March 22, 2019, 03:09 PM 
MRT commuters take note.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT will be conducting an emergency preparedness exercise on April 5, 2019 at Jurong East MRT station.
According to a joint LTA-SMRT news release on Friday, March 22, Exercise Station Guard will take place from 10am to 4pm.
Jurong East station. Photo via Land Transport Guru.
X-ray machines to be used
During the exercise, all commuters will undergo security screening through metal detectors and have their belongings scanned by X-ray machines. LTA will also be putting on trial sets of new security equipment.
LTA advises that all commuters travelling to and fro Jurong East station factor in additional travelling time and avoid carrying bulky items, as these will take longer to screen.
Emergency preparedness
Exercise Station Guard has been a regular emergency preparedness exercise since February 2018.
According to LTA, this series of exercises allows it to validate its "security measures, contingency plans and operational readiness at public transport nodes during heightened security situations".
The exercise was previously conducted at Newton MRT station (Downtown Line), Holland Village station (Circle Line) and Hougang station (North East Line).
Exercise Station Guard at Hougang MRT station. Courtesy of LTA.
Apart from assessing if public transport operators are prepared to handle an emergency, the exercise also serves to familiarise commuters with how they should respond on these occasions.
6-month screening trial ongoing
Aside from Exercise Station Guard, LTA is currently holding a six-month trial at selected stations where commuters undergo daily security screening.
Security screening at Bedok station on November 12, 2018. Image by Tan Guan Zhen.
According to Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, LTA is using this trial to fine-tune security operations on our public transport system.
It will end in May 2019.
Top image via Land Transport Guru.
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