Safety Measures when Personal Mobility Devices Catch Fire on Public Buses or Trains

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport what safety measures are in place in the event that a personal mobility device or a personal mobility aid catches fire on public trains or buses.

Commuters must not bring any items that may pose fire risks on to Mass Rapid Transit trains and buses. Only approved Active Mobility Devices that comply with the relevant size limits can be brought on to trains and buses. Power-assisted bicycles and motorised personal mobility devices must also be powered off completely, with foldable devices folded at all times.

I would like to assure the Member that all of our trains and buses have passenger compartments that are built using non-combustible materials to minimise the spread of fire. Our train stations and tunnels are also compliant with the relevant fire safety codes, and are equipped with systems to facilitate the safe evacuation of commuters in emergency situations.

In the event of a fire, our rail and bus operators have established standard operating procedures (SOPs) to respond to the situation. Our rail and bus operators will prioritise the safe evacuation of all commuters. All trains and buses are equipped with fire extinguishers, and public transport staff are trained to use them. Our operators conduct regular emergency drills and exercises, in collaboration with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, to ensure that their staff are familiar with SOPs and are well-prepared to handle fire incidents.