SMRT to face S$1.9m in fines for 2 incidents in 2016 and 2017
One resulted in the death of 2 trainees, while the other was the tunnel flooding last year which affected 230,000 passengers
Singapore
RAIL operator SMRT faces fines totalling S$1.9 million for two incidents - an accident in March 2016 which resulted in the death of two SMRT trainees and the flooding incident in October last year which disrupted train services for about 231,000 passengers.
In a statement on Friday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that in the 2016 case, investigations found the SMRT work team had not complied with operating procedures for track access during train service hours. "These lapses were further compounded by inadequate supervision of MRT operations at the time of the accident," it said, adding that the operator had failed to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of employees.
On March 22 2016, two SMRT trainees were hit by a train while they were on the railway tracks as they investigated a possible signalling fault between Tampines and Pasir Ris stations.
SMRT will be fined S$400,000 for this incident.
In the case of last October's flooding incident, LTA's investigations found SMRT "fully responsible", as it could have been prevented if the Bishan storm water sump pit and its pumping system had been properly maintained.
The authority said it intended to issue a fine of S$1.5 million to SMRT for the incident under the Rapid Transit Systems Act. "In assessing the penalty amount for each of the two incidents, LTA has considered all facts and the severity of the incidents. LTA will also consider any other mitigating facts which the operator may raise as part of the due process for the imposition of the financial penalties," it said, adding that the fines collected will go to the Public Transport Fund to help needy families with transport fares.
The LTA added that last November's collision between two trains at the Joo Koon station was due to a problem with the signalling system and not by SMRT's actions.
SMRT in a statement on Friday apologised for the incidents and said it was committed to "doing all we can to prevent future incidents from happening".
It said that since the incidents, it has implemented various measures and adopted the Kaizen methodology to continually strengthen and enhance its systems and staff management.
SMRT added that it has also been "working closely with LTA to improve the reliability, maintainability and safety of the MRT network, as well as to enhance network resilience and robustness".
"In recent months, trains have been running more smoothly, providing better journeys to our commuters. SMRT is fully committed to our mission of providing safe, secure and reliable services to commuters," said SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming.
