LTA, SMRT and SBS Transit formed a Rail Reliability Task Force on September 19, 2025. The move follows declining MRT service performance across Singapore’s transport network.
MRT reliability dropped to its lowest point since 2020. The network averaged 1.6 million train-kilometres between delays lasting more than five minutes during the 12-month period ending June 2025.
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LTA chief executive Ng Lang leads the task force. Members include SMRT Group CEO Ngien Hoon Ping, SBS Transit Group CEO Jeffrey Sim, and technical specialists from the rail sector.
The group will report findings regularly to Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow. Final recommendations are due by end-2025.
Asset Renewal and System Reviews Take Priority
The task force will examine recent train disruption incidents. This review will identify components nearing end-of-life status that need replacement, upgrading or increased maintenance.
Priority actions include advancing the North East Line power system renewal programme. The group will also review methods to strengthen signalling systems for the North East Line and Circle Line.
Technical audits will cover maintenance and operations across critical systems. These include power, signalling, train and track components. Asset conditions, maintenance processes, operational procedures and staff training programmes will undergo examination.
Service recovery improvements form a key part of the task force’s work. The goal is reducing impact on commuters during disruptions. Procedures will be reviewed to speed up service recovery, including cutting the number of detrainments that slow recovery while maintaining commuter safety.
Training programmes will be assessed to confirm ground officers can handle service recovery during incidents.
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said he tasked LTA to work with train operators on speeding up asset upgrades, conducting joint technical audits and improving service recovery procedures.
September Records Peak Disruption Month
Singapore’s rail network faced at least six major disruptions in September 2025. This followed four incidents in July and five in August.
Recent incidents included a Thomson-East Coast Line signal fault on September 17 that disrupted services for about two hours between Woodlands North and Bayshore stations.
A signalling fault on the East-West Line hit services between Aljunied and Tanah Merah stations around 11pm on September 16. A train fault on the North-South Line caused a 40-minute delay on September 14.
SBS Transit’s Punggol LRT experienced a system fault on September 13 that disrupted services across all 15 stations. A train fault led to North-South Line disruption between Yishun and Woodlands stations on September 2.
The Circle Line had a train fault on September 1 causing delays between Promenade and Marina Bay stations.
Operators Respond as Government Boosts Investment
SMRT president of trains Lam Sheau Kai maintains recent disruptions are “isolated cases, not systemic issues.” He said staff acted swiftly to prioritise commuter safety and deploy recovery measures.
The company will conduct a detailed rail asset assessment and strengthen lifecycle management of its rail system.
The government allocated an additional S$1 billion over five years to strengthen rail capabilities, scale up technology adoption and support worker skills upgrading.
