SMRT fined $200k for security lapse
Transport operator SMRT has been fined $200,000 for its security lapse resulting in a breach at Bishan MRT depot two months ago.
A northbound train carriage was found sprayed with graffiti on 17 August, the second such incident within a year and a half.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a statement on Tuesday that investigations showed “SMRT had failed to exercise the due diligence and vigilance expected of a public transport operator”.
It failed to regularly inspect, continuously maintain and repair its operating facilities, as well as implement the full security measures recommended by the Public Transport Security Committee after its first security lapse, said LTA.
In May 2010, SMRT was fined $50,000 for a security lapse at its Changi depot, which also saw a train carriage vandalised.
“Due to its negligence, SMRT had failed to effectively guard against unauthorised intrusions. It also failed to detect, in a timely manner, the security breach at its Bishan MRT depot and the graffiti on one of its MRT trains on 17 August 2011,” said LTA.
The authority said the operator had therefore breached its obligations under the Rapid Transit System Licence & Operating Agreement.
LTA said it will be tracking and auditing SMRT’s performance to ensure the operator adheres to standards set. The fine collected will be donated to the Public Transport Fund to help needy families with transport fares.
