It seems that SMRT may be in trouble for letting Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) charter five trains to ferry their students and staff to a rugby championship final at the National Stadium - the Land Transport Authority (LTA) are looking into taking action against the public transport operator.
Apparently, SMRT failed to seek prior approval from governing statutory board before going ahead with the deal with ACS(I) according to LTA's statement to various media. They disclosed that the proper procedure under the Circle Line licence is for SMRT to obtain approval from LTA before providing private train services, while emphasizing that SMRT should prioritize providing good transport services to the commuting public. The transport operator may be facing sanctions.
The plot thickens; some netizens have pointed out that SMRT's President and CEO Desmond Kuek is an ACS(I) alumni himself.
Whatever the case, SMRT hasn't exactly been enjoying a good reputation lately. They have already been facing a constant barrage of complaints from irate passengers affected by the increasingly malfunction-prone train services, in addition to the general public's unhappiness over the ever-increasing transport fare rates. ACS(I)'s chartered trains affair has not helped their stature; many have questioned the necessity of an over-the-top gesture for a school trip.
ACS(I) may have been victors in their rugby match against St. Andrews Secondary, but SMRT may be the ones at the losing end right now.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Read Also: As it turns out, you can charter MRT trains for yourself
It seems that SMRT may be in trouble for letting Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) charter five trains to ferry their students and staff to a rugby championship final at the National Stadium - the Land Transport Authority (LTA) are looking into taking action against the public transport operator.
Apparently, SMRT failed to seek prior approval from governing statutory board before going ahead with the deal with ACS(I) according to LTA's statement to various media. They disclosed that the proper procedure under the Circle Line licence is for SMRT to obtain approval from LTA before providing private train services, while emphasizing that SMRT should prioritize providing good transport services to the commuting public. The transport operator may be facing sanctions.
The plot thickens; some netizens have pointed out that SMRT's President and CEO Desmond Kuek is an ACS(I) alumni himself.
Whatever the case, SMRT hasn't exactly been enjoying a good reputation lately. They have already been facing a constant barrage of complaints from irate passengers affected by the increasingly malfunction-prone train services, in addition to the general public's unhappiness over the ever-increasing transport fare rates. ACS(I)'s chartered trains affair has not helped their stature; many have questioned the necessity of an over-the-top gesture for a school trip.
ACS(I) may have been victors in their rugby match against St. Andrews Secondary, but SMRT may be the ones at the losing end right now.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Read Also: As it turns out, you can charter MRT trains for yourself