Despite hopes that the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) would ease overcrowding, commuters at Khatib MRT station are still battling daily congestion during peak hours. A recent Facebook post by local commuter Zoey Lim on the “Complaint Singapore” page has struck a chord with many frustrated Singaporeans.
In her post, Zoey described the chaotic scenes every morning at Khatib, where platforms are jam-packed and commuters are forced to wait for multiple trains before being able to board. She expressed her disappointment that, even with the TEL now operational, there has been no noticeable improvement in train capacity or crowd flow on the North-South Line (NSL).
Residents Say Situation May Get Worse
Many online commentators agreed, pointing out that the situation is only set to worsen. The upcoming development of 10,000 new flats in the nearby Chencharu area has raised concerns that the already overwhelmed Khatib station will face even more pressure in the years ahead.
“After people start to move in and live in Chancharu, Khatib station will be even more crowded,” one commenter warned, while another lamented, “It took me five missed trains before I could get on.” Several also questioned why so many new Build-To-Order (BTO) projects are being launched around an already congested transport hub.
Others suggested that commuters shift their boarding points to nearby Yishun or Canberra MRT stations, where there may be better chances of getting onto a train during the morning rush.
Calls for Long-Term Solutions
Public dissatisfaction is growing as many feel that little has been done to meaningfully resolve the overcrowding, even though the North-South Line has been infamous for this issue for over a decade. Some commuters did acknowledge that there are occasionally skip-stop empty trains sent from Yishun during peak hours, but these measures are seen as far from adequate.
Frustrated users also pointed out that authorities had advised commuters to travel before 7am to beat the rush — a suggestion many say is unrealistic for working adults and families with school-going children.
With Singapore’s population continuing to rise and major residential developments being added in the north, there is increasing demand for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT to act decisively. Improved train frequency, better platform management, and strategic planning around future residential estates are just some of the measures being called for.
As one commenter bluntly put it, “This tiny red dot is bursting. More people, more flats — but same few train doors.”