Taskforce to be set up to address MRT breakdowns: LTA, SMRT, SBS Transit

A taskforce comprising the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operators SMRT and SBS Transit will be set up to address rail reliability and service disruptions.

The new Rail Reliability Taskforce will include the chiefs of all three organisations, and report its findings to Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow by end-2025.

It has been tasked to develop and implement immediate solutions to improve rail reliability and respond to service disruptions.

Recent incidents

Apart from developing solutions, the taskforce will also review recent key incidents, namely the 15 service disruptions between Jul. 1 and Sep. 17 this year.

It will conduct full technical audits, which include the review of maintenance processes as well as staff training.

In addition, the taskforce will look into bringing forward the renewal programme for the North-East Line (NEL) power system.

It will also study ways to strengthen the signalling system for the NEL and Circle Line before renewal is due.

S$1 billion rail system

In March, then-Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said the government would invest up to S$1 billion over the next five years to strengthen rail capabilities and scale up tech adoption.

Under the New Rail Financing Framework, rail operators would be incentivised to deliver "good, reliable service", while those who do not perform could face financial penalties, he said.

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Top image from Jeffrey Siow/Facebook and Canva