Debated in Parliament on 19 Jan 2015.
Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport what are the measures imposed on MRT train operators to ensure that there are no security breaches at the train depot.
The incident of vandalism that occurred on 5 May 2014 is still being investigated and details cannot be disclosed at this juncture. As for the incident on 8 November 2014, the Police announced on 21 November 2014 the arrest of two German nationals. Further details cannot be disclosed as the trial is ongoing.
Following the incidents, Land Transport Authority (LTA) had directed both operators to review their security measures and to take immediate steps to remedy any gaps and vulnerabilities found within the depots. Amongst others, SMRT has secured the potential entry points via the drainage system and further enhanced its security patrols. LTA has also reminded the two operators to ensure that pre-operation checks of both train interiors and exteriors continue to be conducted prior to their launch for service in the morning.
The Ministry takes a serious view of security breaches. LTA, as the chair of the Public Transport Security Committee, is working with the relevant agencies and the public transport operators to review the security of all our train depots, as well as other critical infrastructure in the public transport system. Specifically for MRT depots, LTA’s Code of Practice sets out the baseline security standards with which PTOs are expected to comply, such as specifications for the perimeter fencing, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance and the lighting of the depot. To further enhance the security of the MRT network, LTA intends to introduce new security-related standards within the Operating Performance Standards (OPS) which all operators are required to meet under their existing licences. If the operators do not comply with the OPS, they can be penalised up to $1 million, or 10% of the licensee’s annual fare revenue of the affected rail system, whichever is higher.
PAPERCUTS