Transport Minister, Lui Tuck Yew, told Parliament yesterday that the rail systems are more reliable recently with fewer delays as a large sum of money has been invested on maintenance and improvement of the network. Still he agreed rail operator, SMRT, could have handled three breakdowns that occurred last month much better, especially in providing timely information to commuters.

He made the comments when replying to two MPs who questioned the Minister how the operators are addressing delays after SMRT faced three disruptions last month - including one at Ang Mo Kio that affected 19,000 commuters.

The Transport Minister added SMRT and Land Transport Authority (LTA) are spending almost half a billion to improve older trains on the North-South and East-West lines by 2016, along with upgrading the signalling system by 2018. SMRT has also increased its annual spending on repair and maintenance by 65 percent, from $38.3 million in 2011 to $64.5 million in 2013 with reference to figures from its financial year, which ends at the end of March every year.

The other rail operator, SBS Transit, is also improving its network from replacing parts of the North-East Line's overhead power system, and performing a mid-life upgrade of major systems of its decade old trains.

Mr. Lui cited the improvements have led to fewer delays that exceeded five minutes - from 396 cases in 2012 to 309 last year. He also added fewer trains are being withdrawn from service on all lines. Despite the improvement, Mr. Lui believes much can be done.

For example, he revealed SMRT is changing its approach in dealing with breakdowns - from a generic plan for stretches of rail to an individual station contingency plan.

Ms. Lee Bee Wah, MP of Nee Soon GRC, quizzed Mr. Lui if the Minister would request SMRT to forgo an upcoming fare increase due to unsatisfactory service. The Minister acknowledges the emotions involved in the issue pertaining to a fare rise, although he believed it is ideal to separate the two issues.