Root Causes for Massive East-West MRT Line Disruption in September 2024 and Review to Prevent Future Occurrence

1 Ms Poh Li San asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the East-West MRT Line disruption in September 2024 (a) whether the faulty train causing damage to the rail tracks has been withdrawn in accordance with approved procedures; (b) what is the total number of commuters affected; (c) what is the estimated loss of fare revenue; and (d) what is the total expenditure on the bridging bus services.

2 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport what actions are being considered by LTA to prevent a recurrence of the East-West MRT Line service disruption on 25 September 2024.

3 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport (a) in view of recent major MRT service disruptions, whether the Public Transport Council will consider reviewing the fare increase scheduled for 28 December 2024; (b) if not, why not; and (c) whether service reliability in the period leading up to the date of the proposed fare increase can be considered as a factor in the fare adjustment formula to spur improvements in the reliability of bus and train services.

4 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Transport with the recent spate of train service disruptions including those affecting the East-West MRT line (a) whether the Ministry will conduct an overall review of the MRT network to forestall and minimize service disruptions; (b) whether there is a redundancy plan for power supply to keep trains running; (c) whether penalties will be imposed on the train service providers; and (d) if so, how are such penalties determined.

5 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Transport (a) what root causes have been identified for the train disruption along the East-West MRT line on 25 September 2024; (b) what are the reasons why a faulty train's withdrawal led to damage of the MRT track, running rails and third rail; (c) what precautionary measures are taken when the faulty train is withdrawn; (d) how can these precautionary measures be improved; and (e) what has been done to support affected commuters including students.

6 Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Transport whether the Government will consider issuing a work-from-home advisory during major train disruptions in the future to reduce pressure on the public transport system and, if not, why not.

7 Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether commuters making connecting trips before and after travelling on closed MRT line segments will be charged twice if they exceed the 45-minute transfer time limit while using free bridging bus services; and (b) if so, how many commuters affected by the East-West MRT Line disruption on 25 September 2024 may have been charged twice.

8 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Transport whether he will convene a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the root causes of the East-West MRT Line disruption on 25 September 2024.

9 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the total cost of the repair works arising from the East-West MRT Line disruption on 25 September 2024; and (b) whether the cost will be borne by commuters.

10 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Transport (a) how often do MRT trains undergo maintenance checks; (b) what are the standard operating procedures for maintenance checks and maintenance works on MRT trains; and (c) how will the Ministry review the current maintenance procedures to ensure that MRT trains are operating at a high standard to prevent future incidents.

11 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry can provide details on the causes and findings for the recent train failure on the East-West MRT Line; (b) whether there will be a review and changes made to the train and rail maintenance regime; and (c) how can the overall experience for commuters during the prolonged train disruption be improved.

12 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Transport (a) what are the service standards for the free bus bridging services provided during train disruptions under the Bus Contracting Model; (b) whether the bus bridging services provided during the East-West MRT Line disruption on 25 September 2024 have met these standards; and (c) whether the disruption has resulted in a decline in service standards on regular bus services and, if so, what is the extent of the decline.

13 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Transport (a) what support has been provided to persons with disabilities and the elderly during the train disruptions on the East-West MRT Line from 25 to 30 September 2024; and (b) what measures will the Government take to ensure more effective dissemination of information both online and at MRT stations during train disruptions to minimise confusion among commuters.

14 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Transport (a) what caused the train axle box that caused damages and disruptions to the East-West MRT Line to be defective; (b) why was this not detected prior to the incident; and (c) whether LTA is considering a comprehensive review of predictive maintenance capabilities and real time condition-monitoring of rail systems and operating assets at SMRT to identify potential lapses and prevent future occurrences.

15 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the faulty SMRT train which triggered the multi-day East-West MRT Line disruption from 25 September 2024 (a) when was the last time the carriages underwent axle box functionality tests and related inspection and checks; (b) whether any preventive and predictive maintenance was carried out on its axle box and related parts; (c) if so, when was the maintenance last carried out; (d) why was the maintenance inadequate; and (e) what went wrong in the maintenance and checking processes.

16 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the faulty SMRT train which triggered the multi-day East-West MRT Line disruption from 25 September 2024 (a) what was the initial reported fault which caused the cancellation of the service; (b) what was the cause of the dislodgement of the axle box from the train; and (c) what was the time taken by the train's driver or any personnel in charge of the tow to stop the tow after the dislodgement of the axle box.

17 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport whether LTA will conduct a review of the existing requirements on the maintenance regime and practices of all MRT trains including but not limited to older trains such as the first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries trains.

18 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Transport in relation to the six-day shutdown of the East West MRT Line in September 2024 (a) what has been the total capacity of bridging bus services put into effect compared to the average ridership of the stations that are closed; and (b) whether there is a need to mandate better maintenance and servicing requirements for train operators.

19 Ms Hany Soh asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the disruption of train services on the East-West MRT Line from 25 to 30 September 2024, whether the Ministry has considered requesting assistance and resources from the armed forces to ease human congestion and to ensure public safety.

The Minister for Transport (Mr Chee Hong Tat): Mr Speaker, with your permission, may I answer Question Nos 1 to 19 for oral answer and Question Nos 45 to 48 for written answer in my Ministerial Statement which I will deliver at tomorrow's Sitting?

Mr Speaker: Yes, you may.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: I ask Members to be patient and wait for tomorrow's answer.