SMRT, SBS to give free bus rides
LTA tests response in event of major train breakdown
There will be free rides on regular bus services in the event of large-scale train service disruptions.
Special shuttle bus services will also be activated to supplement bus bridging services offered by SMRT and SBS Transit in the event of multiple line-wide service disruptions, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in a statement yesterday.
These special services will take commuters from the major towns in the northern, western and eastern parts of Singapore to the key interchange stations and vice versa, said the authority.
LTA, together with SMRT and SBS Transit, conducted a ground deployment exercise yesterday to test their enhanced incident management plans in the case of such an event.
The exercise simulated multiple power trips on the East-West Line (EWL) during the morning peak hours. It was conducted while regular train services operated as normal and commuters were unaffected.
Said LTA: "While the scenario was enacted at three EWL stations, Buona Vista, Outram Park and Tiong Bahru, both operators were also tested on their public communications efforts to inform the public of the service disruption through signages and regular updates at the stations."
LTA also assessed the operators' communications support plans at unaffected rail lines - Circle Line, Downtown Line and North East Line.
There was also a trial of newly installed beacon lights at Tiong Bahru station. Two beacon lights were installed at each of the two bus stops outside Tiong Bahru MRT station.
When activated, these lights will signal to bus captains and commuters that bus services has been activated.
The LTA is also working on a new mobile app to provide information during disruptions.
LTA's chief executive Chew Men Leong said: "Today's exercise has been very productive in showing us what is working well and where we will continue to strengthen our incident management processes. "
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