By Hetty Musfirah, Channel NewsAsia, 23 May 2012
Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew said on Wednesday that rail operator SMRT has been more proactive in its approach to minimise faults in the train network.
"I appreciate very, very much ... that it was not just the management people who have put in many extra hours, but also the people on the ground, the engineers, the maintenance staff, the technical people," Mr Lui said.
"They have worked much, much harder than in the past, over the last few months."
He made the comments during a visit to Bishan Depot in the morning to get a better sense of the work processes for components such as batteries, current collector shoes and wheels.
The emphasis in the maintenance regime of SMRT has shifted - from just repairing and maintaining assets - to replacing them.
Mr Lui said such a shift, along with other planned improvements, would make the network more reliable.
"There is a lot more analysis of the trends and the data and therefore pre-emptively changing out parts, rather than waiting for failures to take place before they are repaired and maintained. I think it is a good move," he said.
Mr Lui said more plans were in the pipeline to improve the network's reliability.
The joint team of SMRT and Land Transport Authority experts tasked to identify potential problems of ageing MRT lines will brief him on its recommendations next week, he said.
Mr Lui said the engineer, who is deeply involved in the joint team, has expressed confidence that the recommendations, if implemented, would make the rail network significantly more reliable.
"So hopefully, at the end of the month, when I get a briefing from them, I will be able to share their confidence," he said.
SMRT to enhance staff capability as part of company "re-engineering"
by Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, TODAY, 23 May 2012
Rail operator SMRT said today it would introduce more measures to ensure its staff are well trained to drive improvements for a more reliable train network.
SMRT interim CEO Tan Ek Kia said the company was "re-engineering itself" and would place more emphasis on replacing and renewing assets, rather than just repairing and maintaining them.
"As you evolve the systems, the organisation's capabilities, the people's capabilities also have to change and adapt with it," Mr Tan said. "We will be introducing more capability enhancement and training to (help our people) keep up with change."
"We take this very seriously, because a safe and reliable rail service for our commuters is our prime objective," he added. "It is our upmost determination to improve, we must improve and we will."
Mr Tan was speaking to the media as he hosted Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew on a visit to SMRT's Bishan Depot.
Mr Lui took some time to talk to maintenance staff and noted that SMRT has taken a more proactive stance in its approach to minimise faults in the train network.
"There is a lot more analysis of the trends and the data for pre-emptively changing out parts, rather than waiting for failures to take place. I think it is a good move," Mr Lui said.
More plans are in the pipeline to significantly improve the rail network's reliability.
Mr Lui said the joint team of SMRT and Land Transport Authority staff tasked to identify future challenges of ageing MRT lines will brief him on their recommendations next week.
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