S$3 Million Fine for SMRT After Major Train Malfunction Disrupts Singapore's EWL

Singapore's SMRT Faces S$3 Million Fine After East-West Line Train Malfunction On September 25, 2024, commuters on Singapore's East-West Line (EWL) experienced a major disruption when a train's axle box failed between Dover and Ulu Pandan Depot. This resulted in the suspension of train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista for six days, causing significant inconvenience to thousands of passengers. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched an investigation and found that degraded grease in the axle box was the likely cause of the failure. The subsequent damage to the tracks further compounded the problem. "The failure of the axle box resulted in significant disruption to our commuters," said an LTA spokesperson. "We are taking this matter very seriously and are implementing measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future." The LTA's investigation also revealed that SMRT, the train operator, incurred costs exceeding S$10 million in repairs, free bus services, and shuttle trains. Despite these efforts, the LTA imposed a S$3 million fine on SMRT, citing the severity of the disruption and its impact on commuters. The fine will be directed to the Public Transport Fund to assist lower-income families with their public transport expenses. The incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance and inspection of train components to ensure the safety and reliability of Singapore's public transport system. The LTA's swift action in investigating the cause of the failure and imposing a penalty demonstrates its commitment to holding operators accountable for service disruptions.