Enhancing Quality of Information Displayed on LCD Screens in MRT Trains

16 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether there are plans to enhance the information on LCD systems above MRT train doors by (i) displaying both the current stop and a route map for easier reference by commuters at all times and (ii) ensuring consistent information display across all trains and lines; and (b) if so, when are these enhancements expected to be implemented.

17 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Transport (a) since the implementation of the LCD display systems, how many feedback reports have all the train operators and LTA received regarding the clarity of information on the LCD display systems above train doors; and (b) which MRT line received the most of such feedback.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport (Mr Baey Yam Keng) (for the Minister for Transport): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I also answer Question No 17, together with Question No 16?

Mr Speaker: Please proceed.

Mr Baey Yam Keng: Thank you. The various train models across different Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines are fitted with liquid crystal display (LCD) screens above the train doors, with some variation in the layout of information displayed. They all provide similar information to help commuters in their wayfinding, such as the route map of the line, the direction of travel, current and upcoming stations, as well as the opening side of doors at the next station.

In addition to the LCD screens located above the doors, commuters are provided with travel information, such as the current and next station, through in-train announcements and ceiling level displays in the middle of train cabins.

Since 2023, feedback on the clarity of information on the LCD displays across the entire MRT network made up less than 1% of the total feedback received by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the operators, with no specific line receiving substantially more feedback. LTA will continue to monitor public feedback and make further enhancements to our wayfinding features as appropriate.

Mr Speaker: Mr Ong.

Mr Ong Hua Han (Nominated Member): I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the response. I ask these Parliamentary Questions as I frequently commute via the MRT. As a commuter, it is not always easy to identify where exactly I am on the MRT route, especially when the train is crowded and even more so for a wheelchair user, where the eye-level is a lot lower. So, the LCD display, as you pointed out, is not consistent across the train lines.

In my opinion, ensuring better user interface should be a priority and is potentially not too complex an issue to solve. So, I would just like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary if there are any challenges to make this information more consistently clear across the train lines and whether or not we can share a more concrete timeline of when to expect them.

Mr Baey Yam Keng: Mr Speaker, as in my earlier reply, the types of information displayed are largely similar. Depending on the make of the train and the design of the LCD screens – some come in two panels, some come in one panel. So, when it is the one-panel design, there will be rotating pieces of information that are displayed on the screen, but the frequency of display would suffice to allow commuters to read the information, interpret and react to the information within the space of travel between stations.

But if there are specific requests that the Member would like to make of LTA, I would be happy to follow up with him subsequently, so that we can look into enhancing the experience of all commuters.

Mr Speaker: Mr Ong.

Mr Ong Hua Han: I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. I just want to say that as a commuter and a wheelchair user, it is not sufficient because it is quite important to be able to know exactly where you are at all times. I think the rotating information, sometimes you may miss out exactly where you are on the station and let us say you were not paying attention, for example, during the commute, you want to know in one look, where you are.

So, at the moment, I think, for instance, the North East Line does not exactly show a commuter where you are approaching. And then, the East-West Line tends to show the station name quite clearly, I think in the rotating information, but not in the context of where you are on the route map. So, let us say if you were dozing off on the train and you look up, it is not immediately clear and you may miss a stop. And it is even more so if you have mobility challenges and I just wanted to raise that. I would be happy to take this also offline to discuss how we can enhance this.

Mr Baey Yam Keng: I thank Mr Ong for the specific feedback. Let us work on this offline. Thank you very much.