About 20 people were screened between 10am and 10.30am at the entrance of the Little India station on the North-East Line, where four Aetos security officers were stationed together with equipment such as metal detectors and X-ray scanners.

The commuters were required to use a walk-through metal detector and pass their belongings through X-ray scanners before entering the fare gates. Most checks were completed in under half a minute.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that like the bag checks currently conducted at MRT stations here, not all commuters will require enhanced security screenings.

"As these checks are random, it will not cause delay to the majority of commuters," said the authority's public transport security deputy director Joseph Goh. He said the security officers are trained to identify potential threats, such as bulky bags.

Data collected from the trial - such as how long it takes to screen commuters - will be used to improve the screening process.

The trial is part of the LTA's efforts to review and enhance security on the Republic's rail network, said Mr Goh.

Public transport systems are particularly vulnerable to terror attacks due to the large numbers of people passing through every day, he said, noting that attacks have taken place on other subway networks.

During the trial in Singapore, checks were conducted at the Little India station at its North-East and Downtown Line entrances, as well as at the Bedok station on the East-West Line.

At Bedok, The Straits Times observed only one commuter having to go through the additional security screenings between 11.30am and noon.

While security equipment was placed at three other stations - Ang Mo Kio and Yishun on the North-South Line, as well as Bukit Panjang on the Downtown Line - these were not in use on Monday. Their visible presence is to get commuters used to the idea of enhanced security.

The equipment from the five stations will be rotated among different stations over the course of the trial. By the end of this year, public transport operators will also progressively introduce the use of handheld metal detectors in their security checks at bus interchanges and MRT stations.

The Straits Times approached two commuters at Little India station who went through the enhanced security checks on Monday.

Ms Ang Sui Tjie, who was at the station at 10.30am, worries that the checks could be disruptive during peak hours. The 46-year-old, who is currently unemployed, said: "If I have to go through this every time I take the MRT, it would be very inconvenient, especially when I'm rushing."

During peak hours, trains arrive at the station every two minutes.

Mr Subramaniam Balasubramaniam felt it was not inconvenient and said he understood the need for such checks.

"Having to go through such random checks, I feel safer," said the 45-year-old manager.

The Land Transport Authority should review its policy and allow open strollers on buses. These have to be folded at the moment. But priority should still be given to wheelchair users.

Provide cab drivers with training to deal with those with disabilities, so they can help wheelchair users with tasks such as moving from wheelchair to taxi.

 REDUCE ESCALATOR SPEEDS

Some senior citizens can be intimidated by fast-moving escalators at MRT stations. These can be slowed down to give seniors peace of mind. They can also be encouraged to use lifts.

Bus stops can be designed with high overhanging ceilings, so commuters can board or alight from buses in the rain without getting wet. Seats can be designed to be wider and flatter to be more comfortable.

Buses should be designed with a third door, to serve as a second exit, to encourage commuters to move to the rear and allow others to board.

Allow seniors, children and adults with medical problems to exit and re-enter MRT stations without paying fares if they need to use the toilet urgently.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/commuters-want-more-accessible-comfortable-rides-ptc

A trial bus stop, built by ST Engineering, comes with overhead nozzles that deliver aircon-cool air that the company says is also more than 90 per cent cleaner, with harmful PM2.5 particles filtered out.

The smart bus stop has a high-tech camera system which tracks commuter flow and average waiting times. It also has algorithms that can spot unattended baggage or suspicious individuals loitering around.Launched yesterday, the bus stop, erected alongside an existing one outside Plaza Singapura, is on trial for a year.

The project is funded by ST Engineering, which also wants to explore how its air-cooling systems - which are currently used in places such as the Singapore Zoo - can be applied to other settings.

Compared with conventional air-conditioners which employ refrigerants and generate heat, the company's Airbitat Oasis system creates a reservoir of cold water through evaporative cooling, which is, in turn, used to cool the air it blows out.

Sensors embedded in the bus-stop infrastructure monitor air temperature and purity, levels of which are displayed on a touchscreen board.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/an-oasis-of-cool-clean-air-for-bus-commuters

SINGAPORE: Twelve new MRT trains will be the first in Singapore to have "tip-up seats" to create more standing space for commuters during peak hours.

The new trains on the North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) will have four sets of three tip-up seats located in the centre of each car. The seats will be folded during morning and evening peak periods, and unfolded during off-peak hours to increase seating capacity. This can only be done by the train driver.