Originally posted by BillyBong:
Actually, ETA timing requires only a visual communication display; on buses and at bus stops and interchanges. No loudspeaker system is needed. Just take a look at the loudhailing system on MRT trains. They didn't last very long. Now the kawasaki trains having adopted a Digital display seems more presentable to passengers.
The 'loudspeaker' (actually jus a simple speaker) is not meant for passengers. It's meant for the driver. Read carefully.
SMRTB have the VIPS LED's installed as part of their own IBOS (same as AVMS is to SBST and has its own ABS-like function) and microphones & speakers are also already installed for islandwide communications to their timekeeper offices.
SMRTB's own ABS-IBOS system has already been launched for trials on 3 Woodlands trunk services last week.