I find Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan's criticism of the press on its reporting of the recent spate of train disruptions unwarranted (Minister takes aim at press; July 28).

The Land Transport Authority and SMRT might have felt it was their duty to test the new signalling system when the travelling load was at its highest.

Similarly, it is the job of the media to report these MRT disruptions.

This is especially because the disruptions occurred mostly during the morning or evening peak hours, when hundreds of thousands of commuters were either rushing to work, school and other appointments, or making their way home after a tiring day.

Since the Land Transport Authority and SMRT had planned all along to implement the new system "live" during peak hours, they should have done some scenario planning to anticipate the problems and what they would do if anything went wrong.

Commuters generally have been very accommodating about the frequent disruptions and inconveniences.

If there is anyone or any event to blame for all the trouble occurring now, it is SMRT's poor strategy and management in not investing in infrastructure renewal sooner.

Gabriel Cheng Kian Tiong