The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has increased the service frequency of MRT trains on Monday, April 20 following complaints from commuters the week before of crowded conditions and the lack of space to maintain safe distancing.

LTA said trains will now run every three minutes during peak hours, down from five minutes on Friday, April 17, the first day of adjustments to cut down services due to lower demand during this circuit breaker period.

Commuters took photos of crowded conditions on trains and posted them on Facebook as feedback to train operator SMRT as a result.

The five-minute frequency caused crowding on lines such as the North South, East West and Circle lines.

In response to the feedback, transport minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Saturday: "I have told LTA to err on the side of generosity. That is, to over-provide rather than under-provide."

However, LTA has not increased frequency for trains during off-peak hours.

Bus services have also not been readjusted.

Trains used to run at intervals of two minutes or less during peak hours.

An LTA spokesman said: "Ensuring that commuters can maintain a safe distance from one another when on board our trains and buses during the circuit breaker period remains a priority."

"LTA and the public transport operators will continue to monitor the situation and fine-tune rail service capacity as necessary."

Still crowded during off-peak hours

In response to LTA's announcement on Facebook, some commuters have commented with photos of the situation on the trains during off-peak hours, showing slightly crowded conditions.

One photo's caption said the waiting time of 10 minutes during off-peak period was too long, and a seven-minute wait would have been more tolerable:

Can off peak be a little bit more reasonable? 7 minutes per trip? 10 minutes is rather excessive

Edited to include photo of 3.27pm on North South Line today, it's getting crowded already some in front already breached the distance rule again.

LTA's Facebook post had provided photos showing the less crowded situation inside of trains during peak hours.

Top photo via LTA