SINGAPORE — After an online user proposed that Singapore bring back street-level trams, a few Singaporeans have taken the opportunity to share their two cents on the suggestion, thinking it’s a bit too far off, especially considering the limited space in Singapore.
“On top of MRT lines, Singapore should consider bringing back (the) street-level tram, streetcar, trolley bus,” wrote one netizen in a post published on Sunday (Dec 11). “Light rail systems similar to many car-lite global cities in Europe, the United States, Israel, Japan, Taiwan, and many more.”
The online user made reference to Germany and Russia, saying they have the “longest distance of such street systems.”
“Singapore had such systems before 1962 going all the way back to the early 1900s for electric streetcar trolleybuses and the late 1880 to 1890 period for steam-powered trams,” the post read. “After 1962 Singapore moved towards a car or motor vehicle-centric city.”
The writer then went further to argue that it would be to Singapore’s benefit to follow such systems. “Our city-state nation will be better and comparable to other big cities to effectively and efficiently help people move around,” the netizen said.
In response to this, a few Singaporeans expressed their doubts over whether doing so would be feasible. “Too much wires and cables below (the) road,” wrote one, “(It would be a) total mess down there.”
“It is a great idea,” said another, “but in our little land area, it may not be feasible or even practical especially when there is(n’t an) already existing line or past established line where they can build upon. The master plan of our country on how land is going to be used had already been planned. I doubt anybody is going to re-do all the planning again, especially where huge infrastructure projects are already in the pipeline.”
