Disruption on the East-West Line: Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) reduces SMRT's penalty to S$2.4 million, with the sum earmarked for the Public Transport Fund
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore has announced a reduction in the fine imposed on public transport operator SMRT, following an investigation into the September 2020 six-day disruption of the East-West Line (EWL) train service.
Originally, SMRT faced a fine of S$3 million. However, the fine has been reduced to S$2.4 million. In addition to the reduced penalty, SMRT is mandated to spend a minimum of S$600,000 specifically to boost the reliability of the EWL.
The revised penalty structure aims to balance financial accountability with active investment in improving service reliability rather than solely penalizing the operator. This approach encourages proactive steps to prevent future disruptions.
The delays in new train arrivals were partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The LTA's investigation revealed lapses in maintenance intervals, which were extended beyond stipulations.
The S$2.4 million penalty will be directed towards the Public Transport Fund. The investment, amounting to S$600,000, will be used to address areas of improvement from the EWL train service disruption, with the aim of boosting service reliability for commuters.
The reduction in the fine was announced by the LTA on July 25, 2021. The investment and directives from the LTA are in response to the EWL train service disruption in 2020.
[1] Land Transport Authority. (2021, July 25). LTA imposes fine and investment requirements on SMRT for East-West Line train service disruption in 2020. Retrieved from https://www.lta.gov.sg/news/press-releases/2021/07/lta-imposes-fine-and-investment-requirements-on-smrt-for-east-west-line-train-service-disruption-in-2020
[2] Channel NewsAsia. (2021, July 25). LTA reduces SMRT's fine for East-West Line train service disruption in 2020. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lta-reduces-smrt-fine-east-west-line-train-disruption-2020-3196988
[1] The revised penalty for SMRT, a public transport operator in Singapore, will be directed towards the Public Transport Fund, indicating the financial sector's involvement in public-transit funding.
[2] In addition to the reduced penalty, SMRT is mandated to spend a minimum of S$600,000 on improving the reliability of the East-West Line (EWL), demonstrating an investment in transportation infrastructure.
[3] The automotive and fintech industries might take notice of this approach, where fines are balanced with investments to encourage proactive measures and prevent future disruptions, potentially setting a precedent in other sectors.
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