http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_407384.html
Services disrupted 92 times
Among the 92 disruptions, 79 occurred on SMRT train services and the remaining 13 on SBS Transit services. SMRT currently runs three of the four MRT lines here. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM
MRT train services were disrupted 92 times over the last three years, but public transport operators were found liable in only one instance.
In the other incidents, train operators were not found to be negligent and did not flout the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) operating performance standards, which requires 98 per cent of train services to be available every month.
The biggest fine was dealt in March last year when SMRT was made to pay more than $380,000 due to a seven-hour disruption that affected more than 57,000 commuters.
In a written reply to Parliament on Monday, Transport Minister Raymond Lim said that 30 of the 92 disruptions lasted for more than half an hour.
But out of the 30, 12 disruptions were a result of people crossing train tracks while 17 were caused by equipment faults.
One incident was caused by a passenger who had pushed the emergency button.
Mr Lim gave these numbers in response to a question from MP Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade GRC), who wanted to know the causes of train disruptions and how they could be prevented.
Among the 92 disruptions, 79 occurred on SMRT train services and the remaining 13 on SBS Transit services. SMRT currently runs three of the four MRT lines here.
Overall, equipment faults accounted for the majority of the disruptions to train services here, said the LTA.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, thinks the number of train service disruptions here is still within the acceptable limit. But he urges transport companies to tackle future faults as quickly as possible.
YEO GHIM LAY
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
Services disrupted 92 times
Among the 92 disruptions, 79 occurred on SMRT train services and the remaining 13 on SBS Transit services. SMRT currently runs three of the four MRT lines here. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM
MRT train services were disrupted 92 times over the last three years, but public transport operators were found liable in only one instance.
In the other incidents, train operators were not found to be negligent and did not flout the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) operating performance standards, which requires 98 per cent of train services to be available every month.
The biggest fine was dealt in March last year when SMRT was made to pay more than $380,000 due to a seven-hour disruption that affected more than 57,000 commuters.
In a written reply to Parliament on Monday, Transport Minister Raymond Lim said that 30 of the 92 disruptions lasted for more than half an hour.
But out of the 30, 12 disruptions were a result of people crossing train tracks while 17 were caused by equipment faults.
One incident was caused by a passenger who had pushed the emergency button.
Mr Lim gave these numbers in response to a question from MP Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade GRC), who wanted to know the causes of train disruptions and how they could be prevented.
Among the 92 disruptions, 79 occurred on SMRT train services and the remaining 13 on SBS Transit services. SMRT currently runs three of the four MRT lines here.
Overall, equipment faults accounted for the majority of the disruptions to train services here, said the LTA.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, thinks the number of train service disruptions here is still within the acceptable limit. But he urges transport companies to tackle future faults as quickly as possible.
YEO GHIM LAY
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
