LTA sets up taskforce to address rail reliability in SG

The LTA has announced that it is taking recent disruptions on Singapore's MRT and LRT lines seriously to task - and quite literally too, with establishment of a multi-party taskforce that will include the nation's rail operators. 

Chaired by LTA Chief Executive Ng Lang, the taskforce will include SMRT Group CEO Ngien Hoon Ping, as well as SBST Group CEO Jeffrey Sim. These leaders will be further joined by technical specialists from across the rail sector to review recent disruptions seen on Singapore's rail line.

Recent service disruptions have impacted both older lines like the NSEWL and newer ones like the TEL 

In an annex appended by the LTA in its press release, at least 15 key incidents from 1 July 2025 to 17 September 2025 have been highlighted for review, including the likes of signalling faults, power faults, and train faults.

These also impacted both newer lines like the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and older ones like the North-South East-West Line (NSEWL), and LRT lines through Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol.

Worth noting is the fact that the taskforce appears eager to act quickly on these incidents, with the LTA stating that it will "develop and implement immediate solutions to improve rail reliability and joint responses to service disruptions". It expects to submit its final recommendations to Acting Minister of Transport Jeffrey Siow by year-end, but will also report its findings regularly in the interim.

Among the taskforce's priorities is the identification of key rail system components that are approaching end-of-life and require replacement, upgrading, or increased maintenance. It is also exploring the option of bringing forward renewal of the North East Line's (NEL) power system, as well as reviewing how the signalling systems for the NEL and Circle Line (CCL) can be strengthened ahead of their renewals. 

The taskforce aims to accelerate asset upgrading and renewal, carry out more comprehensive technical audits of critical systems, and enhance decision-making procedures for service recovery in the event of disruptions

Additionally, it will audit maintenance and operations of critical systems, including asset conditions, maintenance processes, operational and redundancy procedures, as well as staff training and competency.

In the unfortunate scenario where a service disruption does occur, the taskforce also aims to improve service recovery processes in order to reduce impact on commuters. 

Areas that have been outlined for review include service recovery procedures (with the aim of increasing service recovery speed), and training regimes that should better equip officers on the ground to perform the requisite service recovery in the event of disruptions.

The latest announcement by the LTA builds on its earlier pledge to set aside an addition $1 billion over the next five years to strengthen Singapore's rail capabilities.