BUKIT PANJANG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (Service disruptions and accidents)

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for Communications and Information Technology (a) why is the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit still encountering frequent service disruptions and accidents despite 20 months of rectification works since its opening; and (b) what are the measures taken to ensure the safety and convenience of LRT commuters.

The Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology (Dr John Chen Seow Phun) (for the Minister for Communications and Information Technology): Mr Speaker, Sir, since the launch of the Bukit Panjang LRT system on 6th November 1999, improvements have been made to the hardware and software of the system to improve service availability. The operator, SLRT, has also continued to improve its operations and maintenance procedures and processes over this period. The number of service disruptions lasting more than 20 minutes reduced sharply from 35 in the first eight months of operation to 7 in the following six months. This year, up to now, 6 such service disruptions have occurred; unfortunately, the last 2 occurred within seven days of each other, on 29th August and 6th September. The second disruption was consequential to the first.

The system has, on the whole, stabilised, and the service availability target of 99.7%, which translates to service disruption of not more than 4 minutes over a 20-hour daily operation, has been achieved on most days over the past 12 months.

LTA has completed its investigations into the cause of the service disruption on 29th August and 6th September. The disruption on 29th August was due to a minor technical problem. A permanent solution to prevent a recurrence has been installed. However, LTA is of the opinion that the disruption on 6th September was a result of shortcomings in the repair work carried out by the operator to rectify damage sustained during the 29th August incident. LTA intends to impose a penalty on SLRT for the 6th September service disruption. . The frequency of the recent service disruptions is not acceptable. The LRT operator is required to meet the standards for service quality, safety, maintenance and operation prescribed by LTA in its Licence and Operating Agreement. Penalties are imposed when the operator fails to meet a standard. I have asked LTA to review and tighten the penalty framework in order to spur the operator to devise the necessary preventive and corrective maintenance regimes to avoid severe delays. I understand that SLRT is now working with the system supplier to see how its operation and maintenance regimes can be further improved.

Dr Teo Ho Pin (Sembawang): Sir, may I ask the Minister of State what are the world-class performance standards which the Ministry has set for the LRT? Also, since the Ministry is not happy with the LRT's performance, what kind of deadline has been given to the SLRT to improve the system? Will the Ministry also consider setting up a committee to conduct a safety audit of the system? What is the redress available to LRT commuters who have suffered much inconvenience and financial loss? Many residents in Bukit Panjang have to take taxis to work as a result of the disruptions.

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, as I have explained earlier, the requirement for the service availability to attain 99.7% is a very high standard. So this is of world-class standards. The safety and reliability aspects are all benchmarked against world standards. As for the time-frame, LRT has been improving since it begins operation. It is not unusual for train operations to experience problems initially, even for MRT. When it first started, there were problems. And these problems will get less and less frequent. Even today, MRT also encounters problems from time to time.

As for the audit, as a first step, we have SLRT to work with the system supplier and, if need be, we will bring in a consultant to do an audit. I do not know whether Mr Chiam will be happy about that. But, if necessary, we will do it.

As for redress, SLRT has provided free bus services during the disruptions. So if there is any claim from residents, who were affected by the service disruptions, they can claim back from the operator.

Dr Teo Ho Pin: Sir, may I ask the Minister of State whether the Ministry will also consider asking SLRT to install railings on the track. Because when the train stops, the commuters will have to walk along the track to the respective stations, and it is quite dangerous to walk along the track. So presently it is without railings on both sides.

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: I will ask the operator to consider that.

Dr S. Vasoo (Tanjong Pagar): Can I ask the Minister of State, when he claims that the LRT is of world-class standards, but the Member for Sembawang is complaining that there are so many frequent breakdowns, what world-class standard are we talking about? Secondly, can I find out from the Minister of State, besides the penalty that he is imposing, whether it would be better if we allow some competition by other operators to the system, like allowing supplementary bus services, Scheme B buses, to run to meet with such contingency?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, obviously, the Member has not listened to the answer that I have given earlier. I told him that the results of the last 20 months' operation have shown quick improvement. We have attained the target of 99.7% service reliability. If this is not world-class standard, what is it?

Sir, as far as competition is concerned, this issue has been raised in the House and the Minister has said that we are reviewing it and we will make an announcement in due course.

Mr Inderjit Singh: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to confirm what I have heard. Did the Minister of State mention that commuters who were affected by the disruptions are free to go to SLRT for monetary claims right now? Can I confirm that?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, I am talking about the fares that they have incurred. Yes, if they have paid, for instance, a dollar or 60 cents, they could approach SLRT.

Mr Inderjit Singh: Sir, I believe the question asked was whether they could claim the difference, the taxi fare that they have incurred. So I think it is better that it be clarified because it may be assumed that they can claim the additional fare that they incurred on taxi.

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: The fares I am talking about are the fares they have paid to take the SLRT.