Ensuring High Maintenance Standard of Air-conditioning Systems on MRT Trains

13 Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport (a) what measures are in place to ensure that the air-conditioning systems on MRT trains are regularly maintained at a high standard; and (b) what is being done to prevent future refrigerant gas leaks and other air-conditioning malfunction on the trains.

Mr Chee Hong Tat (for the Minister for Transport): All MRT trains are installed with robust joints and corrosion-resistant pipes to minimise air-conditioning refrigerant gas leaks. Rail operators conduct preventive maintenance of aircon units and regularly check for signs of leaks. Aircon units on trains are also dismantled for more thorough checks based on manufacturer's guidelines and are replaced if necessary.

Refrigerant gas leaks do occur, but these are rare incidents which do not pose public health risks.