SMRT's chief executive Desmond Kuek gave his company a B-rating for reliability and availability compared to other rail operators, adding that his goal was to hit a A or A* rating.

He said this Thursday afternoon during his first sit-down with members of the media where he spoke about the the company's strategic aims.

Mr Kuek, who took over the reins of the company in October from interim CEO Tan Ek Kia, said the operator's six values are service excellence, mastery, responsibility and respect, teamwork, nurture and integrity, or "SMRT N I". Mr Tan was filling in after former CEO Saw Phaik Hwa resigned in January last year.

He added that as part of the company's move to place commuters' first, SMRT will redesign and improve commuter touch points including buses, trains and station infrastructure.