Enhanced Security Screening to be implemented at MRT Stations Soon

Commuters in Singapore will soon have to put their belongings through an X-ray scanner and pass through a metal detector before entering the gates at MRT stations as part of the enhanced screening features to be tested by the LTA for 6 months, as shared in a report by Channel News Asia.

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The initiative will be implemented by the LTA in various stations starting November 12.

LTA to roll out New Security Screening Measures at MRT Stations Soon

According to the LTA, the information to be collected from the trial will help the agency simplify and optimise its overall security and screening processes, as well as reduce the future impact on daily rail operations.

As part of the trial, the LTA will also collect feedback from the public commuters as well as transport operators to enhance the efficiency and effectively of future security operations and emergency drills at all MRT facilities.

According to LTA chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping, the authority will keep on developing its systems and processes to upgrade its security protocols to ensure that the transport system will always remain safe for the public to use.

Towards the end of this year, Ping shared, all public transport operators will have introduced the use of hand-held metal detectors as part of the security checks at bus interchanges and MRT stations.

Back in July, train service provider SMRT and LRTA have conducted a joint emergency preparedness exercise at Holland Village MRT station. The next exercise of this kind, which will also be the third for this year, will be conducted with the SBS Transit at Hougang Station on Dec. 5 from 10 am to 4 pm.

Prior to entry at the station, commuters will be directed to Exit A, which is located near the bus interchange, or Exit B, which is near the Hougang Mall, for the required security screenings.

As part of the trial, commuters will have to pass through a metal detector and surrender their belongings which are to be placed through an X-ray scanner.