The future of Singapore's MRT?

The article 'Is This Singapore's future MRT network?' popped up a while ago when I checked the yahoo site.

I almost fainted when I saw the picture of the future-MRT-network that's apparently circulating around the cyberspace. Is this a joke?

A British friend once asked me (while driving from Windemere to Keswick in the Lake District) "How small is Singapore - since you always say that the country's really tiny?". The best way I could put it was: "Well... small enough for you to drive across the island in less than an hour on a highway?"

My foreign friend thought my answer was a joke until we found a world map. Just to confirm the tiny-ness, he asked, "You mean the country is smaller than the entire Lake District but with the population of 4 million plus (then)??" And then he asked, "And you say almost everyone owns a computer?" My answer was "Yes". I wasn't exactly proud of my answer because my friend is a naturalist and cannot tahan the idea of living in an urbanised place.

Some figures:

Singapore: 694 square km

Lake District: 2292 square km

I like the current MRT network and the one that's coming up (Downtown Line) - I think all lines reach most residential areas as well as commercial ones that we need to access to on this island. I enjoy efficient travel from place to place BUT I really don't wish to see a byzantine Singapore cluttered with a stations.

I hope I'm not the only one feeling this way?

.

Updated 14 October:
Picture of morning crowd at Bishan Circle Line train platform

Read full Yahoo article here

And I was wondering why the Northeast Line train was unusually not-packed! Seems like everyone's dashing to try the new Circle Line, forgetting that they have lesser/shorter carriages and longer waiting time of up to 6 minutes even during the peak hour..

Updated 15 December 2011: Massive disruption to North-South Line MRT

Sadly updated on 17 December 2011:
Yet, another disruption on a Saturday morning... our 24-year old North-South line is tired.

Updated 15 March 2012: Disruption for 6 hours along Northeast Line
Full article here

Read also: When 'Income Opportunities' weigh above social responsibilities
.