Delay in Upgrading North-South and East-West MRT Lines

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Government was consulted regarding the delay in upgrading the North-South and East-West MRT lines that was initially slated for 2002 as announced by SMRT's then managing director in July 1997 but was only proceeded with in 2012; and (b) why did the Government allow the said delay.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Under its original licence to operate the North-South and East-West Lines, SMRT owned the rail operating assets and was solely responsible for renewing and upgrading these assets, so long as it met LTA's regulatory requirements for system performance and reliability. Its decision on the intended timing of the replacement of the signalling system was internal and was not in breach of the terms of its licence.

We have since transited SMRT's rail lines to the New Rail Financing Framework (NRFF). Under the NRFF, LTA owns the operating assets, putting it firmly in the driver's seat for asset renewals and upgrades.