time around. Cracks in Singapore’s system first appeared in 2011 when two serious breakdowns on separate days affected 221,000 commuters.... Continue Reading