Independent 5-member panel to advise task force on improving rail reliability

They comprise rail professionals with experience in key roles in engineering and management

- Esther Loi

A five-member independent advisory panel comprising rail experts from across the globe has been appointed to support a new task force in improving the reliability of Singapore's MRT and LRT networks.

The panel is made up of seasoned leaders who have had experience in key engineering and management roles in the rail sector around the world, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and public transport operators SMRT and SBS Transit said in a statement on Oct 6.

The panel's experience covers critical areas such as the operation, management and maintenance of core rail systems - expertise "essential to ensuring a safe, efficient and reliable rail network", they added.

The members of the panel are:

• Dr Tony Lee Kar Yun, former operations and innovation director at Hong Kong public transport operator MTR Corporation. He has four decades of experience in railway engineering systems, and oversaw MTR's asset performance and management, as well as operational safety and quality.

• Mr Patrick Bauchart, former vice-president for urban rail signalling in Asia at French signalling system provider Thales. He has nearly 40 years of experience, and in his Thales role, was in charge of major metro projects in signalling and fare collection, as well as the integration of rail systems.