Advisory panel suggests longer scheduled MRT closures in Singapore to speed up rail works

An international panel of rail experts has suggested that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) carry out longer planned shutdowns of segments of the rail network so that critical maintenance and renewal works can be done safely and efficiently.

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan Correspondent

"As Singapore's network grows and ages, maintenance and renewal activities will have to pick up in pace," Dr Tony Lee said on Nov 18.

He was speaking on behalf of the five-member independent advisory panel supporting a task force in improving the reliability of Singapore's MRT and LRT networks.

Renewing several critical systems simultaneously while managing day-to-day rail operations poses challenges, said Dr Lee, and the works will need to be carefully planned and spread out.

At present, available hours for such works after train services end are short, he noted. Generally, up to four hours a night are available.

Dr Lee, a former operations and innovation director at Hong Kong public transport operator MTR Corporation, is part of the panel appointed in October to advise the task force.

The task force was set up after at least 15 delays and interruptions across the MRT and LRT networks between July and September.

Chaired by LTA chief executive Ng Lang, it includes the heads of rail operators SMRT and SBS Transit.

The five rail experts on the panel are in Singapore from Nov 17 to 21 to meet LTA, SMRT and SBS Transit, the three organisations said in a statement on Nov 18. It is the first time the experts have come together in Singapore.