SINGAPORE: Netizens voiced scepticism over the Land Transport Authority’s new task force to address train disruptions, questioning its effectiveness.
Many argued that forming more committees would not solve systemic issues and called for stronger leadership accountability and concrete solutions. Others demanded clarity on the task force’s KPIs and criticised authorities for repeatedly denying deeper problems in the rail system.
On 19 September, the LTA said it would form a joint rail reliability task force with train operators SMRT and SBS Transit following a spate of breakdowns across multiple lines.
The task force will be chaired by LTA chief executive Ng Lang and include SMRT Group chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping, SBS Transit Group chief executive Jeffrey Sim, as well as technical specialists from across the rail sector.
It will report its findings to Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow on a regular basis, with final recommendations expected by the end of 2025.
Focus on Ageing Components and System Renewal
The group will review recent disruption incidents to identify components nearing the end of their operational lifespan and requiring replacement, upgrading, or more intensive maintenance.
Plans include bringing forward the renewal programme for the North East Line’s power system.
In the shorter term, the task force will also examine ways to strengthen signalling on both the North East Line and Circle Line before major renewals are due.
Technical Audits and Service Recovery
According to the joint statement, full technical audits will be conducted on maintenance and operations across critical systems.
These will cover asset conditions, maintenance processes, operational procedures, redundancy protocols, and staff training standards.
The task force will also study service recovery processes with the aim of reducing the time needed to resume operations after disruptions.
This includes evaluating methods to minimise detrainments—where commuters must be evacuated from stalled trains—which often lengthen recovery time, while ensuring safety is not compromised.
Training regimes for ground officers will also be reviewed to strengthen the effectiveness of recovery efforts during incidents.
Government Investment in Rail Reliability
Authorities announced that an additional S$1 billion has been set aside over the next five years to bolster rail reliability.
The funding will go towards technology adoption, asset renewal, and skills upgrading for rail workers.
Public Scepticism
The announcement has drawn scepticism online, with many netizens questioning its usefulness and calling instead for accountability and concrete solutions.
On social media platforms such as Reddit, as well as Facebook posts by CNA and The Straits Times, users expressed doubt that another committee would solve Singapore’s recurring train disruptions.
One user likened the task force to “a bunch of kids at the playground playing masak-masak, splitting into little teams, each group busy with their own task, but all part of the same game.”
Another user wrote that despite the many task forces already formed, breakdowns still occur frequently.
The user questioned the effectiveness of the new initiative, saying: “How to trust that with this new task force it will get better? So prove it first so we can trust you.”
Questions were also raised about accountability and measurable outcomes.
Some users asked what the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the task force would be, and what steps would be taken if the group failed to address the issue.
Calls for Accountability Instead of More Committees
Others argued that a task force was unnecessary, saying responsibility should fall on leaders of the transport organisations themselves.
One user commented that there was no need to form task forces repeatedly, and that the authorities should instead fix the accountability problem.
The user said the government should list out who would be responsible when a breakdown happens, rather than hiding in an ivory tower and acting as if nothing occurred.
“Once someone or some people are accountable for such things, the problem will be fixed faster than any task force.”
Another user added that no task force should be needed, as the government ought to automatically trigger the upgrading programme ahead of time before the situation deteriorates.
Some suggested that the LTA should pay closer attention to technical staff and commuter feedback instead of forming new committees.
One user criticised the authorities for repeatedly denying systemic issues, saying the leaders refused to admit their incompetence.
The user argued that they should set aside their ego, invite rail experts as consultants, and implement the consultants’ advice.
String of Recent Disruptions
The announcement follows a series of disruptions across Singapore’s MRT and LRT systems in recent weeks.
On 17 September, services on the Thomson–East Coast Line were disrupted for about two hours due to a signal fault.
The disruption occurred less than 12 hours after a power supply fault on the East–West Line affected six stations on the night of 16 September.
Earlier, on 13 September, Punggol LRT services were halted for three hours due to a system fault that prevented trains from leaving the depot.
On 2 September, a train fault caused a 25-minute delay on the North–South Line between Woodlands and Yishun stations.
In August, multiple prolonged incidents took place.
On 12 August, a power failure suspended services on the Sengkang–Punggol LRT for five hours, followed by another three-hour suspension across 29 stations on 15 August.
On 6 August, the East–West Line experienced a five-hour breakdown.
The problems stretched back to July, when the Thomson–East Coast Line faced an hour-long disruption from a signalling fault, while the Bukit Panjang LRT suffered two suspensions due to power problems.
Train Systems Complex, Says Acting Minister
In a Facebook post on 19 September, Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said he had instructed the LTA to expedite asset upgrades, conduct joint technical audits, and improve service recovery procedures.
He stressed the need to keep commuters informed, assuring that the government remained committed to maintaining a safe and reliable network.
Acknowledging recent frustrations, Siow noted that while rail reliability had been strong in previous years, it had dipped in recent months.
He emphasised that train systems are complex and prone to faults despite redundancies, adding that the immediate priority during disruptions is to help commuters continue their journeys safely through buses or alternative train routes.
With more MRT lines now available compared with a decade ago, he said the network is more resilient and offers commuters greater travel options.
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