East-West Line disruption: LTA to impose penalties if investigation reveals lapses

The Land Transport Authority will impose penalties on train operator SMRT, if investigations into a six-day disruption last month reveal lapses. Over 2.5km of tracks on the East-West Line were severely damaged and had to be replaced. This affected more than one in six passenger journeys every day. It was the longest-ever service disruption on a major train line. In parliament on Oct 15, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat addressed more than 30 questions from over 20 MPs. The wide-ranging discussion ranged from what investigations would cover to how the system could be improved. Claudia Lim and Richa Mathew report.