In the Mass Rapid Transit system in Singapore, security issues related to crime and terrorism were not high on the agenda of the system's planners since its inception,[1] but since the occurrence of several high-profile terrorism incidents elsewhere, CCTVs have been upgraded and installed across all stations, and security officers patrol inside the trains and within train stations 24/7.
An officer from the Public Transport Security Command surveys the high traffic volume in the immediate hours after the 2010 new year celebrations at City Hall MRT station. The human traffic can be seen captured by surveillance cameras and shown on the monitor.
In the wake of heightened security concerns as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and also particularly the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks in which the commuter rail system was targeted, the Singapore government initiated several measures aimed at securing the rail system from a similar attack. In the months immediately after the Madrid attacks, the two rail operators, SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit, started employing private unarmed guards who patrol the station platforms, and are empowered to check the belongings of commuters. The security firms are G4S Security (for SMRT) and Premier Security (for SBS Transit), but after the security breach at Bishan Depot in August 2011, the security firm; G4S Security revoked contract and moved to Certis CISCO.
In reaction to a second major terrorist attack on a public transport system in the 7 July 2005 London bombings, the police deployed armed Police Tactical Unit officers to patrol within stations the day after the bombings occurred, while pre-existing security measures were placed on higher alert.
On 14 April 2005, the Singapore Police Force made a public announcement on its plans to step-up rail security[2] by establishing a new specialised then known as the Police MRT Unit. These armed officers began visible patrols on the MRT and LRT systems on 15 August 2005, conducting random patrols in pairs in and around rail stations and within trains. Dressed in tactical uniforms similar to members from the Police Tactical Unit, they are however differentiated by blue-coloured berets, and are armed with less firepower with each officer carrying a Taurus Model 85 revolver and T-baton similar to officers from Neighbourhood Police Centres.[3] These officers are trained and authorised to utilise their firearms based on the officers' discretion, including "shoot to kill" if deemed necessary; which was evolved into the independent unit known as the Public Transport Security Command in August 2009. Alcohol is based on an issue, thereby roadblocks were set up to prevent intoxication on the Mass Rapid Transit since January 2009.
On 5 November 2018, the Land Transport Authority announced a 6-month trial of enhanced security screening that would take place at selected stations. The trial began shortly after on 12 November, with up to six stations randomly selected to conduct the checks for a period of time. The stations are – Ang Mo Kio and Bedok (November 2018), Promenade (December 2018), Chinatown (February 2019), Tampines and Clementi (March 2019). Checks are done one person at a time to reduce delays, and the data obtained from the trial would be used to improve the screening process.[4][5]
Announcements & notices
Be aware of your surroundings. If you become a victim of crime, please approach station staff for help, or call 999 immediately. 请看管好您的随身物。若发现任何形迹可疑的人物或可疑物品，请通知我们的工作人员或拨999报请。
—Station announcement example
Please do not leave your belongings unattended. If you see any suspicious-looking person or article, please inform our staff or press the emergency communication button located at the side of the train doors. 请保管好您的随身物件。若发现任何形迹可疑的人或遗留在车厢内的可疑物件，请通知我们的工作人员或使用车厢内的对话机便我们的职员联络。
—In-train announcement example
Recorded audio announcements such as the above played in stations & trains respectively, notices on plasma display screens on station platforms and in train carriages, as well as posters and notices in stations remind commuters to report instances of unattended packages and other suspicious activities to the authorities.
Exercise Northstar V
On 8 January 2006, a major civil exercise, codenamed Exercise Northstar V and simulating bombing and chemical attacks at Dhoby Ghaut, Toa Payoh, Raffles Place and Marina Bay MRT stations was conducted. Thirteen affected stations were closed during the three-hour duration of the exercise, affecting about 3,400 commuters.
Exercise Station Guard
Exercise Station Guard held at Chinatown MRT station
Since 2018, the Land Transport Authority launched Exercise Station Guard, an emergency preparedness ground deployment exercise intended to test the adequacy of existing security measures and maintain vigilance for quicker and effective responses.[6][7] The first test was held at Newton MRT station, followed by Holland Village MRT station.[8]
The Mass Rapid Transit system, locally known by the initialism MRT, is a rapid transit system in Singapore and the island country's principal mode of railway transportation. The system commenced operations in November 1987 after two decades of planning with an initial 6 km (3.7 mi) stretch consisting of five stations. The network has since grown to span the length and breadth of the country's main island – with the exception of the forested core and the rural northwestern region – in accordance with Singapore's aim of developing a comprehensive rail network as the backbone of the country's public transportation system, averaging a daily ridership of 3.45 million in 2023.
The North–South Line (NSL) is a high-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore, operated by SMRT Corporation. Coloured red on the Singapore rail map, the line is 45 kilometres (28 mi) long and serves 27 stations, 11 of which, between the Bishan and Marina South Pier stations, are underground. It runs from Jurong East station, located in Western Singapore, to Marina South Pier station in the Central Area, via Woodlands station in northern Singapore. The line operates for almost 20 hours a day, with headways of up to 1 to 2 minutes during peak hours and 5 to 8 minutes during off-peak hours. All the trains on the North–South Line run with a six-car formation.
The East–West Line (EWL) is a high-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line operated by SMRT in Singapore, running from Pasir Ris station in the east to Tuas Link station in the west, with an additional branch between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah stations. It is the second Mass Rapid Transit line to be built in Singapore. Coloured green on the rail map, the line serves 35 stations, 8 of which are underground. At 57.2 kilometres (35.5 mi), the line is the longest on the MRT network.
Jurong East MRT station is an elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North–South (NSL) and East–West (EWL) lines in Jurong East, Singapore. Situated along Jurong Gateway Road, the station is located within the vicinity of Jem, Westgate, IMM, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong East Bus Interchange and Jurong Town Hall Bus Interchange. The station is operated by SMRT Trains.
Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North South, North East and Circle lines in Singapore. Located beneath the eastern end of Orchard Road shopping belt in Dhoby Ghaut, Museum Planning Area, the station is integrated with the commercial development The Atrium@Orchard. The station is near landmarks such as The Istana, the MacDonald House, Plaza Singapura and Dhoby Ghaut Green.
HarbourFront MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station in Singapore. The termini of the North East line (NEL) and Circle line (CCL), the station serves the HarbourFront area and Sentosa. Surrounding retail and commercial developments include VivoCity and HarbourFront Centre, and the station is near HarbourFront Bus Interchange and the Singapore Cruise Centre.
Bishan MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North–South (NSL) and Circle (CCL) lines in Bishan, Singapore. The station is located along Bishan Road within the town centre; it is integrated with Junction 8 shopping centre and is close to Bishan Bus Interchange. Nearby schools include Raffles Institution, Catholic High School, and Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary and Secondary Schools.
The Light Rail Transit system, locally known by the initialism LRT, are a series of localised automated guideway transit (AGT) systems in Singapore which acts as feeder services to the heavy rail Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), and together forms the core of the country's rail transport services. The first LRT line was opened in 1999 and the system has since expanded to two lines, each serving three new towns, namely Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol, with a total system length of approximately 30 km (19 mi). Trains on these lines have at least one station interchange link to the MRT.
Newton MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North South (NSL) and Downtown (DTL) lines. It is located in Newton, Singapore, at the junction of Scotts Road and Bukit Timah Road near Newton Circus. The station serves the offices and condominiums around Newton Circus including Goldbell Towers and Scotts Highpark, and it is within walking distance to the Newton Food Centre.
Serangoon MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North East (NEL) and Circle (CCL) lines. Situated in Serangoon, Singapore along Upper Serangoon Road and Serangoon Central, the station is integrated with the Nex shopping complex and the Serangoon Bus Interchange. The station is near the Serangoon Neighbourhood Police Centre and Braddell Heights Community Hub and serves various residential estates in the area.
Sembawang MRT station is an elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the North–South line (NSL). Located in Sembawang, Singapore along Sembawang Road, the station is close to the Sun Plaza shopping centre and Sembawang Bus Interchange. The station is operated by SMRT Trains.
Kranji MRT station is an elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the North–South Line (NSL). Situated in Sungei Kadut, Singapore, along Woodlands Road, it serves the Singapore Turf Club and the Woodlands Wafer Fabrication Park. The station is operated by SMRT Trains.
Aljunied MRT station is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the East West line (EWL) in Geylang, Singapore. Named after Aljunied Road, this station primarily serves Aljunied, one of the subzones that make up Geylang planning area. On the EWL, it is between the Paya Lebar and Kallang stations.
Pioneer MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit station in Singapore. It is part of the MRT East West Line and serves the residential estate of Pioneer. The station is located along Jurong West Street 63 and provides a convenient mode of transportation for residents and visitors to the area.
Joo Koon MRT station is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station along the East West Line in Pioneer planning area, Singapore.
Holland Village MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Circle line (CCL), located along the boundary of Bukit Timah and Queenstown planning areas in Singapore. Situated close to the junction of Holland Avenue and Holland Road, it primarily serves the area of Holland Village, where its name was derived from. The station is operated by SMRT Trains.
SMRT Trains Limited is a rail operator in Singapore and a wholly owned subsidiary of SMRT Corporation. After the privatisation of the MRT operations in 1995, it was originally named Singapore MRT Limited. On 31 December 2001, it was renamed SMRT Trains Limited, so as to avoid confusion with the then upcoming North East MRT line which would be under SBS Transit. SMRT Trains currently manages most of the MRT services in Singapore except the North East Line and Downtown Line.
The Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL) is a high-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore. Coloured brown on the rail map, it is fully underground. When fully completed, the sixth line on the country's MRT network will serve 32 stations around 43 kilometres (27 mi) in length, becoming one of the world's longest driverless rapid transit lines. It runs along a combined north–south and east–west corridor, starting in the north at Woodlands town, passing through Upper Thomson and the towns of Ang Mo Kio and Bishan, heading south to the city-centre at Orchard Road and Marina Bay, subsequently heading eastwards along the eastern coast of the country through Kallang, Marine Parade and southern Bedok before ending at Upper East Coast.
Siglap MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Thomson–East Coast line in the Bedok planning area, Singapore. The station is located at and underneath Marine Parade Road next to the Nallur Road junction, near to Victoria School and St. Andrew's Autism Centre.
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