Oral Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Janil Puthucheary to Parliamentary Question on Threat Level for Public Transport Facilities

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport in respect of the latest Terrorism Threat Assessment Report

a.     what is the threat level for public transport facilities in Singapore; and

b.     whether LTA will consider increasing public education efforts to better prepare both public transport workers and commuters on what to do in a security incident at a public transport facility.

Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Janil Puthucheary:

1.     Public transport facilities are attractive targets for terrorist elements due to their vulnerability and potential for mass casualties. In the past two years, there have been attacks against commuters and subway trains globally. While there is no specific intelligence of attacks being planned against Singapore, the terrorism threat to Singapore remains high and the possibility of a terrorist attack against our public transport facilities cannot be discounted. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been working closely with Home Team agencies to customize specific security measures for public transport, based on the prevailing threat level.

2.     Transport workers and commuters play an important role. LTA and the Public Transport Operators will continue to work with Home Team agencies to increase security awareness and strengthen emergency preparedness among the public transport community. Regular exercises are necessary, even though they may cause inconvenience to commuters. For example, in January this year, a contingency exercise that simulated a terrorist attack was conducted at Tampines West MRT station, as part of the SGSecure movement to enhance the community’s response to a terrorist attack. More than 120 officers from various agencies and public transport workers participated in the exercise, with the public transport workers and the community assisting the authorities with evacuation and first-aid.

3.     Last year, in addition to such exercises and trial of security screening measures, the Public Transport Security Committee, an inter-agency body led by LTA, produced a video to show how commuters can get themselves to safety while helping others in the event of a terrorist attack on a train. The video is now being played at all train stations and bus interchanges. SGSecure posters and safety advisories are also displayed in transport nodes such as MRT stations and bus stops.

4.     Beyond such ongoing efforts, LTA has partnered with MHA to conduct quarterly protective security awareness seminars for public transport workers. We will continue to conduct relevant programmes, training and exercises to enable the public transport community to respond, help themselves and others during a security incident.