Smrt: "vulnerabilities" at the bishan depot caused the security breaches
[h=1]SMRT: "VULNERABILITIES" AT THE BISHAN DEPOT CAUSED THE SECURITY BREACHES[/h]
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4 Dec 2014 - 5:34pm
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[photo credit: The Straits Times]
SMRT said there are "vulnerabilities" at its Bishan depot and this has resulted in the security breaches.
SMRT said that "The recent breaches point to vulnerabilities that must be addressed."
It pointed out that " the original open design of Bishan depot poses a number of unique challenges because of its size and full visibility from adjacent buildings".
It added, "We have noted that the 30-hectare Bishan depot, built on a concrete platform deck over swampy land which is the flood plain for the Kallang River, has a network of canals and drains running underneath.
This presents
vulnerabilities that are unique to the Bishan depot."
"SMRT has been working with the authorities to urgently address the identified points of vulnerability to further safeguard the depot and its transport assets, while keeping in mind the pertinent drainage considerations."
However, SMRT insisted that past security measures have worked well.
"(The depot) has a fencing perimeter of 6.5 km, and this has been reinforced with enhanced security features following the breach by vandals in 2011. These fences were not found to have been breached in the two recent cases in 2014.
"Further security measures were, however, put in place within the depot perimeter following the May 2014 graffiti incident.
"We are determined to ensure the adequacy of security measures at the Bishan depot."
SMRT also thanked the police for arresting the two men in relation to the graffiti incident and said that it was "grateful".
SMRT also said that it "shares the public concern and anxiety" over the recent security breaches.
"We will develop, together with national security agencies, an effective strategy that encompasses deterrence, vigilance and swift response against the prevailing threats."
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This year alone saw two incidents of train graffiti occur at the Bishan depot.
Following the May graffiti where SMRT suspected that an unhappy staff could have painted the graffiti, they suspected the same for last month's job as well, but the authorities have since arrested two Germans in connection with it.
The first graffiti happened in August 2011.
SMRT has been faced with numerous complaints over the past few years, from the increasing train delays this year to the more than one million dollars that has been paid to its CEO just over the past six months of work.
Commuters have also said that train service has not improved but transport fares have already risen twice this year and are set to rise against early next year. This is even though oil prices have fallen to its lowest in four years.