LTA mulls over tweaking $1m fine on train disruption

It has intensified rail regulatory rules.

According to a release, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has strengthened the Rapid Transit Systems (RTS) regulatory framework in four key areas: Maintenance of Rail Assets; Incident Management; Operating Performance Standards (OPS), and Penalty Framework.

Maintenance of Rail Assets: Operators to Comply with Preventive Maintenance Measures

To improve service reliability, early detection of potential problems and timely corrective actions are critical. A formal process has been implemented requiring operators to track and report indicators such as Mean Kilometres Between Failures resulting in train withdrawals.

Other indicators relating to the reliability of operating assets (e.g. Mean Stop Between Failures for signalling system) and maintenance of the third rail system (e.g. incidents of dropped claws, misaligned third rail) are also tracked.

In addition, operators are now required to submit weekly listing of faults detected through their routine maintenance. The corresponding severity classification, rectification plan and specific timelines are also to be reported. This will allow LTA to have greater oversight on whether timely and appropriate actions are taken.

LTA and SMRT are also appointing an expert to conduct an independent assessment of operators’ maintenance regime. The independent expert review will assess if the maintenance regime is appropriate and adequate for an ageing RTS network, and is expected to be completed by mid-2013. 

Incident Management: Maintaining Operator’s Readiness and New Requirements to Assist Affected Passengers

To enhance the readiness of operators, a framework on joint LTA-Operator table-top and ground deployment exercises has been developed. In particular, LTA has introduced a three-year Ground Deployment Exercise cycle, requiring operators to conduct component exercises in the first two years, with a physical deployment in the third.

LTA will also update the Code of Practice on incident management to include lessons learnt from past major incidents. The ground deployment exercise conducted on 22 November 2012, simulating a train service disruption on the East-West Line, has also provided useful learning points.

New Operating Performance Standards (OPS): Better Reflect Commuters' Experience

As announced by the Minister for Transport, LTA is exploring moving towards shorter train headways to reduce waiting time for commuters. We are aiming to bring down maximum headways outside the peak periods to no more than 5 minutes, except for periods where there is extremely low ridership. 

LTA will also tighten standards on train disruptions and delay. These standards will continue to be measured on a weekly basis to ensure consistent day-to-day performance. LTA intends to tighten the OPS such that financial penalties will be imposed if train disruptions lasting more than 30 minutes occur more than once in any four-week period. 

Penalty Framework: Reflective of Significant Impact to Commuters and Emphasis on Service Reliability

LTA is reviewing the current maximum penalty of $1 million for each train incident and regulatory non-compliance occurrence, and intends to peg the quantum to a percentage of operators’ annual fare revenue from the affected MRT line.

This is in order for the maximum penalty to be sufficiently commensurate with its emphasis on ensuring a safe and reliable MRT system, and we aim to complete the required legislative changes later this year.