The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be commencing a six-month trial for enhanced security screening at selected MRT stations across all rail lines.
As part of the trial, from November 12, some commuters may be required to use a walk-through metal detector and pass their belongings through X-ray scanners, before entering the faregates.
Screening equipment may be deployed at up to six MRT stations at any one time, LTA said in a press release.
Information obtained through the trial will enable LTA to streamline and optimise its security screening processes. This will help reduce the future impact on daily rail operations.
Feedback collected from commuters and public transport operators will also enhance the effectiveness of future security operations and emergency exercises.
“Our public transport system is a key infrastructure serving millions of commuters every day. We must remain vigilant against individuals who may be carrying dangerous items that can cause harm to the public," said LTA Chief Executive and Chairman of the Public Transport Security Committee, Mr Ngien Hoon Ping.
LTA has been conducting emergency exercises to test preparedness against security threats. The third exercise this year, ‘Exercise Station Guard’, will be carried out on Wednesday, December 5, at the North East Line’s Hougang Station.
From 10am to 4pm on that day, commuters accessing Hougang Station will be directed to Exit A (near Hougang Bus Interchange) or Exit B (near Hougang Mall) to undergo security screening before they enter the station. Commuters will be required to go through a walk-through metal detector, and pass their belongings through X-ray scanners.
Exercise Station Guard is a regular exercise carried out with the public transport operators in line with the SGSecure national movement to strengthen resilience and security of the public transport network.