Summary Article_T1 (Draft1)

TRAINS ON THE NORTH-SOUTH AND EAST-WEST LINES SAFE FOR SERVICE

In the article “Trains on the North-South and East-West Lines Safe for Service” (2016) from The Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) website, LTA announces that trains on the North-South and East-West Lines are safe. The contract was awarded to Kawasaki Heavy Industries and CSR Sifang to supply LTA with 35 trains. They were tested before they were used.

A test resulted in a case whereby the cover of the train battery housing flew open due to gas-built up and it has hence been swiftly rectified. Cracks were also found on the draughtscreen of five trains caused by errors during the installation process.

Apart from the battery and draughtscreen issues, LTA also discovered hairline cracks on 26 of the trains. After rigorous testing and assessment by LTA, the cracks which were caused by the impurity in the car-body bolster material will not have any impact on the operational safety of the trains. An “independent third-party assessor, TUV Rheinland,” agreed with LTA that the trains were able to operate safely.

LTA decided that the most practical way to rectify the defect was by substituting the whole “car-body shell”. Thus, the affected trains are being shipped back to their manufacturer for repair works gradually. Out of 26 trains, the car-bodies of five trains have been changed and the sixth one will be completed soon. In accordance with the safety guidelines, LTA and TUV Rheinland will conduct continual inspection to ensure all trains are safe for operation.

The article addresses solutions as well as the problems of the situation. It shows the prompt and appropriate actions taken by LTA. However, it would have been better if they had highlighted the actions taken by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and CSR Sifang to improve on their end-product.