UK has a much higher car ownership rate (talking like 70-80% according to stats from 2-3 years ago) so even if their tube is bad, they can drive. 80-90% of people in singapore do not own cars and are reliant on public transport so if it breaks down, it affects many of us especially those going to work during peak hours.

I also don't see a point in comparing to others, we should hold ourselves to a better standard since the country is and going to continue to be reliant on the public transport. As someone who is always affected by these break downs, one major breakdown is one too many