Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) 大众快速交通 (地铁) Sistem Pengangkutan Gerak Cepat துரிதக் கடவு ரயில்
Background
Owner	Land Transport Authority
Locale	Singapore
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	4
Number of stations	102
Daily ridership	2.406 million (2011)
Operation
Began operation	November 7, 1987 (1987-11-07)
Operator(s)	SBS Transit (ComfortDelGro Corporation) SMRT Trains (SMRT Corporation)
Technical
System length	148.9 km (92.52 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

A diagram of the physical spread of the MRT network across the island (includes lines under construction).

The Mass Rapid Transit or MRT is a rapid transit system forming the major component of the railway system in Singapore, spanning the entire city-state. The initial section of the MRT, between Yio Chu Kang and Toa Payoh, opened in 1987, making it the second-oldest metro system in Southeast Asia, after Manila's LRT System. The network has since grown rapidly in accordance with Singapore's aim of developing a comprehensive rail network as the backbone of the public transport system in Singapore, with an average daily ridership of 2.406 million in 2011, approximately 71% of the bus network's 3.385 million in the same period.

The MRT network has 102 stations with 148.9 km (92.52 mi) of lines in operation, on standard gauge. The lines are built by the Land Transport Authority, a statutory board of the Government of Singapore, which allocates operating concessions to the profit-based corporations, SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit. These operators also run bus and taxi services, thus facilitating full integration of public transport services. The MRT is complemented by a small number of regional Light Rail Transit (LRT) network in Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol that link MRT stations with HDB public housing estates. Services operate from about 5:30 am and usually end before 1 a.m. daily with intervals of approximately three to eight minutes, and services extended during festive periods such as Chinese New Year.

History

Deputy Prime Minister, the late Mr Ong Teng Cheong opening the initial section of the MRT at Toa Payoh Station, 7 November 1987.

Main article: History of the Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

The origins of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) are derived from a forecast by city planners in 1967 which stated the need for a rail-based urban transport system by 1992. Following a debate on whether a bus-only system would be more cost-effective, Parliament came to the conclusion that an all-bus system would be inadequate, as it would have to compete for road space in a land-scarce country. The initial S$5 billion construction of the Mass Rapid Transit network was Singapore's largest public works project at the time, starting on 22 October 1983 at Shan Road. The network was built in stages, with the North South Line given priority because it passed through the Central Area that has a high demand for public transport. The Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC), later renamed as SMRT Corporation — was established on 14 October 1983; it took over the roles and responsibilities of the former provisional Mass Rapid Transit Authority. On 7 November 1987, the first section of the North South Line started operations, consisting of five stations over six kilometres. Fifteen more stations were opened later, and the MRT system was officially launched on 12 March 1988 by Lee Kuan Yew, then Prime Minister of Singapore. Another 21 stations were subsequently added to the system; the opening of Boon Lay on the East West Line on 6 July 1990 marked the completion of the system two years ahead of schedule.

The MRT has subsequently been expanded. This includes a S$1.2 billion expansion of the North South Line into Woodlands, completing a continuous loop on 10 February 1996. The concept of having rail lines that bring people almost directly to their homes led to the introduction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines connecting with the MRT network. On 6 November 1999, the first LRT trains on the Bukit Panjang LRT went into operation. In 2002, the Changi Airport and Expo stations were added to the MRT network. The North East Line (NEL), the first line operated by SBS Transit, opened on 20 June 2003, one of the first fully automated heavy rail lines in the world. On 15 January 2006, after intense lobbying by the public, Buangkok station was opened. The Boon Lay Extension, consisting of Pioneer and Joo Koon, began revenue service on 28 February 2009. On 28 May 2009, the first section of the Circle Line from Marymount Station to Bartley Station was opened. The second sections, from Tai Seng Station to Dhoby Ghaut Station, opened on 17 April 2010. The third sections, from Caldecott stations to Harbourfront station, opened on 8 October 2011. The Circle Line Extension from Promenade station to Marina Bay station, opened on 14 January 2012.

Infrastructure

Network

Line and livery		Opened / Estimated opening	Latest Extension	Terminal		Stations	Length (km)	Depot	Operator	Gauge	Voltage
Operational
North South Line		7 November 1987	2014	Jurong East	Marina Bay Marina South Pier (Future)	26	45	Bishan Depot Ulu Pandan Depot	SMRT Trains	1435 mm	DC 750 V third rail
East West Line		12 December 1987	2016	Pasir Ris Changi Airport	Joo Koon Tuas Link (Future) Tanah Merah	35	57.2	Ulu Pandan Depot Changi Depot Tuas Depot	SMRT Trains
North East Line		20 June 2003	2030	HarbourFront	Punggol	16	20	Sengkang Depot	SBS Transit		1500 V overhead lines
Circle Line		28 May 2009	2025	Dhoby Ghaut Marina Bay	Harbourfront Stadium	30†	35.7	Kim Chuan Depot	SMRT Trains		DC 750 V third rail
Under construction
Downtown Line		2013 (Stage 1) 2015 (Stage 2) 2017 (Stage 3)	2025	Bukit Panjang	Expo	34	42	Gali Batu Depot Kim Chuan Depot	SBS Transit	1435 mm	DC 750 V third rail
Under planning
Thomson Line		2019 (Phase 1) 2020 (Phase 2) 2021 (Phase 3)	N/A	Woodlands North	Gardens by the Bay	22	30	Mandai Depot	N/A	1435 mm	DC 750 V third rail
Eastern Region Line		2020	N/A	N/A	N/A	10	13	Changi Depot	N/A
Jurong Region Line		2025	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	20	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cross Island Line		2030	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	50	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
† excluding Bukit Brown, which is not operational.

An SMRT Active Route Map Information System panel showing the current location of an East-West train and upcoming stops. Taken in C151 101/102.

Facilities and services

Main article: Facilities on the Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

Except for the partly at-grade Bishan MRT Station, the entirety of the MRT is elevated or underground. Most below-ground stations are deep and hardened enough to withstand conventional aerial bomb attacks and to serve as bomb shelters. Mobile phone service is available in and between all stations on the entire MRT network. Underground stations and the trains themselves are air-conditioned, though some above-ground stations will have fans installed soon.

Every station is equipped with General Ticketing Machines (GTMs), a Passenger Service Centre, LED and plasma displays that show train service information and announcements. All stations are equipped with restrooms and payphones, although some restrooms are located at street level. Some stations, especially the major ones, have additional amenities and services, such as retail shops and kiosks, supermarkets, convenience stores, automatic teller machines, and self-service automated kiosks for a variety of services. Heavy-duty escalators at stations carry passengers up or down at a rate of 0.75 m/s, 50% faster than conventional escalators.

The older stations on the North South and East West lines were originally built with no accessibility facilities, such as lifts, ramps, tactile guidance systems (Braille tactiles on the floor surface), wider fare gates, or toilets for passengers with disabilities; authorities in the past actively discouraged use of their system by the disabled. Now, these facilities are being progressively installed as part of a programme to make all stations accessible to the elderly and to those with disabilities. All stations are now barrier-free, although works are still ongoing to provide stations with additional barrier-free facilities. On 7 March 2012, Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament that the installation of lifts at pedestrian overhead bridges next to six MRT stations and additional bicycle racks at 20 stations would be completed by end of 2013.

Trains parked at the bay of the Bishan Depot.

Depots

SMRT Corporation has four train depots: Bishan Depot is the central maintenance depot with train overhaul facilities, while Changi Depot and Ulu Pandan Depot inspect and house trains overnight. The underground Kim Chuan Depot houses trains for the Circle Line. Jurong East, Tanah Merah, Ang Mo Kio, and Paya Lebar (Circle Line) platforms were built with a third middle track for off-service trains to stop at before they return to their depots, but the first two are now used as terminals for the North South Line and the East West Line Changi Airport Branch Line respectively, and the last two as terminals for the North South Line special train and the Circle Line special train respectively. Sengkang Depot houses trains for the North East Line, the Sengkang LRT and the Punggol LRT, all operated by SBS Transit. It is the first depot to have structural provision for an industrial development located above the depot, to minimize land take. On 7 March 2012, Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament that a new depot for the North South and East West Lines (NSEWL) and Tuas West Extension would be ready in 2016, and the upgrading of the existing North South Line and East West Line (NSEWL) depots would be started and completed by 2014. In August, 2012, the LTA released tender documents for a new three-level depot at Changi to serve the East West Line, Downtown Line, and Eastern Region Line.

Expo Station, sited adjacent to the 100,000 square metre Singapore Expo exhibition facility, sports a futuristic design by Foster and Partners.

Architecture and art

Early stages of the MRT's construction paid relatively scant attention to station design, with an emphasis on functionality over aesthetics. This is particularly evident in the first few stages of the North South Line and the East West Line that opened between 1987 and 1988 from Yio Chu Kang Station to Clementi. An exception to this was Orchard, chosen by its designers to be a "showpiece" of the system and built initially with a domed roof. Architectural themes became a more important issue only in subsequent stages, and resulted in such designs as the cylindrical station shapes on all stations between Kallang and Pasir Ris except Eunos, and west of Boon Lay, and the perched roofs at Boon Lay, Lakeside, Chinese Garden, Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak, Choa Chu Kang, Khatib, Yishun and Eunos stations.

Art pieces, where present, are seldom highlighted; they primarily consist of a few paintings or sculptures representing the recent past of Singapore, mounted in major stations. The opening of the Woodlands Extension introduced bolder pieces of artwork, such as a 4,000 kg sculpture in Woodlands. With the opening of the North East Line, a series of artworks created under a programme called "The Art In Transit" were commissioned by the Land Transport Authority. Created by 19 local artists and integrated into the stations' interior architecture, these works aim to promote the appreciation of public art in high-traffic environments. The artwork for each station is designed to suit the station's identity. Only stations on the North East Line come under this programme. The Circle Line will also feature the Art in Transit scheme. An art contest was held by the authorities in preparation for a similar scheme to be implemented for the Circle Line.

Expo is on the Changi Airport Branch Line, is adjacent to the 100,000-square-metre Singapore Expo exhibition facility. Designed by Foster and Partners and completed in January 2001, the station features a large, pillarless, titanium-clad roof in an elliptical shape that sheathes the length of the station platform. This complements a smaller 40-metre reflective stainless-steel disc overlapping the titanium ellipse and visually floats over a glass elevator shaft and the main entrance. The other station with similar architecture is Dover.

Changi Airport, the easternmost station on the MRT network, has the widest platform in any underground MRT station in Singapore. It is rated 10 out of 15 most beautiful subway stops in the world in 2011.

Two Circle Line stations, Bras Basah and Stadium, were commissioned through the Marina Line Architectural Design Competition jointly organized by the Land Transport Authority and the Singapore Institute of Architects. The competition required no track record and is acknowledged by the industry as one of the most impartial competitions held in Singapore to date. The winner of both stations was WOHA. In 2009, "Best Transport Building" was awarded to the designers at WOHA Architects at the World Architecture Festival.

Expansion

The MRT system relied on its two main lines, namely the North South Line and East West Line, for more than a decade until the opening of the North East Line in 2003. While plans for these lines, as well as those currently under construction, were formulated long before, the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) publication of a White Paper titled "A World Class Land Transport System" in 1996 galvanised the government's intentions to greatly expand the system. The plans allow for the long-term replacement of the bus network by rail services as the primary mode of public transport. It called for the expansion of the 67 kilometres of track in 1995 to over 160 in 10 to 15 years, and envisaged further expansion in the longer term. It was expected that daily ridership in 2020 would grow to 4.6 million from the 1.4 million passengers at that time, though these projections would now apply to 2021 due to schedule slippage of the TSL.

Downtown Line (DTL)

Main article: Downtown MRT Line

Currently in various stages of construction, the 42-kilometre fully underground Downtown Line (DTL) passing through 34 stations will connect the northwestern and eastern regions of Singapore to the new downtown at Marina Bay in the south and to the Central Business District. Similar to the Circle Line, 3-car trainsets will run on the Downtown Line with line capacity for 500,000 commuters daily. It will be completed in three stages with Stages 1, 2 and 3 with operations planned to commence in late 2013, 2015 and 2017 respectively.

Eastern Region Line (ERL)

Main article: Eastern Region MRT Line

The 13 km (8.1 mi) Eastern Region Line (ERL) is tentatively planned to serve 10 stations. The ERL will run from Marina Bay, passing through Tanjong Rhu, Siglap, Marine Parade and Bedok before terminating at Changi. It will generally be parallel to and south of the East West Line. It will help to relieve crowding on the East West Line. The underground line is expected to be completed by 2020.

Thomson Line (TSL)

Main article: Thomson MRT Line

The sixth Mass Rapid Transit and the fourth fully automatic and driverless system line in Singapore. The whole line will be completely underground. It is now under final stages of the advance engineering study. Opening in three phases, starting from 2019 onwards, Thomson Line will add greatly to the accessibility and connectivity of the current rail network, with interchanges to all other five MRT lines.

North South Line Extension (NSLe)

Main article: North South MRT Line

A 1 km one station extension from Marina Bay initially due for completion in 2015, but is brought forward by a year to 2014. The new Marina South Pier will be located near the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore in Marina Bay.

Tuas West Extension (TWE)

Main article: East West MRT Line

The Tuas West Extension is an extension of the East West Line from Joo Koon to Tuas Link. The stations — Gul Circle, Tuas Crescent, Tuas West Road and Tuas Link  — will extend MRT connectivity to the Tuas area and is expected to serve more than 100,000 commuters daily.

Jurong Region Line (JRL)

Main article: Jurong Region MRT Line

Proposed as a LRT line, Jurong Region Line will be the eighth line to be built by 2025. It will serve West Coast, Tengah and Choa Chu Kang, besides just Jurong when originally announced in 2001.

Cross Island Line (CRL)

Main article: Cross Island MRT Line

A 50 km line spanning across Singapore. The addition of the new line brings commuters with another alternative for East-West travel to the current East West Line. It will also connect to all the other major lines to serve as a key transfer line, complementing the role currently fulfilled by the orbital Circle Line. As a conclusion, it will relieve the load on several of the existing lines, bringing greater comfort to all commuters and significantly shorten journey times.

Circle Line Stage 6

Main article: Circle MRT Line

To be completed by 2025, the 4 km extension will run from Marina Bay through Keppel, ending at HarbourFront.

Downtown Line Extension

Main article: Downtown MRT Line

To be completed by 2025, the extension will run from Expo and through East Coast area.

North East Line Extension

Main article: North East MRT Line

To be completed by 2030, the 2 km extension will run from Punggol through Punggol North including the new Punggol Downtown. The extension is for future residents in Punggol North to have train access to the city centre as well as other parts of Singapore.

Rolling stock

A C751B train at Eunos MRT Station.

Four types of rolling stock are used on the North South and East West Lines (NSEWL). They are powered by 750-volt DC third rail, operate in sets of six cars, and use an automatic train operation system (ATO) that is similar to London Underground's Victoria Line.

The majority of the fleet comprises 66 six-car C151 trains; these are the oldest trains in operation. They were built between 1986 and 1989 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in consortium with Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation and Kinki Sharyo for S$581.5 million. A S$142.7 million refurbishment of these trains' interior was completed in 2009. 19 more six-car C651 trains, manufactured by Siemens in Vienna, were bought in 1994 when the Woodlands extension opened.

The French-manufactured Alstom Metropolis C830 are the second newest trains currently operating on the MRT network.

A further 21 six-car C751B trains have been running on the NSEWL since 2000. Kawasaki Heavy Industries manufactured 66 cars and Nippon Sharyo manufactured 60 cars. The cars have a sleeker design and an improved passenger information system, more grab poles, wider seats, more space near the doors, and spaces for wheelchairs. As these trains were originally intended to operate on a direct service from Boon Lay to Changi Airport, luggage racks were installed for air travellers. However, in April 2002, faulty gearboxes forced all 21 train-sets to be taken out of use, and the service was temporarily suspended. The direct service was scrapped in July 2003 and the luggage racks removed.

25 six-car fully automatic and driverless C751A trains have been running on the North East Line since 2003. These trains are running on 1500 volts direct current supplied via overhead lines and are the first MRT trains in Singapore to incorporate CCTV. Alstom Transportation of France was contracted by the Land Transport Authority in 1997 and 1998 to supply these cars. A further 40 three-car fully automatic and driverless C830 trains began operation on the Circle Line on 28 May 2009. Unlike their C751A counterparts, these trains run on 750-volt DC supplied via third rail.

The C151A trains are the fourth generations trains, manufactured by a consortium comprising Kawasaki Heavy Industries and CSR Qingdao Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock. All have been delivered and on revenue service since February 2012. After the 15 & 17 December disruptions, SMRT suspected that the extra weight from the train might have caused the disruptions. Since then, these trains has not been on the North South Line, except these trains will return back to Bishan Depot if needs major maintenance overhaul which Changi and Ulu Pandan depots cannot provide. Another 78 cars (13 trainsets) of C151A trains are in production, to be delivered by 2014.

73 three-car fully automatic and driverless C951 "Movia" trains will run on the Downtown Line in 2013, with initial deliveries scheduled for the last quarter of 2012 and the final deliveries for 2016. These trains will run on 750-volt DC supplied by third rail. On 12 October 2012, the first of 11 trains for the Downtown Line Stage 1 arrived at Jurong Port and transported to Kim Chuan Depot to undergo testing by LTA before it is handed over to SBS Transit.

A contract for 18 additional North East Line trains and 24 additional Circle Line trains called Contract C751C and Contract C830C respectively has been awarded to Alstom Transport S.A/Alstom Transport (S) Pte Ltd for S$234.9 million and S$134 million respectively. These trains will be named as Alstom Metropolis C751C and Alstom Metropolis C830C.

132 cars of Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CSR Sifang C151B, with the turnkey Contract C151B, was awarded to Kawasaki Heavy Industries at a price of S$281,508,884.00. These 22 new trains will be used on the North South and East West lines, and Tuas West Extension.

Fares and ticketing

Main article: Fares and ticketing on the Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

General Ticketing Machines (GTM) at Expo station, where passengers can purchase a Standard Ticket, or add value to their EZ-Link card.

Stations are divided into two areas, paid and unpaid, which allow the rail operators to collect fares by restricting entry only through the fare gates, also known as access control gates. These gates, connected to a computer network, can read and update electronic tickets capable of storing data, and can store information such as the initial and destination stations and the duration for each trip. General Ticketing Machines sell tickets for single trips or allow the customer to buy additional value for stored-value tickets. Tickets for single trips, coloured in green, are valid only on the day of purchase, and have a time allowance of 30 minutes beyond the estimated travelling time. Tickets that can be used repeatedly until their expiry date require a minimum amount of stored credit.

As the fare system has been integrated by TransitLink, commuters need to pay only one fare and pass through two fare gates (once on entry, once on exit) for an entire journey, even when transferring between lines operated by different companies. Commuters can choose to extend a trip mid-journey, and pay the difference when they exit their destination station.

Fares

Because the rail operators are government-assisted, profit-based corporations, fares on the MRT system are pitched to at least break-even level. The operators collect these fares by selling electronic data-storing tickets, the prices of which are calculated based on the distance between the start and destination stations. These prices increase in fixed stages for standard non-discounted travel. Fares are calculated in increments based on approximate distances between stations, in contrast to the use of fare zones in other subway systems, such as the London Underground.

Although operated by private companies, the system's fare structure is regulated by the Public Transport Council (PTC), to which the operators submit requests for changes in fares. Fares are kept affordable by pegging them approximately to distance-related bus fares, thus encouraging commuters to use the network and reduce its heavy reliance on the bus system. Fare increases over the past few years have caused public concern, the latest one having taken effect from 1 October 2008. There were similar expressions of disapproval over the slightly higher fares charged on SBS Transit's North East Line, a disparity that SBS Transit justified by citing higher costs of operation and maintenance on a completely underground line, as well as lower patronage.

Ticketing

Main articles: EZ-Link, NETS, and CEPAS

The ticketing system uses the EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay contactless smart cards based upon the Symphony for e-Payment (SeP) system for public transit built on the Singapore Standard for Contactless ePurse Application (CEPAS) system. This system allows for up to 4 card issuers in the market. The EZ-Link card was introduced on 13 April 2002 as a replacement for the original TransitLink farecard, while its competitor the NETS FlashPay card entered the smartcard market on 9 October 2009.

An adult EZ-Link card may be bought for S$12, inclusive of a S$5 non-refundable card cost and a S$7 credit. The card may be obtained at any TransitLink Ticket Office or Passenger Service Centre. The card may also be used for payment for goods and services at merchants displaying the "EZ-Link" logo, Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) tolls, and Electronic Parking System carparks. Additional credit may be purchased at any General Ticketing Machine (GTM), Add Value Machine (AVM), TransitLink Ticket Office, Passenger Service Centre, AXS Station, DBS/POSB Automatic Teller Machine (ATM), online via a card reader purchased separately, or selected merchants. Additional credit of a predetermined value may also be automatically purchased whenever the card value is low via an automatic recharge service provided by Interbank GIRO or through a manual application at the TransitLink Ticket Office or credit card online. An option for EZ-Link Season Pass for unlimited travel on buses and trains is available for purchase and is non-transferable. Its main competitor, the NETS FlashPay card, may be purchased for at least S$12 for the payment of transport fares in Singapore and at merchants displaying the "NETS FlashPay" logo.

A Standard Ticket contactless smart card for single trips may also be purchased between S$2 and S$4 (inclusive of a S$1 refundable card deposit) for the payment of MRT and LRT fares. The card may be purchased only at the GTM. The deposit may also be retrieved by returning the card to the GTM within 30 days from the date of issue or donated to charity by depositing it in a collection box at any station. This card cannot be recharged with additional credit.

For tourists, a Singapore Tourist Pass contactless smartcard may be purchased from S$18 (inclusive of a S$10 refundable card deposit and a 1-day pass). The card may be bought at selected TransitLink Ticket Offices and Singapore Visitors Centres. The deposit may be retrieved by returning the card to selected TransitLink Ticket Offices and Singapore Visitors Centres within 5 days from the date of issue.

Safety

Main article: Safety on the Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

Platform screen doors at Dhoby Ghaut Station on the North South Line.

Operators and authorities state that numerous measures have been taken to ensure the safety of passengers, and SBS Transit publicised the safety precautions on the driverless North East Line before and after its opening. Safety campaign posters are highly visible in trains and stations, and the operators frequently broadcast safety announcements to passengers and to commuters waiting for trains. Fire safety standards are consistent with the strict guidelines of the US National Fire Protection Association. Platform screen doors are installed at all underground stations, with Half-Height Platform Screen Doors (HHPSDs) currently being built at all above-ground stations. These prevent suicides, enable climate control in stations, and prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas. Above-ground stations have open platforms, with a wide yellow line drawn 70 cm from each platform edge requiring passengers to stand at a safe distance from arriving trains (or face a fine). Under the Rapid Transit Systems Act, acts such as smoking, eating or drinking on stations and trains, the misuse of emergency equipment and trespassing on the railway tracks are illegal, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.

Safety concerns were raised among the public after several accidents on the system during the 1980s and 1990s, but most problems have been rectified. On 5 August 1993, two trains collided at Clementi station because of an oil spillage on the track, which resulted in 132 injuries. There were calls for platform screen doors to be installed at above-ground stations after several incidents in which passengers were killed by oncoming trains when they fell on to the railway tracks at above-ground stations. The authorities initially rejected the proposal by casting doubts over functionality and concerns about the high installation costs, but made an about-turn when the government announced plans to install Half-Height Platform Screen Doors (HHPSDs) in a speech on 25 January 2008, citing lower costs due to its becoming a more common feature worldwide. The HHPSDs were first installed on the platforms of Jurong East station (original platforms), Pasir Ris station and Yishun station in 2009 as trials, and all other elevated stations (together with Jurong East station for JEMP platforms) will have platform screen doors installed eventually. On 7 March 2012, Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament that all remaining elevated stations on NSEWL would be fitted with HHPSDs by March 2012, and its already 25 years for the North South and East West lines that both opened in 1987. A preliminary implementation plan for railway noise mitigation is to be developed by the third quarter of 2012. As of 14 March 2012, all above-ground stations on the North South and East West Lines are installed with HHPSDs and operational.

Security

Main article: Security on the Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

Closed-circuit television cameras monitor activities at City Hall MRT Station. Real-time video feed is broadcast and shown at the station concourse.

Security concerns related to crime and terrorism were not high on the agenda of the system's planners at its inception. However, after the Madrid train bombings in 2004 and the foiled plot to bomb the Yishun MRT Station, the operators deployed private, unarmed guards to patrol station platforms and check the belongings of commuters.

Recorded announcements are frequently made to remind passengers to report suspicious activity and not to leave their belongings unattended. Digital closed-circuit cameras (CCTVs) have been upgraded with recording-capability at all stations and trains operated by SMRT Corporation. Trash bins and mail boxes have been removed from station platforms and concourse levels to station entrances, to eliminate the risk that bombs will be placed in them. Photography without permission was also banned in all MRT stations since the Madrid bombings, but it was not in the official statement in any public transport security reviews.

On 14 April 2005 the Singapore Police Force announced plans to step up rail security by establishing a specialised Police MRT Unit. These armed officers began overt patrols on the MRT and LRT systems on 15 August 2005, conducting random patrols in pairs in and around rail stations and within trains. They are trained and authorised to use their firearms at their discretion, including deadly force if deemed necessary. On 8 January 2006, a major civil exercise involving over 2,000 personnel from 22 government agencies, codenamed Exercise Northstar V, simulating bombing and chemical attacks at Dhoby Ghaut, Toa Payoh, Raffles Place and Marina Bay MRT stations was conducted. Thirteen stations were closed and about 3,400 commuters were affected during the three-hour exercise.

Security concerns were brought up by the public when two incidents of vandalism at train depots occurred within two years. In both incidents, graffiti on the affected trains were discovered after they entered revenue service. The first incident, on 17 May 2010, involved a breach in the perimeter fence of Changi Depot and resulted in the imprisonment and caning of a Swiss citizen, and an Interpol arrest warrant for his accomplice. The train involved was C151 047/048. SMRT Corporation received a S$50,000 fine by the Land Transport Authority for the first security breach. Measures were put in place by the Public Transport Security Committee to enhance depot security in light of the first incident, but works were yet to be completed by SMRT Corporation when the second incident, on 17 August 2011, involving C751B trainset 311/312, occurred at Bishan Depot.

On 22 November 2012, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) carried out a ground deployment exercise with SMRT to test their incident management plans in the event of a train service disruption. In total, about 135 personnel including representatives from the Singapore Police Force's Transport Command (TransCom) and SBS Transit participated in the exercise. Train service continued as per normal and commuters were not affected by the exercise. Codenamed 'Exercise Greyhound', the exercise went through the scenario of a broken rail on the East West Line at Buona Vista. SMRT had also activated their Rail Incident Management Plan.

Rules and restrictions

Like the rest of Singapore, the MRT has numerous and strict penalties. Eating or drinking on any mass transit in Singapore results in a S$500 fine, while flammable goods result in one totaling S$5000. Smoking in any of these locations will cause a S$1000 fine.

A sign showing penalties on MRT stations and trains

Significant accidents and incidents

2011 disruptions

Main article: 2011 Singapore MRT disruptions

In 2011, many Singapore Mass Rapid Transit train services were disrupted.

North East Line (NEL)

• March 15, 2012 – Train services disrupted, between 6.30 am to 4.35 pm, on North East Line between Harbourfront and Dhoby Ghaut stations due to a power supply fault.
• August 17, 2012 – Train services along the whole stretch of North East Line disrupted due to a power supply fault and a subsequent signalling fault. This was due to a broken U-bolt which caused train delays throughout the day.
• 10 January 2013 – Train services in both directions on the North East Line was disrupted due to a power fault, between 9.50 a.m. to 4.35 p.m..

Financial penalties

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) intends to impose financial penalties amounting to S$400,000 on SBS Transit for the train service disruption along the North East Line on 15 March 2012.

Circle Line (CCL)

Nicoll Highway collapse

Main article: Nicoll Highway collapse

The Nicoll Highway collapse was a construction accident that occurred at approximately 3.30 pm on 20 April 2004 in Singapore when a tunnel being constructed for use by MRT trains collapsed. The tunnel was part of the construction of the underground Circle Line, near the Nicoll Highway. The supporting structure for the deep excavation work failed, resulting in a 30-metre (100 ft) deep cave-in that spread across six lanes of Nicoll Highway. The collapse killed four people and injured three. The accident has delayed the construction end date for the MRT station.

Downtown Line (DTL)

Evans Road casualty accident

On 11 March 2012, a worker was killed at a site between Botanic Gardens and Stevens stations after a concrete slab fell on him. 35-year-old Masud Al Mamun was operating an excavator deep in the ground when the slab fell on him. Rescuers had to use a breaking tool kit to break a portion of the concrete slab. It took nearly five hours to reach the man lying motionless on the ground. This is the first casualty case in the construction of the Downtown Line.

Bugis casualty accident

On July 18, 2012, two Chinese workers died after a temporary scaffolding, about four metres high, used for the construction of the new Downtown Line Bugis station subway link roof slab gave way. The incident happened at about 6.50 am. The eight other injured workers who were working on top of the structure, were sent to the nearby Raffles Hospital before rescuers arrived.

See also

• Light Rail Transit
• List of metro systems
• List of Singapore MRT stations
• Murals in Singapore
• Transport in Singapore

References

Academic publications

• Sock, Y.P. and Walder, Jay H. (1999). Singapore's Public Transport. 

Corporate and governmental sources

• Sharp, Ilsa (2005). The Journey — Singapore's Land Transport Story. SNP:Editions. ISBN 981-248-101-X. 
• Land Transport Authority, Singapore (2 January 1996). A World Class Land Transport System — White Paper presented to Parliament. ISBN 9971-88-488-7. 
• Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore (1993). Stored Value — A Decade of the MRTC. ISBN 981-00-5034-8. 
• Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore (1988). The MRT Story. ISBN 981-00-0251-3. 
• Singapore MRT Limited (1987). MRT Guide Book. ISBN 981-00-0150-9. 
• Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) and Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) (1987). Mass Rapid Transit System : Proceedings of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Conference, Singapore 6–9 April 1987. ISBN 9971-84-636-5. 

External links

Library resources
About Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)
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