Singapore MRT Records 9 Straight Months Without Major Delay - Longest Streak Since 2011
Singapore's MRT network recorded its ninth consecutive month without a single delay exceeding 30 minutes in July, according to the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) monthly rail reliability report published on Aug 14 - the longest such streak since the statistic was first tracked in 2011.
The last delay of more than 30 minutes occurred in November 2025. The figures exclude the Thomson-East Coast Line, which is still undergoing construction, extension and system integration works.
2.37 million train-km between failures
The network's mean kilometres between failure (MKBF) - the average distance a train travels before encountering a delay of more than five minutes - rose to 2,370,000 train-km for the 12-month moving average ending July 2026. This is the fourth consecutive month the network has exceeded the two million train-km mark, more than double the national target of one million train-km.
All five mature lines improved or maintained their reliability figures in July, with the North East Line remaining the most reliable line on the network and the North-South Line remaining the least reliable among the group.
What is driving the improvement
- Completed renewal programmes on the North-South and East-West lines, including new signalling, trains and power systems
- Preventive detection systems - LTA announced in August that a system to detect overheating train axle boxes will be installed on all existing lines by 2028, following the six-day East-West Line disruption in September 2024 traced to an axle box failure
- Testing of a new backup train control system completed in July, designed to keep trains moving even if onboard signalling fails completely
- Ongoing maintenance regimes that front-load works during planned early closures rather than reacting to failures
Punctuality and service delivery
Overall train punctuality across the five lines dipped slightly to 99.29 per cent in July, from 99.32 per cent in June - a reminder that reliability gains do not mean the network can ease up. The LRT network also improved its reliability figures during the month.
The Thomson-East Coast Line's reliability is expected to improve once its full stretch, including the final extensions, opens and integration works complete - the line has historically run at lower MKBF than the mature lines while construction continues around its operating sections.
For commuters, the practical takeaway: unplanned major disruptions have become rare. Planned service adjustments - like the Circle Line tunnel works earlier this year and the upcoming BPLRT closures - are now the main cause of service changes. Check our live train status page before you travel.
