Rail task force calls for more MRT and LRT backup systems, prioritising renewal

It also suggests full-day service closures to shorten time taken to renew core systems

- Aqil Hamzah

Workers replacing a section of rail at Buangkok MRT station on Nov 15. Automation can be used more widely to supplement the work of rail workers when carrying out maintenance, the task force said. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

(ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI)

A task force looking into solutions to improve the reliability of Singapore's rail network has submitted its report to Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow.

Comprising senior leaders from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operators SMRT and SBS Transit, and advised by a team of industry experts, the group found that the underlying causes of various rail disruptions between July and September were unrelated.

However, there were several areas for improvement, LTA and the rail operators said in a statement on Dec 30.

One suggestion was for more backup or bypass systems, as well as procedures that would allow train operations to resume more quickly after a minor fault.

The task force also recommended that the renewal of trains and signalling and power systems - all of which are core systems - should be prioritised.

The time needed to renew these systems should be shortened, the statement said, adding that more engineering hours should be set aside to achieve this.

This includes rolling out full-day service closures.

The use of technology and data was also emphasised.

More comprehensive and standardised condition monitoring can be carried out across the rail network, alongside ensuring spare parts are available when needed.

This, the task force said, would enable preemptive maintenance and the replacement of critical components to be done more quickly.

Automation can also be used more widely to supplement the work of rail workers when carrying out maintenance.