LTA not taking further action against SMRT for ACS(I) train charter

SINGAPORE — The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will not be taking further action against SMRT for providing chartered trains to Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) without first seeking approval from the authority.

In a statement issued yesterday, it noted that SMRT had taken measures to ensure “there was no impact to normal train operations and commuter safety”. “While the LTA will not be taking further action against SMRT, we have reminded SMRT to respect and fulfil its licence obligations and that its primary focus must continue to be on providing timely and good service to public commuters,” a spokesperson said.

She added that the LTA would continue to consider applications by operators on providing such services on a case-by-case basis.

The statement came after days of public statements by SMRT and the LTA, in the wake of public attention generated by the operator’s move to provide five trains to ACS(I) to ferry about 3,000 students and staff to a rugby match on Tuesday. The LTA had rapped SMRT for not seeking permission and said it was considering taking action against the operator.

SMRT acknowledged that it should have obtained permission from the LTA before providing the trains to ACS(I), but pointed out that it had provided such services in previous years for “tens of thousands of students from many schools” headed to the National Education (NE) shows for National Day — without first seeking approval from the LTA.

It also encouraged more schools to charter its trains during off-peak hours where necessary, calling the effort “genuine and worthwhile as it transports a large number of students efficiently and safely”.

Yesterday, the LTA said all rail licensees must seek approval before providing such services, as the LTA has “a responsibility to safeguard the interests of the commuting public”.

“The (LTA has) to ensure train services are provided as scheduled and that any additional chartered trips do not adversely affect the quality of train services for commuters and the maintenance of the trains and rail network. It is, after all, taxpayers and public transport commuters who fund the train system,” the LTA spokesperson said. “If rail licensees, which are commercial entities, were free to charter out train services as and when they like without seeking prior approval of the regulator, the commuting public might be the parties adversely affected.”

With regard to the chartered trains for NE shows in the past, the LTA said it is part of the National Day Parade Executive Committee and has oversight of transport arrangements required. “That is why for these past charters, SMRT was not required to specifically apply to the LTA for permission,” the spokesperson said.

She added: “With careful planning and execution, occasional train charters during off-peak hours can be carried out in an efficient manner without adverse impact on public commuters.”