SMRT suspends station manager for allowing train to move with cabin door open
SINGAPORE — Rail operator SMRT has suspended a station manager for allowing a packed train to move off from Ang Mo Kio station with one of its cabin doors open on Monday (March 11) at around 7.30pm.
SINGAPORE — Rail operator SMRT has suspended a station manager for allowing a packed train to move off from Ang Mo Kio station with one of its cabin doors open on Monday (March 11) at around 7.30pm.
The northbound train travelled around 200m before stopping and returning to the station, where “all commuters disembarked safely”, said Ms Margaret Teo, Vice President of SMRT Corporate Communications.
The train was immediately withdrawn from service, added Ms Teo in a statement on March 12.
The station manager was handling a door fault inside the train before it moved off, and he immediately kept all commuters away from the door, said Ms Teo.
Announcements were also made in the train warning passengers to hold on to the grip poles.
Videos of the incident shared on social media showed the station manager physically blocking the open doorway in a crowded train cabin.
Initial investigations found that the station manager had “made an error” that allowed the train to move with a door still open, said Ms Teo.
SMRT has apologised for the incident, and reiterated that safety is its top priority.