Commuters happier with trains, buses during circuit breaker
![MRT riders on May 22 during the circuit breaker. While the MRT system scored 66.1 points in the commuter satisfaction poll last year, its score rose to 73.4 this year, due to less congestion and more frequent cleaning. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG](/sites/news.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/max_325x325/public/smu/news/st_20200930_cyresults30_59974242.jpg?itok=2jUrBHG2)
An online survey conducted by the SMU of about 7,500 people showed "substantial increases" in commuter satisfaction scores from May to July, compared with the same period last year. Presenting the results, Mr Chen Yongchang, Head of Research and Consulting at the SMU's Institute of Service Excellence (ISE), said that with more people returning to work, commuters are asking for more. It will take a while more before the new normal for consumer satisfaction stabilises in a post-pandemic world, he said, and more conclusions can then be drawn. Commenting on train operators getting the lowest rating, Ms Neeta Lachmandas, the Executive Director of ISE, said: "This is not surprising. The airports are emptier because of the lack of tourists while the trains are more crowded after the circuit breaker restrictions got lifted.