The Offical SMRT App That Can Tell You About Train Delays And More

After writing countless articles about MRT breakdowns (help plox, it’s tiring), it’s nice to write something positive for a change of pace.

Yeap, you read that right. Good news regarding SMRT (I know it’s rare these days, so please stop rubbing your eyes).

In an attempt to help Singaporeans better plan their journeys during peak hours and service disruptions, SMRT has announced that they will be enhancing the SMRT App.

The App aims to provide information such as:

• The number of trains you’ll have to wait before you can board the train.
• Which set of platform doors to wait at so you can board a less crowded carriage.

The upgrades to the App will be released in three phases (just like Marvel Movies, huh), starting from December 2017 until September 2018.

Vice-president of corporate communications at SMRT Corp, Mr. Patrick Nathan, said that the App will tap on real-time information from multiple sources in order to access congestion levels.

These sources include WiFi access points, fare gate data, train load data and camera feeds.

Currently, the travel information during a disruption is based on the time needed by engineers to fix the faults.

As such, the estimation might not always be accurate since data of commuters (crowd levels) were not taken into consideration.

So far so good, eh?

In the second phase which begins in March, crowd levels will be assessed by applying data and video analytics on existing CCTV.

Geez. And here I am, assuming that no one actually watches the CCTV recordings.

During the third phase, commuters’ WiFi signals will be used to gather more accurate information about the crowd levels. Data gathered from fare gates and train loads will also be used in the process.

All right, that’s about it. Gotta say, I’m impressed at SMRT’s efforts in improving the system.

By now, I know some of you are probably screeching things like, “FIX THE TRAINS BEFORE DOING SOMETHING ELSEEE” inside your head or something.

And hey, I totally agree with that.

However, as they’ve said before, these things will require some time.

So, why not do something to improve the user experience while we’re waiting for them to fix the issues with the signalling system, right?

Ultimately, it’s going to be beneficial to us in the long run! (…As long as the SMRT App and new signalling system works as intended, that is.)

Since you’re here, why not watch a video about an NTU student who went all out to impress his crush, only to end up in…tragedy? Here, watch it and do remember to share it (and also subscribe to Goody Feed YouTube channel)!

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com

Read Also

• 8 SMRT Employees Fired & Some Might Face Legal Actions. Here’s What You Should Know
• Someone Made a Map That Provides Alternative Travel Routes with Buses During MRT Shutdown
• A Survey Shows That More Than Half of All S’poreans Believe MRT Won’t Improve in the Next 12 Months

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Image: straitstimes.com