Programme will start with six stations
In a move towards a more gracious society, LTA will implement Priority Queues at platform screen doors and passenger lifts of all MRT stations. These queues will complement the current queue lines provided for commuters to wait to let passengers alight from trains before entering. The Priority Queue will cater to needy commuters such as the elderly, pregnant and parents travelling with strollers; and allow them to enter the trains and lifts first.
2 LTA has worked with SMRT and SBS Transit to first implement the Priority Queue stickers at six MRT stations. The six stations – Novena (North-South Line), Outram Park (East-West Line and North East Line), Chinatown (North East Line), Sengkang (North East Line) and Kent Ridge (Circle Line) – were chosen for their close proximity to hospitals and high usage by seniors. Priority Queue stickers have been placed at the platform screen doors and passenger lifts at these six stations. The locations at the platform screen doors will correspond to the wheelchair parking space allocated in the train car. They are also generally closer to the lifts and away from the escalators where traffic is the heaviest.
3 A survey will be conducted over two months to gather public feedback. Based on the feedback received, LTA may modify the design of the Priority Queue before calling a tender to roll out the markings at all MRT and LRT1 stations.
4 LTA Chief Executive, Mr Chew Men Leong, said: “As Singapore becomes more car-lite, it is important that we have initiatives in place to make public transportation user-friendly for commuters with various needs. We hope to see more commuters graciously giving way to those in need so that we work together to encourage good travel etiquette and a better ride for everyone. I hope this extends to all trains and buses, beyond the Priority Queue zones.”
5 The programme builds on an earlier initiative by SMRT who had introduced priority queuing at station lifts entrances at its MRT stations in 2014.
ANNEX - Mock-up of Priority Queue at Outram Park MRT station (East-West Line)
1 On the LRT network, Priority Queue stickers will be placed only at passenger lifts. Stickers will not be installed at platform edges due to the limited number of train doorways at LRT stations.
