New double-queue system being piloted at three MRT stations

A new double-queue queue system is being piloted at the three busy MRT stations, Bishan, Buona Vista and Jurong East, to improve the flow of commuters boarding and alighting from trains during rush hour, reported The Straits Times. 

The three-month trial by operator SMRT started last month. Red arrows and lanes are used to line commuters up in two rows at each side of the train door, while staying clear of alighting passengers. Existing markings at most station platforms are not so detailed, employing a funnel shape to get people to keep away from the train doors.

The three stations, which are all interchanges, were chosen because of their high passenger volume during the peak hours.

SMRT Vice President for corporate information and communications Patrick Nathan said, "We are optimistic that the double queues will facilitate a smoother and safer transfer of commuters by reducing criss-crossing when they alight and board trains."

Mr. Gerald Giam, a former Non-Constituency MP who wrote a paper in 2008 suggesting queue lines similar to those in Tokyo be used here, said, "The lines guide passengers (on) where to queue and enable them to board trains on a first-arrived-first-enter basis, in contrast with the previous ambiguous markings."

He added, "I believe most passengers don't deliberately 'cut' queue, but without clear markings, they don't know who arrived first."