Large-scale train disruptions are not the only problem on MOT's plate

It's also worried about slowing aviation, marine growth.

Apart from managing Singapore's ageing rail lines, the Ministry of Transport also needs to zoom in on Singapore's slowing aviation and marine sectors, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a blog post today.

Minister Khaw particularly highlighted the slowing passenger growth at Changi Airport in recent years, while competing airports have continued to grow.

"The aviation industry accounts directly for about 6% of our economy and more than 160,000 jobs. It also enhances Singapore’s proposition as a business and financial centre. We have to help it get back on the path of growth," he said.

Meanwhile, the city-state's port are under threat from intense competition from neighbouring ports. Alternative trade routes such as the Arctic Route and the proposed Kra Canal could also result in ships bypassing Singapore.

"Likewise, the maritime industry contributes some 7% to our GDP and provides more than 170,000 jobs. How we negotiate these huge geopolitical challenges can be life-and-death to Singaporeans. We do not say a lot about such challenges in public, and Singaporeans may not be fully aware. But we spend a lot of our management time and bandwidth on these critical issues," he wrote.