Independent team to assess North-South, East-West MRT lines

AN external team has been appointed to conduct an independent assessment of the power supply infrastructure and other railway trackside installations along the North-South (NS) and East-West (EW) MRT lines, following the disruption last Tuesday evening.

In a release, the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that a team of five experts from Sweden's engineering firm Parsons Brinkerhoff and Japan-based power supply company Meidensha have been brought in to establish the reason behind the power trip and to prevent it from recurring.

The independent assessment, which starts immediately, is due to be completed in August.

"They will also review the current condition of the power supply and trackside installations, as well as provide recommendations to enhance the overall system and its maintenance," the LTA said.

The team will be given access to the NSEW lines during non-service hours.

Over the past week, LTA and SMRT engineers have carried out systematic checks on all components of the NSEW system, such as trains, tracks and power systems, the LTA said.