News outlet FactWire caught Singapore's media and probably the authorities by surprise on the afternoon of July 5 when it reported on the transportation of MRT carriages from Singapore back to its manufacturer in Qingdao.

The report, carried by the Hong Kong Free Press, promptly went viral. The report alleged that the main reason for the return of the trains were cracks found in 2013.

SMRT was the first to issue a statement, confirming that the transportation of the MRT carriages were true.

This was followed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which reassured the public that the defects were not "safety-critical" and did not affect the train's systems or performance.

Now the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has issued a statement, shared on Gov.sg Facebook at 12.20am, explaining the returning of the trains:

Why are MRT trains being shipped back to its manufacturer?

Defects were found during a check of new trains manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and CSR Sifang in late 2013. There were a few hairline cracks on the car-body. These are superficial cracks (like those that show up on the walls of a new house). They are not structural cracks and are not safety-critical.

Are these defects dangerous?

The defects are hairline cracks and are not safety-critical. They do not affect the train’s systems, performance or passengers’ safety.

Are the trains still under warranty?

Yes, they are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. As such, LTA are sending the trains in small batches back to the manufacturer for rectification. This is the appropriate thing to do to ensure we get the value for our money.

How can you be sure?

To ensure that trains are safe for passenger service, all defects are monitored closely. Monthly safety assessments are also conducted by LTA and the manufacturer before trains are put into service.

Why transport these trains in the dead of night?

Our trains are big and massive equipment. They are transported at night, with auxiliary police officers clearing the way ahead, to minimise obstruction and inconvenience to road users. Likewise, new trains that arrive in Singapore are transported on our roads at night.

Then why cover them up in green covers?

The green covers are to protect the trains, just as how we would bubble-wrap or enclose in boxes and styrofoam-pad electronic equipment, machinery etc, which we want to transport overseas.

Will the repairs really take 7 years?

No, LTA has negotiated with the manufacturer and it will be able to speed up the process. Trains are being sent in batches and the rectification work will be completed in 2019.

Here are some questions that will surely be asked following this statement:

1. If the defects are not safety-critical and superficial, why is there the need to return 26 out of 35 trains?

2. It appears that both LTA and SMRT are working too closely on the matter, coordinating internally on the return and externally when revealing the information today. Is there any reason why the authorities decide to share the information with the public a day before our public holiday?

3. Given the high number of trains being returned, should the authorities have shared this with the public? If what FactWire claimed was accurate, is there any reason why the authorities waited for 23 days (from June 12) before making the information public?

4. If new BTOs have superficial hairline cracks in its wall that are not safety-critical, can Singaporeans return the flat to ask for a new one?

Top image by FactWire.

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